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Anakin stopped Cody in the hall. “Hey, have you seen Obi-Wan?”
Cody thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Not since the briefing this morning.”
“Alright, no problem. I’ll keep looking. Take it easy, Cody.”
“You as well, General.”
Anakin paused in the hall to think. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened today. The 501st and 212th Companies had rendezvoused after a failed attempt to keep the Separatist Army out of the 42nd sector. They’d checked in with the Jedi Council this morning to brief them on the situation and receive new orders. They’d been given a week to refuel and restock on the nearest planet before heading to the 45th sector to help out Plo Koon. All-in-all, a fairly average week.
However, as soon as the briefing ended, Obi-Wan had excused himself and run out of the meeting room so fast that Cody didn’t even have a chance to schedule their customary follow up briefing. Anakin had decided to let him be – Force knew Anakin himself just wanted to be alone sometimes – but when Obi-Wan hadn’t even shown up for lunch, Anakin knew something was wrong.
He’d checked Obi-Wan’s room, then the training salles, then the mediation room, and even the shooting range, with no sign of the man. Anakin could still feel Obi-Wan’s Force presence in the back of his mind, so at the very least Obi-Wan hadn’t been kidnapped or something.
With a sigh, Anakin returned to his own room. Maybe given enough time, Obi-Wan would turn up somewhere.
Anakin mindlessly keyed the door open to his room, and was about to flop in a dead sleep onto his own bed when he heard a small rustle. Anakin immediately flipped the lights on with the Force and drew his lightsaber, the blue glow illuminating his face.
When Anakin realized what had happened, he lowered his lightsaber and laughed.
On the bed was a straight-eared, sand-colored rabbit glaring at him balefully for interrupting his rest.
Turning off his lightsaber and tossing it into a far corner of the room – earning him an admonishing look from the rabbit – he quickly stripped into his black undershirt and pants and climbed into bed next to the rabbit.
“Master, why didn’t you tell me you were tired?” he teased, scooping the rabbit up in his arms.
Obi-Wan scrabbled at Anakin’s shirt, trying to get purchase with his claws. Anakin let the rabbit scramble up his chest and onto his shoulder, rear legs perched now more comfortably on Anakin’s arms, front legs on Anakin’s shoulders. Obi-Wan’s long ears tilted back, relaxed, and he snuggled into Anakin’s neck, eyes shutting slightly.
Anakin turned his head slightly to nuzzle at Obi-Wan and kiss him on the forehead. “Oh, Obi-Wan.”
Obi-Wan didn’t respond with words, his Force presence humming contentedly at Anakin’s side.
This explained Obi-Wan’s quiet presence in his mind. When Obi-Wan got so overwhelmed he could no longer control his physical form, the words he used to cloak his true feelings withdrew as well, leaving only the impressions and intent that made up Obi-Wan’s character.
“Let’s cuddle, baby,” Anakin cooed. “C’mon, lie down with me. I’ll hold onto you so you don’t fall, okay?”
Obi-Wan let Anakin manhandle him into a horizontal position, Anakin curled up around Obi-Wan, who was tucked into Anakin’s neck. Obi-Wan licked Anakin’s skin a few times to show his appreciation.
Anakin laughed. “That’s ticklish! You’re so sweet like this, Obi.”
Embarrassment flashed in Obi-Wan’s force signature, but so did happiness and a slow, syrupy sweetness that Anakin associated with Obi-Wan in subspace.
Anakin blinked in surprise. “Oh? You’re in subspace, Obi?”
Obi-Wan nudged Anakin slightly with his mind before relaxing into Anakin’s hold.
Anakin smiled fondly at him. “You did have a terrible week, master. Sleep.”
Obi-Wan, who as a man never followed orders the way they were intended, flopped over on his side at the rumble of Anakin’s voice, his paws relaxing into the bedsheets.
Obi-Wan’s eyes slid shut before he could register Anakin placing his lips on Obi-Wan’s forehead.