Title: Bed Restlessness
Fandom: Star Wars
Pairing: Mace/Anakin
Rating: PG
Length: 497 words
Content Notes: Set before The Clone Wars Season Two's Lethal Trackdown.
Summary: Clearly it won't be the most restful of rest periods. Not with Skywalker involved.


A few days respite from the frontlines is no bad thing.

Mace is physically recovered from the assassination attempts, care of his time in the bacta tank, although it is customary to be kept under the observation of the healers for a while longer. He considers it an opportunity for meditation, for studying reports from the Council, for stepping back and analysing the war from a different perspective.

It should be restful. Should be.

Unfortunately, he’s consigned to the medical quarters with Skywalker.

Naturally, Anakin has barely been able to sit still since his own period in the bacta tank. He paces their shared room, raking over all the information they have from the attack on the Endurance, unbothered by Mace’s lack of response to his theories and plans for seeking out the culprits.

Anakin’s energy within the Force has always been dazzlingly bright, something Mace has grown accustomed to. But trapped in a small room with Anakin and his impatience, Mace can admit it’s become rather difficult to ignore.

Mace resists the urge to sigh as he sets his datapad down beside his bed and rises to his feet. Anakin’s pacing continues without pause.

“If you refuse to meditate, perhaps we can find others ways to quiet your mind,” Mace offers. “Something physical, and more satisfying than wearing out the floor like a trapped gundark.”

Anakin blinks at him, before offering a lopsided smirk. “I don’t believe the healers would be too pleased about us sparring while we recover, Master Windu. But if you’re looking for a challenge…” He trails off playfully, hand reaching out as his lightsaber sails across the room to slap against his palm.

Mace resists another sigh.

“That wasn’t quite what I had in mind, Skywalker,” he tries again, his voice even but his body deliberately moving into Anakin’s personal space.

He can tell when his intentions register by the way Anakin’s eyes widen, by the flare of heat that radiates out through the Force.

It’s quite possibly the first time he’s seen Anakin speechless. And Mace can admit there’s something immensely pleasing about the thunk of Anakin’s lightsaber dropping to the floor in surprise when Mace presses their mouths together in a rough and commanding kiss.

There’s a flush on Anakin’s face when Mace pulls back, and he’s managed to back Anakin up against the edge of his bed with the strength of the kiss. The lightest push with the Force has Anakin sitting back heavily against the mattress, his eyes still wide and glassy and staring up at Mace with blown pupils.

“If I’m to be stuck here with you whilst we recover,” Mace says in a low growl that makes Anakin shiver, “I believe it’s in my best interests to keep you worn out. Thoroughly worn out.” He nods towards the white hospital tunic. “Now, take off your clothes.”

Apparently it’s a day for firsts, because for once Anakin actually obeys orders without question, and with very obvious enthusiasm.