Chapter Text
Jon was scared, it was unworthy of a Jedi, but he was terrified. His Master had left him with this unknown Jedi and had made it clear that she was not coming for him. 'Your life is now tied to the Temple,' she had said. He was alone, abandoned, again.
- Come this way, Initiate Antilles.
- "Yes Master Windu," he said with an obedient, detached air he had perfected with his former Master.
The Jedi scowled at him before calming his expression and moving on, walking away without another glance at his Master. Jon didn't have that strength, he turned, and tears found their way to his eyes when he saw that she was already gone.
He was alone.
He obediently followed the bald, brown-skinned Master into his ship and sat passively in a seat, taking up as little space as possible, his head bowed and his hands resting in his lap. He vaguely watched the Jedi's movements with suspicion and concern, his Master had hesitated to take him, he didn't think this Jedi would have the same doubts, considering the way he had spoken - or rather criticised and threatened - with his Master.
He would once again be deemed useless, inadequate, and expelled.
Master Windu entered geolocation coordinates and lifted the ship into the air, heading for Coruscant - Force, Coruscant, it was terrifying just to think about it - before turning to him.
- Well, I suppose you have questions, I'll answer them as best I can.
- "Are you a Korun?" Jon asked before he could stop himself.
The man blinked slowly before nodding.
- Yes, I am. Anything else?
Jon shook his head, ashamed of himself and a little intimidated. He was even more ashamed of feeling intimidated, he should be brave at all times.
- I have a few questions myself. Where are you from, what planet?
- I don't know, Master.
- Could you be more precise?
- "My Master found me when I was young, living alone on the street, probably abandoned by my parents. She took me in but didn't tell me where I was from, Jon Antilles is the nickname she gave me for convenience but she always says that a Jedi belongs to the Force and shouldn't have anything, even a name, so I... I don't really have a name because I belong to the Force, and I don't have a home planet because I was created by the Force," Jon answered in a quiet whisper.
Master Windu's grip on the armrest of his seat tightened and Jon felt the Jedi's indignation and burning anger in the Force.
- "I'm sorry," the boy added unnecessarily.
- You're not guilty of anything. How old are you, or does the Force not give you an age?
- I'm about seven, Master.
- Hmm. And how long have they been training you?
- Three years, Master.
Master Windu's eyes on his face made him uncomfortable, he didn't like anyone to see his scars, they reflected his weakness and set him apart, they drew attention, but Master Windu had pulled down his hood so Jon had mimicked him despite his embarrassment.
- What hurt you? Was it a long time ago or do you still need treatment?
- It was a year ago, I was sent to rob a local mafia but I was weak, I wasn't discreet enough and they threw me in a pit in Nexu. I... my Master then healed me enough to function but she said my scars would teach me a lesson.
His admission hurt, but honesty was necessary because if he lied the punishment would be far worse.
Master Windu slowly approached and took him in his arms. Jon didn't understand what was happening, he knew the gesture, he had seen it done by civilians with their children for affection and comfort, but why do this to him? He didn't deserve it, he didn't need it, he was a child student of a Jedi...
Yet, without understanding why, it felt good. It was only two arms and a torso, a hand on his hair and brown tunics, but Jon felt involuntarily drawn in, as if his body had a will of its own.
- Everything will be fine, you are one of us.
He pressed himself against the Jedi, uncertain, but suddenly a kind of realisation was developing in his mind: he was safe.