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Obi-Wan sat back in the seat, feet up on the dejarik table. He was wearing his best disinterested expression as he looked around the ship where the bounty hunters were sprawled around lazily. Things had gone… well, so far. At least as well as a situation like this could go.
Bane prowled out of the cockpit, knocking Obi-Wan’s feet off the dejarik table and taking a seat next to him with a casual disregard for Obi-Wan’s personal space and a look on his face that said he wouldn’t be moving. Obi-Wan had scared away several of the other bounty hunters, but he didn’t bother trying with Bane. He didn’t believe in wasting his time, and trying to make Bane do anything was a wasted effort.
“Well, Hardeen,” Bane drawled, voice low and curling. “I’m still waiting for your thanks. Eval over there wouldn’t have spared a thought to killing you.”
“My thanks?” Obi-Wan snorted. “I wouldn’t hold your breath.”
Bane’s arm came up and he rested it on the back of the seat just behind Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, because that could very much be an intimidation tactic, it could also be… something very different. Given it was Bane, intimidation really should be the obvious answer. The smirk on Bane’s face, however, implied the something very different was somehow the more likely option. Intimidation and seduction—though considering Bane and seduction in the same sentence was somewhat baffling—overlapped far more than a person might expect.
Well, Obi-Wan considered, this was a development Obi-Wan really hadn’t expected. Nor was he sure what he thought of it.
He tried to decide how Rako Hardeen would react to something like this. But then, no one knew Rako Hardeen, Obi-Wan didn’t need to tailor his reactions to what Hardeen would do. The problem was he wasn’t sure how he, as Obi-Wan, wanted to react either.
“Here I thought you had manners, Hardeen,” Bane said, managing to sound amused and accusing at the same time.
Obi-Wan gave him his most disdainful look. “Didn’t take you for delusional, Bane.”
Bane’s smirk grew a little. It wasn’t charming. Obi-Wan didn’t think Bane knew how to be charming. But it was… something. Cocky, dangerous, just a little vicious. Things that Obi-Wan had always been unreasonably attracted to.
“You’re just not getting creative enough, Hardeen. I can think of a few very enjoyable ways for you to express your gratitude.” Well, the implications behind that were very, very clear. Bane, Obi-Wan suspected, had something of a competency kink. Obi-Wan was going to take it as a compliment that he was apparently good enough for someone like Bane to be interested.
He wasn’t going to take Bane up on the offer. But it was good for his ego. Not that his ego needed stroking, Jedi were supposed to be better than that.
Obi-Wan scoffed. “Think again, Bane.”
Bane leaned a little closer, leer obvious. “You’ll change your mind, Hardeen. Guarantee it.”
Obi-Wan returned Bane’s smirk with his own. “Keep dreaming, Bane. Keep dreaming.”
Naboo loomed in the cockpit’s viewing screen. Obi-Wan was alone in the cockpit; they were staying in atmosphere for a few more hours before they slipped onto the planet with the other incoming traffic. Obi-Wan crossed his arms, jaw tight. This was it, the end of the plot to keep the Chancellor safe. It had been necessary, but he wasn’t looking forward to the aftermath of the plot.
There were going to be plenty of people upset with him. But that was the price that had been necessary
The door behind him slid open and Bane sauntered in, taking up space right next to Obi-Wan, far closer than necessary. Obi-Wan shifted so that his body was angled toward Bane, taking him in. Bane’s hat hid his face in shadows, masking Bane’s expression from him.
“Ready, Hardeen?”
Obi-Wan gave a disinterested shrug. “Always wanted to steal a politician.”
“You’re about to get your chance.”
Obi-Wan didn’t respond, eyeing Bane. Bane was… not what Obi-Wan had expected. Vicious, cunning, a little cruel, all those things he’d expected. Bane was one of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy and those things often seemed to go hand in hand. But Obi-Wan… perhaps his time as a bounty hunter was having an unwanted effect on him, because he felt a… connection, of sorts, to Bane.
He thought that it was, perhaps, mutual.
“You know,” he said, slowly, thoughtfully, following an impulse inside of him that he should know better than to give into. “You seem like the type to have a back up plan. A way out.” Bane was clever, capable, the sort of person who didn’t trust anyone. Probably for the best, in Bane’s line of work.
Bane tilted his head a little to look at him. “You got a point there, Hardeen?”
Obi-Wan shouldn’t say anything. Bane was dangerous; he deserved to be behind bars. But maybe Bane was right, maybe Obi-Wan felt like he owed Bane something. Bane had saved his life. And the thing was, Bane wasn’t the sort to save lives, not the lives of his competition, not when there was nothing in it for him. Except he hadn’t even hesitated, because if he had hesitated, Obi-Wan would be dead.
“Get a better one,” Obi-Wan said. Get out, he wanted to say, but that was the only warning he could give Bane. Let him take from it what he would.
Bane gave him a sharp look. “You know something, Hardeen?”
Obi-Wan hesitated. “Call it a bad feeling.”
Bane just watched him for a long moment. “You got a way out, Hardeen?” The words were bland enough, but they sounded, just a little bit, like an offer to take ‘Hardeen’ with him. “Got space for two.”
Obi-Wan smiled, knowing it was a little sharp, a better fit for Hardeen’s face than for Obi-Wan’s own. “A tempting offer. But I wouldn’t worry about me, Bane. I’ve always got a way out.”
-_-
The Force whispered a warning just as the hair on the back of Obi-Wan’s neck went on end. He took another sip of his drink, making sure not to visibly react as he glanced towards the door to see who had just entered the cantina that had caused the warning to come.
He couldn’t see the face of whoever had walked in, their body turned away from him. But Obi-Wan didn’t need to see his face, not when he could recognize the hat perfectly well.
Bane.
What in the Force was Bane doing on Tatooine?
Obi-Wan turned back to his drink, or at least pretended to. Was this just coincidence or was Bane here for him? Obi-Wan was perfectly aware that the bounty on his head was… well, astronomical might actually be an under-exaggeration. Undoubtedly there were dozens of bounty hunters whose main goal was to bring the Obi-Wan Kenobi in.
And Bane had more reasons than most to bring Obi-Wan in. Obi-Wan had no doubts that Bane still held a grudge for the situation with Rako Hardeen. Obi-Wan couldn’t even properly blame him, Rako Hardeen had done the near impossible and had gained Bane’s trust, or something like it. Then Rako Hardeen—then Obi-Wan—had betrayed that trust in the worst of ways.
Obi-Wan had done nothing more and nothing less than his job, his duty.
Or maybe that wasn’t true, because he’d given Bane an out when he shouldn’t have. An out that Bane had taken. But that didn’t matter, because everything that had come before that was something that Bane would see as a betrayal of the highest order. Because Bane… well, to say Obi-Wan had trusted him would be a lie. He’d been too aware of the truth to trust anyone. But he had seen the potential of it. Had seen how easy it would be, if he were a little more Rako Hardeen than Obi-Wan Kenobi, to trust Bane.
He glanced towards Bane again, hiding the motion in an easy stretch. The last thing he wanted to do was alert Bane to his presence if Bane wasn’t here for him. Tatooine was a wretched hive of scum and villainy after all, Bane would fit right in. Bane hadn’t moved directly toward him, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. Bane could easily be waiting for Obi-Wan to make the first move.
Obi-Wan would, if their roles were reversed.
He finished his drink, dropping some credits on the table next to the empty glass as he stood, angling his body so that he never directly faced Bane.
There were two doors and Obi-Wan headed for the one closer to the back, where he wouldn’t have to risk passing Bane and alerting him to his presence.
The door shut behind him and Obi-Wan took a deep breath. That was promising, at least.
He headed to where his Eopie was tethered, refusing to do anything that would draw attention by even walking too quickly. He kept his senses open, waiting for even the faintest warning.
Nothing happened as he made it to his Eopie. He untethered her and climbed on, directing her toward the cave systems that made up his home. It would likely be best if he stayed there for some time, wait for Bane to clear out.
Obi-Wan had no real worries about most bounty hunters, was aware enough of his own talent—lightsaber or not—to know that he could protect himself. Bane, though, Bane was another matter entirely.
They reached the outskirts of the city and stepped into the desert. Obi-Wan let out a breath as they ventured far enough into the desert that he could be certain that he wasn’t being followed and that if anyone happened to try, then Obi-Wan would be able to see them coming.
But nothing happened as he made his way deeper into the desert and to his cave system.
The alarm system showed no one had been there since he’d last been home and Obi-Wan slid off of his Eopie, helping her settle in the shade with some food before he moved inside.
The rest of the evening passed normally enough, and while Obi-Wan kept himself alert, nothing happened.
Eventually he just went to bed, settling down somewhat uneasily. He had his alarms in place and the Force would warn him of danger.
He woke up some hours later to the sense of someone skulking just outside of the alarm perimeter. Danger whispered just along his senses. Obi-Wan clenched his jaw. So Bane had found him.
Obi-Wan moved slowly off the shelf of rock that made up his bed, reaching for the blaster he kept on hand. He debated with himself for a long moment on how to best handle this.
“You know,” he called out, knowing the echo of the cave would keep his exact position hidden. “I was really hoping not to see you here, Bane.”
That earned him a gravelly laugh. “Kenobi. I can’t say the same.”
Obi-Wan moved slowly to the exit, staying out of sight of where Bane was. The blaster was cool and familiar in his hand despite how little he used it.
As far as weapons went he was far outmatched against Bane who had always seemed to have another surprise on his utility belt. He wished, for a moment, that he had his lightsaber. It would make the playing field far more even.
“You know,” Obi-Wan said. “I really can’t have anyone knowing I’m here. It was a poor idea to come after me, Bane. I’m not so inclined to taking prisoners these days. I don’t suppose I can convince you to move on for old time’s sake?” Obi-Wan suggested.
Bane let out a low noise. “Old time’s sake? Kenobi, that’s exactly why I’m here.”
“Still pining?” Obi-Wan asked, only a faint hint of sarcasm making it into his tone, though he had no doubts about whether Bane heard it or not. “I’m a hard man to get over, I know.”
Bane let out a low scoff. “Tell me, Kenobi. You have a way out of this one?”
Obi-Wan had found himself with fewer and fewer ways out these days. He had found himself with his back to the wall and desperate and scraping out an escape.
“Got a few left.” Maybe it was true. Maybe it was a lie. These days Obi-Wan didn’t even know anymore. All he knew was that he didn’t have any other option than to keep scraping out his escapes.
He heard Bane move closer. Obi-Wan shifted his hold on his blaster, keeping his breathing even as he tracked Bane’s movements as well as he could. He wasn’t going to have more than a chance at this.
“I’m not the only one who knows you’re here, Kenobi.” Bane’s voice was closer now, and he sounded a little smug. “I’m just the first.”
The words felt true in the Force and Obi-Wan closed his eyes, cursing quietly. He’d always known there was a chance he’d be found. Nowhere was truly safe, not for him. Once he’d dealt with Bane he was going to have to run for it, draw attention to himself far from Tatooine, far away from Luke and the Lars’ household.
“Fortunate,” Obi-Wan managed, keeping his tone dry and unbothered; it was a harder mask to wear these days, but Obi-Wan wore it anyways. “That means I only have to deal with you.”
“You can take your chances,” Bane said, confidence that in that encounter Bane would come out on top clear in his voice. “And they’re not good. Or you can take my offer.”
Obi-Wan paused, the words catching him by surprise. Offer? “Wasn’t aware there was an offer on the table, Bane.” He kept his voice even, not letting any of his thoughts through.
“The bounty on you is good, even dead. Obi-Wan Kenobi has already died once,” Bane said. “And left a bounty hunter in his place. Kill Kenobi again, let’s see what’s left in place after. ”
Obi-Wan considered the words. The waters felt murky, and he couldn’t quite determine what Bane was getting at. Or maybe he could, the words were simply unbelievable.
“My bounty is higher alive.” Much, much higher. Vader might want him dead, but he wanted to do the deed personally. So very much like Anakin in that way.
“Hardeen was good,” Bane said. “But you? You could be better. With me, you will be. Give it a year or two with you at my side, that more than makes up the difference in profits.”
Obi-Wan took in the words. “You’re asking me to join you.” The words felt like they should be a trick, and yet they didn’t ring that way in the Force.
“You need an out, Kenobi. I’m giving you one.”
Obi-Wan wasn’t sure he believed in ‘good’ things anymore. But then, Bane wasn’t really good, no matter what he was offering. “What do you get from this, Bane?” Because Bane wouldn’t do anything unless he was getting something out of that. That much, Obi-Wan knew.
“A partner I trust.” A noteworthy confession from Bane. Bane who didn’t trust anyone and yet for some reason trusted Obi-Wan. “And I’m sure you’ll find some creative ways to thank me.”
Obi-Wan let out a sharp laugh, the words familiar, despite how long ago his stint as Hardeen had been. “Still dreaming, then.”
“Don’t say you never thought about it, Kenobi.”
Obi-Wan snorted. Once or twice, maybe, during that time as Hardeen—vicious and capable had always been too attractive for him—but not that he was going to admit to. Bane’s casual cruelty had reminded him that wasn’t a good idea. “Why should I trust you. I’d be better off just killing you and taking my chances.”
“You’re too soft, Kenobi,” Bane drawled. “Even as Hardeen you were. Unattractive trait, really. You’re lucky you’re competent enough to make up for it.”
“Not as soft as you think,” Obi-Wan said quietly, and it was truer now than it had ever been. Obi-Wan had done things now that he’d thought himself incapable of. Sometimes Obi-Wan felt like all of his softness had been burned out of him.
“You’re not like me, Kenobi. You’re not meant to be alone.” More insightful than Obi-Wan would have expected. But then, he should know better than to doubt Bane. Of course he knew how to read his prey. And that was what Obi-Wan undoubtedly was. Prey. Except… he didn’t feel like prey. “You want someone at your back.”
Bane wasn’t wrong, but he certainly wasn’t right, either. “I want someone at my back that I can trust not to shoot me in it when my bounty starts looking good.”
Bane let out one of his gravelly laughs. “If I wanted to shoot you in the back, I’d have done that at the cantina and been done with it. So what do you say, Kenobi? Are we going to turn this into a fight, or are you going to take the out I’m offering you?”
It was a bad idea. Obi-Wan knew that. But Bane’s proposition provided Obi-Wan a conveniently faked death and a way off of Tatooine for long enough for the heat to die down, it would keep Luke safe a little longer. “I won’t work for the Empire.”
Bane let out a dismissive noise. “Sentiment will get you killed.”
“You—“
Bane continued before Obi-Wan could say anything further. “But you’re an easy read, Kenobi. I already knew that the Empire would be off limits.”
And for some reason he was here anyways with an offer that all logic said that Obi-Wan needed to stay far away from. An offer that should, by all reasoning, be a trap. And yet…
He stepped out of the shadows where he’d been hiding. Bane stood just outside of the cave, hands resting on his blasters in casual disregard. Though Obi-Wan was very well aware that Bane was fast enough on the draw that Obi-Wan was far from safe just because his blasters were holstered.
Bane looked much like he had, back during those days as Hardeen, back during the war. There was a sharp smirk on his face, the confidence of a man who’d gotten what he’d come for.
“A way out?” Obi-Wan tilted his head in acknowledgment. “You make a tempting offer, Bane.”
Bane smirked, clearly reading a victory in Obi-Wan’s answer. “Got space for two.”