Chapter 1
Notes:
From what I understand Quinlan Vos is randomly a Knight or a Master so I assume his switching to the Dark Side would have made it logical for him to be demoted to Knight if he was a Master before, so for the time being he's a Knight even though he has the level of a Master.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The negative emotions in the Negotiator's air were so concentrated that Quinlan could feel them just with the skin on his face.
He had expected it, but at the same time he had not. It had already been a month since Obi-Wan's survival had been announced, a month since he had returned as General of the 212th and took up all his duties again. Surely things should have started to settle down by now, should not they?
One look as he entered the bridge of the ship was enough to confirm that... no, nothing was resolved, and it probably was not going well either. The clones were obviously avoiding even looking in the red-haired man's direction if they could avoid it, and the Jedi himself seemed awfully detached to the keen-eyed Kiffar.
Or maybe he was seeing it because he was worried and knew where to look.
The attention was extremely strong on them, yet no one looked because that would be looking at him, they obviously intended to keep this attitude.
... Had Obi-Wan been subjected to this kind of attitude since his return?
No matter.
- "Master Kenobi", he greeted quietly, stopping beside his friend.
- Knight Vos. My apologies for disturbing you while you were on medical leave, all the other Jedi with your particular talents are already in active campaign or have not cultivated their gifts sufficiently for success to be assured even if they had come.
He had not turned his head to meet his gaze, probably for fear of seeing disapproval, resentment and sadness on his face.
- "I understand," he continued without changing his tone, "I've already recovered well, don't worry, I won't be a dead weight".
- That's not why I feel guilty about sending for you.
A mumble of "a lot of things... feeling guilty" was uttered, probably not meant loud enough for them to hear but if Quinlan heard it, then Obi-Wan did too.
- "I've already recovered well", he reassured in a whisper. "What about we talk later, after I've settled in?"
- Of course, there's a room waiting for you.
If Obi-Wan thought he was a good enough actor to fool him, he would learn in time that he still had some progress to make. His shoulders had slumped, his lips had tightened and his eyes were bright in reaction to what he thought was an attempt to dodge him and shorten their reunion.
It was not, he just wanted certain things to be expressed in an informal setting and not with a dozen attentive ears. Quinlan did not ask himself many questions from then on and pulled the other Jedi into a close, tight embrace, making sure he could not move away even though that would probably be his first instinct.
- I'm glad you survived.
- "You... thank you". Was the minimalist but sufficient response Obi-Wan managed to give him, finally raising his arms to cling to him, probably enjoying for the first time in a long time a loving human touch and a hug that Jedi often denied themselves.
Quinlan knew better than anyone that physical contact could make you weak, but it could also stabilise and help, and even Obi-Wan understood that while he tried to hide his problems and insecurities.
It was, however, a very massive red flag that he did not push him away to avoid a public display of affection in public in front of his direct subordinates. He must have been really needy.
- Pick me up when you finish your shift, I want to eat with you.
The raw, hopeful and fragile surprise that exploded against him made Quinlan want never to let go of the man he was protecting, but he knew better and stepped back as soon as Obi-Wan gave a discreet nod of approval.
The Kiffar walked away as he had come, that is to say with the arrogance he displayed when he acted as if he owned the place, and just before leaving he had the perfect idea.
- Commander, please take me to my quarters.
- Sir-
- Your superior is on the bridge and should be able to survive without you, don’t make me waste my time.
Could you blame him? The man was making Obi-Wan uncomfortable at the moment, so if he could even alleviate his worries by keeping the clone away, he would, even though he preferred to have as little contact with him as possible. It was not anyone's fault that he had once picked up on Obi-Wan's lingering memory of what they had done together and therefore knew better than anyone how much the clone's opinion meant to the discreet Jedi.
- ... Yes, General.
The barely concealed hostility brought a smirk to Quinlan's face.
Quinlan had better not find out anything regrettable about him otherwise he was going to make him eat his anger and learn what submission to the hierarchy really meant.
Obi-Wan meant too much to him to be gentle with those who hurt him.
Notes:
The sequel is not yet written, but one day I hope to do more for this.
Chapter Text
Commander Cody had brought him to his rooms safe and sound without a word and Quinlan had not tried to fill the silence with small talk; he was quite comfortable with silence, whether it came from his friends or from people who were far more disapproving. He did not care what they thought, he knew who he was and what he was worth.
Once alone, he settled on the bed and began to prepare for the mission, continuing to read the non-sensitive information about their destination and the particularities of the planet until Obi-Wan had finished and come to join him.
The Kiffar did not like to dine with clones, generally preferring the privacy of his quarters, but tonight he was going to make the effort because he suspected that Obi-Wan had not been eating very healthily since his return. The redhead was one of those people who lost his appetite when experiencing a hard blow, and some said experiences had given him the habit of having to restrict himself, so Quinlan would have to break this harmful cycle before it became too entrenched.
So... a predominantly tropical planet known for its extensive network of underground tunnels, desert areas so hot that human skin would begin to melt in a matter of hours and increased volcanic activity at this time of year.
- "A walk in the park, isn't it Obi-Wan?" He muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes at some of the disturbing details.
Why could not he choose something simple for once? He was not asking for it to be easy, nothing ever was for them anyway, but just... yeah, simple would be nice.
Proof if needed that his friend could not do things like everyone else.
- Giant carnivorous plants? Insects the size of adult Anx? OK, so that’s this kind of planet.
When even the animal and plant life forms were that dangerous, Quinlan could only worry about the locals. The reports did not mention a civilized native population but there had been a few settlements and groups of colonists for several hundred years, concentrated in restricted areas where raw materials were extracted.
The kind of population that was probably heavily armed and could cause problems. No, actually take out the "probably". Definitely. They were definitely going to be a problem one way or another.
Suddenly an unpleasant sensation gripped his gut and Quinlan was seized by an inexplicable sense of urgency. Alert, the Jedi checked his immediate surroundings before investigating the Force, extending his perception when no presence around him seemed to be alarmed.
After a minute or so of combing the ship, he finally found what he was looking for. On the bridge.
Obi-Wan felt bad, had let slip all the misery he felt and shut down again, which was why he had not immediately understood it was him even though the other was the only other Jedi here and therefore the person he felt most clearly in the Force.
Annoyed by the obvious bad habits but not hypocritical enough to complain about them when he had the same ones, Quinlan let these useless feelings pass and concentrated on something more productive, spreading calm and serenity around him.
No-one who knew him would ever associate the Kiffar with serenity, but they were the real fools in this vast joke that was their lives. Serene did not mean soft and passive. Serene did not mean silent and submissive.
Quinlan knew himself and knew people well, perhaps a bit too well, and that was why he had trained an excellent Padawan where others left their apprentices unstable once the Knighthood had been granted. Agen too was considered unsuitable to be a Padawan’s Master because of his uncompromising temper, yet before Tan died on Geonosis, he had been a very good Padawan and a well-rounded boy.
Quinlan was by no means a ray of sunshine, but he could be light for those he loved.
At first, it was hard to tell whether Obi-Wan noticed him, as his energy was incredibly miserable and self-flagellating. That was the tricky thing about people in this kind of apathetic, unhappy state – you had to get through to them.
Knowing that "rampart" would not be enough to describe the fortress with which Obi-Wan protected his heart and his thoughts, there were not many ways of doing it other than going at it like a brute and kicking the doors in until they cracked. He had already had to do that when Qui-Gon died and Obi-Wan was trying to support Anakin before he was even officially his Padawan, the redhead had just isolated himself from everyone and everything, getting answers from him was difficult as hell and planning anything was just as complicated.
For all his imposing physique might lead people to believe, Quinlan was actually much better at precise, delicate work than raw violence, so it took him a while to get enough energy out to be noticed, but at one point a hesitant push was sent back his way and Quinlan gripped it.
Once the link was established it was much easier to concentrate on sending what he wanted directly to the main target.
Oh sure, Obi-Wan remained guarded, but that was not so bad, for now it was just a matter of distracting him from his misery, he had time to convince him to take care of himself and that he was worth saving.
If Obi-Wan could not figure out how to love himself, Quinlan could take care of that for him.