"This is a terrible idea."
"Well, do you have any better ones?"
"I have ones that don't involve us going down a chimney," Obi-Wan replied, watching Anakin lean against the bricks. "Haven't you considered the mess we'd be making?"
"In a Separatist senator's home? I hope we make a mess," Anakin said. He leaned away from the chimney and grinned at Obi-Wan, which he didn't bother returning. Anakin shrugged and looked back down into the chimney. "But if you don't want to dirty your clothes, that's fine by me. You'll just let your poor former Padawan take all the danger for himself—"
"Don't do that," Obi-Wan said, pointing a finger at Anakin. "
"—all by his lonesome, and if he gets caught, what will you—"
"That's cruel," Obi-Wan said, making his way to the chimney. He ignored Anakin's grin as he added, "You are extremely and unusually cruel."
Anakin only laughed as they settled around the top of the chimney. Obi-Wan shot another annoyed look at his friend who, thankfully, kept quiet this time. With a great sigh, Obi-Wan looked down into the depths of the chimney. "If I hear you complain about how you were scrubbing coal dust out of your hair for a month…"
"You won't," Anakin said breezily. "Now, do you wanna go in first, or should I?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I'll go," he said, because as annoyed as he was with the situation, he knew that someone had to make sure the coast was clear, and he wasn't going to let that be Anakin, especially with this terrible plan.
"Just tell me," Obi-Wan said, swinging a leg over the chimney, "do you do this with your poor captain or Padawan?"
"No," Anakin replied cheerfully. "I just save the craziest plans for you."
"How touching."
"Come on, Master," Anakin said, leaning against the chimney. "You know I only do it because you're the only one who can keep up."
Obi-Wan glanced over at Anakin. He was surprised to find that his former apprentice actually looked genuine, that crooked smirk now turned into the slightest smile.
Obi-Wan paused. "I know," he said. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
He caught Anakin's smile before he slid down the chimney.
A/N: as always, comments/kudos/subscriptions are greatly appreciated!