this is a disclaimer.
AN: Vaguely implied child abuse (not by Obi-Wan! Jeez.)
that i confess (i must have loved you)
Master Obi-Wan, it turns out, is more than a little untidy.
Anakin finds it funny in the privacy of his own head – both kinds of funny, the funny ha-ha kind and the funny weird kind, because Master Obi-Wan doesn't exactly come across as the kind of person who'd be untidy, like Watto did. He comes across as the kind of person who'd colour-code things, like Wald's Master, and if you ever put a tool away in the wrong place, you'd better hope there's a friend close to help you home.
But Master Obi-Wan leaves things lying around a lot, and he never seems able to find whatever it is he's working on, and he's one of those people who's interested in everything, so he's always working on at least six different things at once. Anakin has a Kessel of a time straightening everything out and keeping track of what datapad is lying under which pile of cushions, but he manages. Mom would be proud.
Still, his standards slip a little, he lets his guard down without meaning to, and one day he breaks a plate. It's wet and slippery from the soapy water in the sink, and it was Anakin's fault for standing there like an idiot and taking forever to do the dishes like he always does because it's so awesome to get to put his hands in so much water just to do the dishes, and somehow he let the plate fall.
Would have served him right if it had landed on his toes. He winces, bites his bottom lip. Master Obi-Wan has jumped up and come to the kitchen door, and Anakin can't look at him (it's better if you don't see the blow coming cause then you're less afraid, and if they know you're afraid they hurt you more the second time).
"I'm sorry," he says, bending down. "It'll never happen again, Master –"
"Don't move!" Master Obi-Wan barks at him, crossing the little kitchen in two quick strides. "Stay still, Anakin. Why aren't you wearing your boots?"
He hunkers down by Anakin's feet and actually starts picking up the pieces himself, piling them in his left hand gently while the fingertips of his right ghost over the floor, searching for tiny shards.
Anakin stares. "I."
"Hmm?" Master Obi-Wan looks up at him, eyebrow raised. His eyes are grey, and very calm. Seek used to say that the calm ones were the worst, but then again, Seek used to say Anakin would never leave Tatooine, either.
"You should only wear boots if you need them. Or they wear out."
"Well, you need them now," Master Obi-Wan says. "What if you'd taken a step and cut your foot on a shard?"
Anakin has no idea what to say to that. If he agrees, he'll be selfish, thinking only of himself and not of his Master. If he doesn't, he'll be damaging himself.
"Wear your boots, Padawan. That's what they're for."
Anakin nods dumbly. Master Obi-Wan nods as well, and stands up.
"Off you go then. Watch your step."
"Master, the dishes aren't dried..."
Master Obi-Wan gives him a strange look. "I do remember how to use a towel, Padawan," he says dryly.
Anakin blinks, confused beyond words, but he nods just the same.
It's never wise to press your luck too far with Masters.