Chapter 6
Yasha drove Obi-Wan and Anakin around the city of Lanisi, pointing out historical sites and various government buildings as well as his father's home, the governor's mansion. The city was startlingly beautiful with white-washed buildings carved into the sides of the rocky hills and topped with bright terracotta roofs. The narrow stone streets and terraced walkways led down to patios overlooking the glittering ocean. Everywhere one looked were splashes of purple and fuchsia flowers growing over walls and ledges.
The Payans were the primary residents, but the Nisi were numerous in numbers and very evident as the trio drove through the streets. Obi- Wan noted that the Nisi seemed happy and content selling their wares from carts on street corners or from colorfully painted stalls in the huge Nisi market.
The more affluent Nisians had actual storefronts surrounding the marketplace. The Payans and Nisi were almost identical in appearance the only difference Obi-Wan could detect was the color of their skin. Out of curiosity, he asked Yasha if there were any physical differences between the two tribes and received a look of disbelief. "Yes, we Payans have a darker complexion and the pure amber eyes of our forefathers. The Nisi are lighter skinned with cloudy eyes, usually green or gray.
Obi-Wan smiled at Yasha's surprise at his inability to differentiate between the two races. It amazed him how important the smallest physical characteristic could be in primitive cultures. To him both races were extremely similar and attractive with their even features and shiny black hair.
Yasha continued his tour of the small city with Obi-Wan only half listening being more interested in the beautiful architecture and landscape surrounding him. He only perked up once he caught sight of the clinic itself, which sat on a top of a rocky hill that overlooked the beach near Anakin's house. It was also white washed with the signature terracotta roof and was surprisingly small with only thirty beds and a few offices and exam rooms.
Yasha introduced them to the medical director of the clinic, Dr. Baana, a tall Payan with graying hair and dark skin. He was very personable and seemed relieved at their coming. He enthusiastically discussed both the status of the Taiga outbreak and the clinic's efforts thus far in containing the disease. They were then taken on a brief tour where they met the rest of the clinic's medical team.
Obi-Wan was just as surprised by the size of the small medical staff as he`d been at the size of the clinic. For a district the size of Lanisi there should be at least a full medical corps of about fifty. He wondered how they expected to stop the epidemic with only five medics on hand. All the medics were young Payan university students about Anakin`s age. They all seemed to know Anakin well, if the little display of hugs and kisses was any indication. Obi-Wan found the Payans a very likable group; they were affectionate and friendly and seemed to truly care about the welfare of the Nisi.
After the introductions, the conversation turned into an informal meeting with the medics and Dr. Baana expressing their frustrations with the Nisi Leadership and cataloguing the many obstructions they were encountering. The consensus seemed to be that Del'nisi, the High Chief of the Nisi tribes, was the main problem. He refused to back any quarantine and was suspicious of the inoculations. He believed the Payans were using the quarantine and inoculations as an excuse to get a census of the Nisi population and a full accounting of their assets for tax purposes. Thus far he'd only allowed the children to be inoculated, and wasn`t helping to enforce the quarantine. Despite the staff's almost unanimous agreement that Del'nisi was totally unreasonable, Obi-Wan silently respected the man for allowing at least the children to be inoculated despite his suspicions.
Obi-Wan sat and tried to listen to the passionate discussion, but found the constant pounding in his head was quickly deteriorating his focus. Thankfully Dr. Baana's assistant came in to announce that the Del'nisi, high chief of the Nisi Clan was on the com unit. Dr. Baana excused himself and requested Obi-Wan accompany him to take the call.
Anakin watched as Obi-Wan followed Dr. Baana to his office, becoming progressively more concerned about his bond-mate's steadily increasing weakness. He wondered if Obi-Wan's recovery time had been too short, after all it hadn't even been a full ten day since he'd been removed from the bacta tank. Anakin was so deep in thought that it took him a few moments to realize that the room had gone quiet and that his companions were staring at him expectantly. "What?" he asked with confusion.
"Oh, don't play coy Anakin, you're bonded. How? When? We want details?" Lerna asked excitedly.
Anakin smiled, but felt uncomfortable discussing his bonding status. Everything was still so unsure.
"Come on Anakin, we're dying here," Van pleaded.
"I – we met on Elskin. We kind of ran into each other on a mission." Anakin looked around at the eager faces and not wanting to disappoint his friends added, "I saw him and knew he was the one."
"Wow, I bet. I feel the same way and I just met him," Kip joked.
The group laughed, all except Yasha who was staring intently at Anakin, "So how did he feel about you?"
Anakin looked down uncomfortably. "He thought I was too young and that we should take it slow."
"How did you convince him differently?" Lerna asked dreamily, looking for all the world like it was the most romantic thing she'd ever heard.
"I -- you know -- I just kept at him until he gave in," Anakin was squirming now, desperately trying to think of a way to divert the conversation to a safer subject.
"You mean you seduced him," Marna asked.
"Umm, yes," Anakin said uncomfortably.
"Wow, you've changed," Kip added. "I mean when you used to visit here we'd all be making out and you were just totally not interested in anybody. Of course none of us looked like him."
"Yeah, he'd make a Payan monk break his vows," Marna said laughing.
"Have you had a ceremony?" Lerna inquired.
Anakin shook his head. "He wants to wait six cycles and make sure things work out, he's very cautious."
"Yeah, he doesn't talk much does he, not even to you," Yasha said suspiciously.
Anakin blushed, "He's recuperating from a serious injury. He's not feeling like himself lately."
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Neither man spoke as they walked into the cabin. Anakin showed the obviously exhausted Obi-Wan to his room and then reluctantly bid him good night, not being able to think of a reason for further conversation.
Anakin went to his own room to grab a towel and then headed for the fresher, looking forward to a hot shower. As he bathed he reflected on his first day back on Palodino. He had to admit that it had been better than he'd expected. He was home with the man he loved and that man had been cordial for a change. In addition, he'd been pleasantly surprised by how skilled and sharp Obi-Wan had seemed on a professional level. He knew the other man was an amazing fighter and supremely intelligent from all the mission reports he'd read, but Obi-Wan had listened intently to what was being said and asked probing open-ended questions that helped to keep significant information flowing from Dr. Baana and the medics. He hadn't tried to use his status as a Jedi to intimidate as so many Jedi seemed to do, but instead had put everyone at ease. Even though Anakin worried that his bond-mate's very charming and serene demeanor had a lot to do with his still-diminished health, he found he liked his bond-mate more and more as time went on. Perhaps his bond-mate's overly aggressive and obnoxious behavior on Elskin had more to do with the type of mission he was involved in; after all tracking Sith wasn't conducive to a mellow demeanor.
He had to admit he'd enjoyed his friend's admiration of his bond mate; it filled him with pride as well as unease. It reminded him how damned attractive Obi-Wan was and that there were many others that thought so too. The one good thing was that the man himself seemed completely oblivious to his effect on others.
As the hot water slid over his body soothing away the stress of the day, Anakin's thoughts turned to his beautiful mate as his hand drifted down to his hardening sex. Force, the man was sexy, the way he moved, spoke. Everything about him was totally unconsciously sensual. Anakin's fist began pulling at his penis as he imagined how the man would look spread out on the bed, his eyes inviting him to touch. Oh Obi-Wan, he thought.
In his mind he saw his mate turning over onto his knees, offering himself. Anakin's free hand pinched his own nipples as he saw himself pushing into that tight willing body and hearing Obi-Wan moaning with pleasure. Anakin's hips thrust hard and fast into his fist until the pleasure overwhelmed his senses and he spurt his seed over his hand.
He fell back against the tiled wall sated and exhausted from his efforts, laughing as he washed the results of his orgasm away. Hopefully when we do get in bed together, I'll last a little longer, he mused.
Anakin dried off and pulled on a pair of leggings. Emerging from the fresher in a fog of steam, he found his bond-mate waiting. He smiled nervously wondering if Obi-Wan knew what he`d been doing. "It's all yours."
Anakin watched in shock as his bond-mate practically ran into the fresher, locking the door behind him. He acts like the very sight of me disgusts him, Anakin thought bitterly. He threw the towel that he used to dry his hair onto the sofa and walked out the front door, slamming it behind him.
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Obi-Wan was so stunned by the too enticing image of a wet half-naked Anakin that he practically ran into the fresher to escape. Of course he had realized from the beginning that his unwanted bond-mate was a handsome boy. He still possessed a stunning youthful gangliness that was completely charming. Despite his thin frame, it was obvious that he was destined to be powerfully built once his bulk caught up with his height and when that happened the man would be stunning.
Obi-Wan pushed these thoughts and his arousal away as he stepped into the cold shower. Instead, he forced himself to think about Yoda naked, a sight he'd been unfortunately privy to when he'd first become Qui's padawan. It was the image he always used when he was trying to gain control over an unwanted arousal -- like now. It didn't take long to realize it wasn't working, so he turned the hot water on and began a quick dutiful yanking of his cock. He came fast and with no satisfaction, just like he deserved.
Obi-Wan finished his bath and wrapped a towel around his hips. He was so tired, all he wanted was to crawl into his bed and sleep for the rest of his life. He knew he needed another dose of Zephine, but didn't think he could stay awake long enough. First thing in the morning, he promised himself.
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Anakin walked into the house just as Obi-Wan emerged from the shower, nearly running into each other. Obi-Wan jumped with surprise then swayed unsteadily, the towel slipping and almost falling from his waist. Seeing Obi-Wan's shaky balance, Anakin pulled the knight into his arms to steady him. "Are you alright?"
"Let go of me!" Obi-Wan demanded angrily.
"Don't get excited, I'm just trying to keep you from falling," Anakin responded. He instinctively reached out to gauge Obi-Wan's feelings and found to his surprise that his bond-mate was aroused by his touch. He was so stunned by this epiphany that he almost released the man, but caught himself and instead pulled the slighter man closer, burying his face in the damp hair. Oh God, he smelled of herbs and spices, Anakin thought as he brushed his lips against the closest soft ear lobe, and then moved down to nuzzle the moist heat at the crook of Obi-Wan's neck, breathing in deeply of the fresh enticing smell filling his nostrils.
The feel of his bond-mate so close, skin to skin, was like a drug. His hands slid down the taut back, fingertips tracing the bumps along Obi-Wan's spine until they reached the top of a damp divide. He was instantly hard again and began seeking friction, rubbing his burgeoning erection against Obi-Wan's hip.
"No!" Obi-Wan cried out, his voice rough as he shakily pulled away and escaped to his bedroom.
Anakin fell against the wall, trembling with unsatisfied need. "Fuck!" he yelled angrily. He didn't know how much more he could take. The man was driving him insane. Didn't he feel the desire and pull from the Force? Didn't he want to consummate the bond, to relieve the ache that seemed to grow with every passing minute? Was the man even human?
Anakin pounded his fist against the wall and then ran out of the cabin and down the beach as far as his legs would take him. He had no idea how far he ran before he fell on all fours to the sand exhausted. Why doesn't he want me? he kept asking himself. What was it about him that was so undesirable, so unworthy that Obi-Wan couldn't at least want him physically?
These feelings of hunger and desire that were pounding deep inside his body and soul were totally unfamiliar to him. He had felt urges before, but those had been mere nuisances that were easily purged. He'd had more than a few offers from interested parties, but he'd rejected them all without a second thought. He had seen sex as a distraction that couldn't be contemplated until after his knighting. All he wanted back then was his knighthood; everything else was unnecessary. `Back then' was two weeks ago, before Obi-Wan.
He knew intellectually that his celibate life was as unnatural as his current obsession with sex, or more accurately, sex with Obi-Wan. But he longed to return to those days, when life was simple and before his heart and soul belonged to someone who didn't want him.
Overwhelmed with self-pity and loathing he grimly pulled himself off spilling his seed into the sand below him. So much for not making a fool of yourself, he thought as he wiped his hands off on his leggings. He stood up and began slowly walking back to the cottage, trying to think of another tactic besides lustful groping to win his love.