Safehere

In SafeHere does Qui-gon ever feel (irrationally) guilty that he’d didn’t accept Obi as his padawan I mean he was the last one to turn Obi-wan away.

Posted on av swmoddy

Eyes closed with a
hand pressed to his face, Mace gave a loud sigh that spoke of
tiredness and weary pain.

Well perhaps not
pain directly but perhaps something in the term of just bone set
weariness that came from the holographic evidence the entire council
was being presented with, Obi-Wan’s bruised little body
photographed by the healers for evidence before they healed the pain
away. “How in all Force name did we miss this. This must have been
going on from the every start.” He mumbled into his hand.

The mood was
anything but high as practically every council member was sinking
into the chair.

Finally Mace
managed to drag his hand off his face to look at Yoda. “Where is
young Kenobi now? Is it possible for us to speak to him?”

Yoda hummed a bit.
“Sleeping, Obi-Wan is. In my quarters I have him as find him there,
Shkma will not when look for him he does.” Yoda rolled his cane in
his lap slowly. “Sleeping he was when leave I did.” He sighed.
“Asked about why not approach anyone for help I asked him…”

Jocasta finally sat
up a bit, her eyes focused on Yoda. “And?”

Yoda stopped
stopped rolling his cane. “Bullying he indicated used to in the
creche he was. Normal he thought this was… believe him he was
worried no one would.” His ears dropped. “Failed our younglings
we have if such belief root can take.”

The mood was heavy
and almost painful as each councilor let that information wash over
them with the state of Obi-Wan’s poor bruised and abused body was
shown to them.

()()()

Slipping in
quietly, Qui-Gon quickly surveyed the room and easily found the boy
just like Yoda had informed him earlier.

Obi-Wan was
sleeping on Yoda’s couch, a blanket covering him with one arm
resting outside the blanket along his face.

One look told him
that while Obi-Wan was asleep, it was not a proper kind of sleep,
curled up as he was in a protective foster position.

‘A subconscious
reaction to pain and fear, trying to protect himself from a threat he
doesn’t feel he can escape even when he is suppose to be safe.’
Qui-Gon thought sadly as he watched the other breath slowly in and
out.

After a few seconds
he studied the thin limb that was exposed by the sleeve being twisted
down while Obi-Wan slept.

It was still
bruised.

The healers had
done their job but couldn’t heal the entire limb all at once
clearly. Or the implication were that there were more bruises and
Obi-Wan’s body could only handle so much at once and Force was that
a nauseating implication to Qui-Gon.

Regardless
Obi-Wan’s arm was covered in yellowing bruises.

Finger shaped ones.

Slowly, Qui-Gon
approached, settling the bowl he had brought with him down on the
table before kneeling. Then he debated how to wake the other without
scaring him.

That was the last
thing Qui-Gon wished to do.

“Padawan Kenobi?”
He settled on, calling out the boys name.

Obi-Wan twitched a
bit.

“Padawan Kenobi,
please wake up?” Qui-Gon repeated a bit louder and this time
Obi-Wan opened up his eyes slowly.

He sat up quickly
however when he realized he wasn’t alone, startling a bit clearly.
“M-Master Jinn?” He rasped out.

Quickly smiling at
the boy, Qui-Gon gestured to the abandoned bowl. “Master Yoda is
going to be in session for a while, he requested me to ensure you had
dinner.” He murmured then tilted his head. “Do you like pasta?”

Obi-Wan looked at
the covered bowl then back at Qui-Gon. “Y-Yes master… but I’m
allergic to hoi-broth if you used that.” He whispered, wary
looking.

“Cream sauce and
cooked soyprotiens, still hot even since I just finished it.”
Qui-Gon kept his moves slow and deliberate, reaching for the bowl and
holding it out for Obi-Wan to take. “I’ll just find you a fork in
the kitchen.” He pulled back once Obi-Wan had the bowl on his lap,
carefully undoing the top of the bowl while Qui-Gon went to the
kitchen.

‘Well… at least
he doesn’t seems to have lost total trust in the rest of the
temple. Thank the Force for small miracles.’

In SafeHere does Qui-gon ever feel (irrationally) guilty that he’d didn’t accept Obi as his padawan I mean he was the last one to turn Obi-wan away.

Posted on av swmoddy

Eyes closed with a
hand pressed to his face, Mace gave a loud sigh that spoke of
tiredness and weary pain.

Well perhaps not
pain directly but perhaps something in the term of just bone set
weariness that came from the holographic evidence the entire council
was being presented with, Obi-Wan’s bruised little body
photographed by the healers for evidence before they healed the pain
away. “How in all Force name did we miss this. This must have been
going on from the every start.” He mumbled into his hand.

The mood was
anything but high as practically every council member was sinking
into the chair.

Finally Mace
managed to drag his hand off his face to look at Yoda. “Where is
young Kenobi now? Is it possible for us to speak to him?”

Yoda hummed a bit.
“Sleeping, Obi-Wan is. In my quarters I have him as find him there,
Shkma will not when look for him he does.” Yoda rolled his cane in
his lap slowly. “Sleeping he was when leave I did.” He sighed.
“Asked about why not approach anyone for help I asked him…”

Jocasta finally sat
up a bit, her eyes focused on Yoda. “And?”

Yoda stopped
stopped rolling his cane. “Bullying he indicated used to in the
creche he was. Normal he thought this was… believe him he was
worried no one would.” His ears dropped. “Failed our younglings
we have if such belief root can take.”

The mood was heavy
and almost painful as each councilor let that information wash over
them with the state of Obi-Wan’s poor bruised and abused body was
shown to them.

()()()

Slipping in
quietly, Qui-Gon quickly surveyed the room and easily found the boy
just like Yoda had informed him earlier.

Obi-Wan was
sleeping on Yoda’s couch, a blanket covering him with one arm
resting outside the blanket along his face.

One look told him
that while Obi-Wan was asleep, it was not a proper kind of sleep,
curled up as he was in a protective foster position.

‘A subconscious
reaction to pain and fear, trying to protect himself from a threat he
doesn’t feel he can escape even when he is suppose to be safe.’
Qui-Gon thought sadly as he watched the other breath slowly in and
out.

After a few seconds
he studied the thin limb that was exposed by the sleeve being twisted
down while Obi-Wan slept.

It was still
bruised.

The healers had
done their job but couldn’t heal the entire limb all at once
clearly. Or the implication were that there were more bruises and
Obi-Wan’s body could only handle so much at once and Force was that
a nauseating implication to Qui-Gon.

Regardless
Obi-Wan’s arm was covered in yellowing bruises.

Finger shaped ones.

Slowly, Qui-Gon
approached, settling the bowl he had brought with him down on the
table before kneeling. Then he debated how to wake the other without
scaring him.

That was the last
thing Qui-Gon wished to do.

“Padawan Kenobi?”
He settled on, calling out the boys name.

Obi-Wan twitched a
bit.

“Padawan Kenobi,
please wake up?” Qui-Gon repeated a bit louder and this time
Obi-Wan opened up his eyes slowly.

He sat up quickly
however when he realized he wasn’t alone, startling a bit clearly.
“M-Master Jinn?” He rasped out.

Quickly smiling at
the boy, Qui-Gon gestured to the abandoned bowl. “Master Yoda is
going to be in session for a while, he requested me to ensure you had
dinner.” He murmured then tilted his head. “Do you like pasta?”

Obi-Wan looked at
the covered bowl then back at Qui-Gon. “Y-Yes master… but I’m
allergic to hoi-broth if you used that.” He whispered, wary
looking.

“Cream sauce and
cooked soyprotiens, still hot even since I just finished it.”
Qui-Gon kept his moves slow and deliberate, reaching for the bowl and
holding it out for Obi-Wan to take. “I’ll just find you a fork in
the kitchen.” He pulled back once Obi-Wan had the bowl on his lap,
carefully undoing the top of the bowl while Qui-Gon went to the
kitchen.

‘Well… at least
he doesn’t seems to have lost total trust in the rest of the
temple. Thank the Force for small miracles.’

Could you do another extension of the Safehere ‘verse? Maybe with some more background in the month that lead from Qui-Gon’s suspicions (did he notice more irregularities? Talk to Yoda and other Masters and Padawans?) or a few snapshots of Yoda’s Vision Talks that lead to this one with Yoda not noticing or at least growing in suspicions each time? Maybe just general outsider POV (of any Master or Padawan)? (Also, did Obi-Wan’s Master try to hide the abuse or even realize it was abuse???)

Posted on av swmoddy

Stirring the soup
slowly, Qui-Gon finally sighed and looked at Yoda. “I have to
admit, I didn’t expect soup.” He smirked wryly.

Yoda snorted in
reply. “An ache in my gums I have. Appointment with the healers not
for another few days are, my meals soft at the moment will be.” He
gave Qui-Gon raised eyebrows. “Invited yourself to my dinner you
did, so grateful you should be.” He said wryly.

“Fair enough
Master Yoda.” Qui-Gon raised his hands in surrender before
peacefully taking a spoonful of the still hot soup.

‘I’d forgotten
how beetle soup tasted. Bleh.’ Qui-Gon inwardly grimaced but kept
his complaints to himself as Yoda was right, he had invited himself.

Yoda peacefully ate
a few spoonfuls too before he sighed. “But a social visit I do not
believe this is. Concern you seem to have.” Yoda looked at him
seriously.

Taking another
spoonful to summon his thoughts, Qui-Gon nodded. “I did have an
ulterior move, I admit that.”

Yoda hummed at
that, watching him while settling his spoon down to watch the other.

“Knight Shkma,
what kind of man is he? Do you know?” Qui-Gon decided bluntly to
ask his grandmaster as the man put his nose into practically every
affair in the temple and if the man was as Qui-Gon suspected then
Yoda was sure to at least have some kind of suspicion or even just a
Council report.

His stomach
squirmed uncomfortably when Yoda looked down and picked up his spoon
to stir his soup. “Olliander Shkma you speak of? Something you have
seen to bring his name to me?” The grandmaster’s voice was serene
but Qui-Gon knew the other, the other was his grandmaster after all
and could tell the other was wary.

“Please just
answer the question Yoda.” He requested plaintively.

Yoda sighed at
that. “Concerned the council is, Knight Shkma’s conduct worrying
in later months has become, concerned we are that unsuited as Jedi he
may be but direct evidence we can not properly show to justify
actions. Reprimanded he has been but further action the Council can
not take on only suspicions.” Yoda confessed.

Qui-Gon’s stomach
sunk.

“Something you
must have seen, to bring his name to me.” Yoda’s voice sounded as
old as he really was.

Qui-Gon nodded. “I
encountered padawan Kenobi, he…” He hesitated but Yoda’s ears
went taunt, his full attention firmly placed on Qui-Gon and if he
hadn’t been so used to it, it might be a bit daunting.

“Worried you are.
Concerned about Padawan Kenobi?” Yoda sounded alarmed.

‘He’s fond of
the boy.’ Qui-Gon realized with a bit of surprise before quietly
launching into a description of his encounter with young Obi-Wan.

()()()

Quietly, through
the grapevine of the temple, master’s were put out on the lookout
for the behavior of Knight Shkma, both in general and in particular
in how he behaved with his padawan. So far nothing was too alarming
though several master’s were sending in reports back about the
knight seemingly having boundary issues about what punishments were
appropriate.

And that alone was
worrying.

Mace rested the
back of his hand against his lips, staring at the report for a long
moment before looking at Yoda. “Is this report accurate master?”
He rumbled.

“Truthful I
believe master Inka is, struck Obi-Wan knight Shkma has.” Yoda
offered as grimly.

There was a
scattering of mutters around the council.

Jocasta leaned
somewhat forward. “I do believe in the benefit of certain kind of
physical punishments, like chores but outright striking ones
padawan…” She let the statement linger then looked around the
room.

Shaking his head,
Plo spoke up. “There is no reason to strike ones padawan as
punishment for training mishaps. This is not justifiable and actions
we need to take against him.”

Yaddle tapped her
claws on the chair. “Lashing out at ones padawan, a grave sign this
is. Uncertain of Knight Shkma we have all been for a while.” She
stated grimly.

The mutterings went
mute when Yoda cleared his throat for attention. “Speak to Obi-Wan
I shall. If abuse this is as suspect we do, then to the bottom I
shall get. If abuse I find…” Yoda let his words trail off as his
ears raised.

Then he pursed his
lips with a small sigh. “If abuse I find from a master to one of
our younglings, then young Shkma will be removed from his position.
Probation he will find himself on. Kept away from all our younglings
he will be until trial held can be.” He stated grimly.

There would be no
quiet dealing with Olliander Shkma if there was discovered abuse by
the man towards Obi-Wan because abuse was a serious thing.

And no Jedi would
tolerate an adult inflicting such a thing towards their young.

Never.

Could you do another extension of the Safehere ‘verse? Maybe with some more background in the month that lead from Qui-Gon’s suspicions (did he notice more irregularities? Talk to Yoda and other Masters and Padawans?) or a few snapshots of Yoda’s Vision Talks that lead to this one with Yoda not noticing or at least growing in suspicions each time? Maybe just general outsider POV (of any Master or Padawan)? (Also, did Obi-Wan’s Master try to hide the abuse or even realize it was abuse???)

Posted on av swmoddy

Stirring the soup
slowly, Qui-Gon finally sighed and looked at Yoda. “I have to
admit, I didn’t expect soup.” He smirked wryly.

Yoda snorted in
reply. “An ache in my gums I have. Appointment with the healers not
for another few days are, my meals soft at the moment will be.” He
gave Qui-Gon raised eyebrows. “Invited yourself to my dinner you
did, so grateful you should be.” He said wryly.

“Fair enough
Master Yoda.” Qui-Gon raised his hands in surrender before
peacefully taking a spoonful of the still hot soup.

‘I’d forgotten
how beetle soup tasted. Bleh.’ Qui-Gon inwardly grimaced but kept
his complaints to himself as Yoda was right, he had invited himself.

Yoda peacefully ate
a few spoonfuls too before he sighed. “But a social visit I do not
believe this is. Concern you seem to have.” Yoda looked at him
seriously.

Taking another
spoonful to summon his thoughts, Qui-Gon nodded. “I did have an
ulterior move, I admit that.”

Yoda hummed at
that, watching him while settling his spoon down to watch the other.

“Knight Shkma,
what kind of man is he? Do you know?” Qui-Gon decided bluntly to
ask his grandmaster as the man put his nose into practically every
affair in the temple and if the man was as Qui-Gon suspected then
Yoda was sure to at least have some kind of suspicion or even just a
Council report.

His stomach
squirmed uncomfortably when Yoda looked down and picked up his spoon
to stir his soup. “Olliander Shkma you speak of? Something you have
seen to bring his name to me?” The grandmaster’s voice was serene
but Qui-Gon knew the other, the other was his grandmaster after all
and could tell the other was wary.

“Please just
answer the question Yoda.” He requested plaintively.

Yoda sighed at
that. “Concerned the council is, Knight Shkma’s conduct worrying
in later months has become, concerned we are that unsuited as Jedi he
may be but direct evidence we can not properly show to justify
actions. Reprimanded he has been but further action the Council can
not take on only suspicions.” Yoda confessed.

Qui-Gon’s stomach
sunk.

“Something you
must have seen, to bring his name to me.” Yoda’s voice sounded as
old as he really was.

Qui-Gon nodded. “I
encountered padawan Kenobi, he…” He hesitated but Yoda’s ears
went taunt, his full attention firmly placed on Qui-Gon and if he
hadn’t been so used to it, it might be a bit daunting.

“Worried you are.
Concerned about Padawan Kenobi?” Yoda sounded alarmed.

‘He’s fond of
the boy.’ Qui-Gon realized with a bit of surprise before quietly
launching into a description of his encounter with young Obi-Wan.

()()()

Quietly, through
the grapevine of the temple, master’s were put out on the lookout
for the behavior of Knight Shkma, both in general and in particular
in how he behaved with his padawan. So far nothing was too alarming
though several master’s were sending in reports back about the
knight seemingly having boundary issues about what punishments were
appropriate.

And that alone was
worrying.

Mace rested the
back of his hand against his lips, staring at the report for a long
moment before looking at Yoda. “Is this report accurate master?”
He rumbled.

“Truthful I
believe master Inka is, struck Obi-Wan knight Shkma has.” Yoda
offered as grimly.

There was a
scattering of mutters around the council.

Jocasta leaned
somewhat forward. “I do believe in the benefit of certain kind of
physical punishments, like chores but outright striking ones
padawan…” She let the statement linger then looked around the
room.

Shaking his head,
Plo spoke up. “There is no reason to strike ones padawan as
punishment for training mishaps. This is not justifiable and actions
we need to take against him.”

Yaddle tapped her
claws on the chair. “Lashing out at ones padawan, a grave sign this
is. Uncertain of Knight Shkma we have all been for a while.” She
stated grimly.

The mutterings went
mute when Yoda cleared his throat for attention. “Speak to Obi-Wan
I shall. If abuse this is as suspect we do, then to the bottom I
shall get. If abuse I find…” Yoda let his words trail off as his
ears raised.

Then he pursed his
lips with a small sigh. “If abuse I find from a master to one of
our younglings, then young Shkma will be removed from his position.
Probation he will find himself on. Kept away from all our younglings
he will be until trial held can be.” He stated grimly.

There would be no
quiet dealing with Olliander Shkma if there was discovered abuse by
the man towards Obi-Wan because abuse was a serious thing.

And no Jedi would
tolerate an adult inflicting such a thing towards their young.

Never.

Before Obi-Wan can be sent away, a reckless Knight who’s desperate to prove himself after being under scrutiny from the council for endangering the public on a mission takes him on but he’s not fit to be a master, not fit to even be a Knight really, and takes all his anger out on his new padawan. Obi-Wan thinks he deserves it, thinks he just needs to be better. Eventually Yoda/Mace/Qui-Gon figure out Obi-Wan’s master has been hurting him and put a stop to it.

Posted on av swmoddy

Pressing the cold
cloth to his face, Obi-Wan trembled against the sink as he tried to
keep himself up right despite the ache in his legs.

Master Shkma had
been pushing him hard the entire day in training and when Obi-Wan
hadn’t preformed to the knights standard, he’d been slapped and
scolded. Force he had tried his best but perhaps Bruck had been right
the entire time and Obi-Wan just wasn’t cut out to be a Jedi?

Perhaps Master
Shkma should have just sent him to the Agricore?

But he had been
picked and now he had to stick it out, even if his master found him
lacking.

Obi-Wan just had to
work hard!

He nodded firmly to
himself in the mirror and winced when that aggravated his sore jaw
and neck.

Throwing the cloth
into a laundry bin, Obi-Wan made his way out of the lockers only to
crash right into a much taller shape and fall on his arse.

For a moment he
feared it was his master, not recognizing that a student should never
fear their teacher, and almost lifted his arm in defense when he
realized that this person was much too tall to be his master.

He blinked up,
meeting the surprised eyes of Master Jinn.

The man took in
Obi-Wan’s stubby little braid, brows raised before holding out a
hand to him. “Padawan Kenobi, I see you managed to find a master.”

Letting the man
pull him up, feeling muscles protest, Obi-Wan gave a wary nod. “Yes
Master Jinn. I’m padawan to Knight Shkma.” He added, his voice a
bit slurred from the swelling of his cheek.

The long haired
man’s eyes flickered to his red, swollen cheek, a small frown
appearing on his leonine features. “And what happened to your cheek
padawan Kenobi?”

Resisting the urge
to reach up and cover the swell that would more then likely turn into
a colorful bruise, Obi-Wan gave a little shrug. “Sparring accident
Master Jinn.” He contained the urge to squirm or twist his hands
into his tunic, not wanting to give away his nerves since technically
speaking it had happened after the training because of Master’s
Shkma’s displeasure with Obi-Wan’s performance.

The man seemed to
believe him though as he hummed and stepped to the side. “Well, its
lunch hour, don’t let me uphold you.” He murmured and Obi-Wan
gave a quick, somewhat clumsy bow before he scuttled as quickly as
his sore muscles could carry him.

He didn’t notice
the long haired man watching him go with a pronounced frown on his
face.

The days felt like
it was passing by slowly, the month he was under Master Shakma’s
tutelage time felt like it had slowed down, everyday a new kind of
ache appearing somewhere in his body though the master no longer left
facial bruises after that first, vivid one on his cheek that was
slowly starting to fade away.

Obi-Wan constantly
felt tired though.

So tired he almost
fell asleep in his tea and jerked to with some of the hot liquid
sloshing over his fingers as he jerked to look at the grandmaster of
the Order.

Yoda had invited
him for tea, not uncommon because of visions but Obi-Wan felt like
there was something… wrong.

No wrong wasn’t
the word.

It felt like the
Force was holding its breath more like it.

And the way Yoda
was watching him made Obi-Wan tense up, the old goblins eyes sharp.
Slowly the clawed hands placed the cup down on the table they were
kneeling at with a little click and then he extended his hand to
Obi-Wan.

“…Master Yoda?”
Obi-Wan blinked.

“Your arm I would
like.” Yoda’s tone left no space for argument and Obi-Wan slowly
gave him it after settling his cup down, watching Yoda take his hand
and hold it, take in the redden skin from hot water before the old
being pushing up Obi-Wan’s sleeve with his claws.

His arm was covered
in multicolored bruises in various stages of healing.

“Sparring.” The
excuse came automatic after so many times of saying it.

Yoda’s ears
twitched. “See I can Obi-Wan, that truthful you are not. Worried
your friends are, worried other masters are. Normal this is not.”
Yoda said sternly, resting a claw on a bruise before looking at
Obi-Wan closely. “Hurting you your master is. Hurt you a master
shall not, protect, nourish and guide they are to do.” Yoda said
sternly.

Opening his mouth,
Obi-Wan struggled to find words as he trembled.

“Safe you feel
with Knight Shkma?” Yoda questioned, his voice a tad softer.

Of course Obi-Wan
felt safe with his master!

Obi-Wan was just
clumsy and couldn’t do the right thing!

He wanted to tell
Yoda that but nothing would come out of his mouth except… a
whimper.

And then he started
to cry to his mortification, shoulders shaking as Yoda’s ears
dropped.

“A healer I shall
summon.” The old man got up, shuffling around the table and resting
his hand on Obi-Wan’s ginger spikes. “Stay here for now you will.
Safe with me you shall stay.”

Obi-Wan just cried
harder and hid his face in the grandmaster’s tunic, feeling the
weight of his sore body and doubts chase him down a dark rabbit hole.

Before Obi-Wan can be sent away, a reckless Knight who’s desperate to prove himself after being under scrutiny from the council for endangering the public on a mission takes him on but he’s not fit to be a master, not fit to even be a Knight really, and takes all his anger out on his new padawan. Obi-Wan thinks he deserves it, thinks he just needs to be better. Eventually Yoda/Mace/Qui-Gon figure out Obi-Wan’s master has been hurting him and put a stop to it.

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Pressing the cold
cloth to his face, Obi-Wan trembled against the sink as he tried to
keep himself up right despite the ache in his legs.

Master Shkma had
been pushing him hard the entire day in training and when Obi-Wan
hadn’t preformed to the knights standard, he’d been slapped and
scolded. Force he had tried his best but perhaps Bruck had been right
the entire time and Obi-Wan just wasn’t cut out to be a Jedi?

Perhaps Master
Shkma should have just sent him to the Agricore?

But he had been
picked and now he had to stick it out, even if his master found him
lacking.

Obi-Wan just had to
work hard!

He nodded firmly to
himself in the mirror and winced when that aggravated his sore jaw
and neck.

Throwing the cloth
into a laundry bin, Obi-Wan made his way out of the lockers only to
crash right into a much taller shape and fall on his arse.

For a moment he
feared it was his master, not recognizing that a student should never
fear their teacher, and almost lifted his arm in defense when he
realized that this person was much too tall to be his master.

He blinked up,
meeting the surprised eyes of Master Jinn.

The man took in
Obi-Wan’s stubby little braid, brows raised before holding out a
hand to him. “Padawan Kenobi, I see you managed to find a master.”

Letting the man
pull him up, feeling muscles protest, Obi-Wan gave a wary nod. “Yes
Master Jinn. I’m padawan to Knight Shkma.” He added, his voice a
bit slurred from the swelling of his cheek.

The long haired
man’s eyes flickered to his red, swollen cheek, a small frown
appearing on his leonine features. “And what happened to your cheek
padawan Kenobi?”

Resisting the urge
to reach up and cover the swell that would more then likely turn into
a colorful bruise, Obi-Wan gave a little shrug. “Sparring accident
Master Jinn.” He contained the urge to squirm or twist his hands
into his tunic, not wanting to give away his nerves since technically
speaking it had happened after the training because of Master’s
Shkma’s displeasure with Obi-Wan’s performance.

The man seemed to
believe him though as he hummed and stepped to the side. “Well, its
lunch hour, don’t let me uphold you.” He murmured and Obi-Wan
gave a quick, somewhat clumsy bow before he scuttled as quickly as
his sore muscles could carry him.

He didn’t notice
the long haired man watching him go with a pronounced frown on his
face.

The days felt like
it was passing by slowly, the month he was under Master Shakma’s
tutelage time felt like it had slowed down, everyday a new kind of
ache appearing somewhere in his body though the master no longer left
facial bruises after that first, vivid one on his cheek that was
slowly starting to fade away.

Obi-Wan constantly
felt tired though.

So tired he almost
fell asleep in his tea and jerked to with some of the hot liquid
sloshing over his fingers as he jerked to look at the grandmaster of
the Order.

Yoda had invited
him for tea, not uncommon because of visions but Obi-Wan felt like
there was something… wrong.

No wrong wasn’t
the word.

It felt like the
Force was holding its breath more like it.

And the way Yoda
was watching him made Obi-Wan tense up, the old goblins eyes sharp.
Slowly the clawed hands placed the cup down on the table they were
kneeling at with a little click and then he extended his hand to
Obi-Wan.

“…Master Yoda?”
Obi-Wan blinked.

“Your arm I would
like.” Yoda’s tone left no space for argument and Obi-Wan slowly
gave him it after settling his cup down, watching Yoda take his hand
and hold it, take in the redden skin from hot water before the old
being pushing up Obi-Wan’s sleeve with his claws.

His arm was covered
in multicolored bruises in various stages of healing.

“Sparring.” The
excuse came automatic after so many times of saying it.

Yoda’s ears
twitched. “See I can Obi-Wan, that truthful you are not. Worried
your friends are, worried other masters are. Normal this is not.”
Yoda said sternly, resting a claw on a bruise before looking at
Obi-Wan closely. “Hurting you your master is. Hurt you a master
shall not, protect, nourish and guide they are to do.” Yoda said
sternly.

Opening his mouth,
Obi-Wan struggled to find words as he trembled.

“Safe you feel
with Knight Shkma?” Yoda questioned, his voice a tad softer.

Of course Obi-Wan
felt safe with his master!

Obi-Wan was just
clumsy and couldn’t do the right thing!

He wanted to tell
Yoda that but nothing would come out of his mouth except… a
whimper.

And then he started
to cry to his mortification, shoulders shaking as Yoda’s ears
dropped.

“A healer I shall
summon.” The old man got up, shuffling around the table and resting
his hand on Obi-Wan’s ginger spikes. “Stay here for now you will.
Safe with me you shall stay.”

Obi-Wan just cried
harder and hid his face in the grandmaster’s tunic, feeling the
weight of his sore body and doubts chase him down a dark rabbit hole.