Work Text:
"Excellent Feral, very good progress!"
His brother glowed with pride as only a happy baby could and took another hesitant step away from Maul's protective arms and towards Savage who was smiling widly, looking overjoyed when their little brother babbled in his direction and even more so at the moment as he tripped over his chubby little legs to walk towards him.
Well, walking... that was generous, he seemed to wobble like an old man whose cane had been taken away, but since all babies have to go through this Maul was tolerant and patient. It was not his brothers' fault that he remembered and they did not, in fact he preferred it that way. He was the only one who needed to remember, they could not have done anything on Dathomir but he could change everything, he did not need more.
They would be happy.
A small green figure appeared and he saw Master Yaddle who was already there when he arrived and he watched with interest as she interacted with the tiny troll next to her who was watching him with the most adorable big eyes Maul had ever seen in his two lifetimes. Grogu loved the presence of his own kind, even if he was not her hidden son – he had already asked – or Yoda's – he had also asked. On that occasion, he had unfortunately almost caused the honourable old man to die with his water when he had asked him that at a meal at Eeth's to which he had come as an observer of their progress in socialisation and neither of them had forgotten it.
It was a bit of a shame, he had hoped to get on well or at least be on cordial terms with the old Jedi despite the fact that he was now also aware of Maul's special case. Master Windu had informed him when he had left on a dangerous mission just in case and... it was a bit complicated for them now.
But he was still grateful for his generosity and the second chance he had been given.
"Fear, anger, hatred, suffering... very little of that I find in you today," he had told him before this unfortunate incident. "Less than when you arrived too. If you are of good will, the right path you will take."
Maul had continued his efforts and so far he found it was going rather well, he had even managed to get permission from a Master who taught lightsaber to train as long as it was in his presence.
It did not feel the same, his balance was not the same and he was not as fast, strong or resilient, but it just felt so good to have a lightsaber in his hands again that he almost let a tear escape his eye. If Master Drallig ever dared to tell odious lies about any supposed emotivity on his part that day, he would lose his comfortable place as a friendly Jedi and become a sworn enemy, perhaps not on the level of Kenobi but at least on a par with Jinn whose sight still offended him as much as ever... and he would regret it. Lightsaber training accidents were, after all, such a commonplace.
"Young people really are adorable, aren't they?"
"It's their innocence," Maul replied distractedly, before jumping. "Master Yaddle!"
"Hello Master Yaddle."
"Hello Savage, I haven't seen you for a while, I hope all is going on smoothly for you since you left Eeth to join the Crèche?"
"Yes Master, everyone's been really kind, thank you very much."
"I'm glad you've found your place. Speaking of places," she continued, turning her gaze to Maul, who tensed as he waited for what was to come.
He tensed instinctively, especially as Feral had stumbled the wrong way and fallen on the knees of the Jedi sitting cross-legged next to him. Fortunately, she only laughed and helped the tiny Zabrak to his feet, taking him to sit on her lap, unaware that Maul was watching his every move like a Rancor watching over her little one.
"I hear you really want to go up another class."
Maul certainly had not asked for it like that, but he had learned how to reply to make himself look good. Let it not be said that he was not diplomatic if he had to be.
"I would like to, please."
"Hmm... because they're still whiny losers, right?" The little green troll said with a placid smile that was contradicted by her mischievous eyes. "Yes, there's nothing like the Jedi to gossip about the antics of young people."
Fuuuuck. Windu would deal with the consequences.
"We can arrange that," she announced immediately, but her face was worried, so Maul expected the worst. "However..."
"However what?"
Was it because he was a Sith child? If not, what else could it be but a lack of confidence?
"You are six years old. You're already very advanced for your age in just about every subject, and you're making giant strides in those you're less proficient in."
"Isn't that positive?" He asked in a small voice, bending down to pick up Feral and hug him as if he was a comforting cuddly toy.
He was, in a way, for a brother should comfort, whatever his age, and he was closer than Savage and asked fewer questions.
Not performing well was a personal obsessive fear, he had to be a good learner, in whatever field he was given. And it was not a chore either, he enjoyed learning all sorts of things, especially now that getting a bed or meals did not depend on his success.
"It's all very well Maul, you're not at fault, there's nothing wrong with you," she promised immediately to reassure him, probably sensing the concern he was trying to hide.
"So what is the problem?"
"We've already discussed it and we're worried that putting you in classes with next classes, composed of... well, young Padawans, will create tensions between you and the others. We don't want you to suffer any jealousy or resentment, either from them or from young people your own age, for being so exceptional. We've noticed that some adults are talking about you and your past, and the younger ones are hearing more and more rumours, so... we're hesitant."
They were afraid he would not be able to take it, Maul understood, and without knowing why he was not offended.
He stood up slowly, took Feral back to an adult to sort out his thoughts and stopped cautiously in front of Master Yaddle, who was watching him intently.
"I can handle it, I really want to go to these classes."
"If you're sure then so be it, just say so straight away if anything goes wrong."
He nodded, wanting to leave, he was feeling strange.
"I will. Thank you," he said.
He then did something he had promised himself he would not do again several weeks earlier and hugged the little Jedi before leaving quickly without looking back.
They did not want him to be hurt by jealous idiots. They thought criticism from arrogant brats with braids would make him feel bad, maybe they feared a bit of gratuitous nastiness or pettiness would be too much for him and wipe out months of hard work acclimatising... but still.
They cared.
No, he still did not cry.