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Though Obi-Wan knows better than the refer to what they're doing as hiking out loud, this morning, he and Klaus had left Darrow with comfortable shoes and bags to hold some food and water, and they'd walked out into the woods with the intention of finding a new place to meditate. It had been Obi-Wan's idea, wanting to expose Klaus to different places with different distractions so he could continue to evolve his practice and learn how to focus when other sounds or feelings were doing their best to pull him away.

It makes him smile to himself, the fact that he's convinced Klaus to go on a hike, of all things, to find a new place to meditate, of all things.

But as they walk through the woods, Obi-Wan's smile fades into something more serene. The trees grow closer together out here, the sounds of the city are very far away, and he almost feels as if he's back on Naboo, surrounded by the lush greenery of the planet. The leaves drip occasionally, water having collected on them, and every so often he can hear the sound of an animal moving somewhere off in the bush, possibly a deer at one point, then something smaller, maybe a rabbit or a badger.

"It's lovely out here, isn't it?" he asks as they crest a small rise. The sun has been up for hours, because while they started out in the morning, Obi-Wan had known better than to try and get Klaus out of the apartment too early. It's warm, the air is fresh, and he turns back to look over his shoulder, smiling as Klaus joins him.

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Klaus pushes himself up into his elbows and smiles brightly, flushing at the praise that Obi-Wan gives him so sincerely. As always, it makes him feel momentarily invincible, like he's actually worthy of the proud look on Obi-Wan's handsome face.

"Maybe I'll get the hang of this thing after all." He stares at Obi-Wan and has no idea what to do with all the happiness inside of him, so as usual, he tackles Obi-Wan to the ground and blows a raspberry against the side of his neck. He tickles at his sides and then props himself up over Obi-Wan's body, smiling down at him.

"Thank you for all of your help," he breathes out, leaning down to kiss him on the mouth. "And for everything else."

Obi-Wan can't help but find it charming, the way Klaus never quite knows what to do with his strong, positive emotions. It's endearing and sweet, like someone learning how to be happy for the first time, and Obi-Wan is honoured to think he has any role in that at all. When Klaus tackles him, he readily lets himself be pushed back onto the blanket and laughs at the fluttering of Klaus's lips against his skin.

When Klaus settles, Obi-Wan smooths his hands down Klaus's back, enjoying the touch of his bare skin. All these things he hadn't allowed himself for such a long time, suddenly back in his life for the first time since Satine, and he gives himself these moments to truly appreciate what Darrow has given him. He would be a fool not to.

"Oh, I can hardly take credit for anything," he says. "But rest assured, I'm more than happy to help in any way I can." His smile grows. "I do love you. All I want for you is happiness."

Klaus buries his face in the warm curve of Obi-Wan's neck, wriggling his shoulders a bit at the exhilaration those words send through him. He is truly lucky to have this man in his life, and luckier still to be loved by him.

"I love you, too." He lifts his head and presses a long, lingering kiss to Obi's mouth, scratching his fingertips gently through his beard, before pulling back to look at him. "You make me happier than I ever knew that I could be."

He stretches himself out alongside Obi-Wan, draping himself across his chest and relaxing there, content to doze a little longer. They'll have to start heading back soon so they can beat the sunset, but they have some time. There is nowhere else that Klaus would rather be than right here, in this spot.