sithkabobed | IC CONTACT

"That remains to be seen."

Funny how he'd used that same reasoning to defend Anakin only months (years for Obi-Wan) before. Now he was using it against the young man who he'd placed so much faith and trust in. He'd heard about the Sith Lord Anakin would grow into before from those who lived in the future he created, but he still fought for him. Qui-Gon wanted nothing more than to prove Anakin's worth. It felt like a betrayal.

And that was getting closer to the heart of what was bothering Qui-Gon.

"If he is unstable in any way, someone else could get hurt. You know this just as much as I."

"And that's why I still haven't returned his lightsaber."

He knew that all too well. However, he had seen a marked change in Anakin. Obi-Wan had not given up hope, as he had done so readily on Mustafar. No, this time he intended to give his former Padawan every opportunity to turn around.

"I can't give up on him, not this time, Master."

Qui-Gon eyed the water, spying tiny bubbles rising to the surface. He sprinkled some dried, green leaves into a teapot and poured the just-starting-to-steam liquid over them, covering the ceramic with its tiny lid. The earthy scent immediately permeated the air, and normally it was a moment Qui-Gon would savor, but the subject matter didn't allow for it.

"If you believe him redeemable, then I will not get in your way."

Mostly because he trusts Obi-Wan, but in no small part because he wants to believe in it, despite the doubts casting a shadow on his judgment.

"But I also can't allow him to cause any more harm. Even without his lightsaber, Anakin nearly killed Ezra. The boy would have died from his injuries had I not found him when I did."

Obi-Wan sighed quietly and gave a slow nod.

"I know."

It's said with every ounce of regret he could muster. He felt largely responsible for Ezra getting hurt.

"As a Jedi and an Enforcer, I can't turn a blind eye to it either. However, I do believe he is redeemable. He is making progress, but there are still no guarantees. However, I can not, and will not watch Anakin go through the same punishment that Kylo Ren had. Nor will I kill him."

Those last two statements are spoken firmly, and yet it's obvious the man is torn between a sense of duty and a loyalty to his greatest friend.

"If Anakin keeps himself in line, then you won't have to make a decision either way."

The soft spot Obi-Wan carried for the Skywalkers only cemented what Qui-Gon always believed about the younger man and his open, sentimental heart. Sure, Qui-Gon had done his part in cultivating his compassion, but at his very core, Obi-Wan already harbored enough empathy to not need the Jedi Master's input.

That just makes his next words all the harder to say.

"In the event that he can't, then consider yourself relieved of that burden. I'll handle it."

Obi-Wan was silent for a few moments as he weighed his master's words. His brow furrowing slightly as he stared at the man who had taught him. And was that a little bit of that old defiance showing in those glassy eyes?

"No, I can't accept that."

He took a moment to cough before continuing.

"What good would possibly come from ending his life? Death here is not permanent. Do you intend to strike him down every time he comes back?"

"I intend on striking him down every time he puts another individual is in danger, Master Kenobi."

Qui-Gon's retort came out a bit (a lot) snippier than he wanted, but the fact that he'd meant to throw some less-than-friendly sass in there in the first place spoke volumes on how he felt about the situation. Sarcasm, no matter how dilute, was never meant to be a tool for anything less than invective intent. The use of Obi-Wan's title instead of his name drew familial distance between the two, in turn.

"If he is no danger to anyone else, as you've said, then your objections won't be necessary."

And that wasn't lost on Obi-Wan in the slightest. The younger Jedi's expression hardening.

"And what will that accomplish other than some vain attempt to relieve yourself of your own guilt?"

Oh yes, he had noticed. His master being the hypocrite. Telling Obi-Wan to let go of his own guilt but not doing the same for himself. And on top of it all, willing to resolve it through needless violence.

"If you intend to kill him, Master Jinn, then you will have to kill me as well."

And with that, Obi-Wan rose to his feet and dragged his sorry self to his room. He was done with this conversation.

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