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She nods slightly as he voices his concern, acknowledging it while turning it over in her mind. It's a legitimate concern, absolutely so considering their individually busy schedules and all the demands that will be placed on their time and attention. This closeness they're settling into isn't something she wants to lose either, but it appears he's providing the solution to the problem himself, whether he realizes it or not.

"Then perhaps that's a lesson we should incorporate into our life together," she proposes. "We'll make time in our schedules to just be together, just the two of us with no distractions, so we can reconnect and remember what's important. Even if that means having to actually schedule something to make sure it happens." Which will likely be the case at certain times, given how hectic her career in the Senate can be. Offering him as much assurance as she can, she adds, "I promise, if something makes it onto my calendar, I stick to it. I don't cancel appointments lightly, especially personal ones."

It's a plan that won't work miracles, but it might at least keep them heading in the right direction.

Hearing her say 'our life together' brings surprising happiness to Obi-Wan. While he doesn't want to lose how he feels now, he is looking forward to 'our life' not being so jolting in its unexpectedness. A steady foundation that he can rely on.

He laughs a little at the idea of actually having to schedule time together, although he's sure it will end up being the case, at some point. "I worry about how that conversation with your social secretary will go. We'll certainly give your handmaidens something to talk about."

That steady foundation is exactly what she aspires to provide for him. Whatever it takes, she's determined that their relationship, regardless of what it ultimately becomes, will not be something mercurial for him to doubt and dread. This thing between them will be as steady and strong as they can make it, even if that means having to put in extra dedicated work.

"My social secretary has a fondness for chocolate that she will be just fine with us capitalizing on," she informs him with a playful smile. "And having my ladies gossip about you is a good thing, it means they like you. It's when they don't acknowledge you that you should worry."

"Ah, bribery," he teases. "An arena of politics I'm well-familiar with. It's good to know at least some of your associates follow the more traditional roles." Obi-Wan winks at her, before pulling her in for another quick kiss. It's quickly becoming a problem, his want to shower her with physical affection. Not that he expects Padmé to be bothered by it, but at some point they'll have to exercise decorum around others, which may prove to be a challenge.

Settling down, he watches her compassionately. "And what about you? We're playing a game, remember. We can't quit without each of us going at least once. What worries do you have?"

She loves those little displays of affection, basking in them as if they were rays of sunlight. Composing herself around others won't be much of a problem, she's used to doing that on a daily basis, but when they're in private... Well, he might end up a bit surprised at how difficult it is for her to keep her hands to herself.

A few seconds of silence stretch between them as she thinks it over, wanting to reveal something equal to what he shared with her. "I worry that this, all of it, will negatively impact your relationship with Anakin," she finally admits, her tone conveying just how much the idea truly bothers her. "I know we discussed some things yesterday, but I don't want you to lose any part of what you have with him. I may not entirely understand everything that goes on between a master and padawan, but I had mentors growing up who I would have been devastated to lose. Even if it means I have to adjust my schedule and change some things in my life, I want you to still be able to honor your responsibilities to him."

Obi-Wan stills at her words, glancing away uncomfortably when Padmé offers to change parts of her life in order to help.

"I'm not just Anakin's mentor," he explains somberly. "I am also his councilor, and confidante, as much as I can be while still maintaining my role as teacher. I'm-- well, I'm his brother/father-figure. It's usually even more so when a Youngling is chosen as a Padawan, because they're trained from such a young age at the Temple, most of us don't remember our actual parents. While Anakin knew his mother, he's never had a father before, so it's mostly the same for him as well, in that regard."

Sighing heavily, Obi-Wan shakes his head. "I appreciate you offering to shift things to accommodate him, us-- I will probably take you up on that, but I want to discuss it before you do any such thing." He's firm in this. "While it may help, I don't want to-- to coddle him about it. He knows we're married. From the way he's been acting, this-- us-- 'getting together' seemed to be a foregone conclusion in his mind." Obi-Wan probably inadvertently made it worse by assuring him that that wasn't the case, but there was nothing he could do now to change it. Besides damage control.

"Honestly, I'm not sure if we should ease him into it, or just act as if it's natural, and just-- manage the fall-out." He says the last part sardonically. Between pressure at proving himself to be a worthy Padawan, and hormones pushing his already somewhat-volatile emotions over the top, navigating Anakin's moods has been an exercise in patience lately.

Having the role explained in such a way just cements in her mind not only how important Obi-Wan's relationship with Anakin is, but how much it must have hurt to lose Qui-Gon the way he had. To have someone like that torn away so suddenly, to have watched him die...

Leaning down to press a kiss to his chest, she moves just slightly so as to be able to press her cheek over that spot, effectively using him as a pillow. "You're a good man, Obi-Wan Kenobi," she muses softly, smoothing her hand along his side. "Ani's lucky to have you in his life." A pause, and then she adds, "I think the more normal we can make things seem, the better it might be? Not coddling him, as you put it, but not making hills into mountains either. Though I'm certain that's all much easier said than done."

Obi-Wan wraps his arm around Padmé's back as she lays down on him, his thumb absently stroking her side. He's not sure he agrees with her assessment of being a good man, but he tries, and most days that feels like it's good enough, so perhaps she's right. He's also not sure she's correct Anakin's lucky to have him - wouldn't it be better for him to be with his mother? To have a stable life for a while, in one place? Anakin's never really had safety before, and he's not going to get it as a Jedi, no matter how much they say they're 'keepers of the peace'; especially being Obi-Wan's apprentice, he's continuing the tradition of training for missions ripe with the possibility of violence and danger.

"We'll just have to wait and see," he finally says. "We can plan all we want, but I've found that interpersonal relationships tend to follow the same rule as a battlezone: No plan survives the first contact with the enemy. While I'm certainly not saying Anakin is an enemy... He does have a tendency to make even the best-laid plans go awry."

Sighing, Obi-Wan drops his head for a moment, staring at the ceiling. "I think I will call him. I was planning to, today or tomorrow, just to make sure-- well honestly, to make sure the Temple was still standing, he has a tendency to get cabin fever, if left to his own devices for too long. I'll try to feel things out."

"That's a good plan," she agrees with a little nod, rubbing her cheek against his skin. "And it'll be nice for him to hear from you; he'll know you haven't forgotten him." With Anakin being as young and emotional as he is, she worries about that too. He needs to know that he's still important to Obi-Wan.

"But since it's early morning right now on Coruscant and he's almost certainly not awake yet," she continues, "I think we should get cleaned up and go for a picnic. Neither of us got to eat much breakfast, and there are some spots I'd love to show you."

"Depends on what you mean by 'early morning,'" he mutters. "I'm not sure he's ever gotten used to the fact that there aren't still two suns dictating when night and day is. Up far too late, hates getting up when he should. Would serve him right if I woke him up 'on accident.'" He wouldn't, because it seems a bit too cruel to him - but the idea itself is funny, imagining Anakin's angry, semi-incoherent growls over the comm.

Yes, Obi-Wan is often Anakin's father-figure. But there are times they treat each other like brothers, with all the bickering and teasing and pranks that that implies. (That's the part Obi-Wan enjoys best.)

Reluctantly, Obi-Wan agrees. Partly because she's right about breakfast, and after their rather athletic morning, he's quite hungry, now that she's pointed it out. Helping her sit up so he can do the same, he can't help but tease, "And whose fault is it about breakfast? I made perfectly decent omelets. But you wanted a kiss instead."

His idea about bothering Anakin leaves her smiling; she's heard a bit about their antics together and they never cease to amaze or amuse. Seeing that side of Obi-Wan is a delight, though, and she finds that she'd like to see more of it in the future.

"Someone said that he loved me," she points out as she begins to climb out of bed, having no embarrassment or modesty issues whatsoever about her nakedness. "How was I possibly supposed to resist that?"

For just a moment he sits there, arms draped over his raised knees, watching her, amazed that he actually has this. Padmé is gorgeous, as well as kind and forthright. And while she's admitted that she doesn't love him, she cares for him, can see herself loving him, and that's incredible to him.

Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan starts to get up, tossing off the covers and searching for his clothes. He's had enough sexual encounters that he's not bothered with modesty either - also enough unfortunate mishaps while on missions that body privacy is something of a foreign concept to him at this point.

He finds everything but his belt and, strangely, one boot, and does a confused turn, searching the room with his eyes. The belt is more easily hidden, and he's not overly concerned, but, "Where the hell is my boot?" he mutters.

Padmé gathers up her own clothes as well, feeling his eyes on her and not minding one bit. It's a little thrilling, actually, to have someone to look at her again, and to look at in turn. Because gods is he lovely to look at. It hadn't been the slightest consideration when she'd been considering her options, but she can certainly appreciate it now.

Picking up her nightgown that's half crumpled on the vanity, she notices a bit of material folded over on the chair. "Do you mean this boot, the one that's been flirting with my nightgown?" She sends a smile his way before tossing the boot in his direction, positive that he'll catch it. She's seen those reflexes in action before.

Obi-Wan can't help but smirk at her comment. "Well, can't say it doesn't have fine taste."

Easily grabbing the boot out of mid-air, Obi-Wan hops slightly to get it on, the supple leather easily sliding over his foot and ankle before settling and conforming to his foot. It's one of a few pairs of personal shoes he owns, not meant to be worn on missions, and is quite good quality. He has a laissez-faire attitude with most of his possessions - save his lightsaber - but if given the opportunity and choice, he tends to gravitate toward creature comforts. He so often has to do without them, he likes to enjoy nice things when he gets the chance, without expecting them all the time.

Fully dressed now (save for his wayward belt), he looks to Padmé, hands settling easily on his hips. "Shall I try my hand at making lunch? I'm much better at simple fare that requires little preparation, and can be eaten with your hands."

For Padmé, she's so used to fine thing that she doesn't notice the difference in the quality of leather just yet. She will, though, as soon as she gets a good look at the type of garments he wears for regular Jedi duties. Very little slips by her notice, even if there's no outward indication that she's paid something any attention at all.

Glancing over her shoulder as she rifles through the wardrobe where she'd unpacked her things the day before, she nods at the suggestion. "That would be nice, thank you. I'm just going to dress and do my hair, it shouldn't take more than fifteen minutes. I can meet you downstairs?"

Obi-Wan glances down at his own attire, and can't quite hold back the self-deprecating smirk. It's one of many things he's aware people - especially women, it seems - take care and time to do, but he's never understood what precisely is done that requires so much time and effort. And why it's worth it, when it's just the two of them. Some other time, he'll laze around and just enjoy watching her get dressed, and see precisely what it is she does.

For now, Obi-Wan nods, moving over to press a kiss to her lips, brushing a hand over her unbound hair. "I'll see what I can manage."

Heading to the kitchen, Obi-Wan begins taking stock of the food that's available - quite a lot, and most of it fresh. He collects fruits, some cheese that he cuts into cubes, meat that he leaves to eat by itself or with the cheese, a cracker he hasn't encountered before, but it's dense and, after trying it with a bit of cheese, adds it to the group. He also makes simple sandwiches, cutting them in half for easier handling. Everything is bundled together in food-cloths... And then he realizes he has no idea how they'll transport it. Padmé specifically mentioned picnic, so he assumes there's a basket around somewhere, but he'd rather wait for her, rather than go rummaging around, hoping to find it.

It's taken him long enough to gather the food, she should be almost ready, so Obi-Wan leans against the counter, content to wait.

Some days, she envies those like the Jedi who essentially wear a uniform most of the time. She can certainly appreciate how easy it makes it for her handmaidens, when they have their own 'uniforms' they all wear. But then she remembers the influence an outfit can have on a meeting, the confidence it can give her when addressing the Senate, the way it can make her feel. Truthfully, she'd even grown to enjoy the elaborate costumes she'd worn as queen, though she didn't miss the equally elaborate headdresses.

She accepts that sweet kiss with a smile and watches him go with a lingering gaze before returning her attention to the task at hand. After cleaning herself up a bit in the fresher, she changes into a pair of leggings and a tunic-length dress, the leggings a light brown and the dress a deep blue with subtle shifts in the color like the movement of water on a lake's surface. The three-quarter sleeves aren't tight but nor are they loose, and she pulls on her own pair of fine boots to match his -- though, hers are much shorter. Her hair is pulled up into a relatively simple long tail; she only adds around six braids to give it definition and height, the braids wrapped around the rest of her hair and then left to hang and frame the gently curling dark brown waves.

Heading downstairs, there's an almost bounce in her step as she enters the kitchen, a lightness buoying her especially as she catches sight of Obi-Wan there waiting for her. She's right on time, so he can't have been waiting long, but even if he had, he seems so happy to be there. So content with his life and present circumstance that it warms her heart and just swells the affection she already feels toward him.

"Did you find everything you need?"

The smile that blooms on his face when he sees her is wholly out of Obi-Wan's control. It's not the outfit - which is beautiful while still being simple in style - but just Padmé, looking happy and comfortable.

Glancing at the counter, he nods. "Everything except a container to put it all in. I wasn't sure where to even start looking, so thought I'd leave that task to you."

She loves seeing him smile. It really does change his entire being with the way it lights him up. Hopefully she can make it so he smiles like that every day for the rest of their life together.

"I think I can manage that," she pronounces confidently before walking over to a large side cupboard and opening one of the doors to extract a large leather satchel designed for just such a purpose. Setting it on the counter for him, she picks up the blanket she'd used that morning and gives it just a little shake before folding it up to take along with them as well.

If he'd realized it would be that easy to find, Obi-Wan would have gone snooping earlier. Ah, well. Gathering up the food, he places it and some drinks in the satchel, picking it up and offering Padmé his arm.

"Well, m'lady. Lunch awaits. You said you had a place in mind, so I'll let you lead the way."

"Follow me, then," she responds with a bright smile, slipping her hand around his arm to lead them out that back door and down the steps carved from stone. Instead of taking the path down to the beach, though, they turn the opposite way to head up the mountain. "I hope you don't mind a little hike, my dear Jedi."

"I enjoy hiking quite a bit, actually," he reveals. "Much like flying, it's the mortal peril that makes me tend to avoid it."

They've had conversations in the past, but Obi-Wan is trying to open up about himself more, let Padmé see more of himself than most people he associates with. Despite the physical intimacy they've shared, accepting and revealing his feelings to her has brought home the fact that Obi-Wan keeps himself apart from others. That's how he was taught, how he was raised, but he doesn't want Padmé to ever wonder. He doesn't just want her love, or her body - he wants her companionship.

Every tiny detail he reveals to her is one she instantly memorizes, adding it to the picture of this incredible man that's becoming ever clearer. Padmé herself is generally an open person, though she's always controlled and measured in her words and actions around those with whom she doesn't have personal ties. Obi-Wan has always firmly fallen into the category of people who get to see more of who she really is, and now he's moved even further into that inner circle.

"Well, I assure you there will be no mortal peril involved with this hike," she teases him gently, giving his arm a little affectionate squeeze to convey that she really isn't making fun of him. "I've been on this path dozens of times."

"Don't make promises, my dear," he teases back, the term of endearment slipping out without thought. "Between my tendency to stumble into trouble, and your utter insistence on rooting it out..."

He can't hold in his grin, and reaches over to raise Padmé's hand from his arm to kiss the back, before replacing it on his arm with a pat.

She tries so hard to wear an expression bordering shocked outrage, her jaw dropping for comical effect-- But it lasts all of three seconds before she's grinning back at him and laughing brightly.

"I can't even pretend to take offense at that, it's so perfectly true." She readily admits that she has a habit of searching out trouble in her pursuit of what is right.


P a d m é	A m i d a l a	N a b e r r i e

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