Some more Hogwarts!AU self indulgence with Windu and Kenobi going to their fifth year Yule Ball. Ben went with Padme last time… Mace began courting Ben somewhere after that. He asked him to the Ball this time… Padme took the picture… The boys had a good time together as established boyfriends… They probably kissed at some point during the dance… They shared some intimate moments afterward at god knows what secret spot and bla bla bla… Why do I love this so much, I should fucking stop. I also fucked up Ben’s eyes big time and I don’t know how to draw ball’s outfit.
Rubbing
in the bacta slowly into the others hands, Mace let out a considering
hum. “Your hands have become even more calloused,” He
tisked lightly before smiling at Obi-Wan. “But then again, no Jedi
has soft hands really like
those of the Rotunda.” Mace
remarked with some amusement, a reference to Senators and their aids.
Snorting
a bit, Obi-Wan allowed the other to continue rubbing his hands in
with bacta. “I had callouses before I was eight, saber training
does that you know.” He huffed before smiling softly at the other
man.
There
was an acknowledging hum before Mace moved back and wiped his hands
on a cloth so he could cap the bacta tube. “How is Anakin?” He
questioned while moving away, uncaring of the gossip that wasn’t
all that quiet around them.
Sparing
a glance for the gossiping Jedi in the salle, Obi-Wan let out a
little hum of his own.
“Re-evaluating options honestly. He says he wants to leave with me
if I go on missions since he’s worried I’d apparently forget to
eat if there aren’t a ton of younglings around.” Obi-Wan
chuckled.
There
was a sharp snort as Mace sat down again on the bench, this time with
bandages in hand as he started wrapping Obi-Wan’s injured hands.
“You would, I remember that well enough even while we were dating,
you were prone to just eating whatever snacks you had stashed on
yourself once the kids were to bed,” He said dryly before smirking
at Obi-Wan’s half pout. “You know you did.”
Rolling
his eyes, Obi-Wan finally shrugged in a half admitting move. “At least the snacks were
healthy. They were the same ones I feed the kids you know, kids with
low blood sugar throw tantrums and get cranky.” He snorted before
willing his bandaged fingers and making testing fists.
Finally
he nodded and gave the other man a smile.
Smirking
faintly, Mace sat back. “Better?” He drawled.
“Much,
thank you Mace.” Obi-Wan chuckled and reached out, giving the
others hand a squeeze before standing. “Now excuse me, I have a
trial to prepare for.” He
smirked lightly before moving, his left hand coming up to gently
trace along Mace jaw with soft fingertips as he walked away but
before he made too much distance the council member’s hand came up
to catch his wrist, thumb pressing gently down on the pulse point.
Turning
his head to meet the others burning brown eyes, Obi-Wan tilted his
head a bit with a small smirk curling the corners of his lips as a
challenge.
The
thumb pressed down a bit more harshly as Mace smirked in return.
“Don’t start something you do not tend to end Obi-Wan, I am
master of the vapaad and you play with fire when you play with me.”
He murmured quietly, his breath washing over bared fingertips.
Hiding
a shiver, Obi-Wan let out a considering hum. “Tempting Mace, very
tempting but I have a trial of insight to prepare for and bringing
you with me into the chamber sounds like a bad idea if I ever heard
one.” He chuckled quietly before pulling away, feeling the others
eyes in his back as he walked away.
But oh
did he feel alive.
He
hadn’t felt this alive in a long time.
Everything
had become so ordinary and routine in the creche, even the pranks he
pulled on the council as a teaching tool had become routine.
But to
face the inner demons of his soul?
To
face the darkness of himself to find enlightenment?
Oh,
Obi-Wan was more then ready to see what was inside him so he could
wander out into the galaxy prepared for the darkness of those around
him for the bright lights he had wandered among for so many years.
Ready
to enter the chamber while wondering which master would be observing
in case everything went wrong.
Rubbing
in the bacta slowly into the others hands, Mace let out a considering
hum. “Your hands have become even more calloused,” He
tisked lightly before smiling at Obi-Wan. “But then again, no Jedi
has soft hands really like
those of the Rotunda.” Mace
remarked with some amusement, a reference to Senators and their aids.
Snorting
a bit, Obi-Wan allowed the other to continue rubbing his hands in
with bacta. “I had callouses before I was eight, saber training
does that you know.” He huffed before smiling softly at the other
man.
There
was an acknowledging hum before Mace moved back and wiped his hands
on a cloth so he could cap the bacta tube. “How is Anakin?” He
questioned while moving away, uncaring of the gossip that wasn’t
all that quiet around them.
Sparing
a glance for the gossiping Jedi in the salle, Obi-Wan let out a
little hum of his own.
“Re-evaluating options honestly. He says he wants to leave with me
if I go on missions since he’s worried I’d apparently forget to
eat if there aren’t a ton of younglings around.” Obi-Wan
chuckled.
There
was a sharp snort as Mace sat down again on the bench, this time with
bandages in hand as he started wrapping Obi-Wan’s injured hands.
“You would, I remember that well enough even while we were dating,
you were prone to just eating whatever snacks you had stashed on
yourself once the kids were to bed,” He said dryly before smirking
at Obi-Wan’s half pout. “You know you did.”
Rolling
his eyes, Obi-Wan finally shrugged in a half admitting move. “At least the snacks were
healthy. They were the same ones I feed the kids you know, kids with
low blood sugar throw tantrums and get cranky.” He snorted before
willing his bandaged fingers and making testing fists.
Finally
he nodded and gave the other man a smile.
Smirking
faintly, Mace sat back. “Better?” He drawled.
“Much,
thank you Mace.” Obi-Wan chuckled and reached out, giving the
others hand a squeeze before standing. “Now excuse me, I have a
trial to prepare for.” He
smirked lightly before moving, his left hand coming up to gently
trace along Mace jaw with soft fingertips as he walked away but
before he made too much distance the council member’s hand came up
to catch his wrist, thumb pressing gently down on the pulse point.
Turning
his head to meet the others burning brown eyes, Obi-Wan tilted his
head a bit with a small smirk curling the corners of his lips as a
challenge.
The
thumb pressed down a bit more harshly as Mace smirked in return.
“Don’t start something you do not tend to end Obi-Wan, I am
master of the vapaad and you play with fire when you play with me.”
He murmured quietly, his breath washing over bared fingertips.
Hiding
a shiver, Obi-Wan let out a considering hum. “Tempting Mace, very
tempting but I have a trial of insight to prepare for and bringing
you with me into the chamber sounds like a bad idea if I ever heard
one.” He chuckled quietly before pulling away, feeling the others
eyes in his back as he walked away.
But oh
did he feel alive.
He
hadn’t felt this alive in a long time.
Everything
had become so ordinary and routine in the creche, even the pranks he
pulled on the council as a teaching tool had become routine.
But to
face the inner demons of his soul?
To
face the darkness of himself to find enlightenment?
Oh,
Obi-Wan was more then ready to see what was inside him so he could
wander out into the galaxy prepared for the darkness of those around
him for the bright lights he had wandered among for so many years.
Ready
to enter the chamber while wondering which master would be observing
in case everything went wrong.
There were
butterflies covering Obi-Wan’s hair and it was taking everything
Mace had not to start laughing at the sight of tiny yellow
butterflies mistaking Obi-Wan for some kind of flower though to be
fair, the omega was leading into a heat in not that long so that
could maybe explain the interest of the butterflies at the current
moment as the redhead meditated in the garden.
At the current
moment however for Mace at least he was doing his best not to be
cowed by the glaring omega beside him and inwardly sending a prayer
to the Force, Mace slowly tilted his head to give the blond his
attention.
Skywalker continued
to glare and didn’t shed away like he usually did.
“Is there
something I can help you with padawan Skywalker?” Mace finally
drawled, cocking an eyebrow at the boy…hmm man?
Skywalker was
seventeen true but he behaved more like a child than an adult still
so one could argue he was still a child in his behavior.
“Hurt him,
grandmaster of the Order or not, I will tear your karking balls from
your body.” Skywalker hissed quietly at him.
Mace felt his
brows, both of them, rise high.
“I don’t care
what the consequences will be but Obi-Wan is my master, my pack
brother and fellow omega. You hurt him, I will know and I will act.”
The blond scowled at him.
The funny thing
about the entire exchange was that Mace actually believed Skywalker.
That if Mace in any way hurt Obi-Wan, Skywalker could and would come
for the mentioned balls and would remove them.
Most likely
painfully slow… maybe with a rusty spoon if the look in Skywalker’s
blue eyes and it would have nothing to do with vengeance and
everything to do with retribution in the eyes of the blond.
Finally he nodded,
crossing his arms over his chest. “I see.” Was all he said,
smiling a bit to himself when Skywalker scoffed before he stomped off
to the other omega.
The closer he got
though, the easier he walked until he just prowled gracefully until
he could flop down beside the other, nuzzling his face into Obi-Wan’s
shoulder as the butterflies went flying in a little swarm at the
disturbance.
Obi-Wan gave a soft
laugh, opening one eye to give Skywalker a wry smile and half his
focus as the two started to talk about something and soon enough both
omegas were calm and collected.
Well Obi-Wan was
generally always calm but Skywalker orbited Obi-Wan’s calm.
Because of his deep
musing about the two, Mace didn’t notice until it was to late that
Depa had heard the entire thing and was suddenly standing beside him
with a giant grin on her face. So when she spoke, she pretty much
scared the living Force out of him, sweet mercy!
“I’d pay to see
him try to rip your balls off Master.” She chirped happily at him
as she slid beside Mace, grinning wildly up at him.
“Oh shit!” He
yelped, turning to her before wheezing. “Depa don’t scare me like
that.” He huffed loudly before grumbling. “And its not that
funny, wipe that grin off your face.”
“Oh come on,
little omega Skywalker threatening the Master of the Order to take
his balls if he hurts Skywalker’s packmate? That’s honestly
hilarious.” She teased him.
Grumbling at her
while being resigned to Depa telling the entire council about the
danger to his testicles and most likely knot, Mace just crossed his
arms over his chest and went back to Obi-Wan observing, at least that
was a nice sight.
Especially with the
omega now smiling softly.
“…To be fair,
Skywalker is not that little. He’s a lean beanstalk with power to
back up his frame.” Mace grumbled even as Depa continued to laugh.
There were
butterflies covering Obi-Wan’s hair and it was taking everything
Mace had not to start laughing at the sight of tiny yellow
butterflies mistaking Obi-Wan for some kind of flower though to be
fair, the omega was leading into a heat in not that long so that
could maybe explain the interest of the butterflies at the current
moment as the redhead meditated in the garden.
At the current
moment however for Mace at least he was doing his best not to be
cowed by the glaring omega beside him and inwardly sending a prayer
to the Force, Mace slowly tilted his head to give the blond his
attention.
Skywalker continued
to glare and didn’t shed away like he usually did.
“Is there
something I can help you with padawan Skywalker?” Mace finally
drawled, cocking an eyebrow at the boy…hmm man?
Skywalker was
seventeen true but he behaved more like a child than an adult still
so one could argue he was still a child in his behavior.
“Hurt him,
grandmaster of the Order or not, I will tear your karking balls from
your body.” Skywalker hissed quietly at him.
Mace felt his
brows, both of them, rise high.
“I don’t care
what the consequences will be but Obi-Wan is my master, my pack
brother and fellow omega. You hurt him, I will know and I will act.”
The blond scowled at him.
The funny thing
about the entire exchange was that Mace actually believed Skywalker.
That if Mace in any way hurt Obi-Wan, Skywalker could and would come
for the mentioned balls and would remove them.
Most likely
painfully slow… maybe with a rusty spoon if the look in Skywalker’s
blue eyes and it would have nothing to do with vengeance and
everything to do with retribution in the eyes of the blond.
Finally he nodded,
crossing his arms over his chest. “I see.” Was all he said,
smiling a bit to himself when Skywalker scoffed before he stomped off
to the other omega.
The closer he got
though, the easier he walked until he just prowled gracefully until
he could flop down beside the other, nuzzling his face into Obi-Wan’s
shoulder as the butterflies went flying in a little swarm at the
disturbance.
Obi-Wan gave a soft
laugh, opening one eye to give Skywalker a wry smile and half his
focus as the two started to talk about something and soon enough both
omegas were calm and collected.
Well Obi-Wan was
generally always calm but Skywalker orbited Obi-Wan’s calm.
Because of his deep
musing about the two, Mace didn’t notice until it was to late that
Depa had heard the entire thing and was suddenly standing beside him
with a giant grin on her face. So when she spoke, she pretty much
scared the living Force out of him, sweet mercy!
“I’d pay to see
him try to rip your balls off Master.” She chirped happily at him
as she slid beside Mace, grinning wildly up at him.
“Oh shit!” He
yelped, turning to her before wheezing. “Depa don’t scare me like
that.” He huffed loudly before grumbling. “And its not that
funny, wipe that grin off your face.”
“Oh come on,
little omega Skywalker threatening the Master of the Order to take
his balls if he hurts Skywalker’s packmate? That’s honestly
hilarious.” She teased him.
Grumbling at her
while being resigned to Depa telling the entire council about the
danger to his testicles and most likely knot, Mace just crossed his
arms over his chest and went back to Obi-Wan observing, at least that
was a nice sight.
Especially with the
omega now smiling softly.
“…To be fair,
Skywalker is not that little. He’s a lean beanstalk with power to
back up his frame.” Mace grumbled even as Depa continued to laugh.
Taking a deep
breath, Obi-Wan looked between the healers as they looked over the
readout of the brace he was now wearing. “I seem to be breathing
fine.” Obi-Wan offered warily from where he stood in his boxers
between the rails he was leaning on, glancing at one of the straps of
the brace that went beneath his arm to fasten it to his body.
The gray brace
covered his upper back, giving him support until it cut off at the
mid of his back into what looked like gray thin stripe of fabric that
traced the spine and continued down to the tailbone where it split
into two even thinner ‘fabric’ lines that lined down on each side
of his hip down his legs to his knees.
These were
neurotech that was providing internal support for the damaged tissue
inside and maybe, just maybe they could aid Obi-Wan into walking and
even running now that he was healed enough from the initial damage.
“Yes, that is
what we are registering.” Terza said calmly. “How is it working
with your legs and spine though?” She asked.
Giving her a tense
smile, Obi-Wan shrugged. “No time like the present to figure it
out.” He offered up and let go of the rails he had been using as
support.
Anakin, who had
been watching quietly until then, sat up sharply and looked ready to
spring from his seat to catch Obi-Wan should the other fall without
the support of rails or his cane.
Taking a slow but
full step, Obi-Wan held his breath.
But his legs still
carried him, he was standing securely between the rails without their
support.
He took another and
then several more until he got to the end of the rails but by then
his legs were shaking from the strain and he quickly grabbed them
while breathing hard, feeling exhausted but elated.
It was working.
He could walk
without the cane though it would take time for him to manage longer
periods without his cane but Obi-Wan could actually manage to walk
with the brace!
He looked up even
as Terza and the farghul healer spoke hurriedly about the resulted in
excited tones, meeting Anakin’s wide blue eyes. “Well, that’s a
start.” He panted happily.
A grin growing on
his face, Anakin approached. “It is. That’s wizard master.” He
agreed, resting a hand on Obi-Wan’s bare arm carefully. “Maybe
once you worn it for a few days I could modify it a bit? Its a bit…
bland. Maybe paint some designs on the brace?” Anakin said quietly.
Normally Obi-Wan
would say no to it but…
Well he knew how
bad Anakin felt about the entire thing and the blond just wanted to
do something nice for Obi-Wan.
So with a small
smile, he gave a nod. “That would be nice Anakin, we can talk about
it later once we’re sure this brace is mine to keep.” Obi-Wan
said softly, watching how the blue eyes perked up at the acceptance.
All four of them
jumped a bit when the door slid open however though Obi-Wan relaxed
when he saw Mace there.
“Apologies for
interrupting.” The Korun rumbled, rubbing the back of his neck a
bit. “Master Yoda was looking for Healer Terza and would not take
no for an answ-” His eyes landed on Obi-Wan, filling with surprise.
“Obi-Wan, you’re standing on your own!” Mace exclaimed as he
stepped into the room.
Smiling shyly,
Obi-Wan nodded even as he grasped onto one of the rails for support.
“Yes. Healer Terza and Standa thought that maybe a neuro-brace
might help me stimulate the nerves and improve my ability to walk.
And they were right. I may even be able to run eventually if this
continues though I will be grateful to settle for walking.” He
laughed lowly.
Mace nodded,
smiling a bit before gesturing to Obi-Wan’s face. “I see you got
my gift too.” He murmured more quietly.
Smiling more
genuinely in return, Obi-Wan lifted a hand to his face, touching the
embroidered leather strap covering his empty right eye socket. “Yes,
the eyepatch was delivered today and… well thank you, its very
pretty.” He murmured softly.
And the eyepatch
was indeed very pretty, in a dark red leather with silver stars
stitched onto it varying sizes, the biggest one in the middle.
Rolling his eyes,
Anakin watched his master and Windu flirt, wondering how in the Force
life had come to this. ‘Well, at least its easier to watch those
two flirt then it is to constantly try and amuse Obi-Wan.’ He
sighed.
Taking a deep
breath, Obi-Wan looked between the healers as they looked over the
readout of the brace he was now wearing. “I seem to be breathing
fine.” Obi-Wan offered warily from where he stood in his boxers
between the rails he was leaning on, glancing at one of the straps of
the brace that went beneath his arm to fasten it to his body.
The gray brace
covered his upper back, giving him support until it cut off at the
mid of his back into what looked like gray thin stripe of fabric that
traced the spine and continued down to the tailbone where it split
into two even thinner ‘fabric’ lines that lined down on each side
of his hip down his legs to his knees.
These were
neurotech that was providing internal support for the damaged tissue
inside and maybe, just maybe they could aid Obi-Wan into walking and
even running now that he was healed enough from the initial damage.
“Yes, that is
what we are registering.” Terza said calmly. “How is it working
with your legs and spine though?” She asked.
Giving her a tense
smile, Obi-Wan shrugged. “No time like the present to figure it
out.” He offered up and let go of the rails he had been using as
support.
Anakin, who had
been watching quietly until then, sat up sharply and looked ready to
spring from his seat to catch Obi-Wan should the other fall without
the support of rails or his cane.
Taking a slow but
full step, Obi-Wan held his breath.
But his legs still
carried him, he was standing securely between the rails without their
support.
He took another and
then several more until he got to the end of the rails but by then
his legs were shaking from the strain and he quickly grabbed them
while breathing hard, feeling exhausted but elated.
It was working.
He could walk
without the cane though it would take time for him to manage longer
periods without his cane but Obi-Wan could actually manage to walk
with the brace!
He looked up even
as Terza and the farghul healer spoke hurriedly about the resulted in
excited tones, meeting Anakin’s wide blue eyes. “Well, that’s a
start.” He panted happily.
A grin growing on
his face, Anakin approached. “It is. That’s wizard master.” He
agreed, resting a hand on Obi-Wan’s bare arm carefully. “Maybe
once you worn it for a few days I could modify it a bit? Its a bit…
bland. Maybe paint some designs on the brace?” Anakin said quietly.
Normally Obi-Wan
would say no to it but…
Well he knew how
bad Anakin felt about the entire thing and the blond just wanted to
do something nice for Obi-Wan.
So with a small
smile, he gave a nod. “That would be nice Anakin, we can talk about
it later once we’re sure this brace is mine to keep.” Obi-Wan
said softly, watching how the blue eyes perked up at the acceptance.
All four of them
jumped a bit when the door slid open however though Obi-Wan relaxed
when he saw Mace there.
“Apologies for
interrupting.” The Korun rumbled, rubbing the back of his neck a
bit. “Master Yoda was looking for Healer Terza and would not take
no for an answ-” His eyes landed on Obi-Wan, filling with surprise.
“Obi-Wan, you’re standing on your own!” Mace exclaimed as he
stepped into the room.
Smiling shyly,
Obi-Wan nodded even as he grasped onto one of the rails for support.
“Yes. Healer Terza and Standa thought that maybe a neuro-brace
might help me stimulate the nerves and improve my ability to walk.
And they were right. I may even be able to run eventually if this
continues though I will be grateful to settle for walking.” He
laughed lowly.
Mace nodded,
smiling a bit before gesturing to Obi-Wan’s face. “I see you got
my gift too.” He murmured more quietly.
Smiling more
genuinely in return, Obi-Wan lifted a hand to his face, touching the
embroidered leather strap covering his empty right eye socket. “Yes,
the eyepatch was delivered today and… well thank you, its very
pretty.” He murmured softly.
And the eyepatch
was indeed very pretty, in a dark red leather with silver stars
stitched onto it varying sizes, the biggest one in the middle.
Rolling his eyes,
Anakin watched his master and Windu flirt, wondering how in the Force
life had come to this. ‘Well, at least its easier to watch those
two flirt then it is to constantly try and amuse Obi-Wan.’ He
sighed.
Tucking
the covers around Mace with care, Obi-Wan gave the other a tired
smile before he slowly pushed himself up, rubbing
his throat scare gingerly as he made his way out into the main parts
of the quarters as his bladder was screaming at him.
Once relieved, he
went to the kitchen to start on some fruit porridge, watching the sun
rise slowly over Coruscant.
From his kitchen,
he could see the smoke still rising from the Senate even now, days
later.
Obi-Wan’s
warnings about Palpatine had been lingering in everyone even as
Obi-Wan recovered from his unwilling Fall, his soul and mind healing
still going even as Anakin had been forced into a corner by the man and had
to make a decision.
Blessedly, Anakin
had come to Obi-Wan.
Had told him what
the man was planning, what was going on which meant that things could
be dealt with. The council had been able to confront the chancellor
for the betrayal towards the Republic.
Not that it had
been easy.
Plo would never be
able to leave Coruscant without assistance though the Wolfpack was
more than happy to help their Jedi. Eeth had lost his life while
Saesee had lost one of his horns and his gaze to Palpatine’s saber
and Mace…
Obi-Wan glanced
towards the bedroom door.
Mace had lost both
his arms.
Anakin had been the
only one to come out of it physically unscratched.
But spiritually?
Obi-Wan had never
seen his padawan like this.
He’d switch
between bouts of rage and depression like the switch of a lever, the
healers had explained that it was Palpatine’s fault, the Sith
having sunk his claws into Anakin’s mind and without the man around, the
tethers were gone.
And
Obi-Wan couldn’t tether Anakin either in
his current state so it was a
struggle to help Anakin find balance again.
And then the babies
had been born.
Force hadn’t that
been something.
Luke and Leia had
been born a month too early according to Padme, thanks to the stress
they were all going through currently but their birth had tethered
something in Anakin. It wasn’t a magical healing, Anakin would need
much recovery just like the others who had faced and lived past
Palpatine but the babies were doing things to him that helped.
And the temple
would still offer him help should Anakin decide that he could not be
a Jedi anymore.
Which
was frankly still up in the air sadly
enough, the council just had too much to do to think over it right at
that moment but Obi-Wan knew it was coming, either Anakin would make
a choice or the Council would finally come to the conclusion of what
to do.
Obi-Wan wasn’t
sure which he wished for.
On one hand he
wanted Anakin by his side, still Jedi, both able to help people once
they were healthy again. But on the other hand… Anakin was married,
Anakin had a family and he had a chance to be happy outside the
Order.
Regardless, Obi-Wan
would be happy for Anakin with whatever the blond chose as long as
the young knight was happy.
There
was a soft huff that
distracted him from his thoughts and
that was Obi-Wan’s only warning before a chest contacted with his
back and two upper arms rested along Obi-Wan’s sides as much as
they could. A warm nose settled into his neck. “You weren’t in
bed.” Mace rumbled against his skin.
“Breakfast.”
Obi-Wan murmured back, petting gently at one of the stumps. “Healers
told me to have you eat light today before they try connecting the
new arms. And Anakin advised porridge in
case you throw up since that’s supposedly easier.”
He pulled the pot of the heat so he could turn around, smiling up at
Mace.
The
Korun grimaced but nodded, he was not a man fond of porridge but it
was clear he wasn’t going to complain. “Help
me change into my tunics or eat first?” He questioned resignedly.
“Eat
while its warm,
then change love.” Obi-Wan kissed him on the lips, avoiding going
too deep for the morning breath. Then he guided the other to the
table and pushed him into a seat, moving back to the cupboard to
bring out a big bowl for them to share.
Without his arms,
Mace had been resigned to needing help with basic things, like eating
and cleaning.
It was
made more bearable by Obi-Wan taking over the moment Mace was healed
enough to leave the Halls but
he was looking forward to the prosthetic.
Returning to the
table, Obi-Wan settled the bowl down only to stop when the other
settled his arm on Obi-Wan’s hip, the redhead blinked down at his
lover who peered back before Mace smiled softly. “We made it.” He
murmured, causing Obi-Wan to blink harder. “We’re still alive.”
He added.
“…Oh.”
Obi-Wan swallowed before smiling too. “We made it.” He agreed
quietly.
Tucking
the covers around Mace with care, Obi-Wan gave the other a tired
smile before he slowly pushed himself up, rubbing
his throat scare gingerly as he made his way out into the main parts
of the quarters as his bladder was screaming at him.
Once relieved, he
went to the kitchen to start on some fruit porridge, watching the sun
rise slowly over Coruscant.
From his kitchen,
he could see the smoke still rising from the Senate even now, days
later.
Obi-Wan’s
warnings about Palpatine had been lingering in everyone even as
Obi-Wan recovered from his unwilling Fall, his soul and mind healing
still going even as Anakin had been forced into a corner by the man and had
to make a decision.
Blessedly, Anakin
had come to Obi-Wan.
Had told him what
the man was planning, what was going on which meant that things could
be dealt with. The council had been able to confront the chancellor
for the betrayal towards the Republic.
Not that it had
been easy.
Plo would never be
able to leave Coruscant without assistance though the Wolfpack was
more than happy to help their Jedi. Eeth had lost his life while
Saesee had lost one of his horns and his gaze to Palpatine’s saber
and Mace…
Obi-Wan glanced
towards the bedroom door.
Mace had lost both
his arms.
Anakin had been the
only one to come out of it physically unscratched.
But spiritually?
Obi-Wan had never
seen his padawan like this.
He’d switch
between bouts of rage and depression like the switch of a lever, the
healers had explained that it was Palpatine’s fault, the Sith
having sunk his claws into Anakin’s mind and without the man around, the
tethers were gone.
And
Obi-Wan couldn’t tether Anakin either in
his current state so it was a
struggle to help Anakin find balance again.
And then the babies
had been born.
Force hadn’t that
been something.
Luke and Leia had
been born a month too early according to Padme, thanks to the stress
they were all going through currently but their birth had tethered
something in Anakin. It wasn’t a magical healing, Anakin would need
much recovery just like the others who had faced and lived past
Palpatine but the babies were doing things to him that helped.
And the temple
would still offer him help should Anakin decide that he could not be
a Jedi anymore.
Which
was frankly still up in the air sadly
enough, the council just had too much to do to think over it right at
that moment but Obi-Wan knew it was coming, either Anakin would make
a choice or the Council would finally come to the conclusion of what
to do.
Obi-Wan wasn’t
sure which he wished for.
On one hand he
wanted Anakin by his side, still Jedi, both able to help people once
they were healthy again. But on the other hand… Anakin was married,
Anakin had a family and he had a chance to be happy outside the
Order.
Regardless, Obi-Wan
would be happy for Anakin with whatever the blond chose as long as
the young knight was happy.
There
was a soft huff that
distracted him from his thoughts and
that was Obi-Wan’s only warning before a chest contacted with his
back and two upper arms rested along Obi-Wan’s sides as much as
they could. A warm nose settled into his neck. “You weren’t in
bed.” Mace rumbled against his skin.
“Breakfast.”
Obi-Wan murmured back, petting gently at one of the stumps. “Healers
told me to have you eat light today before they try connecting the
new arms. And Anakin advised porridge in
case you throw up since that’s supposedly easier.”
He pulled the pot of the heat so he could turn around, smiling up at
Mace.
The
Korun grimaced but nodded, he was not a man fond of porridge but it
was clear he wasn’t going to complain. “Help
me change into my tunics or eat first?” He questioned resignedly.
“Eat
while its warm,
then change love.” Obi-Wan kissed him on the lips, avoiding going
too deep for the morning breath. Then he guided the other to the
table and pushed him into a seat, moving back to the cupboard to
bring out a big bowl for them to share.
Without his arms,
Mace had been resigned to needing help with basic things, like eating
and cleaning.
It was
made more bearable by Obi-Wan taking over the moment Mace was healed
enough to leave the Halls but
he was looking forward to the prosthetic.
Returning to the
table, Obi-Wan settled the bowl down only to stop when the other
settled his arm on Obi-Wan’s hip, the redhead blinked down at his
lover who peered back before Mace smiled softly. “We made it.” He
murmured, causing Obi-Wan to blink harder. “We’re still alive.”
He added.
“…Oh.”
Obi-Wan swallowed before smiling too. “We made it.” He agreed
quietly.
Skidding around the
corner and trying not to make it look like he was, Mace licked his
lips. Requirements of the war had demanded that he leave the temple
for a full month and neither Mace or Obi-Wan had enjoyed that idea
but had as Jedi allowed the separation of them.
But Mace worried.
He knew that
Skywalker would be out of the temple too with young padawan Tano,
leaving Obi-Wan for the most part alone with Squeak unless others
could spare time for the recovering and damaged young man.
There were a few of
course.
Kolar had needed
time to recover from having his entire femur shattered and Jocasta
was always up for a friendly conversation with Obi-Wan as she was not
going to hold a grudge against a man so obviously damaged.
Every Force
sensitive with any measure at being able to read auras could feel the
chasms in Obi-Wan’s soul and mind.
And visually there
was some times when Obi-Wan’s eyes would grow glassy and distant,
no longer in the moment but somewhere far away that Mace couldn’t
even start to imagine.
Obi-Wan was always
so confused when he returned from those moments.
Time had passed by
him without him realizing it and he couldn’t tell others where he
was.
A soul healer had
suggested that Obi-Wan was being submerged by the Force in a manner,
the Force naturally trying to heal Obi-Wan but just…
Not managing.
Not sentient or
aware enough to really heal him.
But that was just a
theory that no one could prove or disprove.
All they knew for
sure was that physical contact with others helped Obi-Wan stay in the
moment.
But that was little
comfort for the Korun at this moment as he desperately prayed to the
Force that no one needed him right this moment or tried to stop him
as he just wanted to get to his quarters where Obi-Wan was suppose to
be.
With no little
relief shielded behind a serene face, Mace slapped his hand onto the
scanner to let himself into the quarters. A mixed and familiar scent
instantly reached out to him, the mix of anooba, tea, incense spices…
and Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan laying on
his side on the couch of the quarters in a set of the fuzzy tantaun socks Tano
had gotten for him with Mace robe as a blanket, Squeak resting in the
little curve of Obi-Wan’s bent legs with his head on the mans hip.
Shoulders lowering
from the tense position he felt he had been keeping them in since he
left the temple, Mace just watched the other for a long few minutes
as he reached out to the fuzzy presence that was Obi-Wan asleep.
Squeak raised his
head after a few moments, giving a bone cracking yawn before
carefully nosing at Obi-Wan’s side with his cold snout and then
moving off the couch.
The move woke
Obi-Wan of course and Mace was treated to the redhead straining into
consciousness, yawning sleepily and lifting his head off the pillow
he had been snuggling with Mace robe falling down around his hips as
he sat up. “Squeak?” He gave a sleep husky mumble before noticing
Mace, perking up. “Mace!” He stumbled to his feet, around the
caff table and right into Mace arms, the two clinging to each other
for a few long moments. “…You’re home.” He whispered happily.
“I’m home
little love.” Mace greeted softly, tilting the others head up to
claim a soft kiss.
He was home for
now, this moment with a galaxy in war was just for them.
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