Chapter Text
°| VADER ●.*•
The trip to the marketplace is mostly silent. They didn't spend long in the lake house, just putting the pups into a bed to nap and then leaving them in the care of one of the house's (mansion, really) butler droids.
As they're flowm to it in the speeder, Bail lets them know about the nearby city and where they'll find places of note-- like the medcenter, a theater, the best restaurants, a kid-friendly park, and (as they approach it) the shopping center of the city.
It's still around midday, and all the many colorful shopfronts and banners look stunning under the shining Alderaan sun. Vader turns his attention to Obi-Wan, curious to see if he's impressed by the bustling, colorful marketplace.
But rather than the casual interest and intrigue his master always showed around cultural centers before, Obi-Wan looks... intimidated. It puts a small frown on Vader's face as he looks his former master over
"Are you alright?" He leans in to ask, too low for Bail to overhear. The senator is busy talking about the city's recent election for governor, and isn't looking at them anyways.
Obi-Wan gives Vader a stiff nod, still looking out the side of the speeder at the busy streets and many vendors. "It's just... a lot of people."
Oh.
It hadn't even occurred to Vader that Obi-Wan wouldn't be comfortable around large groups of people. He's adjusted so well and so quickly to being around Vader and Bail.
But Vader has to remind himself, again, that this is not the same Obi-Wan who he knew before the fall of the Empire. This Obi-Wan has spent 3 years almost entirely isolated in the desert. Of course large crowds would be intimidating and possibly overwhelming for him so soon.
He stops himself before he can put his arm around the man. "Do you want to go back to the Lake House? We can just order anything you need on the net."
Obi-Wan tears his eyes away from the market then, looking at Vader with something like surprise and, perhaps, gratitude. "... I'll let you know if it's too much." His eyes linger on Vader for a moment. "... Zed said it's important I choose the blankets and such in person... but... thank you. That's very considerate."
The Sith offers him a smile that he hopes is reassuring, and continues to keep his hands to himself, no matter how much he wants to touch. "I'm trying," he responds gently, hoping that Obi-Wan catches his deeper meaning. "I'll keep us out of the busier stores."
That seems to relax Obi-Wan somewhat, and he gives another grateful nod before turning his attention back to the marketplace below.
If he sits a little closer to Vader than before... well, Vader can only assume that he's doing something right.
°| OBI-WAN ●.*•
For once, Obi-Wan is grateful that Vader doesn't like to leave him alone.
The marketplace is loud and crowded, and Vader's constant presence by his side is like an anchor for him. Bail can't stay with them long; as the king he is too recognizable and he doesn't want to risk some paparazzi zealot recognizing him and trying to figure out who Obi-Wan is.
Obi-Wan understands the reasoning; his identity needs to stay a secret. And any unmated Omega seen in one of the Organa's company is going to be the center of a storm of gossip. If anyone ran a face scan on him, he'd be found out almost instantly.
Vader doesn't run that same risk, despite being the Emperor's right hand. He doesn't want anyone to recognize him as Anakin, so he wears a mask the majority of the time. He doesn't go out in public much anyways, usually just staying on his ships or going into battle. Darth Vader is still a mystery to most of the Empire.
So, the King stays with their speeder, and Obi-Wan and Vader stick to the least popular areas of the Market.
It's not so bad, actually. Once he starts to get used to the buzz of background noise and conversations, he doesn’t feel so on edge and anxious. It probably helps that he grew up around busy centers of activity like this one, and acclimating to it is a bit like riding a hoverbike.
His senses stay on alert, but with Vader (and Anakin's strong scent) nearby, he has something to focus on and keep him from outright panicking.
A few hours later finds him and Vader in one of the areas that they avoided earlier because it was too busy. A lot of the traffic has dwindled as it gets closer to sundown, this being one of the smaller cities in Alderaan, where things tend to actually close down for the night.
Bail spends his time meeting with the new governor of this city, and is content to keep socializing with her until they're ready to go. He's kept in contact sporadically to let them know where he is and to make sure they're not running into trouble, but has otherwise left them to their own devices.
The shop Obi-Wan is in now is one full of many locally made things. Mostly clothes; thick cloaks and dresses and things for the winter season. But they have blankets too, with spun wool from beasts native to Alderaan. The feel of them appeals greatly to him, and he's looking through the selection for one with a pattern he likes, or to get an idea of what he might commission the owner to make.
As he's looking, Vader puts a hand on his shoulder. "I want to go get something from another store, will you be alright on your own for a few minutes?"
Obi-Wan turns to look at him, then looks around at the shop they're in. It's nearly empty, save for themselves and a couple women trying on dresses together.
He nods at Vader. There are a lot of blankets to look through, and he wants to see some of the cloaks as well. He'll be fine for a few minutes. "Go on, I'll stay here."
The Alpha flashes him a smile, squeezes his shoulder, then makes his way out of the store. Obi-Wan doesn't watch him leave, just turning his attention back to the soft and colorfully dyed wool.
It's some time later when Obi-Wan feels someone walk up to his side. He's picked out two blankets that appeal to him and he's looking at the cloaks when he's approached.
Obi-Wan isn't paying much attention now, having finally begun to relax. So when he feels someone come up and lean in to take a good sniff at his neck, his first instinct is to tell off Vader for his bad manners and presumptuous behavior.
But. Then he smells the Alpha, and that isn't Anakin's scent.
Obi-Wan jerks away, almost dropping his blankets as he whips around to face the stranger that invaded his space. All his previous ease and relaxation is gone, and his senses are back on high alert.
The Alpha is a human man, perhaps a bit taller than Obi-Wan, but not much. His hair is a dark, oily black and has been slicked back with some kind of gel. He has some muscle, as all Alphas naturally do, but it's not the sort he's worked for. He looks stringy, and he has a gut that indicates many nights spent in a cantina. His nose has very obviously been broken before, and his eyes are a beady black to match his hair.
He smells sour, and Obi-Wan can't tell if it's part of his scent or if it's alcohol on his breath. He is, overall, not someone Obi-Wan wants to be near, and he makes that as clear as he can through his body language and scent.
"Sorry," the man says, not sounding sorry at all. "I couldn't help myself, you smell like heaven."
Obi-Wan doesn't have a response for him, just biting back the urge to growl and lash out, like he would at a threat in the desert. He doesn't want to cause a scene and get escorted out of this shop before Vader comes back to find him. That would be not only embarrassing, but would keep him from buying the blankets he just spent so much time picking out.
"I could smell you from outside," the Alpha continues, apparently unbothered by the distress and anger bleeding into Obi-Wan’s scent. "Not many people go shopping without blockers here. Especially when they're so close to a heat. You looking for a good time, red?"
"No." Obi-Wan answers him tersely. He fights to keep his temper in check. It would be child's play to take the cocky Alpha down, but again, he doesn’t want to cause a scene. "I'd thank you to leave. I'm busy."
Despite the thinly veiled warning and obvious unhappiness Obi-Wan is broadcasting, the Alpha remains undeterred. He's human, and obviously not all that bright, so if this were another time, when Obi-Wan wasn't likely to be reported if anyone suspected him of being a Jedi, he might just mind trick the man to leave.
As it is, he isn’t totally sure he's still capable of manipulating the force with such precision. And failure would be... bad.
The Alpha leers at him, continuing to crowd into his space. "Aw, don't be like that, red. How about we leave together? I'll buy you a drink. Or, we can just skip to the fun part." A hand finds its way to Obi-Wan’s butt, and this time, the former jedi doesn't supress his snarl, his eyes flashing with anger.
The stranger just laughs, unafraid of the wrath of an Omega. Obi-Wan is nearing the end of his patience. If someone else doesn't step in to run the stranger off, he may very well break this knothead's arm.
"You won't be so feisty once you've got a knot in you," the Alpha purrs back, looking amused. "You're all the same, even bad-tempered old spinsters like you. You'll love it, I promise. I might even give you a pup or two to remember me by."
And that? That's the end of Obi-Wan’s tolerance for this interaction.
He drops the blankets, a hand darting out to grab the offending Alpha's arm. Before the man knows which way is up, Obi-Wan uses that arm to twist him around, bending his arm backwards painfully behind him. He gets another grip on his other arm, and holds him there, steadily applying pressure to the twisted arm.
"Feel like leaving now?" He asks, a growl to his words.
The Alpha is whimpering in pain, clearly not prepared for this outcome. "What the-- you're crazy!"
Obi-Wan snorts, and is about to twist his arm further (to either dislocate or break it, whichever comes first) when a hand touches his shoulder.
"Obi-Wan," Vader's voice says, sounding amused. "I'm sure he deserves it, but you should probably let him go."
The return of Anakin's scent helps to put Obi-Wan back at ease. This Alpha or any other wouldn't dare to try something while an Alpha like Vader is nearby. So, he lets go of the stranger, shoving him forward a bit so he stumbles off balance.
"Psychotic bitch!" The stranger curses him, then turns and runs from the store.
He glares, unmoved by the fearful glance the Alpha throws back at them before escaping. Vader watches him go, eyes tracking his form until he's out of sight.
Once he's gone, Obi-Wan bends down to pick up his chosen blankets. He spares a look at the shopkeeper, who looks more entertained than angry at the display.
When Obi-Wan turns his gaze on Vader, the Sith is looking at him and holding a pair of disposable mugs in a drink holder with his other hand. "Are you okay?" Vader asks, letting his hand leave Obi-Wan’s shoulder.
The jedi nods, heaving a sigh. "I can handle myself."
"There's no doubt of that," Vader agrees with no small amount of amusement. "I just mean, did he manage to hurt you at all?"
"No," Obi-Wan answers, pleased that Vader isn't doubting his capabilities too. The anger and distress fades from his scent as he relaxes once more. "He got on my nerves, that's all."
"What did he say to you?" The Sith asks, a mixture of genuine concern and murderous intent in his tone. Obi-Wan has never heard anyone else pull off such a combination.
The Omega shakes his head, turning back to the cloaks he was looking through. "He said what everyone says about people like me, Vader. I'm glad he harassed me rather than someone else; hopefully I gave him a scare and he won't try that again."
Vader responds with a disgruntled huff. "Maybe I should have let you break his arm." The Alpha takes the blankets from Obi-Wan so he can have both his hands free, standing a respectful distance away. "If I thought you'd appreciate it, I'd offer to scent you so scum like that will leave you alone."
Despite what are obviously his best efforts, Vader fails to keep a note of hope out of his tone, and Obi-Wan knows that if he did ever want that, the offer stands.
He fights not to roll his eyes. At least the Sith has the sense to know his answer and not press him on it.
Obi-Wan focuses on Vader, then, and the cups he brought with them. "Is that tea I smell?" He asks, changing the subject.
Vader nods, tucking the blankets under one arm so he can pull one of the cups out of the holder. "Yes, I think I remembered your favorite."
He takes the cup held out for him, breathing in the scent from the steam spilling out the top. He recognizes the scent, and smiles. "Chamomile with milk and honey?" He asks, and feels pleased when Vader nods his confirmation.
"And a pinch of cinnamon on top," the Sith adds, looking a little worried that he may have gotten it wrong.
He didn't.
"I'm surprised you remembered." Surprised, yes, but overwhelmingly pleased. It's been well over the 3 years they've been apart since they had proper tea and caf together. They rarely had time for more than instacaf during the war.
Vader smiles back at him, picking up his own drink. "You were always very particular about it."
Obi-Wan remembers Anakin's many complaints about it back when he was a Padawan and was sometimes asked to go buy or make them tea. His Padawan used to make fun of his drink for being 'girly'.
Of course, he wouldn't have complained if he knew Obi-Wan’s designation. Liking overly sweet things is one of the few unfortunate stereotypes of his type that Obi-Wan actually adheres to.
"I like what I like," Obi-Wan responds, breathing in the relaxing scent while the tea is too hot to drink. He's not just talking about the tea, and he thinks Vader picks up on that.
The Sith allows silence to reign for a few moments, while Obi-Wan compares two of the cloaks to decide if he wants them both or just one of them.
He decides on one of them, then hands it to Vader as well so he can take the three materials he selected up to the register for checkout.
Obi-Wan drinks his tea as he waits for the Alpha to buy the wares and have them sent directly to the lakehouse by drone (as he's done with all their other purchases today). Obi-Wan has gotten about halfway through his cup and is feeling significantly more at ease by the time Vader is done with the merchant.
Their next stop is to a food stand, where Obi-Wan gets a bowl of rice and grilled fish for latemeal, while Vader has a more adventurous spicy fried fish and vegetable skewer.
They find a quiet corner of the Market to eat, and settle down for their meal.
It's quiet here, and it's getting dark. Some of the stores are closing up, and the streets are getting less busy. They might be able to go to one more store before they should head back home, but it's alright if they don't. Obi-Wan is fairly sure he has enough materials to make a suitable nest, between everything they have here, the sheets and pillows he told Zed to steal from Vader's bed, and his old clothes from Tatooine.
And he still has about two weeks to order things on the net if he wants any more. He should be alright.
"I have a question for you," Vader says, just as Obi-Wan finishes his bowl.
He sounds... young, and unsure. It immediately captures Obi-Wan’s attention.
The Jedi sets his empty bowl aside, giving Vader his full attention. "Ask away."
His response seems to send a wave of relief through Vader. Obi-Wan supposes it would; in his youth, Obi-Wan wasn't known for his patience with questions. He's done his best to change that.
"... I want to do as you ask. I want to be the man you love." Ah, so it's about this. "But... I don't know how. Will you help me?"
Before Obi-Wan can stop himself, he's moved closer to Vader and laid his hand on the Alpha's arm, looking up into his eyes. They aren't blue, but they are earnest, conflicted. They could be blue again, someday.
He doesn't have to think about his answer. "Of course I will," he responds, just as soft and genuine. "I will always help you; you need only ask."
This further makes Vader relax. There's a hopeful glint in his eyes as he looks back down at Obi-Wan.
He can see Anakin in those eyes, even if they're still yellow. He can see the lost young man that needs guidance, needs someone to lean on and answer his questions. Perhaps now, Obi-Wan will finally have a chance to right the wrongs he did to his dearest friend. Maybe now he can be what Anakin needed him to be before.
"Then how, Obi-Wan?" Vader asks him, still seeming so young and lost. "I don't know what made me him. I don't know where to start. Do I wipe my mind back to that day? Do I take down the Empire and try to make things as they were before? Please, tell me what I must do."
The things Vader asks...
It takes Obi-Wan’s breath away to hear that he would be genuinely willing to go to such lengths just for Obi-Wan to love him.
But... he doesn't need to do any of that. And Obi-Wan won't take advantage of Vader's willingness to do anything he asks just to get what he wants.
He isn't a Sith.
"That..." he starts, thinking long on what he wants to say. "Is not a question with an easy answer. I think we'll have to figure it out together. But I do believe you have the right idea to start with; you need to get away from Palpatine's influence. He poisoned you against everything that made you Anakin." Obi-Wan firmly believes that. Anakin has always been good and kind and caring at heart. Palpatine has tried to make him none of those things.
And he managed to, but it seems that he could not harden Anakin's good heart forever. "If that means you need to defeat him, or arrest him, or kill him, then do that. If you don't feel ready to face him, then we can go. We can take Luke and run to where he can't ever find us again."
"I won't run," Vader tells him immediately. "I need to face him, for everything he's done to me and those I love."
"Then be careful," Obi-Wan slides his hand down Vader's arm, to where he knows there is metal underneath the glove. "I would fight him with you, if I could. I fear I would only serve as a distraction, though. The desert has weakened me too much, and my connection to the force is... frayed."
As he thinks on it, it occurs to him that now, the force doesn't feel so far out of reach. As he opens himself up to Anakin and lets himself be vulnerable, the force opens up to him in turn. It's a small thing, but it spurs him to continue, to allow the force to guide him in his answers.
"I would wait for you to recover, if it weren't so risky." Vader admits softly. "I'd rather have you at my side when I face him. But the longer we wait, the greater chance there is that he discovers you, or the truth about Luke. I won't risk our son that way. I won't let him hurt Luke the way he hurt me."
Obi-Wan nods, fully understanding the sentiment. He would do anything, anything at all for that boy. "You're fighting Palpatine for the right reasons, then." He says after a moment. "To protect another from harm. If you kill him out of revenge, you'll only be continuing the path of the Sith. You need to find a way back to the light if you're to be the man I love and the father Luke deserves."
At that, Vader looks unsure of himself, and though he stays silent, Obi-Wan can almost see that he has more questions.
Not willing to let this step towards progress falter so soon, Obi-Wan tightens his grip on the Alpha's arm. This conversation is the will of the force, he can feel it in his bones. "Ask what's on your mind, I can't read it."
"What if I can't?" Vader asks, rushed and worried. "Or what if I do, and then I'm too weak to protect you and Luke? I lost her, I won't lose you too."
"You won't," Obi-Wan promises, keeping his voice sure and steady. "You won't lose us. The dark side protects and saves no one; it is the very evil that killed your wife and slaughtered our family." He can't say Padmé's name any more than Vader can, her memory still pains him too much. He will forever hold the guilt of being the last person to see her alive, when that person should have been Anakin.
But he can at least honor her by having faith in her last words, her dying wish. There is still good in him.
Obi-Wan barrels on, not letting the past trip him up now. Vader-- no, Anakin needs him. "It doesn't make you strong; your love and your compassion and your kind spirit is what made you stronger than any Sith could ever be. It takes true strength to resist the dark side, and the Anakin I know has all the strength he needs to leave the darkness behind and find the light again."
Obi-Wan doesn't know when his hand left Vader's arm to frame the side of his face, but it's there now, and he's loathe to stop touching. He can see him now, Anakin isn't far underneath the surface. He just needs a little help. A nudge in the right direction.
"How can you be sure?" Vader asks, still afraid, still worried. "If I fail, I've put you and Luke in terrible danger. How are you not afraid?"
"Because," Obi-Wan smiles, his heart aching as he remembers that same fearful expression with blue eyes rather than yellow. "If anyone can make things right, you can. I trust you with my life, Anakin. I always have."
When Obi-Wan says the name this time, directly to him, he doesn’t flinch. He doesn't pull away. He doesn't look guilty or angry.
No, there's a lost look on Vader's face, and Obi-Wan can see the struggle in the depths of his eyes. He keeps his hand where it is, silently willing, praying, for Anakin to come back to him. Even if it's only for a second.
And as he watches, his prayers are answered.
Slowly, oh so slowly, the yellow and red shrinks back from Anakin's eyes, leaving behind a brilliant, shattered blue. The same beautiful blue of the skies Anakin so loves to fly above.
Obi-Wan could weep for the joy it brings him. Anakin, his Anakin. He's still there.
"Do you mean that?" Anakin asks him, eyes wide with wonder. "Do you really trust me that much? Do you really love me?"
It's all Obi-Wan can do to keep his voice steady with the tears threatening to choke him. "I have never meant anything more."
He can't tear his eyes away from the sight in front of him, from the blue eyes he's longed to see for three years. Even just one year stretched for an eternity, three would have been unbearable, if Luke had not inherited his father's sky blue eyes and given Obi-Wan hope anew.
"You are the shining star in my otherwise bleak and miserable life," Obi-Wan continues before he can think better of it, just wanting to keep Anakin here for as long as he can. If he must pour out his heart to do so, then he will do as he must. "When I lost you, it was like day became night. It was like the entire galaxy was devoid of light. Yes, I love you, but it's so much more than that. There are many I would die for in this Galaxy. But I lived for you, for your son. In the hopes that I would see you again one day, if not in you, then in the part of Luke that came from you."
Anakin has always had a retort for everything Obi-Wan says to him. But now? He seems speechless.
It's alright. Obi-Wan can see him, and that is enough.
His thumb brushes over the thin scar under Anakin's eye, and he drinks in the sight of him, the man he lived three years in the wastes for. The man whose son brought light back into Obi-Wan’s life when he didn't think there was any light left in the Galaxy.
"... Why did you never tell me?" Anakin finally asks, the first specks of gold returning to his eyes. With them, returns the edge of fear and insecurity to Anakin's expression.
"I thought you knew," Obi-Wan whispers, because it's the unfortunate truth. "I didn't realize it needed to be said. You were my brother, my best friend, I loved you. I still do. I should have said it then, but I'll say it now, and when you come back to me, I'll never stop saying it."
"I don't know how you can love me after all I've done," Anakin says, slipping away.
Obi-Wan’s other hand comes up, framing Anakin's face as if he can hold him there by sheer will. "Come back to me, and I'll show you how I love you."
It takes all the strength he has not to press a kiss to Anakin's lips as he fades away, as Vader once more slides his mask of fear and simmering hatred into place. He has to wonder what Vader still hates so much, hasn't he already destroyed all who wronged him?
Surely Palpatine is a driving force, but he can't be the only thing, or Vader certainly would have rid himself of the man already.
Obi-Wan can't begin to imagine what it is that could bury Anakin under such a haunted, lingering hatred.
That too, soon fades from Vader's eyes, becoming only a layer to the bleeding yellow rings around his pupils. It's a mystery that Obi-Wan will have to uncover in time. For now, he needs to take his hands back off of Vader's face.
As he draws back, Vader catches his wrists. He doesn't hold him there tightly, just lightly wrapping his fingers around them, his thumbs pressing to Obi-Wan’s pulse points.
Vader just stares at them for a moment, apparently deep in thought. Obi-Wan lets it happen, gives the Sith time to work out whatever it is he needs to think through.
"... I still don't understand," he finally says, voice small.
Obi-Wan makes no attempt to pull his wrists away. "What is there to understand?" He asks gently. "The force is our guide, and it has always sung when Anakin and I were close. Listen to the force, it will guide us back together, as it always has."
"What will become of me?" Vader asks, still lost.
"You will always be a part of him," Obi-Wan answers, speaking from his heart, letting the force guide his thoughts. "You will be a hard lesson he had to learn. Just as the darkness I used to avenge my master's death will always be a part of me. You will be stronger for having overcome it."
This causes Vader to swallow and nod, finally lowering their hands to their knees, and frowning down at them. "You said to let the force guide us back together. How? Hasn't it already?"
So many questions, and Obi-Wan doesn't know how he could have ever denied Anakin answers before. It lessens the ache in his heart to be helping him find answers now.
"It did the easy part for us," Obi-Wan starts, a sigh on his lips. "Bringing us to the same place at the same time. Now we need to do the rest, to mend the things that can't be fixed for us."
"Meditation," Vader says, sounding displeased. He doesn't sound quite so opposed to it as Anakin once did, however.
"That would certainly help," Obi-Wan agrees with a wry tilt to his lips. "You needn't meditate alone. I've struggled with it as well, and I expect together we can achieve what we have failed at separately."
This gets Vader's attention, and he seems astonished at the mere notion. "You need help meditating?"
An ashamed nod answers that question. "I have failed to find peace in my new life. We can help each other with that, I expect."
Vader nods then, and finally lets go of Obi-Wan’s wrists. "Then I will hold you to that offer, Obi-Wan."
He looks up, and Obi-Wan follows his eyes to the near-empty and darkened streets of the market.
"We should go," Vader says, and Obi-Wan agrees. Time got away from them, and it's dark enough for the streetlights to have turned on to give them visibility.
"Let's," Obi-Wan says, allowing Vader to help him to his feet.
Today has been a good day. It didn't start out as one... but Obi-Wan can lift his head high now, and have hope for a better future. Hope for himself, for Luke... and even for Anakin.
What a day it has been.
