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The meeting was boring him to death; arguing about whether or not they should improve the cultural infrastructure on Coruscant was not an exciting subject in any way. The Supreme Chancellor listened with a discreet ear and, at times, he began to think of Obi-Wan, who almost certainly would have found the subject very interesting.
His lover had been on a solo mission for three days, so Anakin had stayed at the Temple. Meaning the little boy came almost every day to visit him, in the absence of his master. This allowed Sheev to strengthen his filial paternal relationship with the young chosen one but also had the added effect of putting a little more confidence in Obi-Wan, who felt guilty for leaving his padawan alone. Sheev reassured him by allowing the child to come and see him, and therefore every evening before returning him to the Temple under safeguard, Obi-Wan, after obtaining his com channel, would call him asking him about his young apprentice.
Like a real parental couple, in short.
Last night when Obi-Wan hadn't called him as he usually did, Sheev had tried to do so himself, but there had been no answer. Of course it wasn't particularly unusual that he couldn't communicate with him, but Obi-Wan's current mission should have been simple. At least, that was what Sheev had been able to read while hacking into the Order system and accessing ongoing missions. The young Jedi just had to content himself with supervising the distribution of an inheritance from a royal family, on the planet Cardium. The last king had died and had bequeathed a good number of valuables to his descendants; the heir, his son, was to succeed him. The Cardiums were a peaceful people, who knew no war, and Obi-Wan had been requested by simple tradition. A Jedi was always present during his events. Sheev had inquired and the last person to witness this was none other than Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan's former master. Simply put, there was no indication in the planet's history that there was any risk of danger to the Jedi.
In the end, the meeting finished without an agreement between the senators present. Palpatine expressed his disappointment at the result and hid his joy, relieved that he was finally able to return to his office to await the arrival of young Anakin.
In any case, if all was well, Obi-Wan was supposed to come back tonight and he couldn't wait to see him again. His lover had assured him that he would go directly to his home after completing his report, so they had agreed that Anakin could stay with the Chancellor all afternoon. Sheev was satisfied with this day; his future apprentice, the chosen one, was going to spend time with him, and his lover was soon to join him.
As he began to read the files that certain senators had sent him on his datapad he was informed of the arrival of Anakin Skywalker. He frowned. It was earlier than expected, he was sure he must have still a few hours ahead of him.
No sooner had he got up to greet his young friend than a child burst into his office, crying and rushing straight into him. Palpatine startled in surprise at seeing Anakin in such a state. The boy sobbed, tears wetting the chancellor's robe.
"Anakin, what's going on?" Sheev asked quietly, confused.
The little padawan looked up at him with moist eyes, his face contorted with despair.
"Itt's Master Obi-Wan," he sobbed, "he was injured during his mission…they don't want me to see him!"
Sheev's blood froze and he felt like his world was suddenly collapsing. Obi-Wan was injured? His Obi-Wan? No, no, it was not possible! It was supposed to be a simple and safe mission!
For a moment, unable to control his emotions, he nearly unleashed his force presence around him, but quickly restrained himself, trying to quell his anger and fear of losing the man he loved. Instead he allowed the child to hug him for comfort, while his mind was obsessed with Obi-Wan.
Anakin informed him that the healers didn't want him to see his injured master, so that would mean that the injury in question was far too serious to let an eleven-year-old visit his master.
"Calm down, Anakin, and tell me everything," he demanded after seating him on one of the couches and giving him his favorite drink.
The child drank his sugary juice and swallowed it quickly, sniffling and wiping away his tears with his sleeve.
"He was supposed to come back this evening… but this morning, Master Windu called me to tell me that there had been an incident during the mission," he hiccupped and continued in a trembling voice, "they had sent a group of Jedi in as reinforcement during the night and there, Obi-Wan came back…but he was injured, nobody wanted to tell me what happened…I don't know what to do, I'm his padawan, I want…they need to let me be with him!"
Palpatine looked calm to reassure the child, but his heart was racing, fearing for Obi-Wan. He had to find out as soon as possible. He had to enter the Order's system again, though he didn't like to do this too often because he knew that at some point, someone would notice that a stranger was digging into their computer data.
His comlink then beeped. Annoyed, he picked up anyway. It was not the right time. He was about to dismiss his assistant, but the latter spoke first.
“Chancellor Palpatine, Master Yoda of the Jedi Council would like to speak with you."
He blinked and his gaze fell on Anakin, who shuddered at the announcement, his blue eyes widening.
"Bring him in," he ordered, guessing the boy's discomfort.
He hung up.
"Don't worry, Anakin, I'll be there to cover for you, Master Yoda has no reason to scold you for coming to me."
"Thank you, Chancellor," Anakin sighed, sniffling again.
.
Master Yoda walked into his office soon after, his face grave. With each step, his cane emitted a very recognizable snapping noise for all those who lived in the Temple.
Upon arrival, Anakin stood up and bowed respectfully to the small green being. Palpatine urged the Jedi Master to sit on the couch, next to Anakin. Yoda didn't refuse and deftly climbed onto the comfortable red couch.
"For my visit, forgive me," he started, "but inquire about Padawan Skywalker, I must. Leave you in your sadness, I could not. Understand your feelings, I do," he continued to Anakin.
The boy said nothing, just nodded. Sheev thought it best to intervene, it was now or never to get information on the health of his secret lover.
“Anakin is upset by what happened to Master Kenobi, and I am all the more concerned because I have great regard for him and am horrified to hear that he was injured during his mission. May I inquire as to what happened to him?"
Master Yoda let out a thoughtful grunt, hesitating to answer. Anakin waited hopefully as the Chancellor began his case, he had prepared other arguments to get the information he wanted, if ever the Green Jedi refused to cooperate.
“Victim of the madness of the new king of Calium, Master Kenobi was," Master Yoda finally declared, "the assassination of Master Kenobi, the king ordered."
"What? You mean the king, prince Dether?" Sheev asked in disbelief.
He had met the prince a few years before, he hadn't seemed mentally insane to him.
"To marry him, of Obi-Wan, the prince asked."
It was like a cold shower for Sheev, who clenched his fists, curbing his anger and his rage, blocking his dark power which was only waiting to be released to express all his emotions.
"Refused, Knight Kenobi had, but angered the king, it did," Yoda continued, his ears completely folded down, "last night, received a call for help, we did...This morning, brought back Obi-Wan, reinforcements did. In a serious and deplorable condition, he was. Beaten to death, the King had ordered, and stabbed several times, Obi-Wan was. To escape, he succeeded, and evacuate him, reinforcements did. Alive, young padawan, your master is. Heal in a bacta tank, he must. Later, you may see him."
Anakin cried in relief, unable to hide his emotions from the Grand Master, who just patted his head gently. Then he turned to Sheev, who was careful to keep a straight face. He mustn't show the Jedi that it affected him, that he wanted to kill that accursed King, that he could send assassins to end the line of Calium kingship. No, he needed to show his sympathy, and wish Knight Kenobi a speedy recovery.
"Can I visit him?" He offered instead.
He got a frown from the master and a look of suspicion crossed his features.
"Concerned about Jedi Kenobi, you are, Chancellor," he remarked.
"Of course, he saved my home planet during the conflict with the trade federation, and he protected friends who are dear to me. It is only natural that I owe him all my gratitude."
"True, that is. To visit him tomorrow afternoon, I authorize you, Chancellor."
"Thank you, Master Yoda. You have my gratitude."
*
The next afternoon Sheev arrived at the jedi temple with his personal guards, who were not allowed to enter. As Chancellor, he had already visited the temple in his first year. He knew that non-jedi visitors had strict restrictions regarding access to the temple. In fact, very few non-Force-sensitive beings could enter it at all.
It was Anakin, accompanied by a jedi healer whose name was quickly forgotten by the Chancellor, that led him to the Hall of Healers.
"Knight Kenobi came out of bacta this morning," the Jedi informed him as he stopped in front of a room, "he is still weak, but in good health. We can only give you an hour, then we must ask you to leave."
"Understood," agreed Sheev.
He preferred that to not seeing him. Anakin took his hand and the two of them entered the medical room.
The Chancellor refrained from rushing to his lover's bedside. Obi-Wan was lying shirtless and half-bandaged, with arms covered in gauze, bruises dotting his handsome face, his bottom lip split, and even his fingers wrapped in small bands. Sheev swallowed his saliva and mentally planned the next murder of the entire royal family of Calium in the days to come.
"Master!"
Obi-Wan opened his eyes at the shout, his blue-green eyes showing surprise at seeing his Padawan and the Chancellor.
“Anakin?"
Just like the Chancellor, Anakin had to wait with only Palpatine's company to finally see his master. According to the child, Yoda had deemed it best for Anakin to be with someone he liked when he went to see Obi-Wan. Fortunately, Anakin had been patient until now.
“Master, I was worried!" The padawan cried, in tears as he climbed onto the bed.
"You shouldn't have worried, I'm fine," Obi-Wan breathed, brushing his bandaged fingers over his cheek.
"I…I was afraid of losing you…Master Yoda told us what happened…it's horrible…they deserve to…"
"Calm down, Padawan, I'm here and that's what counts, alright?"
Anakin nodded, and finally Obi-Wan turned his attention to the Chancellor, who had moved closer to the other side of the bed, sitting down so as to take his hand between his and bringing it to his lips, gently kissing. He could do this without hiding from Anakin, who was well aware that his master and the Chancellor shared an affection for each other.
"Didn't expect to see you, Sheev," the wounded Jedi whispered.
"The Republic will not be able to tolerate such an attack on a Jedi," Palpatine uttered suddenly.
"Their laws are different from ours, I should have agreed to marry the king. Until yesterday, no one had refused, but according to their law from centuries ago the king had the right to sentence anyone who refused to marry him to death."
"I will order ambassadors and I will ask the Jedi Order to—"
"Sheev, stop," Obi-Wan interrupted wearily.
"Forgive me, I didn't mean to bother you with that," he apologized, "I missed you so much, Obi-Wan."
"I missed you too."
The Chancellor knew that the medical rooms were not equipped with holo cameras to preserve the patient's privacy, so with confidence, Sheev leaned towards the young jedi to kiss him, but Obi-Wan turned away, the blush coloring his skin a sickly color.
"Anakin is watching us," he reminded him, embarrassed.
The Chancellor glanced to the side and did indeed see the little boy, watching them with wide, puzzled eyes, head in his hands, elbows on the bed, as if watching a holo-movie. Noticing the two adults staring at him, he repositioned himself.
"Oh, sorry, I'm going to turn around!" He exclaimed, following through with the action as he said it.
The older man burst out laughing when Obi-Wan looked surprised at the understanding behavior of the little boy.
"Am I dreaming?" He asked in a whisper.
"No, you're not dreaming," Sheev murmured into his ear, "I'm trying to educate our son while you're gone."
"Anakin is my padawan!" He protested, scandalized.
"One does not prevent the other."
Obi-Wan wanted to speak but a kiss prevented him from uttering a single word. Sheev savored the lips he hadn't been able to kiss in days, vowing to himself to avenge his lover, to destroy those responsible, who had lashed out at the love of his life.
While their kiss seemed to last an eternity, a childish voice rose in the room:
"Is it okay now? Are you finished?"