There is nothing as good as finally coming home, even to a place
filled with hyenas that would betray you to kiss their masters boots.
But
after a full month on Tatooine, Anakin is more than happy to be back
in the Sith temple where he can actually take a bath and not deal
with Jabba the hutt or the memories, thank you very much. Hell, he’s
tired enough to not even pay attention to Obi-Wan, the Jedi trailing
closely after him, looking almost like he wanted to latch onto Darth
Vader’s hand.
The
young Jedi turned Sith pet is clearly uncertain and wary under the
eyes of other Sith, especially since he was almost assaulted last
time in the temple but he has his saber and so Anakin does not worry.
And he
is looking forward to a good bath and rest in their bed, Obi-Wan
curled to his chest.
It had
been too hot on Tatooine to pull his pet to him and give him the
attention Anakin had wanted, even when Obi-Wan had looked adorably
sexy in the sheer tunics with billowy pants he wore to try and cope
with the heat.
Honestly,
how Obi-Wan had managed to look adorable when he was sweaty and pouty
the entire time while trying to cope with the heat, Anakin had no
idea but somehow, the Jedi pulled it of.
And
hey, Anakin had gotten to take off one of Jabba’s arms when he made
undesired advances on Obi-Wan.
If it
had only been words, then maybe Anakin wouldn’t have but having the
slimy slug paw at Obi-Wan and lick his face…
Well,
Anakin had to send a message to the hutt and everyone else.
What
belonged to Darth Vader was not for anyone else to touch,
there would be consequences.
And he
had warned the next time someone touched his property, there would be
a loss of life and not just an arm.
Though
maybe Anakin had taken an unholy amount of glee at doing it, memories
of Gardulla the hutt haunting his mind as he did so and his mother’s
pain driving him forward.
No one
had to know that.
Well…
no one but Obi-Wan.
The
redhead had felt Anakin through the Force after all and had quietly
curled as close as possible to him on the bed that night after a
shower, quietly asking what Anakin had been thinking when he took off
Jabba’s arm.
He
hadn’t meant to answer, not at first, but slowly, Obi-Wan coaxed
out the words, got his Lord Vader to share not only his past but also
his anger.
Jedi
were dangerous, even young ones, their words were honeyed but at
least Obi-Wan belonged to him, so Anakin didn’t have to worry too
much about him using the past against him.
He
blames the tiredness on not noticing the slight flicker in the Force
or the way Maul moves from the shadow.
But to
be fair, Maul is not aiming at him.
The
snap of a lightsaber fills the air and the red blade aims at
Obi-Wan’s back.
But
this time the Jedi is not helpless and does not need Lord Vader to
protect him as Obi-Wan responds by the much lighter hum of his own
blue lightsaber, blocking Maul’s staff from ever touching his
flesh.
Turning
enough to watch, Anakin settled his hand on his hilt but didn’t
draw it, licking his lips as he saw Maul’s eyes flash with surprise
and rage and Obi-Wan’s blue ones filling with satisfaction and an
edge of… anger?
Well,
that was a surprise.
Obi-Wan
had been a holier than thou Jedi until now even as he gave in to
Anakin slowly and steadily.
‘I
guess that even a Jedi feels anger at times.’ Anakin mused,
watching Obi-Wan shoulder checked the still surprised Maul, tumbling
the Sith to his arse on the marble floor.
Maul
snarled, the sound echoing but Obi-Wan lashed out before he could get
off his ass, slicing through the saber staff hilt with his own saber
in a smooth move before falling back in defense as the zabrak snarled
with rage and pain due to the saber core in one end overheating and
exploding, Obi-Wan’s eyes locked on Maul with his back to Anakin.
Trusting,
fierce, angry and proud, his head held high as he stared down at the
Sith.
Anakin
couldn’t help it, he started laughing, shifting forward to rest his
hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder as they both stared down at Maul. “As
you can see, my pet has a weapon of his own. Seeing as how he needs
it in this temple to remain my pet and you attacked him first, I do
believe you can just… fuck off.” Anakin grinned down at the other
before tugging Obi-Wan along, forcing the Jedi to give his back to
Maul.
Another
tally of humiliation.
And
Maul knew better.
Anakin
had less experience, but he was more powerful than Maul would ever
be.
Leaning
in, his mouth close to Obi-Wan’s ear, Anakin whispered. “Good boy
Obi-Wan. You deserve a reward tonight.” He stated softly, grinning
at the slight of flush rising Obi-Wan’s neck.
Oh
yes, it was good to be home.