hadthehighground | Duplicity IC Inbox

“As long as you recognize that, I won’t complain.” Obviously Obi-Wan prefers his tea, but he isn’t going to judge anyone for liking caf either.

As they step into the apartment, Obi-Wan again sighs in relief. Luke’s presence and the echoes of Din are comforting and makes him feel at home.

Politely removing his boots and cloak he takes a look around before sinking down on the sofa. It’s then he realizes how tired he is and he just takes a moment to relish the comfort.

Luke abandons his cloak and shoes in a pile and starts getting everything together. He stays quiet, hoping that if Obi-Wan is really tired and feels safe enough, he might doze and get some much needed sleep for a while.

But he doesn’t sleep. Not yet. What he does do is relax and retreat into his mind a little bit. Staring at the ceiling and comprehending his return to this place. Of what was expected of him, and how he would have to fit into life in this world all over again. At least it would be easier this time.

“I hope you and Din have kept out of any serious trouble while I’ve been gone,” he says eventually. Luke should know what he means. They city could be very demanding from time to time. It was easy for one to get in trouble if they didn’t keep a level head. His memories of such things slowly trickling back as he called upon them.

Luke gets the tea steeping and brings it all out on a tray, pot brewing, cups ready for pouring. "We've stayed out of trouble. Kept to our social circle, it helps minimise the problems, overall. Or so I've found so far."

“A good strategy, and one I use as well.”

Obi-Wan mostly kept to himself aside for the few friends he’s made. It kept things simpler, and he liked it that way. Though he was actually grateful to have any friends here at all. A stark difference from his existence on Tatooine and one he would have to readjust and settle into again.

But for now there is tea and he reaches out to take a cup. “Where is Din, anyway? I thought he was a homebody.”

"He's at work." Luke settles himself on the couch next to Obi-Wan. "He has a job at Red Emerald, he's there right now." Luke's glad he has a job to fill in the time. It's one of the hardest things here, for them both. Life is very... soft in many ways. "And I'm still working part time at Serenity Garage."

“Work? Well, good to know he’s keeping himself busy.” Though it may be obvious to Luke that he’s a bit disappointed. Obi-Wan had become a bit fond of the Mandalorian. But there would be time for them to catch up later. He was just as glad to be in Luke’s company as he would be Din’s, though he preferred both.

Pouring some tea for himself, he offers the same for Luke. “You both seem to have settled in quite well all things considered.”

"Oh, I get it, you came back here hoping to find sexy Mandalorian waiting." Luke grins and it is pure tease. "I guess so, yeah. It was easier for me than Din, still is, but we've found something like an equilibrium here."

That draws an instant blush from Obi-Wan and a clearing of his throat. “Yes, well, I think it’s been established that I have a thing for Mandalorians.” Whether it be armored ones or not.

“That’s good. I’ve found it’s easier to live here once you’ve found your niche and accept the way this culture works.” That didn’t mean he liked everything about it but trying to buck the system wasn’t productive.

"Very well established," Luke agrees with a laugh in his voice. "It's... hard. They have the right to their culture and most people seem content with it. I wouldn't seek to change it for the natives. It's the fact that they deliberately designed something to bring people here and then try and force all of their ways on people who never chose to be here, that's what I find hard to accept. But I realise that a violent armed overthrow is completely the wrong way to go about changing anything. Not least of all because they have tremendous power to counter what everyone here has, even if they only seem to employ it in the name of 'make people have sex'."

Obi-Wan’s expression softens as he listens to Luke. It was easy to see and feel how deeply the young man felt about being here. He couldn’t help but feel empathy, especially since he felt much the same way. The Jedi reaching out his hand to brush his fingers though Luke’s sandy locks.

“Perhaps it’s easier for me,” he said wistfully. “After all, you have so much more ahead of you.” Luke’s potential was largely wasted here, and it was a shame. The selfish part of him enjoyed having him here though, and never wanted him to leave.

“Most of those here can’t be blamed for our presence here. They clearly prefer that we weren’t. We are invaders to them just as we are victims of those who are responsible. Its fear that keeps this world from changing, and keeps us from being treated fairly.”

One way or another, it could be argued that Luke had fulfilled what the Force required of him. He cleared the galaxy of Sith control.

He sinks into Obi-Wan's touch, eyes closing. "I don't blame them. I try to not make their lives any less for having me pass through it. It's really all I can do for most people." Leave more good than not. "Let them see that while I didn't choose to be here, I don't want to terrorise them or their way of life. Just share my own."

Obi-Wan would contest that as he doubted the Force was done with him yet.

“I think that’s very wise. For the most part I try to stay out of their affairs. Unless there is a way I can help. It’s about the best I can do as a Jedi in this place.”

With a smile he continued to run his fingers through Luke’s hair. Glad to see him relax a bit. There was always a bit of worry for him as Luke tended to take on more than any one person should. Though Obi-Wan was hardly one to judge him for that.

Shh. He lives in hope.

Luke nearly always relaxed under some gentle affection. He hums agreement and doesn't open his eyes. "Basically. Though I do try to encourage the guards to leave people alone when I can."

Gentle affection was something he could do, and enjoyed giving. The Jedi carefully pulling Luke into his arms, but didn’t stop the soft petting. Though there is a flutter of amusement at what the younger man says.

“With a bit of persuasion from time to time I wager.”

He was of course referring to the Jedi mind trick. A useful tool when needed to have things go a certain way. Obi-Wan has used it occasionally here as well.

Luke goes easily, tucking himself in with a happy sound. "Maybe a little bit of persuasion..."

Every time. SIN guards don't like letting the outsiders off easy. But they usually were lazy enough to take the suggestion easily.

Obi-Wan can’t help a chuckle at the admission. His hand smoothing back Luke’s hair then brushing against his cheek fondly. Many of the feelings he had felt for him were coming back with his memories. A tender affection that hadn’t been without moments of awkward confusion. Though he had mostly overcome that after they had become physically intimate.

“Well, let’s not think about those things anymore for the time being.”

He simply wanted to enjoy this moment with Luke and he suspected the feeling was mutual. Especially considering his absence for several months. Obi-Wan would do what he could to make up for that time apart. For the both of them.

Luke hums and makes another contented noise as he buries himself into Obi-Wan's chest. One hand reaches up, pats his cheek and scritches gently at his beard before falling back down again.

The dull ache of the Force bond is settling back into a comfortable hum, Obi-Wan's care and affection soothing it as much as simply the presence there again. "I like your beard."

Oh, that felt nice. Obi-Wan leaning into Luke’s touch as he ran his fingers through his beard. And if he were honest, would admit he was a bit turned on by that.

“Do you, now?” The older Jedi laughing lightly in amusement at the simple admission. He wasn’t the first to say something like that to him, but it still made him inwardly swell with pride.

“I like it when you touch my beard.”

There's a spark of warmth down his chest as Obi-Wan enjoys the contact and words and it prompts Luke to immediately repeat it, lingering this time, drawing out the motion and then just... keeping it up.

Wrapping his arms around Luke, holding him close, Obi-Wan closes his eyes. Breathing out a soft contented sigh as relishes the feel of fingers brushing across his beard. He habitually touched it all the time, but it was different when others did it. It was intimate and it just felt good.

Again he leans his face lightly against Luke’s hand. Then turns to brush his lips against the other’s palm. His own heart warming with a deep affection for this young Jedi. As if being rekindled due to his absence. Perhaps it was time they got reacquainted.

The warmth sparks, fizzles along his spine and ribs and prompts him to actually sitting up more so he can glance to Obi-Wan's eyes. Whatever he sees (feels, senses in the bond maybe) is encouraging and he instead leans forward to press a soft and not entirely chaste kiss to Obi-Wan's mouth.

Their eyes meet when Luke sits up. Those eyes that were so very reminiscent of Anakin, and yet softer. Luke’s father always had an intensity to his eyes, a fire burning deep within them. In some ways he would prefer one over the other, but he definitely appreciated the soft compassion Luke had about him. Mirrored in much the same fashion in Obi-Wan’s own.

Then their lips met and the Jedi couldn’t help but sink into the kiss. So familiar yet foreign at the same time. His mind remembering while his body did not. Any trepidation he had though was pushed aside. Eyes closing while a hand came rest on Luke’s cheek for a moment before stroking through his hair again. Eventually coming to rest on the back of his neck. Savoring this moment and quietly encouraging him.

Luckily, Luke remains unaware of the unspoken comparison between his eyes and someone else's.

He does sit up straighter, fingers coming under Obi-Wan's chin to tilt him into the kiss, to deepen it a little. He doesn't charge through it, just lingers and draws it out and sinks into the enjoyment of being touched. "... okay?"

He knows he shouldn’t be thinking of a certain someone else but he couldn’t help himself. Having just come back from home where Anakin was still very much on his mind, he would need some time again to set certain feelings aside. Which he did his best to do now. Live in the moment he told himself. Just like his old master used to say.

Leaning into the kiss he did just that. Taking in the moment and the feelings he could sense coming from Luke. Letting his own bleed through their bond as well. Contentment and adoration being at the forefront. When their lips parted and Luke spoke, Obi-Wan didn’t move. Only smiled softly and nodded before moving in to kiss him again.

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