The rain continued to pour throughout the night and into the morning in a gray blur. Obi-Wan didn't bother to brush his hair before jumping in the car and driving Anakin to school. Anakin said a quick goodbye to him before dashing into the school, the rain darkening his clothes drop by drop.
Anakin took his seat next to Ahsoka in English. He smiled at her cheerfully as he unpacked his things.
"Someone's in a good mood," Ahsoka remarked, smiling back with bright white teeth.
Anakin still had the phantom sensation of Obi-Wan's arms around him. He ran a hand through his damp hair and said, "Don't you just love the rain, Snips?"
She looked out the classroom window and sighed happily. "Yeah," she said, and then turning back to Anakin, she asked, "Did you finish your short story?"
Anakin's face fell. "I completely forgot about it," he moaned. Ahsoka put a hand on his shoulder as he set his head against the desk's cool surface. The excited buzz of the classroom died down as Mr. Clovis entered and set down his things. "Alright, everyone," he said, "Take out yesterday's assignment so I can collect it."
Clovis moved down each row of desks and picked up a paper from each student, offering a not-so-subtle scowl for any of them that came up empty-handed. Finally, when Anakin thought his anxiety was going to mount, Clovis stopped at his desk and asked, "You don't have yours, Anakin?" The disappointment in his voice was almost palpable.
"No," Anakin said quietly, "I'm still working on it."
Clovis let his green eyes linger over Anakin's guilt stricken face. He leaned down and whispered against his ear, "Bring it to me tomorrow." And he patted Anakin's back as he moved on to the next student.
Anakin let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Ahsoka asked if he was alright. Anakin was busy asking himself why he cared. Elan wasn't even going to school. Maybe it was an old habit of Anakin's. When he was little, he liked to show off after Obi-Wan taught him a new skill. That was probably it. Bitterly, he thought Clovis' assessment of him was right—he wanted to make everyone proud. But then he remembered eggs and bags of flour and sugar floating in the air. They'd made a chocolate cake like that once. Obi-Wan let him lick the spoon. A fond smile crossed Anakin's lips. He'd gotten the batter all over his face and Obi-Wan couldn't look at him without laughing. Obi-Wan wiped off the chocolate before kissing each side of his face.
Anakin started writing it down, as if he'd lose the memory if it weren't on paper.
Rush Clovis shook out his umbrella before stepping into his house and pulling a stack of papers out of his shoulder bag. He groaned. Some of the papers were damp despite his best efforts to shield them from the rain. He spread them out on his desk and turned on the overhead fan. He bent over the desk and tried to read a few of them. Once upon a time… Seriously? Clovis thought. At least the ink hadn't bled too badly. He turned at the sound of his doorbell ringing. It was Padmé.
"Hi, Rush," she said. Stray locks of hair dripped and clung to her cheeks even though she'd put it up in a perfect bun. "May I come in?"
"Of course." He stepped aside and looked her over as she came in. Her dress was soaked, too. She didn't take a seat. "Let me get you something," Clovis said, and came back from the bathroom with a towel.
Padmé thanked him and took it, wrapping it around her shoulders after drying off the rest of herself as best she could. He gestured for her to take a seat in the living room and went to fix her a cup of caf. Clovis returned with a drink for both of them and Padmé sipped it gratefully. He sat next to her as she pulled bobby pins out of her hair. The weight of it was giving her a headache.
"Forgive me," Clovis said finally, "But I don't recall we had plans for today."
"We don't," Padmé assured, "I just needed to see you."
Clovis offered a smile for her, but he wondered why she would show up in such disarray.
"Do you have a blaster?" she asked.
He looked down for a second and then laughed a little. No, he didn't. That would've been awkward. Clovis said, "I think the phrase is, Is that a blaster in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"
Padmé rolled her eyes. "I'm asking if you own a weapon, Rush."
"Oh. Well," he began, sullen over his failed joke, "I do have a blaster. Why do you ask?"
Padmé tapped the side of her cup with long fingernails a few times. She answered, "I was hoping to get one myself."
Clovis frowned at her. "Are you afraid of something?" he asked.
She set her cup of caf down and pulled the towel tighter around her shoulders. "Not exactly afraid, I'd say. Cautious, maybe."
Clovis withheld an exasperated sigh. "Is this about what happened yesterday? At the lake?"
"Partially," Padmé said, sensing his annoyance. "Are you going to help me or not?"
He let go of the tension he'd been holding in his shoulders and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Of course, my sweet. Follow me." They went to his office where all the soggy papers were drying. Padmé observed them as Clovis pulled keys out of his pocket and unlocked one of the desk drawers.
"I don't see Anakin's name on any of these," she remarked.
Clovis pulled a blaster pistol out of the drawer and replied, "He needed another day to finish it."
Padmé felt badly for questioning Anakin so much the night before. No wonder he didn't finish his homework. "That's very kind of you," Padmé told Clovis, "I'm sure my brother appreciates it."
He smirked, recalling the look of shame on Anakin's face. "It's no trouble." He handed Padmé the blaster pistol and taught her how to use it, noting the difference between the stun and kill settings.
When the lesson was over, Padmé tried to hand the weapon back to Clovis, but he insisted she keep it. "I could use a new one," he said.
When Anakin came home, he plopped himself on the couch and wrote and wrote in his notebook. All the early memories he had of his father were untainted, even if in reality Anakin's young eyes couldn't see how he missed Satine, and later, Shmi. It was a good distraction from the worries of the day before. Obi-Wan, however, was not so lucky.
Obi-Wan called Cody once every hour, but the Sheriff wouldn't pick up. Finally, Obi-Wan couldn't stand waiting with nothing to do but fidget, so he went down to the motel office to retrieve a form to work on. Anakin intended to wait for him, but he couldn't think of the right word for a part of his story and trailed a few feet behind him to ask. Obi-Wan stopped suddenly at the bottom of the stairs and Anakin nearly ran into him. Cody was leaning against his black car, parked in the motel lot, watching the two of them coolly. Obi-Wan ran to meet him.
"Cody!" Obi-Wan said, as if in a panic state, "I kept calling, why didn't you—"
Cody silenced him with a crushing kiss and a hand at the back of his neck. Anakin felt anger bubble up inside him.
"Mm," Obi-Wan mumbled, "What was that for?"
Cody said, "Just to let you know," he kissed Obi-Wan's jaw, "…they didn't find anything," then Obi-Wan's neck, "…and I missed you."
It seemed Anakin was forgotten. He strode past them and into the office, slamming the door behind him.
Obi-Wan turned towards the sound but Cody claimed his attention again, holding his face as he licked Obi-Wan's lips apart. Obi-Wan felt warm all over. Something was nagging at him, though. They didn't find our lightsabers?
Cody released him suddenly and went into the office, and Obi-Wan followed. Anakin watched them silently from the parlor. Cody snagged a key off the wall and wrapped an arm around Obi-Wan again, saying, "Let's celebrate."
A bead of sweat formed on Obi-Wan's brow, his gaze flicking from Cody to Anakin and back. Cody simply grinned, grabbed his hand, and pulled him out of the office, stopping in front of Motel Room 1. He pushed the golden key into the lock and dragged Obi-Wan inside.
The second the door was shut behind them, Cody's hands were all over Obi-Wan. He could hardly manage a word as Cody guided him to the perfectly made bed. Cody crawled over him and leaned in for another long kiss as he loosened his tie. He sat up and moved to unbutton his shirt before Obi-Wan panted out, "Isn't this a little… fast?"
Cody quirked an eyebrow at him as he continued undoing his buttons. "This is what boyfriends do, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan shook his head and tried to sit up, but Cody put a hand on his chest and pushed him back against the comforter.
"You'll be fine," Cody assured, before nipping at his ear.
"Stop," Obi-Wan said, then when Cody didn't listen, "I'm serious!"
Cody brought his fist against the wall with a deafening thud. In the parlor, a painting fell off the adjoining wall. Anakin stood up from where he was sulking and went to inspect it, but a thin ray of light caught his eye. There was a hole in the wall, previously hidden by the songbird painting. He stared at it, forbidding himself to look through and at the same time, he wanted to know what made such a loud noise. Was Obi-Wan alright? Was it just the two of them… Anakin sat with his back to the wall and muffled his frustration with a sleeve over his mouth.
Instinctively, Obi-Wan shielded his face with his arms. Cody withdrew his hand from the wall, anger giving way to shock for a moment. Obi-Wan pushed him away and told him, "Get out."
"Obi-Wan, I—"
"Get out!"
Cody's expression hardened again. He left the room and got in his car, driving away loudly.
Anakin heard the commotion and stood swiftly. He put the painting back on the wall and ran out of the office, finding Obi-Wan with his arms crossed in the doorway of the motel room. He looked alright. Disheveled and cross, yes, but alright.
"What happened?" Anakin asked him.
Obi-Wan started to walk back to the house. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Anakin."
Anakin wanted to snap back at him, but thought better of it. He figured he'd just change the subject. When they were inside, he asked in a half-pleasant tone, "What's another word for stir? Like when you're cooking."
"Beat," Obi-Wan said.
Anakin hesitated before writing it down.
Cody drove away fast, trees morphing into one deep green brush stroke, rain smacking the windshield endlessly. He hadn't meant to scare Obi-Wan. But he had such a headache! Cody gripped the steering wheel with one hand and rubbed the side of his head with the other. He couldn't understand why Obi-Wan wouldn't give in to him. If Obi-Wan really cared about him, they'd still be in that motel room. So maybe he didn't care, not like he pretended to. The lightsabers in the trunk of the car were proof of that. Obi-Wan only cared about his son. About lying. Cody's head throbbed harder. The car accelerated through the fog. He didn't know where he was going, only knew that he had to get rid of this headache—and he knew exactly how he wanted to do that.
It was late when Cody called. Obi-Wan picked it up in the kitchen. Anakin was busy writing again, curled up on the couch.
"Please, let me make it up to you," Cody pleaded.
Obi-Wan sighed. "And how do you plan to do that?"
"Come over," Cody said, "and you'll see."
Obi-Wan did come over. He parked the car in front of Cody's house and dashed to the door. The rain hadn't let up. Cody answered the door and beckoned him inside. It was warm and Obi-Wan could smell food cooking. He smiled a little. Had Cody made dinner for him? Cody moved behind him and eased the brown cloak from his shoulders, hanging it by the door.
"I know you've been using me," he said, low in Obi-Wan's ear.
Obi-Wan turned to try to meet his eyes. He breathed out a question, hardly perceptible. "What?"
"I lied to you earlier," Cody said. He put both hands on Obi-Wan's shoulders and squeezed a couple times as Obi-Wan stared at the wall, confused, with Cody's breath meeting his cheek steadily.
Cody laughed slightly and dropped his hands. "Well, it wasn't exactly a lie," he said, "My team didn't find anything during the search of your house." He stepped around Obi-Wan and stood before him. "But I did."
Obi-Wan looked at Cody with eyes wide open. "You have our lightsabers," he realized. So Cody had kept it a secret, even though the weapons were incriminating. And now…
"That's right," Cody replied, taking off his sheriff's badge and setting it on a nearby table, the whole time never taking his eyes off Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan was finding it difficult to move air through his lungs. "Let me explain," he managed to say through shallow breaths. It could have been simple coincidence that Grievous was cut apart by a lightsaber. Someone could've used one of Grievous' own, Obi-Wan thought desperately. "Cody, please let me explain—"
Cody waved away his excuses, his other hand busy tugging the tie from his neck. "There's no need, Jedi. You had your chance to be honest with me." He closed the distance between them and placed a hand on Obi-Wan's belt. Obi-Wan had denied him for too long, Cody thought, head throbbing harder with his anger. "Now it's my turn to use you."
Obi-Wan couldn't believe his ears. He spun around wildly and opened the front door, taking a few steps into the downpour before Cody's voice called out to him.
"If you leave now, I'll turn in the evidence!"
Obi-Wan stopped. His car was just a few feet away.
"You'll go to prison," Cody said.
The rain beat down on his shoulders.
"You won't ever see your son again."
Obi-Wan felt the rain on his face. He took a deep breath.
So there would be no negotiating.
He turned around and went back inside.
Obi-Wan found Anakin asleep on the couch, notebook splayed open across his chest, an ink-stained hand holding it in place. He reached out to touch his face, and then withdrew his hand haltingly. He felt… dirty. He was thankful Anakin wasn't awake to see him. He tiptoed away and summoned what remained of his energy so he could put himself to bed.
Anakin woke up confused at his surroundings. Oh, right. He had waited up for Obi-Wan. Or at least, he'd tried to. Anakin sat up and rubbed his neck, notebook sliding down his chest. Anakin smiled at what he'd written. He picked the memory he thought translated to the pages best and tore it free of the notebook binding. He tucked it away in his English folder and then got dressed for school. The house seemed very quiet. Anakin went downstairs and found the kitchen empty. Strange, he thought, Father never sleeps in this late.
Anakin climbed the stairs and crept into Obi-Wan's bedroom. Still sleeping, it seemed. Anakin would have to tease him for it later. He kneeled by the side of the bed so he could tell him goodbye. Obi-Wan made a pained sound when Anakin ran a hand through his hair.
"Father?" he called quietly.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes long enough to recognize Anakin. "Oh, it's you," he murmured.
"Of course it's me," Anakin replied, "Who else?" But Obi-Wan's eyes were closed again. "I'm going to school," Anakin told him, "I'll see you later."
Obi-Wan resisted the urge to hold onto him and tell him to stay.
Anakin noticed the frown pulling at Obi-Wan's lips and thought he must be having bad dreams. He placed a light hand on Obi-Wan's forehead and pictured everything he'd written down yesterday.
Obi-Wan's features relaxed. He thought he could smell chocolate cake in the air, somewhere.
At school, Anakin placed his short story on Clovis' desk as discreetly as he could. Class started and Clovis had all the students read something out of the textbook in partners. When they were chattering away in a drone of white noise, Clovis picked up the scribbled-on pages and read.
By the end of class, Clovis had his pitch ready. "Anakin," he said from behind his desk, "Stay a moment longer, won't you?" The rest of his classmates left, but not without giving him a few strange looks.
Clovis looked at Anakin with pure awe as he stood before him. He held Anakin's paper in his hands. "I think this could be published," he said.
Anakin never expected to feel so happy from hearing those words. "Really?" he asked.
"Yes," Clovis said, smiling with his perfected charm, "It's absolutely marvelous how you've captured childhood innocence. I'm sure anyone my age would love to read it."
Anakin looked away shyly. Clovis wasn't that old. For a teacher, he was probably on the young side, maybe a little older than Padmé. The two of them were dating, after all.
"All it needs is a little editing," Clovis continued, "And I can help with that. What do you say you come over to my house and we work on it together?"
Father would be so proud, Anakin thought, if I had a story about us published. "Today?" Anakin asked.
"I don't see why not."
"Okay."
Clovis grinned and sent Anakin on his way to the next class.
It was easy enough to find Clovis' house after school. Anakin knocked on his door, backpack slung over one shoulder. Clovis had to compose himself before answering the door.
"Hello, Anakin," he said smoothly, "Come in."
Anakin stepped through the entryway and looked around curiously. He'd never been to one of his teacher's houses before. Clovis had him take a seat in his living room.
"Would you like something to drink?" Clovis asked.
"No thanks," Anakin replied. He was eager to work on his story.
Clovis smiled politely. No matter. It was enough that he had him here, in his house. He sat beside Anakin as the boy took out a pen and paper from his bag. So innocent, Clovis thought.
"Before we get started," Clovis said, nearly sneering at his own cleverness, "do you mind if I change into something more comfortable?"
Anakin looked him up and down. He supposed it was silly to think his teacher didn't own clothes that were less formal. "No, go ahead," he said. Anakin watched him saunter off to his bedroom. Clovis left the door open.
Anakin squinted. Why would he…? Maybe Mr. Clovis just forgot about it. There was a long mirror just through the doorway. Father has one like that. Anakin smiled before he caught a glimpse of Clovis undressing.
"What are you doing, Anakin?" Anakin's attention snapped to the figure suddenly sitting next to him. It was Obi-Wan. Anakin held back a surprised yelp.
"Can't you see what he's doing?" Obi-Wan urged.
"How are you here?" Anakin whispered. This can't be real.
"Open your eyes, Anakin," Obi-Wan berated, "Are you stupid?"
"No," Anakin said, shaking his head frantically.
"He's going to hurt you!"
Anakin looked back at the open door. He couldn't see Clovis' reflection anymore.
Obi-Wan's voice came back louder. "Run, Anakin!"
Anakin was afraid to move.
"Run!"
Anakin grabbed his backpack and ran out the door and down the street, away from Clovis, and away from the vision he couldn't explain. He kept running.
Anakin was out of breath and drenched in sweat by the time he got home. "Father," he called desperately, "Where are you?"
In the next moment, Obi-Wan was hugging him. Anakin wrapped his arms around Obi-Wan as tight as he could, hands grasping a fistful of robes each. Anakin was so overwhelmed he started to shake uncontrollably.
"Shh, Anakin," Obi-Wan whispered kindly, "Daddy's here."
Anakin tried to tell him everything. "I should have listened to you!" he wailed. "You warned me not to trust him, and I was so s-stupid! I only wanted to make you proud, but he's a liar! F-f-father, I didn't mean to—I didn't mean to—"
It all came out in an incoherent mess. "Slow down," Obi-Wan said, "I don't know what you're talking about." Anakin lifted his head off Obi-Wan's shoulder and met his eyes in disbelief. "But you were there!" he cried.
Obi-Wan looked confused for a second, and then understanding washed over him. "Okay, Anakin, just take a deep breath. I'm here. No one will hurt you. I've got you." He held Anakin safe in his arms for what could only have been a minute before the doorbell's ancient song rang throughout the house.
Obi-Wan ignored it, just adjusted his hold around Anakin's slim body, keeping him close enough to feel the boy's heartbeat against his own chest.
The doorbell rang again. Anakin sniffled. "Don't answer it," he said.
It rang a third time. Obi-Wan released Anakin and threw open the door. He nearly lost his will to stand. It was Cody.
"Hello, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan didn't respond. Anakin wiped his face as he stood beside his father. "This isn't a good time," Anakin said for him.
"Actually, it's the perfect time. How about a redo of our celebration, Obi-Wan?"
Without a word, Obi-Wan moved to join Cody. Anakin grabbed his hand. "Father," he said, "I need you!"
Obi-Wan shook off his grip roughly. "Stay in the house, Anakin."
"But—"
"Stay!" he yelled. Anakin's expression turned dark. As if I were his pet... Cody had Obi-Wan trailing behind him like Anakin usually did. So Father is the Sheriff's pet now? Anakin watched them with red eyes as they repeated yesterday's foreplay. No, he wasn't just going to stay. Anakin's jealousy propelled him forward. All he could think of was that awful hole in the wall. Sure enough, Cody had dragged Obi-Wan into the first motel room again. Anakin found himself in the motel office, clenching his jaw so hard he thought his teeth might break. How was it that Obi-Wan could comfort him one second, and ditch him the next? He was so angry! Anakin strode into the parlor, tempted to break each of Obi-Wan's precious teacups. He heard a shout from the next room, then, "Cody, please!"
Anakin wanted to kill Cody. Just what exactly was making Obi-Wan beg for more? Anakin strode to the painting on the wall, threw it aside and peeked through the hole. Then he covered his mouth and fell to the floor. He wanted to cry, he was so frustrated. It should be me!
In the other room, Obi-Wan was pleading with Cody. "I thought you were a good man!"
Cody stopped a moment. "I am good," he insisted, "You're the one who's bad."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, hard.
Anakin blinked, focused on the room around him. It should be me? he questioned. He wrapped his arms around himself, gaze finding its way to the blue songbird painting, now leaning against a footstool. If it were me, Anakin thought tentatively, I wouldn't hold his legs like that. We'd both be on the bed, in a way that was comfortable for both of us.
"Don't you know what you're doing is wrong?" Obi-Wan panted.
"We're dating," he said, "How could it be wrong?"
Anakin's breathing began to even out. Finally, something that made sense. If it were me... I would kiss him. I'd kiss him everywhere.
Obi-Wan thought he felt the familiar warmth that was Anakin surrounding him. He turned his head to the side and tried to think of something happy, something Anakin. Cody finished soon enough. When he left, Obi-Wan didn't move to get up. Somehow he didn't want to, even if a second before he would have rather been anywhere else. He didn't want to hurt anymore. Why did he think he could reason with Cody? At least he'd tried. He stared at the ceiling dully. It's over, he told himself. He ignored Cody's voice saying he wanted to see him again tonight. That Obi-Wan was finally giving him what he was owed.
Anakin heard Cody get in his car and leave. He shook his head in an attempt to shake away all the bad thoughts. He just wanted to be close to Obi-Wan. He was still scared of what had happened at Mr. Clovis' house. Somehow his thoughts had turned crazy. But it didn't matter as long as they were together. Why wasn't Obi-Wan leaving the motel room? Anakin didn't want to spy again. He waited quietly. A few seconds later he heard the shower running.
Alright, he'd go to the house then. He could use a shower, too. It would help clear his head.
Obi-Wan spent a long time in the motel shower. Everything stung. He still couldn't wrap his head around Cody's betrayal. He only knew that he was trapped as long as Cody had their lightsabers. He couldn't let Anakin know—not just to protect his own dignity. He knew his son. Anakin would try to get them back. He'd put himself in harm's way. So Obi-Wan would act like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. He'd be who Anakin thought he was. Strong.
He dressed in his same robes and went back to the house. Anakin came down the stairs with wet hair. Obi-Wan felt he should apologize to him. His voice didn't want to manifest.
Seeing Obi-Wan again made Anakin's cheeks flush. He made a face and padded past Obi-Wan so he could busy himself with something else.
So Anakin was going to ignore him? Obi-Wan felt betrayed all over again. He followed Anakin into the hallway. "Everything I've done, I've done for you!" he blurted.
Anakin sensed his rage returning. He kept walking till he found himself in the kitchen with no exit besides the one Obi-Wan was standing in. Anakin turned to face him and crossed his arms. "And that includes the town sheriff?" he said.
Obi-Wan's heart seemed to physically ache. He replied calmly, "I don't understand why you have such a problem with Cody. He's on our side." The lie tasted sour in his mouth. Anakin looked at the tile. Obi-Wan hoped that meant Anakin believed him. He stepped aside so Anakin could move past him.
"He isn't on our side so much as in your backside," muttered Anakin.
Obi-Wan's lips parted, shocked, then livid. His voice became rough, almost a growl. "Wash out your mouth," he commanded, "With soap." Anakin backed away from him. "Now!"
Anakin turned and darted for the stairs. He would've done it. Without question. But he heard such a sharp shudder of a breath that he went back to Obi-Wan.
The man was bent over the kitchen table, head in his hands, crying. Anakin reached for him, hesitantly, and placed a hand at the back of his neck, Obi-Wan's soft hair giving way to the touch. Obi-Wan didn't shrug him off. Anakin knelt beside him. He didn't want to ask, but the realization was so loud Obi-Wan heard. Did he hurt you?
Obi-Wan hugged Anakin, body quaking with sobs. He wished Anakin wasn't so perceptive. Sometimes it was like his son could see into his soul. Anakin ran a hand along his back in slow, soothing motions. The other steadied Obi-Wan at the curve of his jaw. Anakin kissed his temple, and his cheek, and his ear, wherever he could reach. He felt sick—deeply sick for wishing he was Cody. He had no idea what he'd really witnessed until now. Obi-Wan lifted his head and his eyes fell on Anakin's lips for a heartbeat. Anakin wiped the already cooling tear trails as a hot drop landed on the back of his hand. Obi-Wan was still beautiful like this, maybe more so when he let his guard down. Obi-Wan held Anakin's hand to his cheek and exhaled a shattered breath. He said, "I'm supposed to see him tonight."
"Don't go," Anakin urged, pulling him closer. "Tell him you're sick."
Obi-Wan shook his head and choked back more tears, and tried not to think of all the things that led him to this point.
"I'll tell him," Anakin said, raising his eyebrows. He chased after Obi-Wan's gaze, saying softly, "Hey." He tucked a finger under Obi-Wan's bearded chin and insisted, "I'll tell him."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes. Anakin wrapped his arms around him, remembering what he said earlier. Everything I've done, I've done for you.
"No, Anakin," Obi-Wan said quickly, "Not your fault."
Anakin nodded and breathed him in, wondering if two people could ever be closer. His fears were forgotten. He would do anything Obi-Wan needed him to, and he felt this so strongly he believed he could do anything. Nothing was past his limits. He guided Obi-Wan up the stairs and tucked him into his bed. Nothing mattered but Obi-Wan right now. Whatever happened with Clovis, it must have been a trick of the light. Or maybe Anakin was dehydrated and had hallucinated the whole thing. Anakin sat on the edge of Obi-Wan's bed and smoothed a hand across his hair, the way Obi-Wan always did for him. He hummed a slow, soft tune. This is how things are meant to be, Anakin thought. Taking care of each other, with no one else's interference.
Anakin stayed by Obi-Wan's side, and didn't leave when he fell asleep. He made sure Obi-Wan didn't have any nightmares. He sent pleasant thoughts Obi-Wan's way whenever it seemed things were getting dark underneath the veil of sleep. He didn't feel as guilty for wanting to kiss him then.
Some time had passed when the phone rang. Anakin checked to see if it had registered with Obi-Wan. He was still sleeping. Anakin left him to go answer it. His voice didn't conceal his suspicion or his rage. "Hello?"
"Anakin," came Cody's slightly surprised voice, "Can I speak to your father?"
"He isn't feeling well," Anakin said through gritted teeth. He took a deep breath and said a little more calmly, "He won't be seeing you tonight." There was a pause and Anakin thought Cody must've hung up.
"Will you tell him—"
"What?" Anakin interrupted.
"Tell him… Never mind," Cody said suddenly. He wasn't going to apologize. At least, not over the phone, and not to Anakin. That dreadful headache was back, just like he knew it would be. Obi-Wan was only a temporary solution. How long was he willing to keep this up? He didn't like the way Obi-Wan looked at him, with eyes so full of hurt. It wouldn't be such a big deal if Obi-Wan acted like a normal person! Everyone else in this town was so happy, so eager for Cody's company—all of them except the one who was supposed to want it most. Cody rubbed his head and heard the faint click of the call concluding. Brat. It still pissed him off that Obi-Wan would have his son lie for him. Well, if Obi-Wan was too weak to own up to his deeds, Cody wouldn't either.
Anakin put the phone back on the wall as Padmé returned home. She was halfway up the stairs when Anakin called her name. She stopped and looked down at him. "What is it, Ani?"
"Father isn't feeling well," he replied quietly.
Padmé continued up the stairs, saying, "I'm only going to ask him a question."
"Padmé!" Anakin called, frustrated. He spun on his heel and went to see what he could scavenge for dinner.
Padmé knocked on Obi-Wan's door before entering. He rubbed his eyes and smiled at her as he sat up. "Need something, sweetheart?"
She sat on the edge of his bed. "I was wondering if I could invite my boyfriend over for dinner."
"Anakin's English teacher?"
"Yes, that's him. I think you'd like him. He's been nothing but kind to Anakin and me."
Perhaps it was true. Obi-Wan didn't realize Clovis was the cause of Anakin's panic earlier. "Invite him over. Not today, though. I'm not at my best right now."
"That's what Anakin said." Padmé held the back of her hand to his forehead. "You do feel a little warm. I'll leave you be." Obi-Wan watched her go. At least she was warming up to him little by little.
Anakin found something he could make for all of them and set to work at the kitchen counter. Padmé saw him floating some of the ingredients in the air and giggled. "Are you making dinner?"
"Yeah," he said, and sent her a slice of green pear. "I'll do my best not to screw it up."
She chewed the fruit as she smiled. "That's very sweet of you, Ani. How should I thank you?"
He set the knife down and stared at the pear for a second. Then he ran into Padmé's arms and hugged her tight. He almost knocked the wind out of her.
"Are you alright?" Padmé asked, concern creasing her pretty features.
Anakin nodded, but didn't let go of her right then. He would be alright. Obi-Wan would be alright, too. Anakin stepped away from his sister and picked up the knife again.