Anakin doesn't know /why/ Sith Senator Kenobi gets a possessive gleam in his eyes when he talks about his master but he thinks it's hot so he starts doing it more frequently
At first, Anakin is just curious. When he talks about Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan gives him this look. It’s a strange look, hungry but cold, quick to appear and disappear in less than a second. So distinct from his usual impassive expression and detached composure.
Obviously, Anakin can’t leave it alone.
It happens more and more, and each time Obi-Wan grows just a bit more restless. He makes a sudden move, changes the subject or clicks his tongue in a very rare display of impatience. Does that mean that Obi-Wan has a special interest in Qui-Gon? Does he... like him? No no no, it can’t be that, Obi-Wan has never said anything good about his master. In fact, he’s pretty harsh with him most of the time, but really, Anakin can’t blame him, Obi-Wan told him about Qui-Gon ignoring him when he was younger, uncaring about the fate of a failed Initiate and he’s right, Qui-Gon isn’t perfect and Anakin would have never seen him in a less than favourable light without Obi-Wan’s arguments about the many flaws of his master.
And then he notices that Obi-Wan doesn’t react when he simply says ‘Qui-Gon’. He doesn’t really care about it when Anakin complains about him using his name. No, what irks him is the word ‘master’ in Anakin’s mouth.
When he realises that, Anakin is strangely thrilled. He tests his theory, makes it last longer on his tongue, rolls the letters distinctively, adds a conspicuous ‘my’ in front of the word.
Obi-Wan doesn’t look at anything else but his mouth the whole time. Anakin’s tongue makes the briefest of appearance above his lower lip and Obi-Wan’s clenched fist suddenly flattens on his desk.
It is now Anakin’s mission in life to say the word as many times as he can.
And it works. Every. Time.
Until they’re sitting next to each other, with Obi-Wan tapping something on his datapad, already tensed, and Anakin trying to distract him.
Seeing Obi-Wan wound up is exciting. He holds himself taller, doesn’t hide his annoyance and sharpens his words. The Force always feels like something irreversible is going to happen when the little wrinkle between his eyebrows appears. The fact that such a gentle and polite man on edge creates ripples of tension in the Force that can make Anakin shiver is, of course, one of the main reasons for Anakin to always push things too far.
It only takes three ‘master’, each time closer to his ear, each time heavier with purpose, for Obi-Wan to snap. The datapad falls on the ground at the same time as a strong hand grips Anakin’s jaw and covers his mouth in one controlled motion. Anakin doesn’t have time to analyse the twist in his stomach or the knot in his throat because Obi-Wan’s eyes –trapping him on the edge of the maelstrom, pulling him closer to the luring unknown– are not blue anymore.
“You will refrain from using this word, now.”
His voice is low and slow but the tone is uncompromising. It has nothing to do with the usual smooth and pleasant intonation of the Senator, but it does match the gleam of cold fury in his eyes and the promise of retribution for anything standing in his way.
“Or even better,” The man wearing a politician’s face says, tightening his hold on Anakin’s jaw. It will leave a mark. “You will refrain from using this word to refer to him.”
It only makes Anakin want to see Obi-Wan's eyes turning completely yellow again.
