Obi-Wan's always been a bit of an old soul, even when he was a baby. Yoda sensed a kinship with this youngling, and when Obi-Wan grew into his Unifying Force visions, the old Grandmaster volunteered to work with him. The boy would require a foil when he was older; someone to balance his internal inclination to gloom.
Qui-Gon Jinn, recently gloomy himself, reluctantly agreed. He was there to pull Obi-Wan from his own head, and reassure him that there was good in all things. He loved Obi-Wan fiercely, and was immensely proud of him. He knew Obi-Wan knew, and so it was never said. Later, he wished he'd said it aloud at least once. By then, it was too late.
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Anakin was, in a word, loud. He didn't understand decorum or restraint, and the restful halls of the Temple made him twitchy. He studied, played, and fought with noise as his constant companion.
Obi-Wan was vaguely horrified by his new companion. If Anakin felt happy or angry, he said it, mostly loudly. If he'd finished a project or couldn't do so, it was announced - loudly. If he was crankly, Obi-Wan would know about it - guess at what volume?
In contrast, Obi-Wan had always been quiet. He didn't feel any less strongly than Anakin, in fact sometimes he suspected Anakin's life as a slave had hardened him in ways Obi-Wan's service hadn't, but he was scandalized by the idea of vomiting displays of emotion over everyone in public, even if the "public" was simply his own Master. Emotions were quietly acknowledged, and Qui-Gon would give him the space, or the company, or the task that he needed to express it appropriately. And when he was happy or even exuberant, it was a secret fire that glowed from within, lighting up his eyes and his Force presence.
Anakin... was not like that.
In spite of these differences, or because of them, they worked well together. Mostly. No matter how many explosions issued from their quarters.
"Anakin!"
"Sorry!"
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"You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you." Even now, the world on fire, Obi-Wan's words were quiet, a deep well choked with despair and grief.
"I hate you!" Anakin's scream was loud and piercing, a twisting tsunami of anger and betrayal.
How had it come to this?
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The sands of Tatooine were well-suited to Ben Kenobi's self-imposed exile.
Interestingly, Darth Vader learned poise and elegance during his tenure as a Sith.
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Ben knew he would die - but he knew what his Master had taught him, and he glowed with a secret, confident hope that this would not be the end.
Darth Vader lost his reserve when Ben died.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker were opposite sides of the same coin. Passion, courage, and unreserved loyalty.
Qui-Gon was very glad to have both his boys in the Force with him. "I told you he'd bring balance," he murmured to Obi-Wan, who had yet to leave the long-haired Master's side since their reunion.
Obi-Wan laughed out loud.
Anakin, at Qui-Gon's other side, only gave a small smile.
-End-