i'm the worst I know. but I'm back with my apparently biannual update. better late than never i guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ it turns out that grad school, full time job, and student teaching are quite time consuming. who knew

This was not good.

Considering the past few weeks Anakin had endured, he would have thought his standards for "good" were quite low. And yet here he was, attemtping to single-handedly pull a bomb from his arm while directing hostages away from a madman on the brink of revolution. Nope, not good at all.

"Come on, come on," Anakin muttered as he carefully maneuvered the wires in mech arm. Though he hadn't lied when he told Padme he was confident he could get the bomb out, he had to admit that doing so with a time constraint and an injured body was not ideal, even for his impressive abilities. "Blast!" he scowled as he failed to pull the wire again. "Where's R2 when I need him?"

He glanced up at the monitors again, spirits lifting as he saw that Padme and Ahsoka were nearing the exit with the hostages. He switched his attention to Obi-Wan's monitor. "Obi-Wan, they've nearly got the hostages out. Hang in there a bit longer." He frowned at his arm, refocusing his efforts. "Come on, Skywalker, you hang in there too," he said, heart beating a little faster than he'd like. Anakin was uncomfortably aware that he was likely as much a part of the leverage as the hostages. Apart from the threat of death that the bomb posed to him, the very real danger his situation posed to Mandalore and Satine's negotiations weighed heavily upon him.

Even if I had an extra helping finger, thought Anakin helplessly as he tried again. He flesh arm shook ever so slightly, still not fully healed from his ordeal with Maul. Just for a second.

Another quick glance at the monitor told him that Padme and Ahsoka were finally out of the building. "Got 'em," he relayed to Obi-Wan. "Captain Norvik is coming in." Good. If Vizsla surrenders, I can get some help with this soon enough.

Cheering internally, Anakin watched as Obi-Wan took his helmet off, revealing himself to Vizsla. It's almost over.

Then cold fear crept through him, seeping into his bones as he watched Vizsla, face crazed even through the monitor pull out a device Anakin was all too familiar with. The detonator.

Oh no.

He wasn't going to get the bomb out in time.

Anakin watched in horror as Obi-Wan instantly froze Vizsla's hand with Force, head jerking as the Jedi Master watched Vizsla's guards descend upon Satine. Though Anakin couldn't hear what transpired, he could guess what awful choice was being laid before Obi-Wan.

He can't choose me.

"Master," he whispered in the comm, a strange calm settling over him. "Master, I wasn't able to get the bomb out." He swallowed. "Obi-Wan, you have to protect Mandalore." And Satine, he thought absently, though without his usual desire to tease his Master. "It's ok."

And Anakin truly felt ok. He had spent the last few days with the people he loved most in the world, knowing for perhaps the first time in his life how much they loved him. Especially Obi-Wan. He breathed deeply, feeling the Force settle around him like a child's blanket and reached out to his dear Master. The strange new bond forged between him and Obi-Wan in the wake of their battle with Maul sprang to life, far stronger and brighter than he could ever remember it being. It's ok, Obi-Wan he whispered through it, sending behind the message the strongest feeling of love and peace he could foster. It's ok.

Anakin, he heard Obi-Wan whisper back, voice echoing in fear and desperation through the bond. Anakin, no. There must be another way.

It's too late, Master, said Anakin smiling sadly. I can't get the bomb out myself. He pulled the bond tighter wanting to feel as close to Obi-Wan as possible. You can't trade a planet for me.

Obi-Wan responded to his tug, clinging so tightly Anakin let out a gasp as he could almost feel Obi-Wan gripping him physically. Yourself, you say? said Obi-Wan, voice growing stronger as if it were barreling through their bond. And what if I were to help you?

Anakin frowned, ready to tell Obi-Wan that he would never make up to the security center and back when he felt the energy around him shift, the small room suddenly flooding with a calm, steadying Force presence that sang of love and home. Obi-Wan?

He could see Obi-Wan clear as day on the monitor but it felt like the man was standing right next to him, so close that Anakin could smell the faint scent of his master's shampoo and hear the rustle of his armor beside him. Together, Anakin, Obi-Wan's voice whispered, As we have always done.

Anakin blinked and then threw himself back at his mech arm, with two invisible hands nimbly aiding him. "Almost, almost," Anakin grunted, a wave of relief crashing into him as he yanked the explosive from his arm. "Got it!" he said triumphantly as he tossed the explosive to the floor and bolted from the room.

He dove at the end of hallway just as an explosion boomed behind him, the sound of crashing glass and plaster rattling in his ears.

"Push the button."

Obi-Wan's heart wrenched as he heard Satine's screams ring throughout the room, tucking her beneath him as Captain Norvik's men stormed the room.

"Kill them!" screamed Vizsla, making a valiant effort to scurry from the chamber after Obi-Wan released him. "Kill them a- oof!" he said landing hard on the ground as Captain Norvik felled him with a well-aimed stun.

The steely Captain shook his head at the fallen governor. "That's enough out of you," he muttered.

"Obi-Wan," said Satine allowing the Jedi to pull to her to her feet shakily, "Obi-Wan—Anakin- he is—"

"Just fine," Obi-Wan soothed, gently taking her hands in his. "We got the bomb out in time."

"'We?'" said Satine, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I'll explain another time," said Obi-Wan smiling softly at her. "But I assure you Anakin is fine. Although he may be in need of some assistance…"

"Go find your wayward apprentice, Obi-Wan," smiled Satine. "Captain Norvik and I will start cleaning up down here." She gave him a quick kiss on the mouth. "You and I will talk later." Leaving a blushing Obi-Wan behind her, Satine went to join the Captain and soldiers to discuss the re-securing of the palace.

Refusing to make eye contact with anyone, Obi-Wan sprinted through the hallways of the silent palace, following the beacon in the Force that was Anakin. He turned a corner to find his former padawan sitting on the floor, propped up against a wall, his mechanical arm tucked against his chest.

Anakin straightened as he saw Obi-Wan appear, giving him a lazy wave with his good arm. "Oh, hey Master. Anything exciting happen today?"

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, before sliding to the floor beside his Padawan, bringing a surprised Anakin into a tight embrace. Such gestures had long been foreign to him, but in this moment, he needed to feel Anakin against him, safe and relatively unharmed.

Anakin leaned against his Master, feeling the stress and terror of the past few hours ebb away. They stayed like that for a few moments, rejoicing in the presence of the other before breaking apart, Obi-Wan sitting against the wall beside Anakin. Anakin glanced over at his master, the question he'd been dying to ask for hours burning his tongue. "So," he said slowly. "The bond?"

"The bond," replied Obi-Wan wearily. "We had already felt it change. After Maul."

"Yeah," said Anakin looking at Obi-Wan incredulously, "But you were literally standing right next to me, Obi-Wan. I could smell you-"

"Must you say that with such disgust?"

"- and I could feel you. But you were right there on the monitor. You weren't, you know, there there."

"I know, Anakin," said Obi-Wan thoughtfully. "I wonder. Jedi have not bonded in this way in millennia. Those who have allowed themselves to feel so strongly… they have fallen to the Dark."

"But we didn't," said Anakin shaking his head. "I can feel the intensity of our emotions, but I also feel… more balanced than I have felt in long time."

"Jedi have shied away from attachment for so long because they fear it leads to obsession which leads to the Dark Side. But when tempered with love, acceptance, peace…" Obi-Wan stroked his beard, deep in thought. "I can only see benefits to a bond such as ours."

"Let's try thinking of a way to explain this one to the Council," grumbled Anakin. "Bond so strongly, you must not," he said in his best imitation of Master Yoda, "Created an ancient bond to irritate us, young Skywalker has. Lecture him you must, Master Kenobi."

"Hush, Anakin," said Obi-Wan laughing. "Though you are correct in pointing out that this another thing we must report to the Council."

"Along with your rogue mission? Your undying love for Duchess Satine?"

"I will leave you in this hallway," said Obi-Wan rising to his feet. "Force bond or not."

"Nah, you won't," said Anakin allowing himself to be pulled up by Obi-Wan, arm slung across his shoulders. "You love me too much."

Obi-Wan shook his head as they made their way to the infirmary. "I guess there really is no denying it this time."

The next few days passed with a flurry of activity as Satine fought to return her palace to some semblance of normalcy. Padme had helped as much she could before business on Coruscant soon pulled her away, though not before she leaving Anakin with several stern warnings.

"You will not leave this bed until you are cleared by a medical professional, Anakin."

Anakin sighed, having made this promise multiple times. This morning. "I won't, Angel, I already told you."

"Ahsoka," said Padme ignoring Anakin and turning to the padawan. "You'll tell me if he tries to do anything silly, right?"

"Of course," said Ahsoka smiling just a little too sweetly for Anakin's taste. "I'm used to babysitting."

"I do not need a babysitter, Snips," groaned Anakin. He was going to regret divulging his secrets to Ahsoka. Force forbid they rope in Obi-Wan to unite against him, he thought darkly.

"Good," said Padme sliding onto the bed to hug Anakin once last time. "You've given me enough heart attacks for one week."

"I'll be good," said Anakin, kissing Padme softly. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Ani," said Padme smiling at him. "Comm me when you get back to the Temple, okay?"

"Will do," said Anakin, reluctantly letting his wife go. And against all odds, Anakin did manage to keep his promise for the remainder of their stay on Mandalore, spending the time tinkering with his new arm or playing sabacc with Ahsoka.

Though Obi-Wan popped in as much he could, the Jedi Master spent most of his time with Satine. Obi-Wan was surprised at the easy rhythm the two had fallen into, exchanging ideas and arguments with the same passion and ease they had when they were young. Yet their exchanges were softer now, once biting words salved with the deep love of two people matched in wit and integrity.

All too soon, the time to return the Jedi Temple fell upon the Jedi, with Anakin nearly healed and the war calling its generals back to the fray. On the evening before their return, Obi-Wan found himself strolling idly around the palace gardens hand in hand with Satine.

The walked in comfortable silence for nearly an hour before Satine gently addressed Obi-Wan. "You seem sad, my love. What troubles you?"

Obi-Wan glanced sideways at her. "You know me well enough. Care to hazard a guess?"

Satine pressed a finger to her lips, pretending to be deep in thought. "I can only guess you'll miss my sparkling company and my incandescent presence?"

Obi-Wan let out a short laugh, squeezing her hand. "Perhaps not the wording I would have chosen, but near enough to the sentiment." He looked at her, a sudden insecurity entering his gaze that would have been more becoming of the unsure Jedi Padawan she had met years ago rather than the stoic Jedi Master she walked beside now. "Are… are you not also sad?"

Satine led him to fountain, seating them both before answering. "No."

Obi-Wan blinked at her, hurt flashing in his eyes. "Oh?"

Satine squeezed his hand, smiling at him reassuringly. "Do not mistake my answer for indifference. You, I assume, are sad because we are to part with no idea of when we will be reunited, yes?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "Is it so unreasonable of an assumption? We went years without seeing each other, Satine. What if it happens again?"

Satine shook her head slowly. "I don't think it will."

Obi-Wan looked at her. "And how can you be so sure?"

"Because, my dear Obi-Wan," said Satine, an almost giddy grin spreading across her face, "That is not the way of husbands and wives."

"Of husbands and-"spluttered Obi-Wan, dumbfounded. Satine couldn't help but let out a little laugh. The Negotiator, at a loss for words at last.

Satine inched closer to him, bringing their foreheads together, both hands cupped in hers. "Obi-Wan Kenobi," whispered Satine, "Will you marry me?"

Obi-Wan closed his eyes, relishing the warmth of her hands in his, the anchoring touch of her forehead against his own. He felt no anguish over his next words, no guilt over a code or conflicting emotions. He answered steadily.

"Yes, my love. I will."

thanks for waiting so long! I will never abandon this fic, but updates will likely be slow until school finishes :(

so I envision this as the end of a second arc, meaning there's only one more arc till this story is done!

Also, for anyone who has watched TROS: when I started writing this fic, I had only envisioned a new, stronger bond between Anakin and Obi-Wan, but not necessarily the Force Dyad that Rey and Kylo have. They will not be passing each other Cheerios through the Force. For the purposes of this fic we will just call their bond The Force Working In Mysterious Ways