Chapter Text
As soon as they enter the ship Obi-Wan leaves Anakin to his reunion with the Senator while he moves to the cockpit to contact Bail and get them out of here. He has a very bad feeling about lingering on Mustafar.
He asks Bail for the location of a remote, lowkey medical station and once he has it he tells the man he'll meet him there.
Amidala apparently requires medical attention, and Anakin definitely does now his body is in dynamic transition.
After his conversation ends he goes in search of Anakin. His Alpha itches at being even slightly away from him so soon after claiming.
Padmé and Anakin are in the small seating area by the kitchen, talking, when he finds them. Anakin looks tense and uncomfortable. Obi-Wan’s hackles raise, ready to bite the Senator’s head off if she’s making him uncomfortable. But then Anakin looks up and relaxes at the sight of him, and Obi-Wan realises Anakin would feel the effects of separation even more strongly than he.
He strides over and puts a hand on the side of Anakin’s head, cradling it. Anakin melts into the touch.
“Well I think I shall return to the cabin then, I must call my mate. If you'll excuse me.” Her expression is frosty as she departs.
She’s clearly not very happy with Obi-Wan after his little Force suggestion-Alpha voice trick. He’ll have to apologise to her for that later and see if he can salvage anything of their cordial relationship or not.
Anakin puts a hand on his arm, gripping his sleeve, drawing his attention down.
“Obi-Wan don't leave again. It was agony.”
“Sorry dear, the front cabin wasn't all that far, I didn't realise...I won’t leave your side again while the bond is settling.”
Anakin nuzzles into his hand.
“Dear one why don't we find a bed to rest in for the rest of the trip through hyperspace?”
Anakin looks up at him earnestly, “Together?”
Obi-Wan smiles at him, half exasperated half fond.
“I’m well beyond exhausted, and I can tell you are too. Sharing the bed should satisfy the bond.”
“Okay.” Anakin acquiesces.
They nap together in the ship’s small room that passes for quarters. The bed, at least, is designed for two so they don’t have to squeeze onto a single tiny bunk. Anakin conks out the second his head hits the pillow and Obi-Wan finds he isn’t far behind.
He wakes to C3PO standing in the door relaying that they will arrive at their destination soon. A quick glance at his chrono shows he’s gotten six hours of sleep, enough to make him feel refreshed and awake. Though he’ll still need to find time to sleep more later. After the droid leaves Obi-Wan turns over in the bed and studies Anakin’s profile.
Anakin is still asleep. Perhaps more exhausted than Obi-Wan. The older man decides not to wake him for a few more minutes.
His former Padawan looks peaceful in sleep. Nothing about his serene expression gives away how far he’s fallen in just the last two days. The things he has done. Looking at the situation with a clearer mind, Obi-Wan knows he’s forgiven Anakin too easily. He hasn’t wholly absolved his fallen Padawan, but he’s shown him mercy that Anakin didn’t show anyone at the Temple.
Obi-Wan has failed as a Jedi Master, a Jedi Council member, and just…as a Jedi.
He turns inwards. The Dark swirls at the edges of his awareness, waiting for him to claim it. To use it.
Instead of striking down the fallen Jedi on Mustafar, he’d followed Anakin over the edge. Neither of them are truly Jedi any longer, even if Anakin’s crime is magnitudes larger than his own failure.
Obi-Wan isn’t at peace with Anakin’s actions, but he is at peace with himself. Moreso than he expects to be. But he knows given time he will be able to forgive Anakin completely. He shouldn’t do, but he knows he will. So his heart is at rest.
He brushes a hand over Anakin’s cheek gently and gives the sleeping man a sad, rueful smile.
Shaking himself from his thoughts, he gets up after that. Dressing and calling the Senator to meet him just outside the bedroom. He won’t travel beyond the door this time. That will be far enough to risk stretching the bond for the time being.
She arrives to him standing just outside the closed door.
“We’re almost at Polis Massa, can you tell me why we’re heading there Master Kenobi?” Her tone is deceptively light. The kind he’s sure she employs when dealing with unpleasant Senators or diplomats that she refuses to insult outright.
“Anakin requires medical attention, and he is concerned about your own health if you are willing to see a medical professional at their centre. Considering events he and I obviously could not return to Coruscant for this, so Senator Organa arranged for us to see someone out here.” He explains.
She sighs and shakes her head, “I’ve told Anakin that I’m fine. I’ve seen a doctor! There is nothing wrong with the baby.” Then her expression grows tight and suspicious.
“Why does he require medical care? Did the two of you fight after you forced me to remain on the ship?” Her voice could cut durasteel.
“No, no. Not at all. He is fine it’s a- private matter,” Obi-Wan coughs, “Senator I should like to apologise for my behaviour today. There is no excuse for the means I used to get you to remain behind while I left the ship to speak to him. It was quite unacceptable, even from an Alpha on the edge of losing their faculties entirely.”
The harsh line of her brow smooths slightly.
“I am not unsympathetic to the state you must be in after all that has transpired Obi-Wan. But I will not allow such conduct towards myself or those around me from anyone who wishes to associate with me, do you understand?” She replies.
He nods sharply, “Quite understandable. And I will happily make myself scarce soon enough if you wish it. But I do hope Anakin and I can count on your help to fight against the propaganda being spread against the Jedi right now.”
She shifts her weight, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I have known you both a long time and I never would have thought the Jedi Order traitors to the Republic. And it especially looks suspicious when the Chancellor declares the Empire directly following that, but I must know what happened if I am to help you. What was the Jedi’s plan? What went down? The altercation in the Chancellor’s- the Emperor’s office sounded very bad. It did not reflect well on the Jedi Council.” She says with a slight tone of scepticism.
Obi-Wan clears his throat and says, “Regrettably I was off planet and not made aware of what was happening until I returned. My men- the clones suddenly attacked me without provocation and I escaped to retreat to Coruscant. At the Jedi Temple I found evidence of the entire Order’s massacre and a recording that showed,” Obi-Wan cringes, “Palpatine is a Sith Lord. He’s been playing us all along. Destroying the Jedi and taking total control must have always been his plan. But I don’t know the specifics of what went down on Coruscant in the day leading up to this.”
“I do.” Comes from behind Obi-Wan.
He turns to find Anakin standing in the open doorway behind him.
Anakin frowns at him, “I woke and you weren’t there…”
“I’m sorry dear, I didn’t go far. If you’re awake now, perhaps you can recount the events that happened after I left for Utapau?”
Anakin’s expression closes off as guilt leaks out around him in the Force.
“I-” He begins.
He’s interrupted by a soft alarm trilling through the speakers that the ship has reached the destination.
“Ah, we’re here. Well perhaps the explanations can wait until we meet with Bail.” He says to both Anakin and Padmé.
The Senator frowns but says, “Fine. I’ll have Threepio take us in to the med centre.”
With that she leaves and Obi-Wan turns his full attention back on Anakin.
He puts his hand out, intending to slide it around the back of Anakin’s neck, but the younger man shies away from the touch.
“Anakin…” He says, softly and hurt.
“Everything I’ve done Obi-Wan. The Temple- I…” Anakin visibly prepares for a blow.
“I know,” Obi-Wan nods, “We have much to discuss. But the thing you must trust is that I have chosen you Anakin. I know what happened, at the Temple anyway, and I have not abandoned you. But you must not pull away from me either. You’re mine. My mate. My Padawan. My apprentice. Not the Sith’s.” Obi-Wan curls that hand around Anakin’s neck and draws him forward so their foreheads can meet.
“Yes Obi-Wan. Master. Mate.” Anakin replies dutifully.
Then he laughs, it’s a short and bitter sound, “But the Dark Side has me now, there is no undoing that.”
Obi-Wan resists the temptation to wince. Rather he tilts his head and presses a quick kiss to Anakin’s lips and then lingers in close to whisper his next words into Anakin’s mouth.
“And I Fell with you,” Anakin jerks in surprise, blinking wildly at him, “Did you not feel it? I followed Anakin. But I am not Sith, nor will you use that disgusting moniker he bestowed upon you. What we are now, we will figure out later, when there is time. But you are not his.” Obi-Wan hisses the last sentence, fingers tightening against the soft skin of Anakin’s neck reflexively.
“I’m yours. Forever Obi-Wan.” Anakin whispers in promise, kissing him with more fervour.
Obi-Wan gets lost in the kiss for a long moment but is jolted from his rising desire by the ship juddering through one of the landing stages. He pulls away and shakes himself. Anakin is still stripped down to his undertunic.
“You need to dress. You have a medical appointment to make and we have a meeting with Bail.”
Anakin pouts momentarily and then strikes out lightening fast, pecking Obi-Wan on the lips before turning around to find his remaining clothes and put them back on.
-
The three of them depart the ship and are ushered into the medical centre. Padmé is led off on her own while Obi-Wan sticks to Anakin’s side as he is guided to a room.
The med droid takes a sample of Anakin’s blood and asks both of them several questions.
“I will administer several injections that will help to smooth your transition to Omega, but it will still take several days. Your presentation heat should hit in approximately six days time. After that you will officially be an Omega in all ways.” The droid states.
It moves off to presumably collect the syringes.
“How many times will I need to be um…knotted, for it to take properly?” Anakin stutters, cheeks reddening.
The droid turns, holding the first syringe and approaching Anakin.
“With these medications you will not be required to engage in any further intercourse, though doing so would not be harmful.” The droid’s tone has no inflection whatsoever, which makes the conversation topic possibly more awkward.
Obi-Wan can feel the beginnings of his own blush on his neck which he fights off.
“How long until he is incapacitated by his body’s changes?” Obi-Wan asks.
Anakin looks up at him from where he’s seated on the medical bed. Obi-Wan stands by his side.
Anakin gives him a quizzical look.
“Another day or so. After he will have cramping and other minor pains to deal with for the following days.”
“Great.” Anakin groans quietly.
He doesn’t flinch or complain as the droid administers the shots and then gives him some more details about what to expect in the coming days. The droid also applies a thin layer of bacta to Anakin’s already healing mating bite. Obi-Wan had bit cleanly, and not overly deeply, so the bite is healing easily as it should.
Once they’re done with the appointment they meet Bail in a conference room. Padmé is also waiting in one of the chairs. Anakin goes straight to her.
“Is the baby-?” He asks, hovering awkwardly, eyeing her stomach.
She huffs, “I told you the baby was fine Ani. And now I’ve had it confirmed by another source. I appreciate your concern but everything is going to be alright.”
Anakin bites his lip and looks like he wants to say more. Obi-Wan steps over to him and guides him into a chair. Padmé sits on one side of him, Obi-Wan the other and Bail sits across the table from them.
“Anakin can you fill in the blanks for us on what happened? We need to know if we want to come up with a plan on what to do next.” Obi-Wan requests.
Anakin sighs, glancing at each of them. He opens his mouth and begins to speak.
After his explanation of events Obi-Wan feels like he’s aged a decade. He tries not to lose himself deeper in his grief, focusing on sending a feeling of reassurance Anakin’s way that makes the younger man’s face clear of his uncertainty.
“Unseating him is going to be quite difficult.” Bail comments into the silence.
Obi-Wan shakes his head, “No that won’t work, not with how long he’s been planning this. Anakin and I will have to face him.”
Everyone stares at Obi-Wan at that pronouncement. Bail and Padmé giving him matching dismayed looks and Anakin a tense expression, brow deeply furrowed.
“Do you think we could? Four Masters from the Council failed Obi-Wan.” Anakin rarely undersells himself, which shows just how much trepidation he feels at the idea.
And it’s not like Obi-Wan isn’t worried about bringing Anakin into the same room with the man who manipulated him into Falling. He is. But his hatred for Palpatine is also burning away like a small inferno in his heart, not dimming but growing stronger and stronger as the hours pass. There is no course of action besides facing Palpatine to Obi-Wan now. And he’s not prideful enough to think he could do it without Anakin.
“Are you sure that is wise? Master Yoda has already failed to take him down.” Bail adds.
Obi-Wan frowns, “Did Master Yoda…”
“He survived the encounter. He has fled to a remote system where this new Empire can’t track him.” Bail eyes Anakin carefully, dancing around saying where Yoda has gone.
Obi-Wan wants to feel offended on Anakin’s behalf, but really it’s better for them that Yoda is well out of the way. He would not look kindly on the two fallen Jedi if he were in the room. Nor would he approve of Obi-Wan’s choice to Fall with Anakin, instead of strike him down. But Yoda can get kriffed, for all Obi-Wan cares about his opinion right now. Anakin is all that matters to him currently.
“There is no one else to try,” Obi-Wan shoots back and then meets Anakin’s waiting gaze, “We can do this dear one. I believe it. And once we have we will retreat far away while the Senate re-establishes order and hopefully, given time, clears our names.”
Anakin’s forehead smooths, “That’s why you asked the droid how long I have until I’m out of commission. Your timeline is tight Master. We’ll have to go straight back to Coruscant and do this now, and then leave again afterwards.”
“I’m sorry,” Padmé interrupts, “But what is wrong with you Anakin? Why did you need medical attention? Why are you going to be out of commission soon?”
Obi-Wan watches Anakin’s face heat and his eyes slide between the two Senators watching him.
“I’m uh…I’m-” He flounders.
Obi-Wan lays a hand on his arm. Anakin turns to him, expression flustered.
“Bail,” Obi-Wan addresses while still holding Anakin’s eyes, “Might you know somewhere we could go to ground after doing this? For at least say…two weeks. After that Anakin and I can find our own way, if need be.”
“I have a place, yes.” Bail answers.
“Anakin-” Padmé speaks.
Obi-Wan glances at her insistent face for a moment and then at Anakin, who is looking at Bail uncertainly.
“Discuss it with me in the hall?” Obi-Wan hazards with a sigh.
The consummate politician that he is, Bail just nods.
The hideout Bail has in mind is a small cabin in the wilds outside Aldera that belongs to his cousin. Obi-Wan is a little worried about hiding on the planet of a senator known for his Jedi sympathies but they’ll probably get away with it for a couple of weeks. At least it will give Obi-Wan time to come up with somewhere to stay longer term.
Anakin is presumably telling Padmé about his dynamic change. Which Obi-Wan doesn’t begrudge him. They are friends, after all.
With that they more or less have a plan. Anakin and Obi-Wan return on Padmé’s ship, preparing to sneak their way off it when they arrive back on Coruscant and make their way to Palpatine’s office.