Tales from the Temple

Chapter 9: Downtime

As a Jedi Master and a General in the GAR, Shaak Ti had a strong sense of duty. However, it did not keep her from cherishing the moments when she had nothing important to do, and she could just lounge on Obi-Wan's couch, dedicating her time to her secret passion: watching romantic holocomedies. And, of course, to the owner of the said couch, she reminded herself, running her hand absentmindedly through Obi-Wan's tousled curls.

She felt warm and fuzzy, the blanket lying smug against the small of her back while Obi-Wan was gently snoring against her stomach, sprawled face down on her lap. Her bare legs were propped up on the table, and a bowl of her favorite meatballs was on the arm of the sofa. The grand finale of the holocomedy kept all her apt attention. That must have been why she had completely missed the person approaching Obi-Wan's quarters, and she was caught unawares, trying to press a handful of dried meatballs rather ungracefully into her mouth. When the door swished open, she found an enthusiastic Anakin Skywalker standing at the door.

"Hey, Obi-Wan, look what I've go…. t." The final t popped in surprise as his eyes fell not on his former master but Master Ti wearing an uncharacteristically comical expression… and little else, he noted. "Uh… Hi, Master Ti," he managed just as Shaak successfully squeezed the last of the meatballs into her mouth and swallowed with a visible gulp.

Well, that was not the way they wanted Anakin to find out about their relationship...

"Anakin," she actually managed a warm smile after clearing her throat and pulling the blanket around her a little higher to cover her bare shoulders. "What can I do for you? "

"I don't know," Anakin managed somewhat awkwardly and clearly confused. "I was looking for Obi-Wan."

"He's sleeping." And as if on cue, the man let out a snore, making Anakin look in the direction of the noise. He had previously tried really hard not to look at Master Ti's bare legs, so he completely missed the man lying in her lap. "Oh," he stated eloquently and not a little bit disappointed. "I just got a movie from Quinlan, and I thought we could watch it. All three, as a matter of fact. It has three parts. The Hopocalypse Trilogy." He held up the movies, and Shaak's eyes lit up. The credits were already rolling on her latest movie. She actually heard Quinlan talking about those movies, but she could not persuade Obi-Wan to watch them yet. Guess virus infected Corelian dust bunnies that turn into bloodthirsty zombies were not his thing. Too bad, she looked down at the peacefully sleeping man before turning back to Anakin.

"Then what are you waiting for? Sit down," she told him, reaching down to the floor for Obi-Wan's discarded bowl of popcorn and offering it to Anakin. "Obi-Wan can catch up later."

Anakin looked taken aback only for a second as he contemplated his choices, then he shrugged and, taking the offered snack, plopped down in the armchair next to Shaak.

The first movie was a blast. It was indeed so bad that it was actually good, and Shaak found Anakin to be an entertaining company. They laughed when something was hilariously awkward and poorly executed and groaned in exasperation when it was overly dramatic or just painfully idiotic. It seemed that they were completely in sync, their comments supplementing the others'. It was fun.

"Want some more?" Shaak asked after a time, indicating Anakin's empty bowl.

"Yes, thank you."

Shaak smiled and looked around, her eyes finally settling on some bags of popcorn. She flicked her free hand, and one of the bags flew into Anakin's hand.

"Obi-Wan would be throwing a fit right now if he had seen that," Anakin observed as he got hold of the bag of snacks. "He always preaches not to use the Force for frivolous things."

"Do you really believe that there is any one Jedi who observes that rule?" Shaak tilted her head inquisitively.

"Please, don't corrupt my padawan," Obi-Wan, who had been obviously listening for a while, groaned in her lap before pushing himself into a sitting position.

"He is not your padawan anymore," Shaak pointed out helpfully, absentmindedly smoothing down his rumpled hair. "He has his own padawan to teach."

"Ahsoka and I usually compete in from how far we can get things," Anakin offered cheerfully.

"And there goes my teaching…"

"Don't be a hypocrite, dear," Shaak shook her head. "After all, it was you who used the Force just to close the curtains this morning."

Obi-Wan looked positively scandalized for being ratted out. "You were asleep. I didn't want to disturb you."

"See?" she turned to Anakin with a bemused expression.

Anakin laughed out. "Why, Master Ti, I had no idea you are so much fun. I fully approve, master," he looked at Obi-Wan, "of whatever is going on between the two of you that involves so much underwear." He indicated Obi-Wan's state of undress that mirrored Shaak's as they had both foregone dressing up for the day and remained in their sleepwear.

"Thank you, Anakin," Obi-Wan said sarcastically but truly relieved that Anakin was taking things so well. "Let's make sure that next time we crash at Padme's."

For a moment, Anakin froze, realizing that his secret was out, too, but then a frown appeared on his face. "You do know that would mean Nabooan historical flick marathon, right? Those things are unreasonably long."

"Excellent!" Shaak smiled enthusiastically. "And now, hush. The blood durnis are attacking."

Obi-Wan actually jumped when the zombie bunnies suddenly showed up on the holoprojector.

"What in the Force are you watching?!"

THE END

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