Sparks of Hope (A Star-Wars Advent Calendar)
By Meysun
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3. Space-Pirates (Anakin)
32 BBY.
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"Whoom! Take this! And this! And this, wermo!"
The little boy bounced excitedly on the bed, clinging to the obi he had deftly wrapped around his bedstand, pretending he was grabbing the control sticks of a Naboo cruiser and firing charges.
"Anakin…"
Ani slowly lowered his hands, heart still hammering with excitement, and looked up guiltily to Master Obi-Wan who was leaning against the doorframe, dry-towelling his hair and staring in silent amazement at Ani's bed-not-really-cruiser.
"Anakin, is that your obi?"
The little boy shrugged, frowning unhappily under his helmet.
You said I could play… You said we were done for today.
"I did…"
Obi-Wan's voice was soft. So were his eyes. They always reminded him of – something like Mom. Different. But with the same expression he could not really pinpoint, one that was both sad and strong and loving and sometimes also just so very calm.
Obi-Wan folded the towel and placed it on Ani's desk, and then he sat down next to him. He smelt of soap and water, something that was still completely marvellous for Ani, but what Ani loved most was the way the Force felt around him – it was so quiet. So warm.
"Anakin… if by playing you understand firing imaginary shots at people while yelling Huttese curses at the top of your lungs – then there is something I failed to teach you, I am afraid."
Ani watched his bare toes curl, on the coarse blanket. Small shoulders slumped, and he mumbled, dejectedly:
"I am sorry, Master."
He raised a hand, ready to remove his helmet, but Obi-Wan shook his head, fingers gently closing around his wrist.
"We don't want any Jedi Master barging in, asking me if I have taken leave of my senses, giving shelter to the fiercest pilot in the Galaxy…?"
Obi-Wan's eyes were sparkling, and Anakin straightened, small face lightening as he peered up at him.
"No, Master…
- Well then – I suppose we'll just need the Force to keep us silent, then", his Master whispered, winking at him.
That day, Ani learned several things. One was how to make a silent bubble with Force-currents, like a small cockpit to hide under, where it was absolutely safe to shout and make any loud sounds one wanted. Another was, that his Master was the absolute best when it came to answering imaginary radiofrequencies, especially when Ani begged him to fake a pirate's voice.
"Oh no no no no no no, MasteRRR SkywaLLLLkeRRR, I am afRRRAid your pRRREcious cargo of spices is landing in. My. Very. Shuttle.
- No it won't, you sleemo!"
Behind him, his Master was quaking with silent laughter, but when Ani turned, Obi-Wan's face was deadly serious, exactly like he should because he was Anakin's co-pilot and they were battling pirates together.
"What shall we do with him, Master? He won't listen…
- Hmmm… What do you think, Ani?
- We could always blast him.
- Hmmm. Not very Jedi-like, I suppose…"
His Master's arms were around him, because Anakin had made him sit behind him, using Obi-Wan's arms like armrests in order to aim his shots. And Obi-Wan squeezed, just a little, and whispered:
"But I think we have tried hard enough to negotiate with the fellow.
- BOOOOOOM!", Ani yelled, deep under their Force-bubble, and he fired such an imaginary shot that he had to rest against Obi-Wan's chest, shaking with laughter and glee.
His helmet had slipped, slightly, and Obi-Wan adjusted it once more, tucking Ani's Padawan braid safely under. And suddenly Anakin felt his heart swell, because his Master was the absolute best friend he ever had – the most wonderful person Ani knew save Mum and Padmé and Master Qui-Gon who was now one with the Force.
So Ani turned, and hugged Obi-Wan fiercely, not caring if the helmet slipped, pressing his body as tightly as he could against Obi-Wan's chest. And his Master's arms wrapped themselves once more around him, warm and caring, keeping him safe.
"I think he got what he deserved", his Master whispered, and Ani giggled, softly, nodding against him. "Shall we return to base, then?
- Tell the Astromech to set the course, Master."
Ani kept his arms around Obi-Wan, though, and when his Master unclipped the helmet's laces, he let him ruffle his sweaty hair, leaning his cheek against his shoulder, making the Force-bubble disappear.
"Master, when will we go on missions together?", Ani whispered, feeling Obi-Wan begin to untie the abused obi.
"We still need to study a bit, Anakin", and the little boy sighed.
"You mean I have to study a bit", he mumbled.
"Anakin…", his Master's voice was very soft. "You have only been here five months. Most Initiates do not become Padawans until they are at least twelve. We just need to be patient – both of us. I am sure we will find ourselves in a cockpit for real soon enough.
- I hope so", Anakin sighed dreamily. "Did you ever meet real pirates, Master?
- And how do you think I leaRRRRned how to taLLLLk like this, SkywaLLLkeRRR?"
That evening, Anakin fell asleep thinking of the many pirate-stories Obi-Wan had told him. And that night, because of one particularly scary dream where a pirate was holding his Master captive, he ended up tiptoeing half-asleep into Obi-Wan's room, searching for his Force-presence.
Anakin? Is… Are you alright?
Obi-Wan was barely awake himself, but he instinctively turned towards him, lifting his blanket, letting Anakin crawl under it until he was hugging him.
"Pirates. Spikes was afraid."
He tucked his tooka-doll close to his cheek and listened to the few quiet breaths Obi-Wan let out, body falling back to sleep but bond still aware.
Tell him… They were blasted. Fearsome pilot. Never seen his like.
His Master's hair was all mussed. It fell into his eyes, now that it had grown a bit, and Ani loved its softness under his fingers.
Ani, don't… It's all… tussled.
"It's always tussled."
…
…
Not fair, Padawan mine.
Obi-Wan's breaths were evening out and his arms were growing heavier around Anakin. The little Padawan wriggled a bit, adjusting his position against his chest, leaning his cheek against Obi-Wan's neck.
"Boom", he whispered, closing his eyes – and through their bond, faintly, Obi-Wan echoed it.
Boom.
A/N: Boom :). And a little thumb's up for Hondo Ohnaka's absolutely hilarious character and the man giving him his voice - I know Obi-Wan hasn't met him yet, but it's totally him I had in mind when I made him talk like that. Spikes is Ani's tooka-doll. And yes, he kept the helmet from the battle of Naboo. The absolute best at making silent Force-bubbles is Luminara Unduli, who taught Obi the trick. Just for you to know :). Have a lovely December 3rd, much love, Meysun.