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Title: A Matter of Time
Author: Dolly
Genre: Action, Drama, First-Time
Rating: PG-13
Archive: If you want it ask; I'll probably say yes.
Pairing: Obi-Wan/Anakin (SLASH)
Timeframe: Anakin is ~20.
Feedback: sure, just drop me a mail.
Summary: Anakin tags along on a rather . . . interesting mission, with unexpected results.
Author's Notes: This is a short-ish "warm up" slash fic, nothing heavy. The theme of the plot isn't terribly unique, though the pairing is uncommon so I'd say that makes up for it. ;)
~*~
Chapter 1
Obi-Wan looked at the pants, then at the shirt, and then back at the pants again. His earlier resolve gone, he dropped the clothes back down on the bed and headed to the 'fresher. He'd put the sithly things on after he fixed his hair; not that he particularly wanted to do that either. Though he'd been doing this for nearly a tenday, he still felt quite ridiculous going out dressed like a wild, hedonistic delinquent.
He was sure that he looked ridiculous, too, and he'd made an effort to leave and return to the Temple as stealthily as possible. He'd been able to avoid most people on his way, though the few who had seen him had stared and gaped at him in a manner most unbefitting of Jedi. This only served to confirm his first thoughts that he definitely looked ridiculous.
After giving his shoulder-length waves a quick comb-through, he tousled them with the spray he'd been told to use and tied a portion back loosely with a silken cord. Grudgingly, he went back to his bedroom and began the arduous task of dressing.
~*~
Returning to the quarters he shared with his Master, Anakin dropped his bag onto a chair and looked around for Obi-Wan. For the past eight days Obi-Wan had been going out every night for an undercover assignment, and Anakin was incredibly curious as to what it was. He'd wanted to ask, but Obi-Wan always left before Anakin finished his class in the evening, got back late, and didn't get up until after Anakin had left in the morning for group sparring practice. It had taken all of Anakin's self-restraint to not ask Obi-Wan during their daily training sessions, as he knew that Obi-Wan would chastise him for allowing himself to be distracted if he asked then.
Anakin had gotten out of his class a little early today though, and he rushed back to their quarters, hoping that Obi-Wan hadn't already left. Anakin's ears perked up at the slight rustling sound coming from Obi-Wan's bedroom, and as Obi-Wan emerged Anakin started to greet him enthusiastically.
“Good evening, Master! I . . .” he trailed off, speechless at what he saw. Obi-Wan looked like a character from a racy holo-film, wearing a midnight blue sythleather outfit that was so tight it bordered on pornographic. As much as he tried not to, Anakin just couldn't stop himself from gaping at the lean, sculptured body of his Master. In some corner of Anakin's mind, he had recognized that Obi-Wan was an attractive man, but this . . .
“Yes, Anakin?” Obi-Wan's slightly irritated voice shook him out of his daze. Arms crossed protectively over his chest, Obi-Wan looked as though he wanted to bolt out the door right then.
“Ah, well, I got out of my class a little early today, Master, and I was just curious about your mission.” he said, cringing internally at how nosy and immature he sounded. But he was still curious, and seeing Obi-Wan's . . . outfit . . . had only increased his curiosity.
“As I told you before, Padawan, it is an undercover assignment.” After pausing for a moment, Obi-Wan added, somewhat reluctantly, “I'm investigating a new street drug.” Holding up his hand before Anakin could say anything else, Obi-Wan continued, “Now I really must be going. Don't forget to finish your theory reading, and I will see you tomorrow.”
With that, Obi-Wan practically flew out the door, not looking back. Anakin looked after him, his curiosity only piqued further by the brief encounter. “Well, that was interesting.” he muttered to himself.
As much as he wanted to know more, though, the rational part of him realized that he would just have to forget about it for now and try again later – or look for answers elsewhere. At this last thought, a slow grin spread across Anakin's face.
It was nearly time for last meal, so Anakin headed to the dining hall, where he hoped he could find what he was looking for. Besides, he was hungry. Entering the dining hall, Anakin scanned the crowd as he piled up his plate with food. It didn't take him long to find his quarry, and he hurried over before the seat he wanted was taken.
“May I join you, Master Yoda?” Anakin asked politely as he reached the table where the wise little Master sat.
Yoda eyed him briefly, then nodded his consent. “Sit here, you may,” he said, and then continued eating. Anakin slid into the seat across from Yoda and began to eat as well. He was sure that Master Yoda would know what Obi-Wan's assignment was, though now that he was here he had no idea how to broach the subject. Small as he was, Master Yoda had always intimidated Anakin, though he would never admit it.
“Looking this way, you are, young Skywalker.” Yoda observed. “A question you have, yes?” he said knowingly, looking at Anakin searchingly.
Well, that solved that problem. Recovering himself quickly, Anakin replied sheepishly, “Yes, Master Yoda.”
Anakin hesitated for a moment, and Yoda looked at him expectantly.
“As I'm sure you know, my Master has been working on an undercover assignment. He's been busy, so I haven't gotten to ask him what it is, and I was hoping you could tell me.” he rushed out.
“Curious you are, hmm?” Yoda replied, chuckling. “Very curious your Master's assignment is, also.” Eying Anakin appraisingly, he continued, “Investigating a new drug, he is. Dangerous and illegal it is, and find its source we must before more deaths it causes.”
“I see . . .” Anakin responded, trailing off uncertainly. He already knew most of that, but how to ask for more information without seeming pushy?
His dilemma was quickly solved, however, as Yoda continued, “Want to know more, you do?” he queried.
“Yes, Master, please.” Anakin replied, surprised. This was much easier than he'd expected it to be.
“Yes, know more you should.” Yoda said, almost gleefully. “Go with Obi-Wan tomorrow, you will, but tell him you should not until there you are. To the Blue Hutt, you will go, on sub-level sixteen.” he said, sounding quite satisfied.
“But--” Anakin started to protest, but was quickly cut off by the old Master.
“Up for discussion, this is not. Go to acquisitions, you will, after finished eating you have, to outfit yourself.” Yoda said in a tone that allowed for no further argument.
Anakin simply stared at him for a moment, shocked. At least now he knew why it had been so easy to get information out of the little troll, anyway. But he didn't even want to think of Obi-Wan's reaction to this. He just knew that his Master would be angry . . .
As though he had sensed Anakin's thoughts, Yoda advised him, “Worry you should not, young Skywalker. Angry, Obi-Wan will not be.” he said serenely. “Go with him, you should. Sense this I do.”
“Yes, Master Yoda.” Anakin could hardly argue with that. And even if Obi-Wan would probably be annoyed with him, Anakin was still excited. He didn't get to go on many undercover missions, and this one looked like it would be quite interesting. Especially if Obi-Wan's outfit was any indication . . .
Wolfing down the rest of his food, Anakin excused himself and made a beeline for the acquisitions department.
Chapter 2
The following evening, Anakin excused himself from his class early and quickly headed to the training rooms' lockers to change. He rather liked the outfit he had gotten from acquisitions yesterday, though if Obi-Wan saw him in it he'd know right away that something was up. Anakin wasn't sure why Master Yoda thought that Obi-Wan shouldn't know until he was there, but he heartily approved of the idea. This way, he didn't have to convince Obi-Wan to let him come, and he wouldn't get in trouble because he had Master Yoda's permission.
Entering the locker room, Anakin shed his voluminous Jedi tunics and robe and pulled on the sleek black garments, relishing their silken texture against his skin. He wriggled into the tight pants and buttoned up the shiny shirt, glad that there was a jacket to cover the gaudy thing. Pulling on his boots, he glanced at the mirror appraisingly. Considering the outfit that Obi-Wan had gotten from acquisitions, Anakin thought that he had done quite well; his outfit showed hardly any skin and had room to breathe in, though it was rather tight.
He stuffed his clothes in his bag and dropped it off in their quarters, after stopping outside the door to make sure that Obi-Wan was not inside. Ignoring the strange looks he was getting from his fellow Jedi, Anakin strode purposefully to the launch pad to get a hovercar to go after his Master.
Keying his destination into the nav computer, he took a quick look at the map and lifted off. Judging by its location, Anakin guessed that the Blue Hutt was probably a criminal-infested bar. Yes, this definitely would be interesting.
As he reached his destination, he parked and hopped out of the speeder, then made his way through the crowd into the club. Cloudy with smoke and lit only by dim colored lights, the cramped space was filled with all manner of rough and unruly types.
Anakin scanned the bar's interior until finally his gaze came to rest on Obi-Wan. Anakin nearly cringed at what he saw. No matter how 'tough' Obi-Wan dressed, Anakin simply couldn't see him looking like a common low-life criminal, and apparently the people in the acquisitions department couldn't either. Compared to most of the other patrons of the bar, Obi-Wan looked more like a prostitute than anything else in his cropped, body-hugging outfit. Absently, Anakin noted that it was a deep green tonight instead of blue.
Anakin slipped through the crowd and planted himself almost within earshot of Obi-Wan, who was sitting at a small table with a pair of rather unsavory looking characters. Across from him sat a large, grizzled looking human male with dark hair that framed his face in uneven strands. Obi-Wan appeared to be conversing easily with him, but the fair-haired man sitting to his right was another story. The tall, powerfully built young man was sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Obi-Wan, who was trying, unsuccessfully, to scoot away without making a scene. His efforts were further hindered by the wall on his other side, which he was soon squeezed against as a bronze, muscled arm snaked around his waist.
Anakin seethed internally, but maintained his composure as he leaned in closer to better hear their conversation.
“ . . . .like him?” the dark-haired man said with a low laugh.
“Sorry, Bray, but I'm taken.” Obi-Wan said mildly as he carefully removed the other man's arm from his waist.
“Aw, now that's no fun.” Bray leered. “Stuck with someone at home, eh? No worries, love, he'll never find out.” he pulled Obi-Wan close to him again, and took his chin in one of his large hands as if to kiss him.
By this point, Anakin had had enough. Though he knew that Obi-Wan could handle the situation, Anakin could not. Whirling out of his seat, he stalked over to the table where Obi-Wan was and forcefully shoved 'Bray' away from his Master. “Get your filthy hands off him.” he snarled, fixing the man with a murderous glare.
Obi-Wan looked at him in shock. “Anakin? What are you doing here?” he asked incredulously.
“And just what do you think you're doing, pup?” Bray drawled, looking Anakin over as if to size him up.
“I . . .” Anakin swallowed uncomfortably. He had come over here only thinking to get this brute off of Obi-Wan, and hadn't thought ahead any further than that.
Obi-Wan was going to kill him.
Before Anakin had to say anything else, though, the dark-haired man broke in with a deep chuckle. “Ease up there, Bray! Ben warned you he had a 'significant other'. Looks like you just met him.” Peering at Anakin and then at Obi-Wan, he asked, “I take it you two know each other?”
Recalling their earlier conversation, he hurried to reply before Obi-Wan could. Willing himself to be 'in character', he replied loftily, “Oh, we more than know each other.” he said with a slight smirk. Stepping behind Obi-Wan, he wrapped his arms around the slim waist in front of him, which tensed minutely. Narrowing his eyes, he warned, “Hands off.”
Bray eyed them suspiciously for a moment, then flashed a devilish smile. “Alright, pup, I get the message. He's a pretty package, but not worth that much trouble.” Still watching them, Bray sat back down and motioned for them to do the same. “Since you're here, lover boy, you may as well make yourself comfortable. Name's Braynar, you can call me Bray. This here's Kaz.” he said, motioning to the older, dark-haired man. “And I take it you're Anakin?” he asked slyly.
“Yes, his name is Anakin,” Obi-Wan replied irritably, seeming to have recovered himself from the shock. “Though I don't know what he's doing here. I'm very sorry for the interruption.” Obi-Wan slipped out of Anakin's loose hold and grabbed his hand, pulling him over to sit down. Anakin couldn't tell how much of his Master's irritation was real, but he was pleased to notice that Obi-Wan had seated himself against the wall, with Anakin firmly between him and Bray. Anakin scooted close, until they were sitting hip-to-hip, and tentatively slid his arm around Obi-Wan's waist. Obi-Wan tensed slightly at the intrusion, though soon relaxed into his grasp.
“Don't worry about it,” Kaz said easily. “Its not every day I get to meet someone who's willing to pick a fight with Bray.” He gave Obi-Wan a wink. “Besides, he looks like he'd appreciate our kind of fun too, wouldn't you say, Bray?”
“Yeah, I'd say. Anakin, you have any plans tomorrow night?” Bray asked casually.
“No. Did you have something in mind?” Anakin shot back.
“Oh, I've got something in mind, all right. Your boyfriend's gonna come visit with us and a friend tomorrow night, and I think the experience would be greatly . . . enhanced . . . if you came along too. See you then.” Bray said, not even waiting for a reply.
“Well, I suppose--”Anakin started, annoyed at being 'invited' in such a manner.
“We'll be there.” Obi-Wan said smoothly, elbowing Anakin in the side under the table.
“Good.” Kaz said, sounding satisfied. “We'll see you boys tomorrow.” Standing up, he and Bray turned and headed out of the bar, with Bray giving them a cocky wave as they left.
As soon as they were gone, Obi-Wan turned and gazed levelly at Anakin. “Anakin, how did you get here?” he asked in a neutral tone.
“I . . . a speeder, Master, from . . . home.” Anakin answered hesitantly. Obi-Wan didn't sound as though he was angry with him, but that wasn't always a good indicator of his mood.
“Well, come on then, let's go home.” Obi-Wan said shortly.
“Ma - Ben, I'm sorry.” remembering their cover, he hung his head. “I --”
“Not here” Obi-Wan cut him off quietly. “Let's get to that speeder of yours.” Obi-Wan twisted in his seat and looked at Anakin pointedly.
Anakin reddened as he realized that he still had his arm around Obi-Wan's waist, and was trapping him against the wall. “Ah, sorry,” he said sheepishly, sliding out of his seat and stepping aside for Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan gracefully stood up and linked his arm through Anakin's. Startled, Anakin nearly pulled away, but Obi-Wan pulled him down and murmured into his ear, “You never know who is watching.” Anakin nodded briefly, distracted by the warmness of Obi-Wan's breath on his cheek.
Arm in arm, they got into the speeder, which, thankfully, was still intact, and rode to the Temple in silence.
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