Choose Your Words || A Obi-Wan Kenobi/Anakin Skywalker Story

Chapter 13: Follow Him

Dangerous.

No one ever assumes him to be – all posh and exquisite and suave. They say he’d rather not fight. That’s true. He prefers being subtly persuasive instead. They think it’s because he isn’t strong enough. They think wrong. And that’s what makes him so lethal.

A master manipulator, he barely ever draws his lightsaber – his words cut sharply and with surgical precision in its place, accomplishing what even the use of the Force cannot. But if there ever is a need for aggressive negotiations, his Jedi cloak slides off his shoulders with dramatic and elegant carelessness, revealing the devastating warrior hidden underneath.

No one ever expects him to be. No one ever sees it coming until it’s too late. And that is their fatal mistake.

The Order calls him the Negotiator, and sometimes Anakin thinks that it must be some kind of sick, cruel Jedi joke, like calling a huge weapon of mass destruction Little Boy. He is the proverbial carrot and stick, both in one. Only the stick is more of a scourge of gods if you asked the receiving end of his wrath. And if you asked Anakin Skywalker, well, he wouldn’t tell you that, of course, but every time they go on a mission, he prays to the Force for their opponent to be exceptionally stubborn and almost trembles with excitement in hope that he might witness a show of his Master’s deadly grace.

It is an extremely rare occurrence, of course: Obi-Wan Kenobi is barely ever forced to fight – he prefers a more civilized approach. Not that he ever even needs to fight for that matter. Why would he? His faithful apprentice is always there – a dark, mournful shadow looming behind his left shoulder – always walking with him, a step behind; always ready to fight and kill to protect his Master. His devoted guardian, his loyal servant – Anakin Skywalker is the most dangerous thing about Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

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Majestic.

Words don’t come to Anakin as easily as they do to his Master, but this one… This one springs to mind every time – readily – at the sight of his Master.

The way he carries himself – his shoulders broad and square, his head held high and proud – it isn’t something he has ever consciously practiced. It is just his natural state of being effortlessly impressive and dignified but somehow deliciously delicate at the same time. It seems like everything about him just exudes dominance: he doesn’t just walk – he swaggers, confident and graceful, holding his body upright and swinging his hips; his look is sharp and commanding; his gestures are imperious; his posture is authoritative in the way that makes Senators and kings bow and hunch to appear smaller. They do it unwittingly, of course, they can’t see what Anakin sees: Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi strolls, blazing in glory and splendor, awash in the radiant current of the Force, its tendrils swirling and fluttering around him like war banners of a triumphant army.

Behold, his very presence calls, the Emperor in all his regal magnificence!

And Anakin can’t tear his gaze away. His eyes follow his Master’s every move, every step, every gesture with greedy, rapt attention.

His Master’s breath fills Anakin’s lungs.

His Master’s Light fills Anakin’s soul.

No matter how strong with the Force and powerful they say he is, Anakin has always been weak and helpless under his Master’s gaze, trembling at the sound of his own name spoken by his Master in that soft, gracious tone he reserves solely for him.

One word – and his Master could make Anakin do anything. That control is both terrifying and intoxicating, and somehow, Anakin feels unable to resist.