Chapter Text
When Bail came out of the fresher, Obi-Wan was half-undressed but already fast asleep, sprawled atop the covers in the centre of the bed. He huffed, and shook his head fondly. Whatever Obi-Wan came to tell him in the middle of the night would have to wait, then. Given the way Obi-Wan showed up (like he hasn't slept in a week, which he probably hasn't), Bail wouldn't have expected anything less. Besides, it wasn't as though Bail was in a rush to hear about what was no doubt some next mission that would have his heart hanging by a thread.
He helped the man slide out of the rest of his robes, and freed the covers from under him. Being with Obi-Wan used to be the easiest thing in the world, Bail thought idly, slipping into bed next to him. They had an instant rapport, immediate chemistry since the very start, which fed straight into the easy intimacy they've been sharing for years. Moreover, there was the mutual understanding that should their duty demand it, either would be ready to let the other go. Such was their union: mutually considerate, mature and sensible.
Or so it was, in theory.
The war tested them, cruelly teasing losses that came too close one too many times. Now, Bail didn't know if he could stand to lose Obi-Wan, and let the work continue. In fact, he was no longer sure if he could trust himself to cast his heart aside for his work at all, like they tacitly promised each other to do.
He was glad, at least, to see no such worries reflected in Obi-Wan's features, loosened with sleep. He was heartened too, that Obi-Wan allowed himself to sleep so soundly here, when it was such a luxury on the frontlines.
Then, without warning, Obi-Wan rolled onto his side, tucked his back into Bail's chest and, still unconscious, grabbed his arm to pull across his waist. Bail's breath caught. Slowly, he flattened his palm against his chest, found his heartbeat steady as ever.
There was a metaphor here somewhere, for the instinct to cling on, the subconscious knowledge of the flesh to not let go. Perhaps when they awake some day, maybe tomorrow, they'll have to interrogate and admit to themselves that, before they could realise, the stakes have crept ever higher. Bail had put more of himself on the line than he planned to, for once not knowing if Obi-Wan was ready to requite him. But for now, he let Obi-Wan's body answer for him. He had always sought him out in the night, unfailingly, regardless of whether it was just an undiscriminating habit. And, Bail decided, as long as Obi-Wan reached for him, he'd continue to pull him close, hold him tight.