Anakin opened the door of the apartment he shared with his mother and exclaimed, "I am home, Mom."
The lack of reply made him frown, until he remembered Shmi would not be there that day.
Tiane, the lady he had hired to care for his mother when he was off planet had taken her to visit an art exhibition on the other side of Coruscant, and they would not be back before evening time.
Anakin smiled, remembering how excited his mother had been about the trip. She seemed to have gotten younger in the past year. She smiled more often, sang while doing the chores she insisted upon doing, and had even started painting. It was a true joy for him to see she was as happy and satisfied with her life as he was.
Anakin dropped his blue uniform jacket on a chair and moved to the kitchen to prepare his lunch. He started throwing together a mixed salad, then stopped for a moment and decided to double the quantity of food he was preparing.
Obi-Wan would eat with him that day—he could sense it.
Anakin's good mood improved even more and it was his turn to hum a lively tone as he chopped vegetables.
He had never imagined that one day he would be so happy. Not only had he landed his dream job, working as a pilot and mechanic for the Jedi Order, whose ships and shuttles were the best the market could offer, but he also had someone who understood him so completely with whom he could share his joy and professional satisfaction.
Anakin had never dreamed love could be such a beautiful thing, and had not imagined the deep understanding, or deep communication he had with Obi-Wan could ever exist.
They understood each other at first glance, despite being so different and despite their occasional clashes. They were lovers, friends, confidants…soulmates.
Anakin liked to think they had been born to be together and that it had not been a coincidence that Obi-Wan had chosen Tatooine among all the thousand of planets in the galaxy to retire in seclusion. He was sure the Jedi master had come there to find him.
Anakin shook his head, amused with himself. Here he was again, mooning over love like a school girl! Nobody, listening to his thoughts, would believe he had been a hardened, very professional whore until thirteen months before! But then "Ben" had dropped into his life and changed it forever.
Anakin sighed, then smiled broadly when he sensed a familiar presence come closer. His Force perceptions, as the Jedi called them, were not as keen his lover's, but he could always feel when Obi-Wan was near.
He turned around just in time to see the door slide open and Obi-Wan step inside.
"Hi," he called out, as he moved toward the older man.
"Hello Anakin," Obi-Wan answered in that cultured voice he loved so much, before pulling him into his arms for a deep kiss.
Anakin responded eagerly, wrapping his arms around his partner's neck, although he was a bit surprised by the other's ardour.
In the year they had been together, Obi-Wan had become more used to expressing his sexual needs. He now knew what he liked, but he still hesitated in asking for it. Anakin was always the one making the first move and initiating their lovemaking, as if Obi-Wan still struggled to overcome the inhibitions ingrained in him by a life spent respecting a code claiming passion did not exist.
Anakin had never complained about the situation. He knew Obi-Wan was an extremely reserved, controlled man and he respected their differences. He also knew that, as soon as Obi-Wan surrendered to his amorous attention, he would start giving as much as he took, the flame of his passion never scorching, but burning low and constant.
Now, however, the Jedi was devouring Anakin's mouth and neck with impetus and the younger man was struggling to keep up with him.
What had happened to transform his composed lover into this sexual creature?
Then Anakin's dazzled mind remembered. This morning the Council had a meeting to make the final decision about revising the Code in the part regarding emotional attachments.
Did Obi-Wan's strange behaviour and the joy pouring out of him mean the Council's final resolution had been a positive one?
Anakin had no time—nor will – to wonder more about the matter, for Obi-Wan was busy opening his shirt and pushing the white fabric down his shoulders, baring his chest to his greedy mouth.
Anakin's passion mounted until it matched his partner's and, recovering from his surprised state, he started to respond in earnest to the other's advances.
His nimble fingers attacked Obi-Wan's belt and sash, and pushed open the tunics, so that they could press their chests together, and he could enjoy the sensation of having his stiff nipples rubbed by his lover's chest hair.
They caressed each other's chests, back and flanks for a long while as their heavy breath and occasional moans filled the living room.
Anakin could feel Obi-Wan's erection press insistently against his thighs and the need to have that turgid organ fill him became imperative.
He pulled back, obliging Obi-Wan to break his hold on him and bent down to remove his boots and the rest of his clothes, as near him, his Jedi lover did the same.
Soon they were both naked, their slightly sweaty skin glowing in the light coming from the large kitchen window.
Anakin was aware that curious passers-by, proceeding slowly in Coruscant heavy traffic, could have spotted them, but he could not care less, for Obi-Wan was again on him, as passionate as never before.
He pushed Anakin backward, until his legs hit the divan. Then he helped Anakin to sit over the back of the couch, perched up on the edge, in a precarious position that forced the younger man to wrap his legs around his lover's waist to keep his balance-- which was exactly what Obi-Wan wanted.
The older man took hold of his erection, adjusted his grip around Anakin's shoulders and then pressed his shaft intp his lover's body.
The both gasped aloud at the familiar, and yet always new sensation of filling and being filled.
Obi-Wan's shields dropped, and their minds joined together as completely as their bodies. The older man started thrusting and Anakin used what bit of leverage he had on the divan to start a rocking motion.
Sweat ran in rivulets on Obi-Wan's face, neck and chest and Anakin strained to lick it away, relishing in its salty taste. Then he raised his head and watched the expression on his lover's face as he worked to bring both of them to ecstasy.
Obi-Wan's eyes were closed, his cheeks flushed, his hair plastered against his brow, his jaw set in a determinate stance. He looked like he was in pain, but Anakin knew his agony was a pleasurable one—just like his own.
Anakin could feel the tension coiling inside his belly approach the breaking point with each of Obi-Wan's sure strokes and he gasped, "I am coming love…I am coming…join me…"
Obi-Wan opened his eyes for a moment, looking deeply into his partner's, then panted, "Yes Anakin… I am here with you, young one…" He thrust hard a couple more times, then threw his head back as his body tensed and his warm seed flooded Anakin. The younger man moaned loudly as his body contracted around the organ filling him, prolonging both their pleasure.
A few moments later Anakin had to come out of his dazed state to rush wrapping his arms around Obi-Wan's shoulders to avoid falling down from his precarious position.
His lover had collapsed against him, and was now resting with his face pressed against the crook of his neck.
Anakin raised a hand to caress the sweaty auburn locks, then closed his eyes, basking in the afterglow and their shared happiness and satisfaction.
The room was quiet for several minutes, before Obi-Wan raised his head and pulled back enough to be able to look at Anakin.
There was hesitation on his face—hesitation and guilt.
"I am sorry, Anakin. I don't know what came over me. I didn't plan to be so aggressive…" he said, his voice still throaty.
Anakin caressed his lover's lips with his thumb. "Did you hear me complain or protest or resist you? No. I loved it, Obi-Wan. It was so hot, so amazing. I think you should do it more often."
"Did you truly enjoy it? Doesn't it remind you of the careless way you were taken in the brothel?"
Anakin's eyes widened. Was that the reason Obi-Wan never made the first move? Was it because he did not want Anakin to feel 'forced'? His eyes blurred at the complete unselfishness of his mate—and at his stubbornness.
He cupped Obi-Wan's face with both his hands and said, as firmly as he could, "Listen to me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You and I are equal in this relationship. We both have needs, and things we like and dislike. You must never hesitate to show you want me, for not only it is good for my ego," he smirked as Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow, "but because I will never, ever feel used by you. We love each other and that makes what we have together so different from my experiences in the brothel that you should not even dare to mention it in the same line. I will always welcome your advances, as you welcome mine. Is that clear?" Obi-Wan nodded, smiling gently, and Anakin thought he looked younger than his thirty-nine years. "However, I cannot help but wonder who or what I must thank for your recent behaviour. Master Kenobi, we just had sex in the living room!" Anakin could not help but tease his always very proper lover.
Obi-Wan blushed crimson, but did not rush to cover himself as Anakin had fully expected. Instead he sobered, and looking deeply into his young lover's eyes he murmured, "The Council has decided, Anakin: the Jedi will be allowed to love and form attachments."
"Really?" Anakin wound his arms around his lover again, and Obi-Wan embraced him back. "This is wonderful."
"It's indeed. I will wait until things get more settled and then will petition the Council to acknowledge our joining. If you agree, of course." Anakin rolled his eyes, and swatted his arm. "I take it as a yes. I will request larger quarters, so that you, Shmi and I could all live together."
"It sounds perfect," Anakin kissed Obi-Wan's cheek, then his lips.
They kissed slowly, deeply, exploring each other's mouth at their leisure, until Anakin's stomach grumbled, ruining the atmosphere.
The two men looked at each other for a moment, one amused, the other embarrassed, before Anakin slid down the divan and together with Obi-Wan moved toward the 'fresher and a much needed shower.
-----------
Later, as they were eating lunch sitting in the kitchen, Obi-Wan told Anakin about their dinner with Garen Muln and his doctor girlfriend.
Anakin could sense how much Obi-Wan desired to go, and how he looked forward to having his best friend and his soulmate know each other. However he could not help but feel slightly anxious.
What if Knight Muln did not like him? What if he did not approve him as Obi-Wan's mate? What if he thought a man with Anakin's past as slave and limited education was not worthy of a gentleman as Obi-Wan?
Obi-Wan sensed his distress and reached out with his hand, posing it over Anakin's.
"Don't worry so much, young one. I am sure Garen will like you—and you him. He has a passion for fast ships, so you already have something in common. Also, since your second day working at the Temple I have people telling me what a wonderful young man you are and what a great addiction you have been to our pilot roster. "
"They appreciate me as a worker, not as your lover," Anakin mumbled.
"Your easy-going personality has conquered them. They like you, Anakin."
"Master Windu doesn't seem to like me that much…"
"Mace doesn't count; he seldom shows he likes someone," Obi-Wan answered with a brief smirk. Then he sobered and rubbed his beard before saying, "Listen Anakin, if you truly feel don't like going, we won't. I will contact Garen and cancel the dinner."
"No, no, don't do what. Sooner or later I will have to meet your friends, so there is no sense in postponing it."
"Are you sure?" Obi-Wan asked, still not convinced.
"Yes, I am."
"Then we will go."