Chapter Text
When you’re dead, you’re not suppose to feel pain.
Well apparently the Force feels that a lesson is in order for Qui-Gon as Mace throws himself at the man and pins him to the surface of Obi-Wan’s hut on Tatooine, because those punches really hurt when the Korun gives it his all.
“We TOLD you he was dangerous! We told you we saw darkness! BUT NO! NO QUI-GON JINN FOLLOWING THE WILL OF THE FORCE! HOW DID THAT WORK OUT!?” The Korun snarled.
“You were all suppose to guide him!” Qui-Gon argued back, catching the mans wrists and growling back at him. “And then you left Obi-Wan alone to train him.”
Both looked to where the man was carefully boiling some water for tea, Shaak standing by his side and watching the young man who seemed to have aged so much in just a few days.
“Yes talking about Kenobi what the HELL did you do to him during your apprenticeship? What the kark did you tell him?” Mace shook the man again before Qui-Gon managed to shove him off.
“I have no idea what yo-”
“He’s been basically trying to low level kill himself during this entire endevour and if it wasn’t for the fact that he has to look over Skywalker’s sprog then I am willing to bet he could watch me yell at you right now!” Mace growled.
“I did no-, I do-, that is to sa-” Qui-Gon spluttered even as several council members watched the two from Obi-Wan’s bed, using it as their seats.
“You made a perfectly distant Jedi Master but ruined a teen into becoming a self loathing and broken man.” Mace growled deeply. “Always questioning himself, always feeling lesser, always thinking his best was never good enough and emotionally constipated.”
“He seems alright despite it all.” Qui-Gon murmured quietly.
Obi-Wan poured his tea as they looked back to him but when he lifted his cup, his hand trembled even as he blew on the steaming liquid and took a small sip, settling it aside to make a small lunch consisting of dried bantha meat and flatbread.
As they watched, Obi-Wan’s elbow bumped into the cup and it hit the ground, spilling the precious water into the ground as the cup broke.
Obi-Wan stared at it, blinking and then…
They all winced as he slammed his fist into the wall of his hut, instantly pulling back while hissing as he cupped his right hand to his chest, staring down at it as he tested the fingers.
“Perhaps…not.” Qui-Gon sighed as he got up and started to fix up his robes then stiffened when they all heard a small stifled sob.
Obi-Wan was desperately pressing his good hand to his mouth as the other was cradled against his chest, tears welling over it as his shoulders shook. Slowly he backed until he hit the wall, sliding down as more and more tears joined the trail that went down his cheeks, over his hand and dripped onto his beige robe.
Plo moved from the bed and knelt down by him, reaching out towards the redhead’s face with his claws. “Oh young one.”
A piteous little whimper escaped from underneath the hand.
“Some people.” Depa offered softly as she knelt with Plo by Obi-Wan. “Need an excuse to cry. Caleb is like that but Caleb is young.” She stared sadly at Obi-Wan as she gestured to the hand cradled against his chest. “Like a minor injury.”
“…I’ve never seen him cry like that before.” Qui-Gon whispered.
“No one has because you ruined him Jinn. I would happily strangle you if I thought it would help on anything.” Mace growled then closed his eyes as Obi-Wan lost his fight with his own tears and emotions, breaking into soul wrecking wails as he fisted his hands into his tunics.
“Anakin! I’m sorry!” Obi-Wan cried out, voice thick.
Qui-Gon dropped down in front of him between Depa and Plo, reaching out towards the young man only for his hand to pass through him, cursing as it did, helpless to comfort the young man breaking apart in front of their very eyes.
“…We should have taken him from you while he was on probation, regardless of what Yoda said.” Mace added gravely. “At least he wouldn’t be here now, a broken shell of a man you destroyed in his youth.”
Qui-Gon felt a heavy weight settle in his chest as Obi-Wan continued to cry, losing precious water in the heat of Tatooine.