Chapter Text
He had long given up any hope of making Master Jinn proud of him; He had spent so many years trying ever so hard and failing. His kata’s were never right. His fighting style was sloppy - Yet all of the Salle Masters were impressed, not that Master Jinn was impressed with their opinions on the matter - he never made the tea properly or combed Master Jinn’s long hair properly.
It was always a string of failures and Obi-Wan despaired of ever getting one kind word if they weren’t undercover. That was the worst thing about this. IF they were undercover and Master Jinn had to act like a father, he was rather free with the praise. But, he made certain that Obi-Wan knew it wasn’t real. That he wasn’t worth what he had told his “son” in front of others.
Obi-Wan - always obedient and keen to please him - nodded and said he understood and then changed the subject to their mission and if he needed to go and gain entrance to someone’s home or office. It wasn’t legal, but most Sentients never questioned them on it. Their evidence of wrong doings were always held up in the local court systems. After all, Jedi were being of the Light, and un-fallible.
Boy, if only they knew his Master as Intimately as Obi-Wan did, they’d hold a different opinion. Their year on Mandalore didn’t help matters at all. Obi-Wan fought tooth and nail and they still failed the New Mandalorians. They were a small group to be sure, and Obi-Wan hadn’t been happy to be used as a tool in their coup. Thankfully, the True Mandalorian had stepped up and taken charge.
No one died, the outcome was peaceful, but only because Obi-Wan had surrendered and promised to talk the Council out of sending any more Jedi. Which he had done. Then he waited around for Master Jinn to arrive and that had been a crap show. Master Jinn had plastered on a smile. He had half hugged Obi-Wan - who was stiff in his arms, he wasn’t certain if he was glad for this show in front of the Mandalorians or what - and made half hearted excuses.
Things happened in War. after all. Leaving a Padawan to protect someone was obviously a normal Jedi thing. Obi-Wan remembered that rolling his eyes had set something off in Jaster Mereel. He should have just remained looking at the ground instead.
He’d gotten adopted, un-adopted in the next sentence and dragged off by an upset Master Jinn who had no more patience for this. Why they let them go, Obi-Wan didn’t really know. But they had dogged the pair ever since and Obi-Wan was certain that Mando’s were everywhere if he went out of the Temple. They tended to just appear and if that didn’t set him off jumping off high buildings, than nothing would.
Obi-Wan stopped in his tracks. The space port was large and the birthing for their ship was empty. His data-pad tinged , he took it out to see a slightly delayed message.
Padawan, wait for the next Jedi Transport.
And that was all. Obi-Wan felt his face go red with anger and if he were in the company of other Jedi he would let the anger fade away into the Force. Instead, he was selfish and clenched his eyes shut and just let it sit there for a hot second before pushing it away. He had access to the team's funds. And with a panicked thought he checked that. Yes, the credits were still there. Thankful for small favors, Obi-Wan took a chunk of it and put it into his own Padawan account. Stating that he was waiting for a Jedi transport - which wouldn’t be in for a month going by the temple records -- the funds cleared in moments.
But he knew that message would send a ping up the system to the Council. They’d call Master Jinn in and he’d give his horrible excuses. Obi-Wan wondered when he had lost all respect for the man.
He turned away, only to bump into hard, steele grey armour. He stumbled back but a hand gripped his wrist to keep him from falling.
“My apologies.” Obi-Wan said, trying to pull said wrist away once he had gained back his balance. The Mando did not let him go. And there were others gathered and he was not near an edge to fly off of. They very carefully had gotten him on the ground. He frowned and lowered his head. He shouldn’t fight them. That’d turn into a blood bath and he didn’t really want that on his conscience.
So the only recourse he had was to let them do what they would with him and find a chance to escape later. “Your Buir has been waiting long enough for you.” the voice from the helmet responded. Obi-Wan bit his lower lip.
“Ah, well...you see…”
“You’re coming back with us.” is the only answer he gets. Then he’s pulled along and the others fall into formation. No one tries to stop them, not even security, and Obi-Wan never expected anyone to do such an inane thing. Messing around with armed Mando’s who simply wanted a family member safe and sound wasn’t something anyone tended to flirt with; Even Obi-Wan knew he never would have made a move if he were in the crowd watching them.
Soon enough they were on another ship and undocking. Three of the Manos accompanied Obi-Wan and the one who hadn’t let him go until they reached a small room in the back. His pack was left with him, but his lightsaber, datapad and com links were all taken. Then the door shut and Obi-Wan found himself in a corner of the small room seconds later.
Well, at least he didn’t have to worry about missing that Jedi Transport.
*(*(*(*
Jaster Mereel looked steelily at Obi-Wan as he and the Mando’a sent to get him all approached the Throne. It was a gaudy thing and he hated it. But at the same time, the New Mandalorians had made it for their Duchess and wasn’t it just horrible that he sat there instead of her?
“Son.” he said as he stood. The young Padawan gave him a slight smile.
“Ah, yes about that…”
“It’s official,” Jaster said. Obi-Wan nodded then began to bite his lower lip. He was nervous and trying to act aloof. Just like all Jedi.
“Where did you find him?” Jaster turned to the Mando’a in grey armour.
“On Hencia Prime. He was left behind.” the other replied.
“Left behind?” Jaster turned back to Obi-Wan.
“It happens sometimes.” Obi-Wan shrugged. He tried not to speak too loud the room was cavernous just so that everyone could hear what others were speaking. Jaster wondered if it made his son feel rather exposed.
“Let’s get him settled in,” Jaster replied. “Business is done for the day.” the otherwise quiet room then went into a cacophony of voices as everyone moved to others they knew or out the door. Obi-Wan was led to a side hall that no one else was going towards. Jaster had taken his elbow and pulled Obi-Wan along.
“What do you mean by sometimes ?” Jaster asked once they were out of the room.
“Sometimes transports don’t have a lot of room and depending on what a Jedi has to do….someone has to wait around.” Obi-Wan said, he tried to pull out of the grip Jaster had on him but the other gave him a glare and Obi-Wan stopped. Allowing himself to be propelled down the hallway.
“I’m just glad my people were able to find you.” he said.
“I didn’t have much of a choice since I wasn’t by a ledge.” Obi-Wan humphed.
“You’re not too old to get a spanking for that.” Jaster threatened.
“Oh, I was fine the whole time.” Obi-Wan hurried on to reassure him. “It’s fine Force Practice and we do smaller base jumps in our classes.”
“Still, Coruscant is not a playground young man.” Jaster muttered.
“You’re right, it’s not. I am sorry to have disturbed you.”
“You didn’t.” Jaster sighed, “Maybe we were just too exuberant in our search.”
“Sorry, but when a bunch of Mandos just pop up out of nowhere, most Jedi are going for the hills.” Obi-Wan said. They came to a stop. Jaster turned, letting the other arm fall free.
“I see.”
“I also understand that my Master isn’t someone who is very kind. Trauma does that to people. Sometimes, they miss right what’s in front of their face.” Obi-Wan sighed. “Though, sometimes I do have to wonder…”
“What?”
“What it’d be like if he’d hug me every once in a while.” he shrugged. “Oh, but that’s silly.”
Jaster sighed again. This time tiredly. Then he’s up in Obi-Wan’s space again. Arms around the Padawan who’s as tall as him, but still on the small side.
Obi-Wan smiles. Yes, he thinks, a hug is something like this.