Title: Kiss of Light Sequel to "Taste of Darkness" and "Remnants"
Author: Lyssa Rating:
NC-17 Category: Slash, Angst, Romance (maybe),
Het Pairing: Obi-Wan/Anakin, Padme/Anakin
Summary: Occurs after Taste of Darkness and Remnants.
Anakin seeks solace in the arms of another while Obi-Wan finally realizes how much his apprentice means to him.
Archive: All of my regular lists, anyone else just ask
Disclaimer: Obi-Wan and Anakin belong to George, but I have the feeling they would have much more fun if they
belonged to me. I am not making any money off of this, etc., etc. Great Flannelled One, please do not sue me.
Feedback: jedigroupie@hotmail.com

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Anakin wandered the lower levels of Coruscant trying to disappear into the darkness of the city. He was searching for a distraction, for speed, for anything that would feed the hunger within him. He wanted to get lost in something so completely that he could forget that he was "The Chosen One", forget that he was a Jedi, forget about everything that was gone. The weight on his chest only seemed to increase, the deeper he ventured into the planet's underworld. Usually when he wanted to escape he would find some race or challenge in which to lose himself, but tonight, there was nothing that could help him to escape. He knew where he wanted to go, but how could he go there?

As Anakin stood pondering his direction, a figure crept up in the darkness, an answer to his silent question. He knew the being was approaching, but he chose not to react. He let it come. The nameless, faceless attacker lunged with his vibroblade. Anakin didn't even bother drawing his lightsaber, instead, he grabbed the thug by the throat, slamming him against the wall, squeezing the life out of the poor wretch. His heart pounded in his ears as it always did, the adrenaline rushing through him, quenching his thirst, but it wasn't quite enough. He closed his eyes and gripped the man's throat tighter, twisting until he heard bone crack, crushing the lifeless figure with his hands.

He had done the planet a favor. The being was obviously a murderer and a thief. He had probably prevented dozens of future crimes. Justice had been served, he was certain of that. Anakin's breathing returned to normal, the tingling thrill fading from his skin as he made his way back to the surface, to the night sky. It never truly seemed like night here, not like the fathomless darkness of Tatooine after the moons had set. That was a night that he could wrap around himself like a blanket and hide from everything and everyone. But he welcomed the buzzing lights of the this endless city, so far from that desert world. He would never go back there again. He never even wanted to think about it again. That was another life, another person. The sounds and the rush of Coruscant swallowed him as he drifted through it. Soon he would be back in the one place where he felt safe.

She was asleep when he arrived; he had expected this. He watched her quiet breathing as she slept, and he was finally filled with peace. All he wanted was to feel her soft arms around him. She would keep him safe from the darkness that ate away at him. She stirred as he climbed into bed beside her.

"Ani?" she said, barely waking.

"Padme," he whispered as he nuzzled her neck. "Tell me again."

"Oh, Anakin," she sleepily wrapped her arms around him. "I love y..." Padme drifted back into sleep with her husband in her arms.

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Anakin awoke before dawn, Padme twined in his long limbs. His sleep had been fitful, but for once, free of nightmares. She was the only thing that chased them away. She was his and his alone. The only thing that had ever truly belonged to him. The only gift he had ever really received. She moved against him in her sleep, arousing him with her gentle touch, and it made him feel so warm and light. He traced his hand down her body, and kissed her neck, finally waking her. Her eyes were wide when she realized that he was truly there.

"When did you get here?" she said with a sleepy smile.

"Late," he murmured against her skin.

"I thought it was a dream," she replied.

"I can make it like one," he said slipping his hand under her silken gown.

He couldn't believe how much he needed her; she was like an addiction. If he could have climbed inside her and become a part of her, he would have. Feeling his need, she kissed him slowly, surrendering herself to him. Anakin loved the way she felt, the way she smelled and tasted, her sighs, everything about her. Part of her was so strong and independent, but she was so fragile as well. She absolutely fascinated him. He made love to her slowly, watching the pleasure build in her _expression, listening to her soft moans. She surrounded him, and made him feel whole in a way he hadn't felt since he was a child.

Padme held him close as her release approached, her hands twined in his hair. Over and over, she whispered, "I love you."

This always drove him to the heights of ecstasy, and she knew it. Within moments, they were both shaking, their bodies reaching a state of unbelievable bliss. Anakin held her small form as the pleasure subsided, wanting to hold on to the moment as long as possible. He could have done it again and again, but knew that was too much to ask. She was too precious. She was his.

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Anakin's days became a blur. He poured himself into his classes, working harder than he ever had, desperately trying to be worthy. His nights, he spent with his wife. He had barely seen Obi-Wan for days, quite an amazing feat considering that they shared quarters. He wasn't sure if he had been avoiding Obi-Wan or if Obi-Wan had been avoiding him. Maybe it was just coincidence, maybe it wasn't. Each day he expected a confrontation. He expected his Master to show up and say, "We need to talk." But it didn't happen. Part of him wished it had. He missed Obi-Wan, and no matter what, he still wanted him. Nothing could make him stop wanting Obi-Wan, not even his beloved Padme.

On the rare occasions that he saw his Master, the bond between them was distant, not broken, but held at arms length. He couldn't tell if it was fear or duty that kept them apart. He worked hard to separate himself from his desire, to put it into a hidden place deep within his soul. He convinced himself to strive to be worthy of Padme; he wouldn't allow his lust to destroy that. Just when he felt like he was beginning to succeed, the wound was torn open once more.

"How is Obi-Wan?" Padme asked, as she idly traced her fingers over Anakin's chest.

He fought hard not to tense at her words, but a twinge of jealousy flashed through him. His Master had no place here.

"I don't know. I guess he's fine," Anakin replied coldly.

"What do you mean, you guess?"

"I just haven't seen him much over the past few days."

"Is he on a mission or something?"

Anakin felt the anger rising in blood. She wasn't letting this go. He had come here to escape that problem. If he couldn't have what he wanted with his Master, he preferred not to think of him at all, at least not here. "No, I've been really busy, so has he," he said. She looked at him like she didn't really believe him, like there was something more. "Alright, we had a disagreement, but I don't want to talk about it," admitting a little bit of the truth to her.

"Anakin, I'm sure that whatever it is it can't be important enough to come between the two of you. You have to work it out. Whoever started it, you should make an effort to talk through it." Padme's voice was full of genuine concern, and her conviction got to him, melted away some of the ice around that part of his heart.

"Always the politician," Anakin replied teasingly.

He knew she was right. If they didn't work things out on their own, the Council might intervene, and then they would both be in danger.

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Now, from a distance, Obi-Wan could appreciate how extraordinary his apprentice was, not just his midiclorian count and his incredible connection to the Force; there was much more to him than that. His presence was magnetic and commanding, his skills brilliant and instinctive in a way he could never be. It was everything about him, his deep beautiful eyes, the exquisite structure of his face and the lines of his body, the way he moved, and something deep within him, his heart with its incredibly intense emotions and capacity for love. He had been a fool to try to train that out of him. He had ignored that part of his Padawan, tried to teach him to separate it from himself, but it was too deeply ingrained.

It may have been the source of everything that was extraordinary about him. Watching him from across the dining hall, he knew how much he missed him, more that he cared to admit. It had been days since they last spoke, and he wasn't sure why they were avoiding each other. All he knew was that each time he returned to their quarters, he hoped to find his Padawan there, and each time, he was disappointed.

He could go over there and talk to him now, or follow him and see where he went to hide from him, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He had made a decision, but he was still afraid of what it meant. He was walking a very fine line, and he could not allow himself to cross it again. He was still ashamed of the darkness within him. He couldn't let it go. He had caught a glimpse of how to conquer that darkness in himself and in his apprentice, but it meant letting go of so many things he had taken for granted all his life. What would Qui-Gon tell him?

He kept asking himself over and over again, but he knew what Qui-Gon would say; he would tell him to listen to his heart, listen to the Force. What if he didn't like what they were telling him? What if he did? He wasn't sure. Obi-Wan knew self-doubt was his greatest enemy. He'd had to face it over and over. Serenity and certainty were so fleeting, but he was patient.

They would return, and so would Anakin. He hoped...