For Obi-Wan

[bring_balance]

Anakin still feels shaken to his core, even more than an hour after he's left the throne and Rey behind.

Palpatine was a Sith lord. For years, he was lied to, misled and deceived in every way imaginable. Obi-Wan had told him right away when he'd arrived in Darrow, but in his heart, Anakin had never truly believed it. Perhaps it was because the idea that a Sith lord could have been under their noses for years was unfathomable, or perhaps it was because he couldn't imagine that someone he had loved and trusted could do such a thing.

He'd been a fool and he's ashamed.

And now he knows exactly who he needs to speak to.

He's sure that Obi-Wan felt it in the Force, Anakin's moment of weakness. Again, he'd allowed rage and fear to overtake him. The fire of hatred had scorched his veins, and he'd fed it, walked to the edge of the precipice and nearly gone over into the darkness.

He's not sure what comes next, and Anakin hopes his Master will be able to provide guidance.

It's very late, long after he's sure Obi-Wan has gone to bed, but he finds himself knocking on his apartment door.

Comments

[larger_world]

"Oh, I think Padmé has the both of us beat," Obi-Wan answers. "She'll be running this place before too long, I imagine."

And Darrow would be better for it. There are few Senators like Padmé, few that believed so completely in democracy and were so dedicated to seeing it succeed, even if it hadn't at all gone the way they would have hoped. He believes she can do good things in Darrow, too.

"We don't have to leave it all behind," he continues after a moment. "I believe there is great value in much of what we've learned, but perhaps it's time for us to adapt it to a different way of life."

[bring_balance]

"The ability to adapt is one probably learned as a senator," Anakin says, then he finally does smile at Obi-Wan's second statement about Padmé. Of course he agrees, and though they've only been in Darrow a short time, he can see her running for office and really doing good in this city they're beginning to call home.

He considers what Obi-Wan says and his expression grows more serious.

"I think if we're to leave some it behind us and adapt... then perhaps the time has come for me to stop calling you Master," he suggests, "After all, there's no Jedi Order here."

And the two of them have already begun pulling away from some of the Order's teachings, so this seems a logical next step.

[larger_world]

It pleases Obi-Wan to have Anakin amenable to the possibilities they're speaking of and he smiles at the suggestion, not having expected it and yet feeling as if Anakin is entirely right. For all he still thinks of Anakin as his Padawan in ways, their relationship has truly become that of brothers more than mentor and apprentice.

"Yes," he says with a smile. "I think that is something we can both certainly manage."

There's no reason for anyone in Darrow to call Obi-Wan Master. As Anakin has said, the Order is not here, these titles don't mean what they once did.

[bring_balance]

"Of course, you know this means you'll have to stop calling me Padawan," Anakin reminds Obi-Wan, and his expression finally begins to break, softening into something closer to a teasing grin. He knows Obi-Wan doesn't often call him that, but he'll mention it, on ocassion.

Usually when he's lecturing Anakin about something.

[larger_world]

"Oh, of course," Obi-Wan says, then strokes his head thoughtfully, pretending to give it some real consideration. "I'll have to adopt something new, however. What is it we called Ahsoka? Little one? I quite like the sound of that, don't you?"

His smile grows and he nods toward the sofa. "Now," he says. "Would you like to sit down and have some tea with me, little one?"