Wounded
Author's Note: This is a gift request for TrinityStars on ao3. It's definitely canon divergent, since this couldn't have happened in canon, or ROTS wouldn't have happened the way it did. Enjoy a whumpy one-shot where Obi-Wan frets over an injured Anakin! :'D
~ Amina Gila
War is a dangerous thing, it always has been, and he knows much too well how simple it is for those few still standing to go down, having lost his own master much like this. Their names, their identities blur together when they fall, unless they're a Jedi.
Obi-Wan has feared losing Anakin more than once on the front, but it always seems so inconceivable, so unreal, until Anakin is on the ground in front of him. He may be young, but he's already far more skilled than Obi-Wan was at his age. All he lacks is experience.
"Anakin," he calls urgently, scrambling through the rubble. Whatever droids left are destroyed now, but his former padawan was caught in an explosion. Obi-Wan has seen many things in battle, and even before, but it's always worst when it's Anakin who is hurt.
He can never quite shake the fear of what if this time the injuries won't be something so easy to recover from. It's a constant fear that haunts him now, even if he tries to let it go as a Jedi should. He can't imagine a world where Anakin isn't constantly with him – even if not in person. His heart clenches when he sees his former padawan's still form. He's conscious, but he's bleeding in a few places.
"Here," he croaks, though it's clearly difficult for him to speak. There's blood on his face from a gash on his left cheek – it doesn't look pleasant.
Obi-Wan kneels next to him, scrambling to take in the boy's condition. It's not as serious as he was afraid of, but that hardly makes it better. He knows how easy it could be for something to happen to Anakin in this war, where so many have already been lost. Obi-Wan can only hope they can get a call for help through to the others soon, because Anakin is bleeding badly. He was hit in multiple areas by durasteel from the explosion, his robes are singed in a few places, and he was thrown quite far.
Anakin winces slightly when Obi-Wan reaches up to press a hand to his cheek over the gash. It's fairly deep but far smaller than the one by his eye. Anakin leans into his touch even if it must hurt. It seems to calm him at least.
"I told you to be careful," Obi-Wan grumbles, his other hand dropping to Anakin's shoulder. "You never listen."
"Really," Anakin rasps. Talking hurts but he's clearly not going to stop now any more than he ever does. "Who rushed head-on into those battle droids?"
He has a point, but it's not as if Obi-Wan will concede that. He had been the one to attack the droids the moment they spotted them. Anakin had seen the explosion coming before Obi-Wan, the same as he usually does, and tackled him out of the way – which was how they got into this mess in the first place. Obi-Wan is not the least bit impressed about that.
Felucia has been a difficult battle compared to many of the others, and it's taking its toll. Worse, it's an important planet and not one the Republic can afford to lose. But in war, it's hard to tell, because often the battles they can't lose are the ones they do.
"Who threw himself in front of an explosion?" Obi-Wan retaliates.
It's maybe a little disturbing Anakin doesn't immediately have a comeback. "Can you get through to the others?" he asks instead.
"Haven't tried again," he replies tightly. "It's probably still jammed."
"Would be just our luck," Anakin agrees.
"There's no such thing as luck."
Apparently, his former padawan still has the presence of mind to roll his eyes. It's a stupid thing to argue about but it's not as though most of what they argue over isn't stupid.
**w**
Anakin lets his eyes close briefly, relaxing slightly even as pain spears through his body. He wants to stay like this forever, uncaring that Obi-Wan isn't touching him like this out of his own desire to, but it reminds Anakin of his mother. It reminds him of when he was young, and it feels like home.
Obi-Wan pulls back, frowning. He's always frowning.
Anakin's annoyance at the sudden loss of contact probably shows all over his face, but his master doesn't comment. He's already moved on to look him over. Anakin hasn't taken the time to assess the injuries himself, but he doesn't need to.
"This is going to hurt," Obi-Wan warns. "There's a piece of durasteel in your arm. I'll have to take it out."
He makes a sound of acknowledgement, bracing himself. He's well-accustomed to pain from his childhood, and he's used to it being constant since he lost his arm on Geonosis, but he's never truly prepared for it. No one is. All he can do is live through it and know it'll end eventually. He yelps most ungracefully when his master touches the area right next to it.
"It'll only be a moment," he promises, hand tightening over Anakin's arm to keep it from moving.
"Okay," he whispers, closing his eyes again. Only a moment, Anakin reminds himself. Obi-Wan is doing it at least. He touches his master's presence to give himself something else to focus on. He lets out a strangled scream anyway when Obi-Wan pulls it out. It'll feel better momentarily but right now it just hurts.
"Just breathe," Obi-Wan instructs, and Anakin glances over to see him tossing the piece of durasteel into the dirt. It doesn't look much like steel anymore though. It's covered in blood and Anakin is suddenly starting to realize exactly how exhausted he feels. He really, really just wants to sleep. "Can you sit up? I'll need to take your robes off."
"Now?" Anakin asks tiredly. Talking helps, at least. It gives him another thing to focus on, and Obi-Wan's presence is so calming and grounding and soothing. He feels like home and all Anakin wants to do is curl up in his lap and fall asleep like he did with his mother when he was young.
"Now," Obi-Wan orders, circling around to his other side. "Up. There's not much I can do unless I see what I'm doing."
He does not let out an over-exaggerated groan like he wants to, thank you very much. Instead, he clenches his jaw to stay quiet and lets Obi-Wan help him sit up. Moving really, really hurts. He nearly blacks out somewhere along the way and is mildly proud that he manages to make it to a setting position. He wants to cry, anyway, and he's mildly ashamed of that. It's not like he hasn't been through worse.
Obi-Wan's hand is on his shoulder, steadying. "I'll finish this, then you can rest," he promises. This is awkward to say the least, but they've had worse. Really.
Anakin one-handedly tugs back the robes on his left side, not caring to look for himself. He can feel it enough, and if it's as blood covered as it feels he doesn't care to see. They're mostly quiet as Obi-Wan works. There's not much he can do other than stop the bleeding right now, since they don't have much bacta with them. His master is touching him again though, so he tries to let himself focus on that instead, even if much of it minorly painful, thanks to the injuries.
Obi-Wan's expression is twisted in a scowl, like usual, but something about it seems more pervading this time. He seems upset, and Anakin picks up on it immediately. He doesn't want to ask, but instead of fading it persists. "What's wrong, Master?" Anakin asks finally, frowning slightly.
"You're bleeding out," he snaps, "And you're asking me what's wrong?"
"You're dwelling on something," Anakin objects, looking up at him again, stubbornly refusing to back down. "Something dark."
"This is so much like my own master," he confesses.
He knew that, on principle. More than that, Anakin knows how that felt. He had held his own mother in his arms as he died, and it haunts him constantly. He still remembers the smell of blood and the candles burning in the tent. He still remembers the weight of his mother's body in his arms. "I know how that feels," Anakin finds himself saying, and he immediately hates himself for admitting it. "With my mother." How it happened because Anakin failed her, because he wasn't strong enough to save her, he doesn't say. It's not something they ever speak of. He hasn't been able to tell anyone the details of that night. Padme knows the gist of it, and so does the Chancellor, but he's never been able to talk about it.
"A master is not a parent," Obi-Wan reminds tersely. "I may have seen Qui-Gon in a similar manner, but I never considered him my father. Jedi do not have parents."
It stings, cutting deep inside him. Obi-Wan didn't mean that badly – he never does, but it still hurts. His master knows exactly how Anakin feels. He's told him before – more than once – and he brushed Anakin off as if it doesn't matter. Maybe it's only his condition that's already so painful that makes it so hard for him to handle right now, when it's something he's already long grown used to. "I have," Anakin mutters, turning his head away to hide the tears suddenly stinging his eyes. Absently, he lifts his hand to touch the gash on his cheek. It's not bleeding anymore, thankfully.
He's craved for some sort of acceptance from Obi-Wan for years, and he doubts it'll ever happen, and that hurts. Worse, it makes him feel like a disappointment, which hurts nearly as much. He's struggled to get approval and praise but that's also a fantasy – it's the Chancellor who he gets it from instead.
"I've done what I can," Obi-Wan says, pulling out his comm. "I'll contact the others."
**w**
He turns away, letting Anakin redress while he comms Cody.
Or tries to because it doesn't go through. He tries Rex and Ahsoka just to make sure, but nothing. They can't contact anyone, which means they're trapped here temporarily. Obi-Wan can't leave Anakin here, but he can't take him with him to find others, either. He's growing increasingly irritated when he turns back to Anakin.
By now, Artoo has found them from amidst the wreckage. He was with them when the fighting broke out but must have gone to safety. Anakin is leaning slightly against the droid.
"The signals are still jammed," Obi-Wan declares, irritated. "We can't get through."
"Artoo can go," Anakin offers.
The droid beeps what Obi-Wan hopes is an agreement. The droid is useful and irritating at once.
"I'll be fine," Anakin replies, patting its dome. "Obi-Wan is with me. Go. See what you can find."
Artoo beeps mournfully, tilting slightly and rolling back. Anakin gives him a pointed look, and he finally rolls away, soon disappearing through the multicolored trees. It's getting later in the day now, and the sun hangs low in the sky. It will be dark out soon, and they need to find somewhere to stay before then. Anakin needs to get proper treatment. It's not life threatening anymore, but Obi-Wan is still uneasy. He remembers with far too much clarity how he lost his master, and he can't imagine being a Jedi without Anakin.
He can't imagine a life without Anakin.
Obi-Wan seats himself on Anakin's right. The boy looks down, tensing slightly. Or maybe it's just that he's been tense this entire time, and it's only visible now. He looks tired, worn, and it's one of the many times that he looks far older than he should. He's only twenty, and he doesn't act like it, or at least nothing like how Obi-Wan remembers from himself at that age. Anakin has always been extremely mature.
Except now that he's this close, Obi-Wan can tell that he's crying. His heart clenches, and he moves slightly closer, frowning. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Anakin mutters, shaking his head.
Which automatically means it is something, but he doesn't want to talk about it. Obi-Wan doesn't want to press for answers, but he doesn't know what else to do. He can't even fathom what could be so wrong right now; it's not as if Anakin would cry from the pain of his physical injuries, so it's obviously something else. "You can talk to me."
"I don't know what there is to say," he replies. He's being difficult again – that's normal. Anakin always dodges questions when he doesn't want to talk about it.
"We have nothing else to do," Obi-Wan reminds.
Anakin starts moving to cross his arms but stops himself – likely immediately remembering how much it would hurt to do that right now. Instead, he shifts a little uncomfortably and drops his hand onto his lap. "Do you really want me to explain this?"
He's putting off his answer, and Obi-Wan tries not to let his annoyance show through too much. He has the presence of mind not to upset Anakin right now when he's this badly injured. "Would I have asked if I didn't?"
"It's... complicated," he sighs, closing his eyes briefly. "I knew my mother. I can't forget what that felt like. I – I want that again. I know I shouldn't, but I do."
"Jedi do not have families," Obi-Wan reminds. "We must put our duty ahead of our wants."
"You don't understand," Anakin replies, almost defeatedly. "I know what that's like, and I'll have to spend the rest of my life knowing I can never have it again."
Not for the first time, Obi-Wan has no idea what to say to him. He has no idea what Anakin has been through and experienced, and it makes it very difficult to understand where he's coming from – like right now. Obi-Wan has never had a family, at least not one he remembers. He was three when they found him. Anakin's memories of his previous life may have faded, but they're still there. He hasn't let it go if how he acts any time slavery is mentioned is anything to go by.
"Anakin, I –" He doesn't know what he's trying to say. He doesn't know how to tell Anakin this. He's never been open with how he feels. He's never wanted to, because if Anakin knew, he'd see it as a way to break rules more than he already does. "It's not as though we do not care. I do, but we cannot tether our lives together like you want."
He doesn't know what to say, that could ever describe how he feels towards Anakin. It's deeper than it has been for anyone else, far deeper than it was for Qui-Gon and Satine. It's something more... intimate than that. Something more deep running. Something he truthfully can't put a name on. He'd say brother, maybe. He raised Anakin, but in many ways, they grew up together.
**w**
Anakin has absolutely no idea what to say. Obi-Wan has never said anything like that before – it's not that Anakin never doubted that his master cares for him; he knew that in technicality, but it's different to hear.
"What?" Obi-Wan prods.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asks, finally finding his voice. Maybe it's how exhausted he is that's getting to him, because normally he wouldn't dare voicing this. "I spent so long – all I wanted was to know you cared." He feels childish to bring this up, but Obi-Wan had asked. He had no idea that he'd have to give up his family and hopes of ever having one when he joined the Order. If he had, he may have had second thoughts. Maybe. He doesn't really know – all he wanted was to get off Tatooine.
He's spent over a decade now trying to be good enough for Obi-Wan to accept him. It hurt, but he's kept moving anyway. He always has. It was worse after his mother died – knowing that he failed her. Now he wonders if there's just something wrong with him because he's not even enough for everyone he doesn't fail to save.
Obi-Wan looks stung. He reaches over, touching Anakin's right arm – it's probably the only part of him that doesn't hurt right now. "Why would you question that?"
"I..." He feels foolish talking about it. He's known for a long time that he wants more than Obi-Wan will give him, and he doesn't want to ask for it. That would be unfair for both of them. It's easier to be angry than to feel like this. He wishes he was, but he's not – probably because he's too exhausted to be. "I know you worry for me, but you..." He doesn't know how to say this. It was far easier explaining some of it to Padme because it wasn't about how she was acting, even if in the end he doesn't think she really understands.
"What?" Obi-Wan pushes. He's obviously not going to let this go, so Anakin will have to say something.
He doesn't know how to answer that, or maybe he does but he's just afraid of how Obi-Wan will react. He doesn't want to hurt him, either. "I can never do anything right for you."
Obi-Wan frowns. Actually, he's been frowning the whole time. "Anakin, that is not true."
And this, for the record, is part of what he means. His former master never listens. "When was the last time I did something good enough for you?"
"You know we've talked about this in the past. Are you still trying to prove yourself?"
The words cut through him sharply, remembering all the times Obi-Wan chided him for that in the past – and he doesn't even understand why. It's like he wants him to stop trying so hard, but how can he ever be what Obi-Wan wants him to be if he stops trying? He doesn't understand, and he thinks he never will.
"It's not – Whatever I do is never enough, and then you tell me to stop trying, but you still expect –" he snaps, with about as much heat as he can manage given the situation. "For you, nothing I do is ever right." He doesn't know why he said it; it's definitely his injuries making it this easy to talk. Or the blood loss. Maybe he should be more worried about that than he is.
Obi-Wan seems momentarily uncertain how to reply. He appears honestly confused, and that upsets him more than anything else. "I don't understand why you would think that," Obi-Wan admits, "You have exceptional skill. You may have much to learn, but you are good at what you do – most of the time."
Maybe that's the real problem – that Anakin is demanding more than Obi-Wan can and maybe even should give him. Maybe he should keep talking, but it isn't something he's ever been able to mention. It's not a topic he's discussed with anyone – except Palpatine, and Padme far more briefly. That was different. He was never talking to Obi-Wan about him.
Exhaustion is already nagging at him again, and he really hopes Artoo will be back soon. He just wants to rest, and maybe it's the conversation as much as the pain that's wearing him out. In the end, he knows he'll always crave for that level of acceptance – of family – that he'll never get, and maybe shouldn't because it's not the Jedi way. That's part of why he married Padme.
There's another long pause of silence – he hopes Obi-Wan isn't waiting on him to elaborate, because he can't do that – before his master finally speaks again. "You look tired."
"I was caught in an explosion."
"I haven't forgotten."
"Artoo should be back soon," Anakin comments, glancing at the trees around them. There's still no sign of anyone. He's trying not to think about the conversation they were just having, because it brings up too many memories. He doesn't want to dwell on that right now –
"Unless he got distracted along the way," Obi-Wan grumbles.
"He's not irresponsible. More like ran into trouble."
"He may have... gotten a loose wire on the way."
Anakin gives him an incredulous look. "I believe trouble with battle droids would be far more likely." He is growing increasingly tired, and though they're in a dangerous location he finds he doesn't much care. He's safe if Obi-Wan is here.
"It's alright," Obi-Wan tells him suddenly. "If you want to rest, I'll keep watch."
Apparently, his exhaustion is that obvious. He really does want to, though, so he doesn't mind the offer. "I – okay."
Obi-Wan reaches for him again, his hand on his shoulder to steady him as he moves to lay down. It's totally unnecessary, but Anakin doesn't want him to stop. It hurts, and everything hurts right now, but Obi-Wan is calming. He always is. His presence is peaceful, like water. His arm is throbbing again, and it hurts worse to move. Obi-Wan's touch gives him something else to focus on, and he craves for more. He doesn't want it to end.
"Master..." Anakin reaches up to take his hand.
"I'm here."
Anakin glances up at him, adoration shining in eyes. He's too worn out to speak right now – not as if there's anything to say.
Obi-Wan leans over, brushing Anakin's hair back and pressing his hand to his cheek again. "I'm not going anywhere."
"I know."
Neither of them moves for a long moment before Obi-Wan finally pulls back. Anakin misses the contact instantly, but he won't ask for it back. It's... probably pushing too far. Instead, he lets himself doze off.
**w**
He sleeps no better now than he used to – which is to say, not well at all. Images of war and violence always dance before his eyes when he tries to sleep. They're not visions but rather things of the past. He sees his mother die sometimes, but usually it's his men. This time, he sees Ahsoka get buried under feet of rubble, and Anakin jolts awake with a start. He reaches out for her – she's usually right beside him when they're on the front.
All it does is tear a most ungraceful yelp from him as his injuries are jolted painfully. He drops back on the ground, gasping.
"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asks worriedly, from somewhere out of his line of sight.
"I'm fine," he groans unconvincingly. No, he definitely is not. Whatever he just did jarred his injuries badly, and it hurts.
"Yes," he replies dryly. "Absolutely. It is a perfectly normal occurrence for you to wake up screaming."
"I did not," Anakin snaps grumpily, swinging his hand out to hit him and missing.
"You're welcome," Obi-Wan grouses, appearing on Anakin's other side, safely out of his reach. "Now, let me see what you've done to yourself. What terrible manners you have, padawan."
"You raised me," Anakin retorts, closing his eyes again.
Obi-Wan ignores the remark. "What hurts?" he asks.
"Everything."
"Why must you be the galaxy's most uncooperative patient on top of it?" he huffs.
"Someone needs to keep this interesting." Because lying out here in the woods, injured, has already gotten very old.
"How thoughtful of you," Obi-Wan retorts. "I should check on your injuries again."
"I'm not sitting up again."
"You've been out for an hour," Obi-Wan replies. He sounds a little closer now, his presence close enough to mingle with Anakin's, not in the same distant way they always do, but up-close. It feels... nice. "You should be rested enough to move a little by now."
"I feel worse." Well, that's not completely true, but everything is still hurting, and it's worse now than earlier. It's not quite as fresh, but it's still just as painful.
"Because you just injured yourself further." He tugs Anakin's sleeve up, ignoring his protests. "It's bleeding again."
Is it? He turns his head, glancing down at it. He can't see the worst of it, thankfully, but the area around is... dark, likely from mostly dried blood. Staring won't help. "It doesn't look good," he admits grudgingly.
"It's not. Artoo had best be back soon."
"He's working on it," Anakin insists, mildly annoyed at Obi-Wan's lack of faith in the droid. Artoo has never failed him before, and he won't now, either.
"You'll have to hold still," Obi-Wan orders.
"That's what I've been trying to do!"
"No, you've been complaining the whole time while I'm just trying to help you." Obi-Wan looks amused now, a clear sign that he's just trying to be annoying.
That is so untrue. "I have not," Anakin mutters. "You've been grumbling this entire time about how I make life more difficult for you when that's what you've been doing this whole time."
"Such gratitude you have," Obi-Wan chides as he finally gets to work on trying to stop the bleeding, and Anakin smothers a yelp when he touches a much too sensitive spot, "I'm beginning to question who raised you."
Anakin stares pointedly at him. The stupid conversation gives him something else to focus on other than the pain, anyway. "I had the best example."
"Who you seemed to have learned nothing from –"
"Have you met yourself?" Anakin asks loudly. "The polite response for someone attempting to save your life is 'thank you', not 'what took you so long?' or 'what did you get us into this time?'" He's very proud of his ability to mimic Obi-Wan's voice almost flawlessly.
He nearly laughs at the scandalized look on his master's face. "All the effort I put into raising you, and this is what I get." He's quiet for a few moments before sighing frustratedly. "It's not stopping. We'll have to leave it – by the time your droid returns, you might have bled to death."
"I'll be fine, Master."
"If he's half as good as you claim, why hasn't he found the others?"
"We don't know that he hasn't," Anakin argues. "He just hasn't come back. They may have been ambushed." He doesn't want to think about it. He can't dwell on how his men are probably dying because he wasn't fast enough to get back to them.
Obi-Wan does have a point though. If the clones don't get here soon... Anakin knows he can die, and it's never bothered him much because of how integral a part of his life it's always been. He doesn't want to leave Ahsoka or Padme or Rex or...
Or Obi-Wan.
"You could... cauterize it," Anakin offers, grimacing as another flare of pain races through him. Talking is starting to hurt again. He doesn't need to accidentally reopen the wounds on his face, too. "With your lightsaber."
Obi-Wan gives him a disbelieving look. "I don't know where you get your ideas from."
"We had to do it on Tatooine sometimes," he defends. He remembers that. It seems, since his mother died, he's been thinking of her more, but then again, he's always thought of her. The memories are only fresher now, and he'll often find himself wondering what would have happened if he'd stayed. Would she still be alive if he hadn't walked away from her?
"This isn't Tatooine."
"Just do it."
Obi-Wan sighs, leaning closer and poking at the injury again trying to no avail to see if he can stop the bleeding. Anakin doesn't miss the blood all over his hand when he pulls back. "Alright," he concedes, after a moment, reaching down and unclipping his lightsaber. "This will hurt," he warns, as though that weren't obvious.
And he is definitely not looking forward to it, but it's better than bleeding out. He tenses in anticipation of the pain as Obi-Wan ignites the blade, looking none too happy. "I know that; I've been hit with them before," Anakin replies, feigning a lightness he isn't feeling. He is not looking forward to this, but it will only be a moment.
"You seem surprisingly eager about this," he grumbles, reaching down to hold his arm still with one hand, and then moves the blade closer, very briefly pressing it against the wound.
Anakin jerks on instinct, gasping sharply. Obi-Wan pulls it back just as fast, grumbling something that sounds like "I told you so" too quietly for him to hear. He almost regrets asking for that now. Almost, but it was necessary.
"I should really like to know where your droid is," Obi-Wan says, probably to distract him. It works.
"Me too," Anakin replies. He tries to let the Force flow through him, tries to focus on something other than his physical body. It's not working terribly well. He wants to let himself drift off again, but that in and of itself is not a good sign. He's not going to tell his master that though, because he'd probably freak out even more. He wishes he could move at least – get up and go somewhere. This forest is dangerous.
Obi-Wan's hand moves idly to touch his shoulder. "How are you?"
"I'll be fine," Anakin repeats. It makes him more uncomfortable than anything when his master starts fussing over him. He'll be perfectly functional again very soon. There's nothing to worry about.
"You say that every time, no matter how serious it is."
"You're fretting again," Anakin accuses.
"I do not fret," Obi-Wan huffs, annoyed. "I am slightly concerned!"
"Slightly," Anakin repeats dubiously. He raises his hand towards his master. "You've been fussing over me this entire time. I'm not dying. At least not yet." Something is at the edge of his awareness, something close by that feels dangerous. Anakin glances around, his gaze zeroing in on the animal hovering a distance away through the trees. "Though I might be soon," he adds. "If we don't watch out."
Obi-Wan follows his gaze and slowly stands. "Stay here and stay down."
**w**
Anakin doesn't respond with any of the snarky comments about how he doesn't have a choice that Obi-Wan was expecting. Obi-Wan circles around him, approaching the rancor. He suspected they might get attacked by wildlife if droids don't show up – it's predictable. It happens everywhere they go.
The rancor snarls, stepping closer. It must have smelled blood and made its way out here. He reaches for his lightsaber again – he still can't believe Anakin insisted he use it on him earlier. That's not something he ever cares to repeat.
It moves closer, growling. Obi-Wan ignites his lightsaber, and lunges at it – best not let it attack first. He doesn't want to risk it getting too close to Anakin. It's fast, though. He barely scores a hit with his lightsaber, and it twists aside, roaring and swings out its front leg. It slams into him with enough force to throw him backwards into a tree.
It knocks all the air out of him, and it hurts enough it might bruise, but it's nothing major.
The rancor is already snarling and standing over him as he tries to get up, attempting to take off his head. Obi-Wan reacts instinctively, extending his hand and Force-shoving it back. He gathers the Force around him, jumping onto its back and is about to stab his lightsaber through its neck... only for it to draw itself up to its full height, trying to throw him off.
He falls before he can stop himself, though his blade slashes deeply into its side as he falls to the ground. The rancor spins towards him, snarling in anger and pain, and brings its front leg down straight towards him. Obi-Wan hastily rolls out of the way, snatching up his lightsaber again as he rolls across the ground to avoid it, then swings upwards slashing through the creature's leg.
The rancor howls, rearing back, finally giving him a moment to scramble to his feet. He's about to lunge at it again when it turns and takes off into the trees, surprisingly quickly for only having three limbs. He doesn't bother to give chase; it isn't going to come back after that.
Obi-Wan turns away, hurrying back to Anakin's side.
"Did you never consider just using the Force to calm it?" Anakin quips, daring to look amused.
"I couldn't," he defends, though in reality, he hadn't considered it. "It was going to step on us."
"It wasn't about to step on you until you attacked it," Anakin retorts.
"If I hadn't, it would have attacked you," Obi-Wan shoots back.
"Not likely."
"You were the one complaining from the start about how it was going to eat you."
"I was merely stating that it was watching us, and I'd be more likely to die from that, than these injuries."
The words send another pang of worry through him, because Anakin's condition does not look good, and he needs to get somewhere he can be treated soon. "At least this way, we know it won't come back," Obi-Wan insists finally, just to have the last word. "And if it concerned you so much, you could have connected to it, too. You're the one who needs practice with that, not me."
"Practice," Anakin rasps, "Out here. On a battlefield."
Something in him clenches, thinking about how at the end of the day, Anakin's padawanship was cut short because of the war. If not for it, he probably would still be a Knight by now, but not as long. And he wouldn't already have to have a padawan of his own. "It's not a battlefield anymore," Obi-Wan says lightly, a feigned lightness, "Just a forest."
"A death trap forest."
"Aren't those your favorites?"
Anakin smirks, ever so slightly, though talking so much obviously hurts him. "Especially that one where... we couldn't walk on the ground... because of those – vines."
"They weren't vines, Anakin," Obi-Wan says flatly.
"Living vines."
"All are living. Most not quite so sentient and deadly. I should have known that would be your favorite."
Anakin doesn't reply, which probably means he's too tired to. Not a good sign. Obi-Wan barely withholds the urge to ask him again how he's feeling. He won't give him a straight, truthful answer anyway.
Anakin closes his eyes again briefly, and Obi-Wan finds himself thinking about what he was saying earlier, about how much he cares for him – or more accurately, questioning that. Frankly, he still doesn't understand why Anakin would doubt that. The boy has problems with letting go of his past and controlling himself the way a Jedi should, but everything Obi-Wan says to him about that is only to help him. He wants him to be one of the best Jedi, maybe better than Obi-Wan himself could ever be. (Especially given his own attachment to Anakin.) He would have thought Anakin knew that.
His former padawan opens his eyes again, a quiet sigh escaping him as he stares at the trees overhead. Though Obi-Wan thinks it's more a matter of trying to focus on something other than the pain. Really, where is Artoo?!
"You can rest if you need to," he reminds.
"I wish I could do something," Anakin grumbles.
Obi-Wan gives him an odd look. "You can't even move, little one."
"I am aware, Master."
He huffs. "Yes, I know we've been stranded in these woods long enough. It appears your droid is very unreliable."
Anakin groans loudly. "He's trying."
"There is no try," Obi-Wan retaliates.
"He's doing his best, Master. He always does." Anakin sounds more irritated than anything else. Obi-Wan suspects he's too worn out to continue trying to be cheerful. It's aggravating sometimes to see him so calm even in the face of such danger. Now Anakin's quiet only worries him more. It's jarring to see his padawan, who's always full of so much energy, so quiet and still.
He approaches his padawan and settles down next to him again. "How are you?" he inquires despite his better judgment.
Even though he knows Anakin is going to start complaining about how he's fretting again. He doesn't understand, and never will, how that upsets his padawan. It's frustrating – they often don't speak the same... language. They've lived together for years, but they don't understand each other. Truthfully, Obi-Wan doubts they ever will. He can usually predict how Anakin will react, but there's times – just as many if not more – that Anakin completely confuses him.
Anakin is often calm and quiet and cheerful, but he just as often seems... depressed about something. He doesn't let on, and if Obi-Wan is being honest, he hasn't paid much attention, either. They're both throwing all their efforts into the war. It worries him, sometimes, because he knows how worn-out Anakin is. There are times he looks twice his age, and then he'll do or say something that reminds Obi-Wan of exactly how young he still is. Obi-Wan himself was a mere padawan at this age, with five years left of his apprenticeship. He never would've dreamed of taking a padawan at such a young age. Anakin not only has; he's also one of the best teachers, even if he's... also passing some of his lesser qualities onto Ahsoka.
To be fair, she was wild and reckless from the start, and Obi-Wan can't expect those traits to disappear immediately. She's only fifteen. Many padawans at that age are much like how she is now. Anakin was an exception, but everything about him was different.
"I am fine."
"I know you will be," Obi-Wan grumbles, reaching out to lay a hand on his shoulder, despite himself. He just wants that physical reminder that Anakin is still here with him. "But right now..."
He finally hears the whirring of an engine. It sounds like a gunship. It's high time the clones came back to find them.
Artoo is the first out of the ship when it touches down. He zooms to Anakin's side, beeping wildly in what Obi-Wan suspects is concern. Hopefully.
"Hey, buddy," Anakin says, smiling weakly, "I knew you would return soon."
"Yes, it's about time you showed up," Obi-Wan agrees. "We were beginning to wonder if you would ever come back."
Artoo beeps loudly, and it must be something very rude, if the amusement that flashes across Anakin's face is anything to go by.
"Now I can see where he learned his manners," Obi-Wan huffs.
"Hey!" Anakin protests.
The clones approach, which breaks up the argument that would likely have followed. It's relieving that they finally arrived, but it does little to calm him. Anakin is still far from recovered.
**w**
"How did you get out of there?" Ahsoka asks, leaning forwards. She wants to hear more – she always does, unknowing of the dangers that are out there. She's nearly died countless times and it hardly phases her. It bothers Anakin more than he can say. Obi-Wan would throw it back at him with a 'you are the same, padawan mine' which... is the truth. It's not like that with Ahsoka, though. She's – she's important.
"If I tell you," Anakin replies with a feigned lightness. "It will be on the condition you never try something like that."
"Not unless you're there," she agrees readily.
"Your idiot master thought it would be brilliant to use a fuel tank as a shelter," Obi-Wan declares, breezing into the room. How long has he been outside listening to this?
"The idiot saved your life," Anakin grumbles – and that is not how it happened. Well, with half the details cut out, maybe.
Ahsoka laughs. She's so bright and innocent, it's unfair she's being forced to grow up in a war like this. "Sometimes you really are, Skyguy," she says, patting his arm. "I'll go check out the status with Master Plo." She sprints out of the room with way too much energy, more than Anakin remembers having when he was young.
He finds himself staring after her, wishing this could be different, that none of this had to happen. He loathes how the war may someday take her innocence, how it puts her life at risk every single day. He doesn't mind the fighting – he never has – but he hates the destruction and the loss that comes with it.
"She's so much like you," Obi-Wan remarks.
"I... worry for her," Anakin admits finally. "She enjoys fighting, more than she should. I don't know when she'll push herself too far."
"You know," Obi-Wan replies. "I could say the same about you."
"She's just a child," Anakin argues, shaking his head. "She's a padawan. It's different."
"You're little more than a child, too."
"I'm not that young anymore. I'm a Knight, Obi-Wan." He turns his head to meet his gaze firmly despite his exhaustion. He's still tired. He's always tired, but no one has time to rest as much as they'd like. The galaxy needs them. "I already have a padawan. I know what I'm doing." Not always. Not usually, but it's not as if Obi-Wan needs to know that.
"You could have died," Obi-Wan replies sharply. "I cannot forget that." His expression softens again, and he moves closer. Anakin finds himself remembering once more how it felt when Obi-Wan touched him, and he wants that again. He wants his master to hold him, like his mother would when he was young. He forces that thought away.
"I'm sorry," Anakin says, though he's not quite sure why.
Obi-Wan seats himself on the edge of the bed Anakin's lying on – he doesn't need to be stuck here, but Kix insisted. "It's alright. I understand why you did it, but you should be more careful."
It was that or let Obi-Wan be hit by the explosion, and he definitely doesn't regret his choice. "I'll try, Master," he promises, but he knows if it came down to it, he would do the same again.
"I don't want this to happen again," Obi-Wan murmurs, his hand dropping to Anakin's arm.
He reaches up, briefly squeezing his master's hand. "It won't." It's a lie, and they both know it. This is war. It isn't something either of them can truly control.
"I should not encourage this," Obi-Wan comments dryly, in a tone implying that whatever he's saying is mostly intended as a joke, "But given the circumstances, I would say you could hug me for four to five seconds."
Anakin pushes himself upright, smirking. "Forty-five seconds?"
"No, I said four to five –"
"Too late." He dives forwards, wrapping his arms tightly around his former master. I love you, he thinks fiercely, though he would never say so, because Obi-Wan would scold him for it. His emotions are leaking heavily into the Force though, and it says everything he would never voice aloud.
His master wraps an arm loosely around him, trailing a hand down his back, and they sit in silence for a few moments. "Alright, Anakin, I think that's quite enough," he says sounding mildly exasperated, probably realizing Anakin really does have no intention of letting go yet.
"The time isn't up yet," Anakin protests innocently. Obi-Wan sounds exasperated not annoyed, so pushing a little further shouldn't make him cranky.
Obi-Wan sighs. "Anakin."
"I just counted to thirty-seven!"
"Let go of me!"
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