Chapter 8 - Home Is Where The Heart Is

Author's Note: Aaaand this is the final chapter! Thank you all so much for joining us on this journey, and I hope y'all enjoyed it as much as we did! :D

~ Amina Gila


"You're... leaving with me?" Anakin asks, staring up at Maul, eyes wide. He – he has no idea what to think of that. He never expected Maul to actually go with him.

He didn't want to leave him either, but he just... didn't believe in the Jedi the way like he did only a year ago. So much has changed. He couldn't stay. That didn't mean the guilt over just leaving Maul was smothering him. But – but if he's coming with him...

Anakin doesn't know that that's good either, though. Because Obi-Wan still killed Qui-Gon, and Maul has every reason to not want to be anywhere near him.

But still, he's glad his master will come.

"Of course, I will," Maul replies, "You have no way to go anywhere on your own. Where do you intend to go?"

They're flying away from the Temple now, for what might well be the last time. Maybe Anakin will rejoin again someday, but now it's... not where he belongs. (Those padawans weren't wrong about that.)

"I wanted to find Obi-Wan," Anakin admits, "And... Mom." He could see her again. He doesn't know what she'll say, since he left her to be a Jedi, but that's not what he's doing anymore. He's still learning the Force, though, and he'll still be able to help people.

"I figured as much," Maul agrees. Something about him still seems distinctly unhappy, though. "Do you know how to find him?"

Anakin considered that a little, and there's really only way he knows of. "We hafta go to Mandalore," Anakin replies, "His family can find him."

"Are you aware how dangerous that could be? If they are collaborating with the Sith?" Maul asks.

His face falls. "I... But they know who I am. If I can explain..."

"We can take the chance," Maul agrees finally, grimly. He seems quite upset, and Anakin doesn't know why. Well, yes, he does. This is everything against what Maul believes, and he gave up everything just to... watch over him. Of course, he's upset. And it instantly floods him with guilt.

"I – I'm sorry," Anakin blurts, arms wrapping around his knees, "You – you gave up everything because of me."

Maul sighs quietly, turning away from the cockpit port to face him. "It's not that, Anakin," he promises, standing and laying a hand on his shoulder. "I am merely concerned about the safety of this. We do not know where their loyalties align. I do not want you to be hurt again."

Oh.

"They don't like Plagueis," Anakin offers, after a moment, "And we can be careful. We can look around before anyone sees us."

"We can try," Maul agrees, touching his shoulder, momentarily.

Anakin leans forwards almost impulsively, wrapping his arms tightly around him. He's never actually hugged Maul before, no matter how much he's wanted to, but if Obi-Wan was fine with it, Maul as a Jedi would be too, right?

Maul freezes for a moment, before almost awkwardly slipping his arms around Anakin's shoulders, holding him against him.

"I could never regret coming with you, Anakin," he says, after a moment. His hand moves, almost uncertainly, slipping down his back. "I will continue training you, even if you are not part of the Order."

Anakin only hugs him tighter, in silent thanks.

**w**

Obi-Wan wasn't planning to go back to Mandalore any time soon, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he should,for whatever reason.

He's just finished explaining very briefly – maybe a slightly altered version – of the story to his parents when he suddenly senses something.

He's almost certain he feels Anakin? What? Is he imagining things, or –

He reaches out with the Force, uncertainly, and he feels the bright presence react to it instantly. Yes, he's definitely here. What is he doing here?!

Obi-Wan's outside of the palace instantly, tracking down the approaching ship. It's been so long, almost a month already, but Anakin's here. And –

He waits, almost warily, as the ramp starts to lower, but Anakin is already standing at the top. A look of excitement splits his face instantly, and he darts down the ramp, tackling him in a hug almost before Obi-Wan registers him approaching.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan murmurs, hugging him back, "What are you doing here?"

"I missed you," Anakin breathes.

"I missed you, too, little one," he says softly, hand moving to brush his hair. "I didn't know when I'd see you again." In truth, he thought it would be years.

Anakin only clings to him tighter, and for a few moments, they just stand there. He missed him so much – and somehow, he never expected Anakin to come back. Although... he does have a few questions as to why it looks like someone punched him the face repeatedly, even if the bruises are fading. It's the kind of trouble children usually get into, but he just wants to be sure it's... well, nothing worse.

Not that he actually thinks the Jedi would hurt him, but it's hard to say sometimes.

There's movement at the top of the ramp, and he looks up sharply to see Maul standing there, watching him.

"You brought him here?" Obi-Wan asks.

Anakin pulls back, looking up at him. "I... left the Order. He left with me."

"Got a problem with that?" Maul queries, eyes narrowed as he descends the ramp, stopping a few paces away from them.

What?

They both left the Order? Why – "Why?" Obi-Wan asks, frowning slightly, "Why would you leave the Order?"

Anakin shifts. "I... couldn't stay. I want to... to be able to help everyone now, and I can't do that when I'm there."

"I wouldn't leave him to go on his own," Maul adds.

Ah.

So, he's supposed to put up with Maul here now? Splendid.

He wants Anakin as his apprentice, not with a stupid Jedi tagging along with them. One who Anakin unfortunately cares about, so he can't stab him in the back and hide the body when the boy isn't paying attention. Fine.

"Staying on Mandalore wouldn't be advisable for you, Jedi," Obi-Wan retorts.

He senses as much as sees some of Anakin's excitement dimming – in part, because of how much his emotions fuel the Dark Side. Obi-Wan never realized how much he... fed off of them, until Anakin was suddenly gone. And this discussion clearly is making him uncomfortable. If they're going to talk about this, they'll have to do that later.

"I am well aware," Maul replies, dryly, "Should we remain here until conflicts arise or go elsewhere?"

"You can come to my ship," he concedes, grudgingly, "I was about to leave planet, regardless."

Anakin brightens a little at that, taking off after him as he heads for the waiting ship.

"What happened to your face?" Obi-Wan asks, eyeing the bruises on his eye, and across half the side of his face, actually, as they make their way onto the ship.

"I... got in a fight," Anakin replies, something... distinctly unhappy flicking across his face.

Obi-Wan makes a noncommittal noise. "I should hope you punched them at least twice as hard in retaliation." (At least it wasn't the Jedi who hurt him.)

Maul gives him an incredulous look, which he ignores. The Zabrak is hovering almost awkwardly in the doorway of the hold, clearly uncomfortable. Good. He should be.

Anakin seems truly happy, though, with both of them here. Obi-Wan doesn't remember seeing him this... eager in a long time.

"There's no other room for you. You'll have to sleep in the hold," he adds, with no small measure of smugness.

Maul shrugs, clearly unfazed. Unfortunately. "I was not expecting Sith to offer better accommodations."

"And what do you expect to do here, Jedi? Bounty hunting?"

"The Jedi has a name," Maul says, dryly.

Obi-Wan's about to fire off another retort, when Anakin climbing onto the bench catches his attention. He looks like he's trying to... blend into the background again.

"And I find it suprising you haven't asked Anakin what he wants to do, yet," Maul adds.

That's... a good point, as much as he hates to admit it in front of Maul.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan prompts, turning to him.

"I want to find Mom," he blurts, squirming.

"Then we'll start there," Obi-Wan decides. What then, he doesn't know. Bounty hunting, with no apparent purpose in mind, is starting to bore him rapidly. Especially when he has to make sure he's still dodging Plagueis. "... And I believe there is one other thing you might want." He disappears from the room, returning a moment later with Twilight.

The childish way Anakin's face lights up at the sight of it manages to melt away some of his annoyance, and he ignores the way Maul is staring at them, as Anakin takes the stuffed tooka. "You kept her with you."

"Of course, I did."

Anakin grins, tucking the tooka under his arm.

"And now, as soon as we have enough fuel and some more credits in case something goes wrong, we'll head for Tatooine."

**w**

Maul has no idea what to think about all of this now. He knew Anakin cared deeply about Obi-Wan, but now he's maybe beginning to understand a little of why. It's obvious it's not one-sided, but that doesn't mean he trusts Obi-Wan's intentions at all. How could he, when he's the one who killed Qui-Gon? And that is something Maul can never forget, even if he tries to work with it. That doesn't mean seeing him at all will ever be easy, much less being near him for long.

But Maul has to stay wherever Anakin is. It's too risky to leave him alone with the Sith. Although, being here at all is dangerous, and not just because of Plaguies. The chance Obi-Wan will try to make Anakin his apprentice is too great.

Maul's close enough within range that he finally risks calling Eldra, because really, there's no one else he can talk to about it. It's not as if he has much to say, anyway, aside from that he may have made a serious mistake.

"You should not have taken him there," Eldra tells him, bluntly, when he finishes briefly telling her the situation, "I don't know if he's as lost as the Sith once were, but it's still a risk, especially given how unique Anakin's training is."

"I know," Maul replies, sighing, "But I cannot leave now. I will let you know if anything... happens." It's a delicate situation, not one he really knows how to handle. Especially not when any other Knight wouldn't've risked something so stupid in the first place – "I must go." He cuts off the connection when he hears the Sith behind him.

"What do you want?" he asks, sharply.

"Ensuring you are not revealing my location to your Jedi friends," he replies, crossing his arms.

"I am well aware you are keeping track of any transmissions I send," he answers, flatly. And if he wanted to reveal the location, he would've already done that. He has no idea how they're going to work this out, much less in a way that won't hurt Anakin with them constantly fighting. "What do you really want?" Maul demands, finally.

Obi-Wan makes a derisive noise. "You off my ship."

He crosses his arms. "That will not happen, so long as Anakin is here."

"Then we must find a way to... work this out."

As if he's not been the one trying to start all the fights? "Do not teach him the Dark Side, and that can be arranged," Maul replies, grudgingly. This is the man who killed Qui-Gon, and he's very, very tempted to pull a lightsaber on him, remembering the weight of his master's body in his arms.

"He is as much my apprentice as he is yours," Obi-Wan replies, eyes narrowed.

He barely withholds himself from starting an argument simply at the words. "Then teach him with a lightsaber. Or other weapons," he replies, tersely, "That is my condition."

"And if Anakin wants otherwise?"

"He doesn't. You forced him to do it before." Maul will never let Anakin have to deal with that again, either. He can't trust that Obi-Wan won't hurt him. Even if Anakin seems to. Besides, he can't completely fail his padawan like that – he promised Qui-Gon to train him as a Jedi.

"Only because you brainwashed him with the Jedi way."

"Do you want this deal to work or not?" he asks, through gritted teeth.

Obi-Wan looks distinctly annoyed but nods grudgingly. "For now, we have a deal." He turns on his heel and stalks out.

Well, that went better than it could have.

**w**

Obi-Wan goes to find Anakin after his talk with Maul, unable to shake his irritation over it. The Jedi has no right to take his apprentice like this, even if he's not entirely wrong that he didn't exactly give Anakin a choice in that regard. The boy didn't seem to mind, though. He was fine with it, right?

Anakin is sitting in the corner of the hold, working on scrubbing off the new Astromech droid that Obi-Wan bought in Anakin's absence, under the assumption he'd otherwise be working alone.

"Are you... alright?" Obi-Wan asks, crouching in front him. Anakin always cleaned things without even being asked, but sometimes, it also seemed to be something he did when he was feeling uncomfortable, so Obi-Wan isn't sure which it is this time.

Anakin looks up, expression unexpectedly cheerful. "Yeah. I didn't know you got a new droid when I was gone."

"Figured it would have its uses. I didn't think you would be back as soon as you were," Obi-Wan admits.

"I always wanted to see another astrodroid," Anakin replies, eagerly. He certainly seems happy to be back here. Then again, he wouldn't have come back if he was so upset about it, like Maul implied. "I met one on Naboo. Artoo. He's the one who helped me destroy the Federation ships."

Met one? Why does he always talk about droids like they're human or something?

"You were the one to destroy that ship?" Obi-Wan asks, with no small measure of surprise. He'd heard some rumors on Naboo about it, when he was trying to sneak off-planet, but he paid it little attention.

Anakin nods. "Artoo helped me."

Okay, that technically means he's the one who ruined a major part of Obi-Wan's mission there, something Plaguies was very unhappy about. Not that Obi-Wan really cares about that, even if it hadn't gone over very well.

"Impressive," Obi-Wan tells him, and he means it. "I did not realize it was you flying that fighter."

Anakin looks slightly abashed at the praise, though no less cheerful. "It was so much better than podracing."

"I imagine it was," Obi-Wan replies, dryly. He's already quite aware of Anakin's strange fascination with those. "Sometime, I can let you fly the ship again."

"Can I?"

"When we're ready to fly again." He pauses, for a long moment. "What do you want? With regard to your... Force training? Do you not want to be a Jedi any longer?"

Anakin hesitates, almost uncertainly. "I – I don't know."

That's... not helpful. "It's up to you," he forces himself to say, even if he very much wants to start convincing him how he ought to become a Sith. Maybe he'll bring it up again... later. Or maybe wait for Anakin to decide that on his own.

"I wanna help people," he says, "I don't understand why the Jedi and Sith hafta fight."

They've talked about it more than enough already; he'll just... not get into that again. There's something about Anakin's naivety and innocence – despite everything he's lived through – that he doesn't want to change. And more than that, Obi-Wan suspects Anakin's reluctance may be more because he's afraid of upsetting or hurting one of them, then that he actually doesn't know what he wants. "Maul agreed that I can continue your 'saber training," Obi-Wan tells him.

Anakin perks up. "He did?"

"And he intends to continue your Force training," he adds, just to... see. "I'm not upset if this is what you want. I merely would like to know."

Anakin still seems momentarily uncertain, almost as though expecting... a negative reaction, but he does finally answer. "I want you both to teach me," he says, finally, "I – the Jedi meditating is harder, but it's... peaceful. I..."

"You can't be both," Obi-Wan tells him, gently. It's literally impossible, and he needs to make that clear from the start, "But you can take your time. Neither of us will be going anywhere."

"You don't mind him here?" Anakin asks, tentatively. He sounds too hopeful to disappoint.

"We're working on it," Obi-Wan replies, grudgingly.

"He – he has a hard time being around you," Anakin says, gaze dropping to the floor, "I – he's still upset about... Naboo. You hurt him."

Obi-Wan huffs out a breath. "Yes," he agrees, reluctantly, "He does have good reason to be angry with me. I... may regret that my mission hurt you –" He can't say the same for anyone other than Anakin, even if that's petty, "– But I cannot change what was done."

"I know," Anakin replies, quietly.

Obi-Wan reaches out uncertainly, touching his shoulder. He leans into it, reaching up after a moment to take his hand, with his own tiny one. "I want you to stay with me, as well," Obi-Wan tells him, softly.

Anakin gives him an almost shy smile in response, and they leave it at that.

**w**

Anakin isn't sure what woke him, but he's blinking awake alone in his room on Obi-Wan's ship. He didn't realize how much he missed this place, until he came back. Even if there's a part of him that misses his room at the Temple too, and he can't help wondering if he really should have left, but he just... couldn't believe in what they were doing anymore. The Jedi weren't... what he thought they would be.

He misses Tatooine, too, or Mom at least, and the times they spent in their small hut there, and he can't believe he'll finally be going back to find her.

He can't stop thinking about what Obi-Wan was mentioning to him, though. He can't be both Jedi and Sith, and he doesn't know what he wants to be.

Being a Sith, using the Dark Side, often made him feel more upset than anything, but it was also easier to draw on the Force.

The Jedi way was often hard and confusing, but it was... more peaceful sometimes. At least, it was at the times he was able to focus and block out how bright everything was.

He doesn't know what to do, but Mom might. Besides, Maul and Obi-Wan told him he doesn't have to decide right now.

Finally, Anakin pushes himself upright, slipping off his bunk, setting Twilight next to his pillow. He still keeps it at night, and it... helps, somehow. It's easier when he has something to hold onto, something warm and familiar, because he can't go crawl in bed next to Mom when he doesn't want to be alone. Even if... Maul and Obi-Wan might not mind, he's never done that before.

And they were his... masters, even if it's not in a way he's used to. They're both far nicer than anyone of that status Anakin's ever known. Sometimes, it's still hard to remember that "master" doesn't have to mean "slaver".

Anakin didn't realize how afraid he was of something about this going very badly until after he talked to Obi-Wan. He knew it wasn't easy for Maul, and he can't deny the guilt gnawing at him because of that. If not for him deciding to leave, Maul wouldn't have to be here.

It still hurts that Obi-Wan was the one who killed Qui-Gon, and it probably always will, but – He really doesn't want to think about it right now.

Anakin silently tiptoes into the hall. He doesn't know where he's going, really, but he just... doesn't want to be by himself. The door to Obi-Wan's room is open, though he's not inside.

Anakin lingers in the doorway for a moment, letting himself feel the rain the Sith is in the Force, something stormy and wild but somehow calming at the same time. It's in stark contrast to Maul's charcoal feel, that's also grounding.

The black, Sith robes Obi-Wan was wearing when Anakin first ran into him are stashed in a far corner of the room, and his Mandalorian helmet is near the door instead. He... hasn't openly acted as a Sith, since... everything. Maybe because he has a Mandalorian family, too, something Anakin is more than a little curious to learn more about. He cautiously tiptoes into the room, crouching next to helmet and picking it up, studying the markings on it.

Even if he can't be a Sith and Jedi at once, what about... a Mandalorian and Jedi at once? Would that be... contradictory? It's –

He looks up at the sudden movement behind him, to see Obi-Wan approaching. "I –"

"You can look at it, if you want," he says, sounding vaguely amused, "I was unaware you found it that fascinating."

"I wanna know what it's like to wear one," he admits, sheepishly. It can do so many cool things, from what he's seen, and he wants to see more. At least it's not dangerous, the way he knows the Dark Side can be.

"Do you?" Obi-Wan muses, "You can try it on. Or perhaps, in the training exercise we're doing, you can wear backwards as a blindfold. It would be more practical than the equipment I believe they use at the Temple." He criticizes everything about Jedi training, for some reason.

Anakin can't help laughing. "It would fall off. It's too big for me."

"What about one of your own? Are you serious about that?" he asks. There's more meaning to the question than Anakin initially realized, he thinks.

"I... Can I be Mandalorian and a Jedi?" Anakin inquires, tentatively.

"Mandalorians believe in honor and loyalty to one another. I cannot say the same for the Jedi," Obi-Wan responds, "But their beliefs do not have be contradictory."

Something flares hopefully inside of him, at the thought that maybe he will be able to be... something of what both of them can teach him. "I want to free the slaves," Anakin says, quietly, "That's why I wanted to be a Jedi."

"Then we can start on Tatooine, when we get there," Obi-Wan promises, "But now, I believe you should be in bed."

Probably, but he doesn't want to go back yet. "I... wanted to be with you," Anakin objects, trailing his foot against the floor.

"Well," he says, after a momentary pause, "What about watching one of those pod races you like?"

Anakin perks up, a grin splitting his face. "Really?" He did that at the Temple a couple times, secretly, because he didn't know if it would be allowed or not.

"If you want," he replies, looking strangely smug, "Though we'll wake Maul." He's already heading to the hold before Anakin can think to object.

"Must I even ask what you are doing?" Maul asks, already sitting up when they enter.

"Something I doubt Jedi will approve of," Obi-Wan replies, dryly, flipping on the holoprojector and letting Anakin find a race – it's not the same as being in them, but it's still fun.

"At this time of night, Anakin?" Maul asks, as he clammers up on the seat next to the Zabrak.

"I... couldn't sleep?" he offers.

"I do not believe this is going to assist you in that regard." His disapproval almost stings, but... Anakin can't always tell how much of it is genuine. He pretty much always looks severe, especially when Obi-Wan's around.

"Let him enjoy it," Obi-Wan advises, flippantly.

Maul huffs out a breath but stays quiet.

After a hesitant moment, Anakin reaches out, taking his hand. He relaxes slightly, when the Zabrak returns the gesture immediately.

"Are you alright?" Anakin asks, leaning closer to him, dropping his voice enough that Obi-Wan hopefully won't be paying attention. They... will probably never be comfortable around each other.

"Yes. You have no need to worry," Maul assures.

Anakin lightly squeezes his hand again, anyway, just to make sure.

Whatever it is they are to him, he doesn't want to lose either. They're family.

Anakin shifts closer, lightly leaning his head against Obi-Wan's shoulder.

Their presences seem to wrap around his softly – even though they both have told him that his presence is so bright, no one can wrap around it.

He's feeling distinctly sleepy already, and... he's content to stay right here for the night. And when they finally reach Tatooine, he can't wait to take them to meet his mother.

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