Entry tags:

30 somethings, anakin and obi-wan, pre-slash, shorts, star wars

"Of Action" / Flawed Design 2 of 3 (Star Wars, Ani/Obi, 493 Words)
Fandom: Star Wars
Title: "Of Action" / Flawed Design - Part 2 of 3 (493 Words)
Author: jarkai_fic on LJ/jarkai everywhere else
Beta: legolad
Theme(s): (For 30_somethings on Insanejournal, Nights: #13, Lonely)
Pairing/Characters: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker
Rating: Previous part mature for horrific images. This part PG.
Disclaimer/claimer: Characters owned by George Lucas. Story will be updated a minimum of once a week.
Critiques: Yes.
Summary: Not all gifts are graciously accepted.

Of Action


I pulled my comforter higher, tucking it beneath my chin. We'd been off that terrible planet for nearly a week, but sleeping hadn't gotten any easier. Each time I turned off the lamps, the sounds of those monsters ripping themselves apart echoed in my skull. And the images... I'd taken to resting with a wastebasket beside my bed, just in case. My body seemed intent on purging the pictures from my mind through my stomach.

I kicked my covers onto the floor and sat up, frustrated. All the blankets on Coruscant wouldn't have stopped my shivering. A dim glow spilled across my carpet, leaking from beneath the door that led to the shared fresher that joined my room to Obi-Wan's. My mouth twisted. He hated when I left that light on, called it a waste of resources. When I mentioned his hour-long baths in return, he told me to go meditate.

I frowned. At this point, I almost wanted to hear him complain. Out of my last five saber practices, he had attended one. I'd eaten each of my dinners alone. Council meetings, another Master needing his assistance--over the last week I had heard every excuse he could think of, but I knew the cold shoulder when I got it.

Slouching, I made my way to the bathroom door. Some noise--the faintest murmur of words from within--lifted my hand from the entry button. I cocked my head. I knew I shouldn't have eavesdropped, but I couldn't help myself. A late night meeting was one thing, but a late night bathroom meeting?

Water splashed, as if Obi-Wan had brought down his fist in frustration. His voice deepened, grew faster, but I still couldn't make out what he was saying. I pressed my ear to the door.

"I just don't think I can do this--"

Was he on his communicator? Screwing my eyes shut, I reached through the Force and brushed against the whorl of Obi-Wan's mind, jerking back almost instantly. It was enough. Another set of thoughts rippled faintly over the background pattern of the room. My mouth went dry. Someone was in there with him.

"Anakin is just so--"

Someone he was talking to about me!

Obi-Wan sighed. I could almost hear him sink further in the tub. "I just don't think I was meant to raise him, Master. That he's capable of such... such..." Obi-Wan trailed off, letting out a deep breath. "Force. I've never seen such carnage on a battle field."

Qui-Gon! He was talking to Qui-Gon.

I felt the blood drain from my face. Only the dead talk to the dead.

I stumbled back to bed and burrowed under the covers. I hadn't meant to hear him, I hadn't, but now I had and--I blinked hard and tears ran down my cheeks. "I saved you," I hissed, pressing knuckles into my burning eyes, "saved us."

And now it didn't mean anything.

[END PART TWO]