Author's Note: This chapter is being added here a week after the last one, but don't get used to it. It's the last one I've drafted for now. Hopefully, I'll find the motivation to complete the next chapter within a month, since this is where things start to get really sexy, at least my standards. Let me know how I did with that. :)

Chapter 8: The Date

On the grassy bank of a rippling stream hidden behind dense bushes, Anakin sat with his legs outstretched and Obi-Wan's muscular arm around his waist.

"To a quick end to the Clone War," said Anakin, raising his third glass of Alderaanian white wine, "and a peaceful galaxy." They'd already toasted his knighthood and Obi-Wan's appointment to the Council. It was time they acknowledged the shadow looming over their otherwise joyous morning in the meditation garden.

"To a peaceful galaxy," said Obi-Wan, his voice husky. He'd been saving the wine for this occasion, having received it as gift from the grateful citizens of Chandrila three years ago after resolving a minor political dispute. The brilliant negotiator clinked his glass flute against his date's then sipped from it with an elegance Anakin envied.

He guzzled his own wine, unable to resist its sharp taste and sparkling texture. He'd hadn't been allowed to drink any as a Padawan and should've felt uneasy being on a date with the man who'd wielded that authority over him. But he didn't. The alcohol warmed his chest, lightened his mood and distracted him from the violent vision that had haunted his dreams for the past two nights. But more importantly it meant Obi-Wan viewed him an adult — an equal even.

Two weeks of increasingly intense flirting had changed their relationship. Anakin hoped it was about to change further. That seemed likely, given the way Obi-Wan was stroking his side, occasionally allowing his teasing fingers to brush his hips.

When he was eight, Anakin had promised his mother he'd wait until marriage, as she'd done to avoid an unintended pregnancy — not that waiting had helped with that. Though he and his date faced no similar risk, the young Jedi felt bound by his childhood oath. He hadn't only made it because he'd been told to. Even at such a young age, he'd been determined not to be used and tossed aside like a typical Tatooine slave, nor treat another that way. He'd hoped to free himself and find someone to spend his life with.

With Qui-Gon's help, he'd done exactly that. Even if he never fell in love with Obi-Wan, they'd stand side his side for as long as they both lived. Surely both his mother and his childhood self would be satisfied.

He drained his flute, set it down and leaned back into Obi-Wan's embrace. His former master winked and patted his own thighs. With a brief chuckle at the boldness of his invitation, Anakin swung his legs around and lifted himself into his lap. His date gripped his calf to draw him closer.

From his new position, Anakin could easily reach what was left of Obi-Wan's half the Wasaka berry pie. He picked up one of the neatly cut slices his date had been too full for and took a massive bite, desperate to taste its dense sweet dough and dark red fruits.

After sampling it at Dex's diner a year ago, he'd deemed it the best dessert ever created. His then master had questioned his hasty judgement, for Anakin hadn't fully explored the various cuisines available throughout the galaxy. Nevertheless, Obi-Wan must have paid close attention to his Padawan's preferences, anticipating the day he'd get to use that knowledge.

According to the account he'd provided after unveiling the dessert, he'd ordered it the previous day and, after ensuring Dex could keep a secret, revealed what it was for. Thrilled with his favourite customer's romantic triumph, he'd offered to prepare the pie for free before opening the diner that day. Obi-Wan had collected it before daybreak and still managed to comb back his golden fringe, trim his bread and change into his cleanest white undertunic. His usual flowing robes were nowhere to be seen.

The effort he'd invested in their date was flattering and it didn't hurt that Obi-Wan shared Anakin's love of the pie, though he'd eaten it with more dignity. His former Padawan had torn into his half like a ravenous rancor. The alcohol must have dampened his inhibitions, but he didn't care. Obi-Wan was already smitten with him, which meant he could relax and be himself. He might not even have needed to dust his tunic and smooth down his now braid-free hair.

It was Obi-Wan who needed to charm him, and he was far more skilled at it than any Jedi should be. He grabbed the last piece of pie and brought it to Anakin's drooling mouth. Though his stomach was also tight, he chewed it with gusto, letting the Waska berries' juice spill onto his loosened trousers.

"Impressive," said Obi-Wan. "With an appetite like that, it's hard to believe you were ever the scrawny little boy I trained."

"There's not a lot to eat on Tatooine, especially not for slaves." Which probably explained his unwillingness to let the pie go to waste.

"Well, you can forget about that now. You're a free man who's chosen to spend his morning with me and I couldn't be more pleased." Obi-Wan wiped the crumbs from his date's chin, then ran his fingers through his hair as if coaxing it to grow to his preferred length. Anakin hardened with every stroke.

Thankfully, they were in a hidden corner of the Temple gardens, at a time when the other Jedi were sleeping or meditating. The overgrown foliage hid them from view and the stream was loud enough to cover any noise they'd make. It was the perfect place for them to give into their desires.

"How did you ... find this spot?" asked Anakin, between soft groans.

"Qui-Gon told me of it," said Obi-Wan.

"So, you've been hiding it from me all this time." Anakin would've been more annoyed by this if it weren't for his growing arousal.

"I couldn't let my Padawan be led astray by his need for attachment, could I?"

"You mean my need to get attached to someone who's not you."

Obi-Wan laughed. "To be honest, I didn't expect this place to stay secret, not from an adventurous lad such as yourself. You never thought to check the bushes for partings?"

"Wondering around the Temple gardens isn't exactly a thrilling adventure." Not to someone who'd grown up racing pods and picking fights with troublesome Dugs.

"But other Padawans must've invited you here. If we were the same age and I was less prone to attachment, I'd have begged for it." To emphasise this point, Obi-Wan nudged Anakin forward slightly, so he was sitting on his date's cock, which was even harder than his own. It felt larger too, which didn't mean it was, of course.

"A few women have tried to get me alone," said Anakin. "And not because they liked my personality." He'd always been awkward around other Jedi. "But I've never wanted to..." He'd thought of it constantly that morning but struggled to say the words. "... get intimate with someone I didn't feel anything for. That's what Padawans do here, right?"

"Mostly," said Obi-Wan. "If they're not smoking death sticks or grumbling about their masters. But you haven't missed much. Without an emotional connection, it's an overrated experience."

"So, you tried it then?"

"I did, when I was younger."

Anakin shouldn't have been surprised. His date was clearly an experienced flirter. "Who with? Anyone I ..."

"Anakin," said Obi-Wan, with a slight scowl. "You don't honestly expect me to tell you."

"But you know who I'm attracted to."

"Yes, but these are fellow Jedi we're talking about. We're fighting a war together. I can't have you treating them differently out of jealousy."

Them. So, Obi-Wan had more than one conquest, likely far more. "Can you at least give me a number?"

"You are nosy, aren't you?" He let go of Anakin's hair and slid his hand between his thighs. His firm strokes melted his date's irritation, replacing it with pure lust. "But I'm not the boastful type, I'm afraid."

"It must be a lot then," said Anakin, with a loud moan. He was close to climaxing, but he mustn't. Not yet. His former master would be disappointed, even if it was his fault.

Obi-Wan sniggered as he grasped his date's cheek and guided his lips toward him. "Well, from now until my death," he whispered, "I promise it will only be one." He leaned forward to close the gap between them.

Anakin froze. Not only had he seen Obi-Wan's death, he was going to cause it. The memory flashed through his mind and he turned his head away, breaking free of his date's grip.

"What's wrong?" asked Obi-Wan, his voice quivering. "You're not bothered by my history, are you? Don't worry, you won't catch anything from me. I had myself tested yesterday."

"It's not that," said Anakin, even as his groin urged him to shut up and let Obi-Wan have his way with him. "I don't care who you've been with, but I can't get the vision out of my head. I won't let you make love to your murder."

"But you're not that. In the vision you kill me on my orders. You could never do it otherwise."

Anakin gulped. "But I almost did. Remember when you and Padme visited me after my surgery? I wanted to stab you with the lightsabres you gave me and I'd have done it if you'd said the wrong thing."

Obi-Wan's jaw dropped. "You mean you were awake in the medical ward? You heard me talk about groping you? Well then, it's no wonder you wanted to kill me. I'd have deserved it for letting my feelings get the better of me."

"It's not your fault. I was going to kill Padme too."

Obi-Wan's eyes widened. "But why? I thought you cared about her."

"She was carrying a secret. I couldn't let her spill it."

"She did say something traumatic happened to you before you came to rescue me. When you told me about your mother's death, I assumed she'd mean that."

"I'm afraid there's more to the story," said Anakin. Would Obi-Wan believe him if told him? He doubted it. "You'll need to see it for yourself, on Tatooine." He never wanted to visit the cursed planet again, but he had to save his friend and mentor from his deadly attraction.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "Alright," he said, still erect despite the turn in their conversation. "We'll wait an hour or two for the alcohol to wear off and then we'll go."

Anakin drove Owen Lar's swoop over the sandy plateau with Obi-Wan sat behind him. The vehicle was built for a single rider, which gave his former master an excuse to cling to his waist and wrap his thighs around his hips. Anakin's confession hadn't convinced him to quit his romantic pursuit, but surely an entire camp of dead Tuskans would.

Of course, he'd never have committed the act if the Lars family hadn't given up on rescuing his mother. He hadn't been thrilled to see them again, but their homestead was the safest place to leave two Jedi starfighters and their astromech units. Otherwise, either the scumbags who plagued Tatooine's towns or the primitive creatures that wondered its plains would scavenge them for rare parts. Owen's more common vehicle wouldn't attract the same attention.

Nonetheless, its owner had been hesitant to lend it to the Jedi, so they could track down a Separatist leader who was hiding in the Jundland Wastes. Obi-Wan had concocted the story after they agreed the Lars family would view their actual reason for coming to Tatooine with suspicion. But their plan backfired when Clieg and Owen refused to aid the Republic in fighting a war that didn't concern them.

After Obi-Wan's mind tricks failed, Anakin threatened to arrest the stubborn moisture farmers for failing to aid the war effort. There was no law which authorised such an action, but the Lars men, with their proud ignorance of any world beyond their own, didn't know that.

Tatooine's merciless suns beat down on the Jedi as they approached the cliff edge that overlooked what had once been a Tuskan settlement. Anakin broke hard, bringing the bike to an abrupt halt and nearly flinging them both off it. He apologised as they clambered to the ground, as if his passenger would care about his risky manoeuvres once he'd seen what lay below them.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Obi-Wan, after he'd caught his breath. "From what you've told me, walking up to a tribe of sand people in broad daylight without a disguise seems more dangerous than your driving."

"They won't cause us any trouble," said Anakin, coldly. "Not these ones."

No banthas ambled around huts which meant the Tuskans hadn't repopulated them. They'd likely deemed the camp cursed, after what became of its previous inhabitants, and avoided it out of idiotic superstition.

Perhaps he was right to finish them off. Leaving even the last child alive would've allowed her to reveal what had occurred, inspiring the Tuskans to declare war on Tatooine's settlers. He had only done what was necessary.

Anakin gulped. He'd tried so hard to banish such thoughts, but it hadn't worked. He shouldn't have come here, especially not with someone he cared for. His violent urges would grow stronger as they approached their destination and he'd have only one way to satisfy them.

"You'll need this," said Anakin, as he pulled out his lightsabre.

Obi-Wan glanced at it and raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a death wish?"

Anakin didn't. There were planets to visit, speeders to fly and wine to drink — not to mention losing his virginity. He wanted it all, but not at the cost of Obi-Wan's life. He held out the weapon. "Please, I can't have it on me when we're down there." And they had to go, he couldn't hide his true nature from a man intent on marrying him.

"How many times have I told you, your lightsabre is your life. I can't take it."

Anakin quirked his lips. "You're not taking it. I'm giving it to you." He dropped the lightsabre onto the sand, leapt off the cliff edge and hovered toward the valley floor, using the Force to control his descent. He'd left his former master with no choice but to collect the discarded weapon and follow him.

As Anakin strode towards the remains of the Tuskan camp, Obi-Wan caught up to him. "Why is it so quiet?" he asked, grabbing his mechanical arm with the hand that wasn't holding the extra lightsabre. "Sand people make more noise than this, don't they?"

Anakin shook his head. How could Obi-Wan be so naive? Hadn't he learned only hours ago that his intended lover had almost murdered him? He would have to see his brutality up close. Even the intensifying stench wouldn't convince him.

Obi-Wan stayed close to him as they arrived at the settlement. His eyes darted between the piles of rotting flesh and the swarms of zicx bugs feasting on them. The corpses, with their rib bones jutting out from their chewed-up wrappings, were everywhere, sprawled across the hardened sand and the collapsed bantha-hide huts. There had to be more than the twenty Anakin had estimated. Each of them a testament to his uncontrollable hatred — and the unstoppable power it had granted him.

Obi-Wan tightened his grip on him. The foolish man still saw him as a protecter. "Wha — What happened here?" he asked, his jaw quivering.

Anakin's chest erupted with fury. He tore free of Obi-Wan's grasp and spun to face him. "You still don't get it," he yelled, his teeth gritted. "I'm what happened."

Obi-Wan clasped a hand to his mouth and gulped as if about to vomit. "You mean ... you did this."

"I did. I killed them, all of them, and I enjoyed it." Nothing else had ever felt so right. It was what he was born to do. He had no choice but to embrace it. His eyes burned.

Obi-Wan looked into them and gasped. "No … no..."

Anakin smirked in triumph. He'd done it. He'd made his former master accept the truth and now he was going to pay for the years he'd spent denying it. "Not so in love with me now, are you?"

"Anakin, please," said Obi-Wan, his breathing rapid and his face white. "The dark side ... it's twisting your thoughts. This isn't you. You're not like this."

"But I am ... and you know it. You're terrified. Are you going to run away screaming like the sand people?" He wanted him to. It'd be far more exciting to chase his prey, letting his bloodlust build until he satisfied it with a slash of his ...

He reached for his utility belt, but his weapon wasn't there.

Cos Obi-Wan has it remember? Haha, what a dummy.

Poor Obi-Wan getting cock-blocked by the dark side. I bet he's really cursing his poor phrasing after that. He just had to mention his death didn't he. :(

I didn't manage to work this in to the chapter, but given his peaceful nature, I reckon Obi-Wan would be vegetarian (even if Jedi weren't required to be), which is why he shares a dessert (which no one would expect to have meat in it) with Anakin rather than a proper meal.