Staring dreamily into the air with a half-grin on his face as he thought about his most favorite store on the entire planet as rain pounded against the window in front of him, Anakin mentally reviewed what he would get Obi-Wan for his birthday next week.

There was the peach colored satin babydoll nightie with spaghetti straps that had no lace but little sheer panels here and there for decorations, the adorable knee length blue silk robe to lounge around the quarters with flowers embroider all over, oh or the two piece bralette and shorts with a tiny bit of soft lace.

He thought that was also cotton, it was so soft to touch but he couldn’t be sure until he asked the clerk at the store, potentially Haran or Marcell, he had become pretty familiar with most of the staff

Force, he couldn’t wait until he was knighted to finally ki- “My boy?” The probing words broke through his words, Anakin snapping out of his day dreaming to smile sheepishly at the Chancellor.

The man was peering over his cup at the Jedi, one brow raised. If Anakin had been paying proper attention, he would have noted that the man’s other hand was fisted on the desk. “Apologies Chancellor, I was thinking about something.” Anakin stated, lifting the cup hurriedly to take a sip of the tea.

He barely managed to contain his grimace at the taste.

Tea was grass water and not even Obi-Wan could get him to like it without copious amount of honey in it.

But he couldn’t insult the Chancellor since this was imported tea from Naboo, very pricey.

And very kind of the man to share.

“May I ask about what?” Palpatine smiled kindly, leaning back in his leather chair.

If Anakin was being honest, he was a bit envious, that chair looked like it hugged a body in all the right ways and supported a human body, clearly made for the Chancellor.

When Anakin didn’t answer for a moment, flushing a bit, Palpatine chuckled. “I assure you, I wouldn’t repeat anything you share with me my dear boy, humor an old man that likes to see you flourish.” He smiled kindly at Anakin.

Rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, Anakin smiled wryly. “Well, I was just thinking about how close I am to be knighted really.” There, a white lie.

There was no way he would tell the Chancellor about Obi-Wan’s predilections.

Not that there was anything wrong with them but it felt sacred, intimate.

Something only between Anakin and Obi-Wan.

And honestly, if Anakin was honest, he was a bit possessive over who got to see Obi-Wan in his silky things, he adored that Obi-Wan felt comfortable enough to walk around their quarters in his nightwear.

Palpatine brightened at that, smiling more widely. “Ah yes, you are going through your trials yes? Your master finally saw your potential I see.” He warmly stated.

About to concur, Anakin paused at the latter part of the others sentence with a small frown. “I… sure, yeah.” He sipped his tea, lips pulling a bit taunt at the bitterness as he glanced away to study one of the paintings in the office, one he had seen a thousand times before.

He therefore missed Palpatine’s eyes narrowing thoughtfully at his response and by the time he looked back, Palpatine was smiling again. “I didn’t mean it as a slight to Master Kenobi, I just find your potential to become a knight rather obvious Anakin.” He murmured gently.

Smiling a bit at that, tilting his chin up confidently, Anakin settled his now empty cup on the table beside him. “Thank you Chancellor, that is kind of you to say. But Master Obi-Wan sees my potential too, he just knows that the trials can be long and arduous and wanted to make sure I’d manage, that’s all.” Anakin laughed, missing the frustration building in the others eyes.

Things were not going according to the old Sith’s plans and he did not know why.