AN: there we go, the final chapter! Contains a slight time jump, but I am sure you will cope.

Warning: Pure, shameless fluff ahead! Enjoy!

disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars...

Chapter 5

Of new beginnings

30 BBY – Coruscant

"It's nearing curfew. You should head back to the initiates' wing.", Obi-Wan said as the credits for the holovid, they had just watched, ran over the screen. He switched the unit off.

"Aww, just one more.", Anakin pleaded, snuggling even closer to Obi-Wan on the couch.

"I am not going to explain this to Master Shifk. I can't have you running around in the temple after curfew.", he said decisively, but his hand still rested on Anakin's back and continued to rub it in soothing circles.

"Still … I could stay here tonight though.", the initiate mumbled. Normally he wouldn't push it, but tonight Obi-Wan seemed very relaxed. He had returned from a long mission yesterday and already had had a good night's rest and was now catching up with Anakin after not seeing him in two months.

For Anakin, this time had been hard, even though he had acclimated to the temple life well enough over the past one and a half years. Obi-Wan had been a constant presence in the first few weeks, explaining him everything and offering him a place he could always turn to. Nevertheless, even though he knew his way around by now and had found friends, with Obi-Wan so far away, things weren't the same.

"I missed you.", he stated truthfully and it finally cracked Obi-Wan's resolve. He, too, had missed Anakin, more than he had imagined.

"Fine, but the bed in the padawan room is not made. You can do that yourself if you want to spend the night." Anakin nodded against his chest and listened as Obi-Wan pulled out his commlink and informed his creche master of the change of plans. The man was very understanding, he knew of the bond between the two and therefore simply agreed.

"Do you really want to watch another movie?", Obi-Wan asked softly. The room was already dark, only a yellow lamp in the corner and the city lights outside illuminated the living area that was Obi-Wan's home for fifteen years already. Anakin shook his head. He was content just lying here, curled up next to Obi-Wan.

There were not yet Master and Padawan and it turned out to be a good arrangement for the time being, but it wouldn't be that much longer until they would be a real team.

They were a family already, Anakin thought, as he mulled over the term team. He knew for sure that Obi-Wan treated him like a father would. He was stern at times and made certain that Anakin kept with his studies and stuck to the rules, but he was also caring, willing to offer any kind of comfort Anakin might need. He asked, how his day had been, cooked sometimes, helped him with his homework and treated the scratches from training. He already trained with him sometimes, but he kept that to a minimum, saying it was for the time, when they were a Master-Padawan unit. Anakin couldn't wait for that day to come.

Together they would travel through the galaxy and would be able to help people and see lots of interesting places and learn more about the Force. And, Anakin added mentally, he could finally move in.

He had fallen asleep while daydreaming, he realized as he woke up, being carried by Obi-Wan.

"Hmm?", he asked sleepily.

"I'm putting you to bed.", the knight explained in an amused tone.

"This's ur 'oom." His speech was slurred from sleep, but he had noticed, they were not heading to the padawan room.

"Yes, I forgot the heating is still turned off, so we'll switch for the night."

Anakin's eyes filled with tears as Obi-Wan gently set him down. He always thought of Anakin, always remembered the little things, for example that, coming from Tattooine made Anakin very sensitive to the cold. He knew there wasn't a better person to look after him.

Obi-Wan helped him out of his clothes and pulled a loose shirt over his head.

"There you go.", he said and helped Anakin under the covers. He made to get up and gather his things to head to the other room, but Anakin's hand had closed around his wrist.

"Can you stay?", he asked in a small voice. He was eleven already and usually did not feel the need to sleep in Obi-Wan's bed. The last time had been months ago, on the anniversary of Qui-Gon's death. But today, he felt the irrational need to be close to the man, who had taken him in, who would raise him for the next years.

Obi-Wan had felt his inner turmoils and simply agreed, quickly changing into sleepwear, while Anakin scooted to the wall.

The bed had been Qui-Gon's, so there was plenty of space and soon both were comfortable. Anakin closed his eyes and enjoyed being in Obi-Wan's loose embrace, while the knight still read a short mission report.

Despite how tired he had been, sleep eluded Anakin now, but he lay perfectly content, feeling wonderfully safe and secure.

He must have drifted in and out of consciousness, but he felt the slight movement beside him, when Obi-Wan put the data-pad away and set the alarm for the next day. After he had turned off the light, he leaned down to Anakin and brushed his lips against his forehead.

"Goodnight, Ani. I love you.", he mumbled, almost too low for Anakin to hear. Obi-Wan obviously thought him asleep. Maybe he was, Obi-Wan usually wasn't overly affectionate with words, he showed it through his actions most of the time. He certainly had never said to Anakin that he loved him. Like maybe, or care for, but love?

Nevertheless, even if this was a dream, he wanted to answer, so he opened his eyes slightly and looked at dream-Obi-Wan in the street lights.

"I love you too, dad." And suddenly he knew that this was real-Obi-Wan that he was awake and that his father loved him. Obi-Wan's eyes looked oddly moist and full of affection and his hand cupped Anakin's cheek as he smiled.

"Yes, Ani. Sleep well." He pressed another kiss to his head and pulled his child a little closer.

AN: and that's it! I officially declare Tied to Each Other as completed.

Nevertheless, as I already said in the beginning, this can be the start to a whole series. So if you have any ideas, please feel free to make suggestions, I would love to continue this story somehow. After all, I am convinced that a bond like this would change AOTC & ROTS as well.

so, I hope you enjoyed this, leave a review if you did and feel free to PM me for brainstorming or critique.

Thank you for your lovely feedback!

Yours faithfully, cold moon