Before the Fire

It had been weeks since he had meditative leave. It was rather strange, to submit his final reports and strip away his armors and walk - sprint really, like a love-sick teenager - to the Temple hangar before anyone could catch him.

He switched all communications to silence. (But of course Anakin and Ahsoka could access him - they always could, no matter what).

The flight to Kalevala was surprisingly uneventful. His ship was cleared without trouble, and he piloted his way through the darkness of Sundari.

The lights of the ship gleamed against the glass palace, and he took a moment while the engines silenced to enjoy the calm he felt.

Well - almost calm.

Anticipation bubbled within him, and Obi-Wan unbuckled himself and snatched his knapsack from the co-pilot's seat before making his way down the ramp and into the palace.

No one seemed to question his presence - his face was well known here, after all.

It felt like an eternity while he weaved through the halls and stairs before he was palming the door of the apartment and stepping in.

The formal sitting area stared back at him, it's fish tank bubbling and it's air smelling of artificial candles.

Wrinkling his nose, Obi-Wan walked through the sitting area, trying to silence his heavy boot falls. There was a door hidden behind a heavy curtain, and that's what he opened carefully.

The aroma of burning wood and hot cocoa hit his nose immediately. He glanced about, taking in the small living room furnished by bookshelves and overstuffed couches - and of course the room's occupant, tucked in the corner of the couch.

Satine was glancing up from the holobook in her lap, her grip slackening on the mug clutched in her hands ever so slightly. Her hair was escaping from it's braid, her eyeliner a bit smudged, and her mouth open a little.

He smiled, shutting the door behind him and dumping the knapsack into the nearest armchair. "Miss me?"

"You're - you're supposed to be back next week!"

Obi-Wan shrugged out of his robe, not really caring that it landed on the floor while he walked towards her. "I was given an extra week leave - decided to come early."

Satine smiled, having just enough time to set the holobook and mug on the caf before he was bent his knee on the couch - between her legs, no less - and took her face in his hands, giving her a kiss that left her a little breathless. It was their first kiss in awhile - two months, maybe? - and she felt a little out of practice, a little self conscious. She let him control it, leaning back against the couch as best she could, feeling him press against her while they kissed.

"You taste like chocolate," he muttered when they had eventually parted, pressing his lips to the corner of her mouth, his hand cupping her breast gently. "Citrus too."

"I'm glad I have your approval," Satine drawled, feeling the arm of the couch dig into her back when she shifted.

He chuckled, nosing his way to her neck and giving open mouth kisses along the skin. "You should taste like that more often."

"Like cocoa?"

"Mmm." He was distracted now, trying to reach every bit of exposed skin - which, admittedly, wasn't much. Mainly her neck and a little bit of her chest. Sundari was cold during the winter, hence the fire in her living room and the many layers she wore.

The many layers Obi-Wan was now cursing, trying to figure out the fastest way to take them off.

"How was your last mission?"

"Fine fine. We -"

Satine gave him a small shove, not enough to hurt him, but enough to make him pull back against the couch cushions in concern, like he was worried he'd gone too far. She rolled her eyes affectionately before easily straddling him, her skirts bunching around her thighs.

"You," she muttered, giving him a soft kiss. "Will be the death of me."

Obi-Wan gave a small laugh, hands running down her thighs before settling his cold fingers around her now bare knees. "Now don't turn Dark, my dear - I do enjoy your goodness."

"Why must you make everything indecent?"

"Well considering I have an beautiful woman in my lap…" he gave her a salacious wink, to which she laughed at, twining her fingers in his hair. There was a part of her that missed being able to wind his padawan braid around her fingers, even after so many years. But she settled on combing through his meticulous hairstyle, feeling the fire warm her back while they kissed - gentler and slower this time, without the hurried rush from only a few minutes ago.

She tucked her head into the crook of his neck eventually, giving a contented sigh. "I missed you."

Obi-Wan leaned back, his thumbs moving over her knees gently before he settled his hands at her hips and squeezed them gently. "I'm here now, aren't I?"

"Mmm." Satine moved her head to the side, taking one of his hands gently and aligning their fingers, feeling the sharp contrast between their skins. "Yeah, you are."

He pressed a kiss to her hair, heaving a tired breath. "Should we consummate our reunion?"

Satine pulled back a little, studying his exhausted eyes and premature wrinkles. "I think this is consummation enough, Obi."

Muscles relaxing, Obi-Wan leaned forward to kiss her temple.

Author's note: A slightly longer, cleaned up version of something I tossed on Tumblr the other day. It was supposed to be a bit sexier, but I enjoyed this final product too much.

Enjoy ^-^

ii Digestive Reader ii