"Oh, good, you're back."
Obi-Wan blinked as the door to the hotel room shut behind him. Anakin was standing before him with his arms folded, though he hastened to step forward and take one of the grocery bags the older man was carrying once the door had closed. His face bespoke the usual 'Anakin is terribly hungry and therefore very cranky' welcome wagon, and he huffed but didn't deign to reply. He hated going shopping, especially when there weren't any good deals within the immediate vicinity. Thankfully, he was more familiar with the commerce on Coruscant than on Tatooine, but it didn't help that they were nestled in the center of the political district. Vendors drove up their prices with the knowledge that busy dignitaries would be quick to thoughtlessly spend credits on overpriced food in order to get to where they were going without any fuss. He'd had to haggle with a scruffy-looking merchant for well over an hour before he named a sum that was even halfway to fair. Following his former padawan to the couch, Obi-Wan watched him rip open the bag with the desperation of a man starved. He smirked inwardly as his face morphed into that of horror and resignation.
"Really?" Anakin groaned, picking up a familiar silvery packet. "You go out to one of the most diverse markets in the galaxy and you bring back rations?" He dug around in the bag some more. "Oh, and water bottles. Great."
"We can't afford to be going out every day to buy food" Obi-Wan explained, setting his bag next to Anakin's. "It would draw unwanted attention, and we don't have a cooling unit to store fresh food, rations will last us longer."
"Still…you couldn't have brought back something…sweet or savory or something?"
"Oh, poor, poor Anakin" Obi-Wan sighed, picking up a bottle of water. "Did you want a cookie?" Ignoring the onslaught of resentful grumbling at his comment, he glanced around the room. "Where is Master Yoda?"
"Where do you think?" Anakin snorted, tearing the corner off of a ration and taking a resentful bite. "He's meditating." He chewed angrily and swallowed. "I think if I meditated that much I would turn into a rock."
"Perish the thought you become enlightened" the older man muttered, digging his communicator out of his pocket. "Organa says that Palpatine should be in his offices from 2000 to 2200 the day after tomorrow." He raised a brow at Anakin, who looked faintly contemplative. "How do you plan on contacting him?"
The younger man pulled out his datapadd and swiped at the commands. After a while, he handed the screen over to Obi-Wan, who looked it over carefully. Before him was an encrypted communications system that allowed for individuals to send holographic messages through a secure channel. The one in question ran directly to Palpatine's office in the Senate.
"…You had a private line with him?"
"Mmm" Anakin replied, his mouth full of his second bite of ration. Swallowing, he nodded to confirm his assent. "He gave it to me soon after the Clone Wars began. I can formulate and record a missive and send it to him."
Obi-Wan gave him back the datapadd and rubbed a hand over his face.
"What if it jeopardizes our location?"
"I can record it here and one of us can travel elsewhere in the city to send it off. As long as the background is nondescript, he shouldn't be able to trace me."
"We should do it against a blank wall, with no lighting that can be seen" Obi-Wan muttered, scanning the room swiftly. "There." He pointed to a windowless expanse of chrome near the door that was devoid of decoration. "Would that do?"
"Yeah" was the amicable response. Anakin punched a few more buttons on the padd and a strangely familiar humming sound filled the room. "That's the general ambience of your standard space-faring vessel" he explained. "If I play it during the recording, he'll think I'm on a ship."
"Even better" Obi-Wan said enthusiastically. "Now, we should start formulating lines for the recording. Do you have anything in mind?"
Eventually, they agreed to both be present in the recording, though Obi-Wan wouldn't deign to say anything as the more dialogue they offered the more chance it gave them to slip up and give themselves away. As Anakin formulated a succinct but clear message, Yoda wandered out of what they were now calling the 'meditation area' and sat down to watch their progress. He offered a few suggestions that were immensely helpful, and by the time evening had approached, they were all fairly sure that they could record something without worrying about inconsistencies.
"We can always try again if we don't get it right the first time" Anakin commented, fussing with the datapadd 'till the screen angle was correct. He handed the device over to Master Yoda, who 'hmmed' and wiggled his ears. "Just push that button there when I give the signal."
He joined Obi-Wan at the blank wall near the door and drew up his hood, indicating that Obi-Wan should do the same. The young man was darkly resplendent in a black cloak Obi-Wan had managed to pack away in his luggage at the very last minute. He was intrinsically aware of how things could have gone differently, should Anakin have not been receptive to returning to the Light Side of The Force. His former padawan gestured to Yoda, who pushed the buttons on the datapadd and moved back towards the sunken living area to give them room. Almost immediately, the artificial hum of their 'ship' came through the small speakers and filled the room with a gentle but convincing ambience. The datapadd beeped twice, and Obi-Wan exhaled as a feeling of unease suddenly trickled down his spine. Anakin's Force Signature suddenly recoiled, alarm spreading across the Bond as his mind worked out what had gone wrong. There was a staticy crackling noise and Darth Sidious' face appeared on the screen of the datapadd, yellow eyes staring directly at them.
"Bow." The command from Anakin was so strong he obeyed compulsively, sensing that the young man was doing the same. At once, his mind was racing through what could have possibly gone wrong. "The channel must have been set to automatically link up to his specs whenever it was used" was Anakin's clipped mental reply. "Follow my lead, and don't say anything unless you have to.
"Master" Anakin purred, stepping forward to open his arms in a gesture of greeting. "I have great news for you."
Sidious was still silent, his eyes traveling what scope their end of the camera would allow. Obi-Wan felt a surge of breathless relief at his insistence that they had planned to record along a blank wall.
*"You have been gone a long time, Darth Vader" was the growled response. "What makes you think I wish to train you in the ways of the Dark Side now?"*
"I apologize for my absence" was the cool reply with just trace amounts of haughtiness. "Obi-Wan and I have been busy apprehending the Jedi Traitor Master Yoda."
*"Obi-Wan Kenobi is just as much a traitor as that green-headed goblin!"* Sidious snarled.
"Not anymore" Anakin said, allowing triumph to suffuse his voice. "I showed him the greatness of the Dark Side, and he willingly swore himself to our cause."
*"And you expect me to believe that a member of the Jedi Council simply bowed in deference to the theories of the Dark Side after years of training?" was the sneered reply. *"Forgive me if I am less than ignorant of such proclivities."*
For a minute, it appeared as if Anakin's shields might drop and Obi-Wan sent a rush of reassurance through their mental link.
"I'm going to have to physically present the Bond."
Anakin's tone was apologetic and unhappy, and the older man understood. He was reluctant to share such an intimate part of their relationship with someone so inherently evil. Sidious could easily use their feelings for each other against one another should the need arise. A tickle against his consciousness indicated that Anakin had begun to manifest the representation and he steeled himself for the inevitable. There was the usual rush of affection as his former padawan's psyche beckoned to his, but instead of rushing towards it as he usually did, Obi-Wan forced himself to move slowly; like that of one held in thrall rather than someone who had submitted willingly. Threads of soft shimmering light appeared in front of them; nuances of both of their essences reaching out to combine physically and metaphysically. Along with their individual hues there were two strands of onyx and an insidious red; malevolent and intrinsically dark. To the outside observer, it would appear that Anakin had used their Bond to make Obi-Wan his mental slave, but inwardly both knew that the ascendancy bands were simply illusions. Comprehension dawned on Palpatine's face as the manifestation of their link hovered in front of them, a cruel smirk crossing his features.
*"…You told me you never dissolved your padawan bond with Obi-Wan"* he chuckled darkly. *"Now I see why."* Long, gruesomely pale fingers steepled themselves in front of the screen. *"And have you apprehended the Traitor?"*
"Yes, Master" Anakin murmured, and Obi-Wan sighed as the nuances of their Bond faded away once more. "Jedi Master Yoda has been apprehended, and we await your command."
There was silence for a while and Obi-Wan sensed Anakin strengthening their shields, throwing a practically impenetrable shroud of Force-imbued protection around them. He felt a rush of pride as he acknowledged that the young man's skills and disciplines had improved drastically.
*"Bring him to me in my office tomorrow"* the Sith Lord finally answered. *"I will be there between 1500 and 1600. You have done well…my apprentice."*
The connection was abruptly cut, and Yoda hastened to rejoin them, flipping the datapadd over; camera side to the floor. Anakin ripped back his hood, stepping forward and bringing his heel down so the padd snapped in two. There was an abrupt inward-spiral of The Force and the remains burst into flames; reduced to a pile of charred nothingness in the space of a few seconds. The tension in the room was thick as they tried to assess what had just happened.
"He didn't trace us" Anakin said hoarsely. "So I guess that's something." He slumped down on the couch. "Something doesn't feel right."
"Do we want to do this?" Obi-Wan queried, crossing to stand in front of the holoscreen. "It's not what we originally planned."
"Right young Skywalker is" Yoda commented, hobbling his way over to one of the armchairs. "A disturbance in the Force, I feel. Not solid, this course of action may be." He thumped his walking stick on the floor. "However, the only option we have this is, or fail our ploy will."
"So we proceed" Obi-Wan said grimly.
"It's either that or leave" Anakin muttered, running a hand over his brow. "And if we do, we leave Sidious with the knowledge that there are at least three Jedi somewhere in the galaxy who absolutely want to kill him."
The group discussed the matter a little more, but none of them could see any other viable option. They had played their hand and been thrown for a wild loop, but if they were wary and cautious, things might still work in their favor. The change of date didn't alter their goals; they were still aiming to assassinate the self-proclaimed Emperor of the Galaxy. Whether all of them survived it or not was irrelevant, it was necessary. Even without the presence of the Jedi, there were still good people in the Senate that wanted to see the Republic rebuilt. Sometimes, the largest of endeavors require the smallest of efforts to be put into motion. If they could be even the tiniest of cogs in the mechanisms of a positive move towards reform, at least they had done something. Hiding out in the far corners of the Galaxy didn't bring about change, and they couldn't rely on the fact that anyone else would step up in their place should they fail. Ultimately, the stakes were high, and with Palpatine having surprised them with a time and date for their meeting, they were at a disadvantage. Obi-Wan tried to be appreciative of the fact that they were working together for a good cause, but as their chances of success grew slimmer by the hour, it was hard to remain optimistic.
After several hours of debate, Yoda drifted off to the meditation room and Anakin got up to fetch a water bottle and a pack of rations, which he split with Obi-Wan. It was 2100 when Obi-Wan decided to retire to his room to meditate and sleep in order to prepare for the next day. Yoda had chosen the room furthest to the left, with Anakin in the middle, and Obi-Wan on the far right. So far, neither man had visited the other in the wee hours of the morning looking for physical comfort, but it was mostly in order to respect the fact that Yoda would likely be able to sense their close proximity. Tonight however, was very different. Obi-Wan had just finished meditating and was heading back from using the 'fresher when he was distinctly aware of Anakin behind him. Reaching out into the Bond he was surprised to sense determination mixed with apprehension and a touch of shyness. Smiling over his shoulder, he ducked into his room and moved back to recline on the bed as the younger man followed, shedding his cloak. The door hissed shut and Anakin grimaced as the cold air flowing through the space hit him full force.
"Kriff, you like it cold when you sleep don't you?" he muttered, settling down on the pillow opposite and rolling onto his side to face the older man.
"Not all of us grew up on a desert planet" Obi-Wan said dryly, pulling the covers up over the two of them.
There was a moment of silence in which he could still sense Anakin's apprehension, and he cupped his cheek, watching as soft lips parted slightly as skin came in contact with skin. Anakin's organic hand came up to play with his beard, a gesture that was achingly familiar from when he was a child; slender fingers carding through rough bristles, tracing the line of his jaw. They kissed languidly, breath intermingling as their Force signatures bloomed around them; confined to the recesses of the room in a swirl of unconscious color. Tongues met in a dance that was both comforting and addicting, the moist prurient heat of mouths and flesh an undeniable temptation that both succumbed to. Anakin's cheeks flushed gently with arousal, his skin heated and yielding as they descended into the depths of desire. Before long, clothes were being gently but determinedly removed; tunics littering the bed in a blend of tan and onyx, pants discarded and forgotten as fingers tugged at underclothes and hair.
The first brush of their unclothed bodies against one another sent stars bursting across Obi-Wan's eyes. Anakin's form was lithe, muscular but lean and undeniably beautiful. He felt old, insignificant and ugly next to him, but the thought vanished as soft lips closed over his nipples, sucking hungrily and bringing a desperate noise up from the back of his throat. His hips jerked and his erection was brought flush against Anakin's and they both moaned, lips intermingling for a somewhat sloppy, distracted kiss. Obi-Wan's head was spinning, a mix of both pleasure and overwhelmed ecstasy at the feel of the Force searing through his body; white-hot and unrelenting. He spread his legs instinctively as Anakin settled between them, long fingers grasping his hips as he carded his hands through the wealth of the younger man's hair.
"Take me" he gasped. "Please, Anakin." There was a pause then, and the ripple of shyness he had first felt returned. Trying to catch his breath, he let his fingers wander over Anakin's cheeks, searching his eyes for the reason for his hesitation. The younger man swallowed and ducked his head. Then, with a swiftness that was astonishing, he rolled them so that Obi-Wan was on top and kissed him tenderly, mouthing gently at the edge of his lips as he sent an invitation through the bond. "You…you want me to..?"
A hand grasped his to guide it downwards, past Anakin's need and down his perineum to the soft opening beneath. Desire and need rushed through their combined psyche and Obi-Wan gasped at the amount of feeling that suffused the connection.
"I've spent so much of my life taking" Anakin murmured, running his hands down Obi-Wan's back. "I wanna give you this. It's something new for you…and…and I want it to be new for me too."
Still, Obi-Wan hesitated, but then Anakin was kissing him, opening his legs and arching his back in an invitation that was unmistakable. Heat rose to suffuse the uncertain and tentative line of his thinking and he groaned, trembling as a different kind of desire rose within him. There was no push to rush towards the end in a spiral of frantic haste, only a slow, desirous burn that started in his belly and twined its way through every limb 'till it hung in a golden haze over both of them. Something was pressed gently into his palm and Obi-Wan pulled back to look at the small bottle Anakin had offered him. Raising a brow in silent question, he felt a faint tug of amusement as the younger man smirked.
"I love you Obi-Wan" he said softly. "But you better get on with it before I lose interest..."
"...I feel like I've been waiting for you my entire life."
A/N: More detailed lovescene on AO3...this ones not too bad but the ones after it get increasingly more explicit, and I didn't want to risk it what with ffn being rather finicky.