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Anakin felt tired, his muscles ached as he walked down the bridge of the ship, and a headache was beginning to form around his temples. The Force was so loud, as it has always been on Coruscant. Yet, as he entered the halls of the Jedi Temple, he felt radiant, he felt happy, not because of the fact that he was on leave, or that he could finally rest after grueling months on the battlefield, and not because he was on the temple, really. If he was honest with himself, he never felt particularly welcomed, maybe he lived more than ten years here, but just living somewhere doesn’t make it your home.
He was happy for coming back to what he actually considered home, and that, of course, was Obi-Wan.
Anakin knew perfectly well that his master would probably be debriefing with the Council right now. That didn’t mattered, he was practically jumping in excitement to get to their quarters.
When he finally got there, he punched out the entry key-code and just stepped inside. The dying sun basked the room in an orange light, and Anakin could still feel his master’s force signature lingering everywhere, from his usual spot in the couch, to the desk where he normally fills mission reports, and around the kitchen table where he likes to seat and read in the morning with a cup of tea.
Suddenly, Anakin realizes just how much he missed Obi-Wan, he almost can’t wait to see him, but he has a plan. He wants to welcome him with a warm meal and his favorite tea, and maybe later they could watch some holofilms curled up on the couch. Yes, that would do it, Anakin just missed him so, so much.
So, following his plan, Anakin starts preparing some bantha stew, chopping vegetables and seasoning the meat. He also picks the leaves for Obi-Wan's tea. Puts some water in the kettle, and generally keeps himself entertained as he waits.
Some time later, with the meal ready and the water boiling the door slides open, and from the living room some familiar footsteps can be heard.
“Anakin?” Calls Obi-Wan in that way that contains hundred kinds of meanings at once. The way only Obi-Wan can say his name. Anakin walks to the living room to meet him. “Hey…” He says failing to contain the longing off his tone.
“Hello, dear one” Obi-Wan smiles, his gaze is soft, as he pulls Anakin into a tight hug. One hand stroking the hair in the back of his head, and the other tracing patterns absentmindedly on the small of his back.
Anakin buries his face into Obi-Wan’s neck and holds him tightly, reveling on the sweet scent of his beloved master, this is what Anakin Skywalker calls home, this is where he always wants to come back. This is what keeps him sane in the front lines of the bloodied fields of the war. This is what he dreams about when he feels cold and lonely in hyperspace. This is his definition of safety, of happiness, of love.
“Are you alright, dearest?” Asks Obi-Wan probably finding his silence worrying.
“ ‘Missed you” Anakin's answer came muffled from where his face was still buried on his master’s neck. As if to accentuate his point he tightened his embrace “ ‘missed you so much, Master.”
A fond expression appeared on Obi-Wan’s face and he kissed the top of his tousled hair. “I missed you too, Anakin. Very much.”
Sighing in contempt, Anakin moves away. “I cooked and made some tea.” He said now grinning proud. “But we should hurry before it goes cold, Master.”
The smile on Obi-Wan’s face grew brighter. “Come on then, dear.” he said leading them to the kitchen.
They ate together in amenable silence, also telling each other what they were doing during their time apart. Anakin felt blissful, a weight he didn’t know he was carrying was lifted from his shoulders as relief rushed to him in waves. A warm sensation was spreading in his chest, that undying love that sent butterflies fluttering in his stomach, the love that had accompanied him for years, that has grown and evolved with him.
Anakin cherished moments like this, all calm and comforting. The Force around them humming pleased. Since he was a child, he sometimes longed for peaceful times like this, sadly, as a slave he wasn’t accustomed to such things. His mother, the Force bless her soul, had make her best efforts to give Anakin some semblance of a normal life, even in their dreary situation.
So, when Qui-Gon freed him and took him under his wing to teach him the Jedi ways, he almost felt safe, but then he was also taken away from him. Anakin was so afraid back then, he didn’t want to go back to being a slave on Tatooine.
That’s when Obi-Wan promised he would take care of him and teach him, and he did just that. Even after his knighting, when he isn’t his master anymore, Obi-Wan keeps taking care of him.
Anakin wants to do the same. He wants to be there when he needs him, to bandage his injuries after battles, wants to be someone who makes him lough, his confidant and companion. He wants to be what Obi-Wan calls home.