Chapter Text
Obi-Wan hadn’t cried at Mr. Qui-Gon’s pyre, his hand steady on Anakin’s shoulder to provide comfort to the boy even though he was clearly sad. Anakin knew the Jedi was sad because he could feel it, feel it through the touch, feel the sting and the pain and yet Obi-Wan still did not cry as the flames consumed the other man.
Anakin didn’t understand that, hadn’t the two been close, they were teacher and student or that’s what Qui-Gon had said, right?
They had given off that impression to start with until Coruscant at least and he looked so sad and Anakin could feel the desolation inside of the other, the loneliness despite the waste cremation room they were in.
He didn’t understand it until later.
Because, hours after Obi-Wan had cut his hair and braided a little stub, hours after the man had helped Anakin into soft clothes for sleep and into bed, hours after he should have been asleep really in the quarters he shared with Obi-Wan on Naboo until they left, Anakin got up and peeked into the living room area of the large rooms when he heard soft noises, seeing Obi-Wan sitting on the couch.
Large wet trails ran down his cheeks as he sat with his head in his hands, shoulders trembling.
But as the tears dropped from Obi-Wan’s cheeks, they glowed, a tiny pinprick of light before hitting the floor with a solid little thump.
Obi-Wan was crying but he was crying kyber crystals.
The little gems laid on the floors in mass in various colors, blue, green, a few yellows and even two or three purple from what Anakin could tell.
They weren’t large but larger than tears generally were, a bit oval shaped maybe but clearly kybers still and Anakin had learned from Mr. Qui-Gon that
A little hitched sob escaped Obi-Wan, his fingers desperately kneading through his own short hair and Anakin could see the spot where the others braid was suppose to be now that the hood was down.
The braid was gone.
Anakin was sure he had it earlier but during the funeral the hood had been up and now it was down and the braid…
‘Did he burn it with Mr. Qui-Gon?’ He wondered, hesitating while nibbling nervously on his bottom lip.
Then he squared his shoulders and did as he had done for his mother when he caught her sadness.
He walked out into the living quarters and wrapped his arms around the others shoulders, holding on as Obi-Wan jerked his head up in surprise, glittering tears on his face.
“A-Anakin, what are yo-” The man hiccuped, hands fluttering around before hesitantly wrapping around Anakin.
“You’re sad,” Anakin answered, holding around the man’s neck while standing on his toes a bit. “Sad people need hugs. That’s what I did for my mother.” He answered with a soft, sad noise.
With a little noise, Obi-Wan lifted Anakin up on his lap and tightened his arms around him.
Rubbing at Anakin’s back, Obi-Wan opened his mouth then closed it again, swallowing heavily enough for the child to hear before he opened his mouth again. “Thank you Anakin. I’m sorry you have to see me like this.” He whispered shakily.
Blinking at that, Anakin tightened his grip around Obi-Wan for a moment before settling his hands in his own lap uncertainly. “I don’t think you’re suppose to say you’re sorry when things are like this.” He blinked again in confusion, he didn’t quite understand Obi-Wan but that was okay, he didn’t always understand his mother either even as he missed her.
A wet, huffing laugh escaped the man before Obi-Wan buried his face in Anakin’s small shoulder and pulled the boy in close.
As he did, a small drop of tear fell and landed on Anakin’s hand and as he watched, it changed on his hand.
It grew slightly bigger and turned a brilliant shade of sapphire blue and after a moment it resonated with warmth and light and with a soft sniffle, Obi-Wan took it and gently pressed it into Anakin’s hand. “Guess we already found your first lightsaber crystal huh.” He stated with a melancholy smile.
Blinking and then looking down into his palm, Anakin stared at the brilliant colored gem before snuggling into the other and holding onto the other with one hand around the man’s neck, feeling Obi-Wan tighten his grasp as if he desperately needed the human contact.
‘…It’s okay, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.’ Anakin thought with childish loyalty as he stared at the gem in his hand in wonder.