( obi-wan and vader psl, spoilers for kenobi )

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[jedies]

[ light was dawning.

it had been a long night. debris was scattered all around them and obi-wan was glad there seemed to be no signs of life. no one was damaged, save for the damage they caused each other. and that was unavoidable, it seems. obi-wan pokes the fire as he waits. he doesn't know what will happen now, but they are on the cusp.

he should see it through. at least. ]

[mechanikill]

[When he passed out the suit had started failing him. The modulator cutting in and out as he spoke those words to Kenobi until the power faded completely and there was nothing pushing air into damaged lungs.

His last thought as consciousness slipped away was a quiet 'Finally.'

Instead he'd awoken to the continued wheeze and the pain that always accompanied him.]

Why do you do so much for a dead man?

[He notes the sound of his rough Outer Rim accent instead of the booming tones of his modulator. There must not be enough power for both this and his respirator.]

[jedies]

Perhaps I only see a man.

[ and while darth vader has given him closure, it's not an easy thing to untangle. the story feels unfinished and there are things obi-wan does not know or understand. he's not searching for answers or closure though.

he is simply . . . searching. the way he should. ]

[mechanikill]

[Vader is under no illusions on what he is. The ruined husk of a man too stubborn to die.]

Your eyesight has failed you in your old age.

[He should get up, rage further over his situation, anything other than continue to lie here and watch the sky slowly change to dawn.]

[jedies]

Has it?

[ obi-wan pokes the fire idly. ]

What do you see then?

[mechanikill]

Have you already forgotten our last conversation?

[There's a laboured breath as the respirator struggles to work.]

[jedies]

I have not. Hence why I am asking you.

[mechanikill]

I stopped looking years ago.

[Then because they still know each other even after everything and he knows this isn't an answer, he slowly turns his head so he can look at Obi-Wan directly.]

You couldn't watch last time, will you do the same here?

[If he stays Vader won't move until the suit finally fails, if he goes Vader will draw on his hate to keep this husk moving for a little longer.]

[jedies]

[ obi-wan frowns. ]

I'm not here to watch you die.

[mechanikill]

[There's a bitter smirk on his face that he's unused to hiding.]

Then go already.

[jedies]

[ firmly. ]

I'll go when my questions are answered.

[mechanikill]

[Anakin would rather die. Thanks.]

So be it.

[jedies]

[ buddy. ]

What do you have to lose at this point?

[mechanikill]

What do I have to gain by doing so?

[jedies]

[ obi-wan raises an eyebrow. ]

My departure. Since that seems to be what you want.

[mechanikill]

[He's not dignifying that with an answer and goes back to staring up at the night sky.]

[jedies]

[ that's what he thought. obi-wan continues to stoke the fire quietly. ]

[mechanikill]

[The past ten years has not taught Vader patience. It isn't long before he can't stand the silence. Instead he pulls himself upright, intent on forcing another reaction. It's a struggle, the damaged parts hindering his movements more often than not and putting undue strain on what is still working.]

Finish it or I will.

[jedies]

[ obi-wan doesn't even flinch. ]

That threat would work if you could.

[mechanikill]

[A push of air extinguishes the fire Obi-Wan has worked so hard to build and without its warmth the chill sets in immediately.]

Do you still think that?

[jedies]

[ obi-wan raises his head. ]

I do.

[mechanikill]

I want you to do it regardless.

[jedies]

Because you'd like an easy way out?

What makes you think you deserve one?

[mechanikill]

Oh, Obi-Wan. If I wanted the easy way out I wouldn't still be here.

[jedies]

And yet, I think you still do.