Show Me the Future and Let It Go

At that very moment, said former Padawan arrives, rushing inside, his unease obvious. "Obi-Wan, what's going on?" demands Anakin, stopping and shifting around anxiously. "I thought you were leaving for Utapau?"

"Sit." Obi-Wan really doesn't mean to sound so curt, but he's still struggling to control himself in the wake of what he saw. Yes, the future is always in motion, but he knows that if he does nothing, the future that Luke showed him will come to pass. Still, he tries to gentle his tone as Anakin sinks onto the couch opposite him and Padme. "There has been a change of plans."

Anakin blinks at him in confusion. "Why are you here?" he asks, voice edgy.

Obi-Wan tilts his head slightly, deciding that humor is probably the best way to break the tenseness in the room. "Can't I stop by to see my sister-in-law?" he asks lightly, and Anakin gapes at him, seemingly completely confused.

"Your... what?" he splutters, flabbergasted.

"Sister-in-law," Obi-Wan repeats patiently, seeing Padme's expression morph from bewildered to understanding in less than a second. Obviously unlike his wife, Anakin still hasn't caught on yet. "You know, the wife of a brother?"

"He means you, Anakin," Padme points out, and Anakin's face closes off so fast that Obi-Wan feels his heart twist. When did their relationship deteriorate to this?

"I don't know what you mean," Anakin states flatly, and if his tone wasn't so cold Obi-Wan would have been amused.

"Anakin, neither of you is very good at hiding your feelings," he explains patiently. "I've known almost from the moment you two met again that something would happen, and I'm not blind. I know you have a relationship, but... I expected you would confide in me or something. I wouldn't have said anything now if the circumstances weren't so dire."

"I don't... what do you mean?" He's obviously planning to ignore half of what Obi-Wan said, but hopefully, he'll still keep it in mind.

"I came here because I've been extremely worried about you." Obi-Wan exhales slowly. "You haven't said anything, and nothing I say has made you open up at all, so I hoped that Padme would be more forthcoming, but... before I could ask her much, your... unborn son showed me a vision of the future he could live."

"Son?" chorus Anakin and Padme.

"You're having twins," Obi-Wan informs them, "And I'm honestly surprised that Anakin wasn't able to sense it, but I did. Or maybe that was just because your son is panicking."

"If he's not born how would he know the future?" questions Padme, frowning.

Obi-Wan shrugs. "I'm not sure, but I know he was your son."

"Why did he ask you and not me?" Anakin wonders, and yes, there's definitely a hint of jealousy in his voice.

"Because he wants me to help you," Obi-Wan replies gravely, forcing himself not to flinch as the images cascade though his mind again. "I need you both to trust me. I only want to help you, and I'm not going to tell anyone about this unless you want me to." Maybe before he would have, but not now.

"Of course, I trust you," Padme assures him instantly.

Anakin's expression remains guarded. "You really won't tell anyone?" he asks suspiciously.

"I haven't told anyone all these years – not that I needed to, because you're not exactly subtle – so I'm certainly not going to now." Why is it so hard for Anakin to understand this? What has Palpatine been saying to poison Anakin against the people who care for him? "I care about both of you, and for your sakes and for the galaxy, I ask that you let me help you."