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Obli    vious

by Bonny ( BonnyMagret@hotmail.com )

Archive: Master_Apprentice

Pairing: O/Q

Category: Romance, hurt/comfort

Rating: NC-17

Warnings: this one is a bit sugary

Spoilers - none

Summary: Qui-Gon gets a bit jealous when he thinks Obi-Wan is flirting

Feedback: are you kidding? Of course!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, Lucas thought these guys up, and owns them entirely. I am just trying to bring them to life off screen. I not only don't make any money off this, I lose a lot because of the time and attention these boys demand.

Thanks: To Claude, who has been guiding me carefully and politely, with patience and care, with reassurances when necessary and not calling me a dummy because I don't know punctuation. Ultimately, all errors (especially vocabulary) are totally mine, but (trust me) she gets a lot of credit for turning this from a raw little bunny into what I think is a nice presentable little story.

Obi-Wan Kenobi attempted to keep his eyes on the control panel, but wasn't having much success at the moment. He should be feeling jubilant, but instead, he was as confused as he could ever remember being.

He and his partner, Qui-Gon Jinn, had just completed one of their most difficult missions to date. They had managed to negotiate a treaty between the two warring factions on Yttre Grans, despite the fact that these factions had been at war with one another for over ten standard centuries. In order to join the Republic, the planet had to be in total agreement and without any wars or bloodshed over political differences for at least ten standard years. The treaty that he and Qui-Gon had worked out benefited both factions and put the planet well on its way to membership in the Senate.

There had been several missions by Jedi in the past trying to resolve these differences. In fact, on one of those missions, Qui-Gon had been just a padawan. Despite their fame as a negotiating pair, Qui- Gon and his master had been unsuccessful where Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had finally succeeded. The Council had already sent them a comm message indicating their great satisfaction for a job well done.

The mission had been made even more difficult by the requirement that they occupy separate quarters. They had bonded only three months ago and they were still working out the kinks in their relationship, especially how to handle their newly-expanded bond. To take a three- tenday pause in the middle of their `honeymoon', had worked a hardship on both of them.

Yttre Grans was noted for the rigid intolerance and downright stubborn pig-headedness of its citizens. For centuries, they had regularly requested that the Council send Jedi negotiators to try to help them work toward membership in the Republic. They equally regularly found reasons to reject the negotiators sent, thereby enabling them to claim, across the galaxy to anyone who would listen, that their non-membership in the Republic was the fault of the Jedi Order and no fault of their own.

Further, their objection to same-sex relationships was legendary. Not that their culture didn't have citizens that were attracted to same-sex partners. Not that both of the two warring factions weren't, in fact, often headed by leaders who were in same-sex relationships. Everyone pretended that wasn't the case, though, because of centuries-old traditions and narrow-mindedness. No one mentioned it, adhering to a `don't ask, don't tell' policy, although everyone knew what was really going on. But while such behavior was silently tolerated from the planet's inhabitants, it would never be accepted from off-worlders, to say nothing of Jedi negotiators.

During his preparations for this mission, Obi-Wan had read all the reports of the previous diplomatic missions in detail. At least two of those missions had failed because of same-sex relationships.

The first such mission occurred over three centuries ago. The Council felt that since the Ytrres had specifically requested a pair of male Jedi to facilitate the negotiations, that they must have relaxed their stance on the issue. They were wrong. The two knights found out just how wrong when they were interrupted in bed by a contingent of uniformed guards, who escorted them, post haste, to their ship to take them back to Coruscant. Unbeknownst to the Council, the only reason that two male Jedi had been requested was because the Yttres did not believe that females made good negotiators.

The second mission that failed because of same-sex relationships was a diplomatic disaster of record, legendary among the Jedi and always mentioned in classes to padawans. Again, the Yttres had requested two Jedi negotiators and the Council had complied, sending a pair of knights who were not bondmates. One of the leaders had invited his Jedi negotiator to accompany him on a weekend retreat. The Jedi, believing that the offer was sincere, and that a more friendly relationship might advance the negotiations, had accompanied the leader to a mountain cabin. They had been ambushed by the members of the opposing faction, who cast aspersions on all Jedi for over a century in the misguided belief that the trip was actually sexual in nature and that the tryst was intended to be a plot against them.

When the Council had approached Master Jinn and Knight Kenobi about accepting the assignment, they had initially demurred. But Master Yoda was not called a `master' for nothing, and he managed to argue against their objections most effectively. His use of logic was impressive, but he ultimately succeeded by shamelessly calling upon their duty to the Order. It was well-known that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had developed a bond much stronger and deeper than that usually enjoyed by mates who had been bonded for decades. That bond enabled them, when they concentrated and focused their energies, to almost read one another's minds on a continuous basis. It was that very skill that had been the key to their diplomatic success on Yttre Grans.

So why was Qui-Gon scowling at him? Qui-Gon had been giving him disapproving looks for the last two days and Obi-Wan hadn't figured out yet what was bothering him. Obi-Wan had sensed some irritation from his bondmate for the last six or seven days, but the last two had been particularly difficult. He had tried to access Qui-Gon's thoughts and feelings through their bond to figure out the reason, but, other than during the negotiations themselves, the bond had been limited to him. From the time that they arrived, Obi-Wan had been projecting his love and affection regularly throughout their dismal dreary days and his sexual longings at night, and receiving similar feelings from Qui-Gon. But for most of the last tenday, he had not received any encouragement in response to his efforts.

Obi-Wan had even gone to the extraordinary length of reading Qui- Gon's comm unit messages, hoping to find a clue as to the reasons for Qui-Gon's behavior. His sneaking behind his bondmate's back had caused him to feel very guilty for invading Qui-Gon's privacy and his guilt was not assuaged by his lack of success.

As soon as they made the jump into hyperspace, Obi-Wan unbuckled his seatbelt and went to stand beside his lover. He reached down and rubbed the back of Qui-Gon's neck sensuously. It was one of Qui- Gon's favorite foreplay activities and was usually very successful in getting his romantic inclinations incited. Not today. Today, Qui- Gon squirmed away from Obi-Wan's hand and said, in a rather stern voice, "I'd like some tea, please, Padawan."

Rebuffed at being called by his old title, Obi-Wan went into the small galley and prepared them each a mug of tea. Waiting for the water to boil, Obi-Wan tried to think of what he could have done these last few days to offend Qui-Gon to the point of summarily rejecting his advances. He tried to examine his behavior carefully over the last thirty days and to think of any change that might have provoked this new attitude. Nothing came to mind.

After straining two mugs of tea, adding cream to Qui-Gon's and sweetener to his own, Obi-Wan returned to the cockpit. He started to speak, but was cut off when Qui-Gon reached out a hand for the mug and said "My tea, please" without even looking away from the console.

Obi-Wan was undeterred. "Qui-Gon?"

"What?"

Obi-Wan hadn't expected Qui-Gon to bark at him. He had meant to ask what was bothering his lover, but was put off his topic by such a sharp tone of voice. He was at a momentary loss for what to say. "Are you pleased with the success of our mission?"

"Yes."

The silence lengthened between them while Obi-Wan tried to think of how to broach the subject. What he wanted to do was to purr into Qui- Gon's ear that he had missed having sex with him, and that they should put the ship on autopilot and take advantage of the small sleeping couch. He didn't think Qui-Gon would be receptive to that suggestion at this moment, so he sat back down in the co-pilot's seat and sipped his own tea thoughtfully.

What had happened two days ago? They were putting the finishing touches on the treaty. Nothing significant, just some wording changes in the documents. That couldn't be it, because they had been in total agreement and had convinced both sides to accept a reasonable compromise.

And after that? They had attended a reception in their honor. They would both have liked to be on their way home, but since this was the very first successful mission to this planet by Jedi negotiators, it would have been very impolitic to decline the invitations. Cocktails first. What had happened next? A sumptuous meal at separate tables attended by representatives of both factions. Nothing unusual there. And after that? Entertainment in the form of a few dancers, a few singers and a boy with a lovely voice who had played, with great talent, an instrument similar to a harp.

Then bed. In their separate quarters. That was when Obi-Wan first noticed that the bond was not fully open to him. When he tried to project his usual nightly message, all he got in return was a short `love you, good night.'

And the next day? What had happened then? Obi-Wan had tried to access his lover's mind first thing when he awoke, hoping for a little mental sexual conversation to resolve his aching morning erection. All he got then was "Firstmeal. Not now."

So whatever put Qui-Gon into this mood had to have happened two days ago. Again, Obi-Wan tried to think through every moment of that day, but without any more insight than he had accomplished earlier.

There was nothing for it but to ask. Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan began, "Qui-Gon, can we talk?"

"I think some meditation would be in order first," Qui-Gon replied.

"What is it that I'm meditating on?" Obi-Wan asked, a trace of sarcasm lacing his voice. He was getting a bit miffed now. Qui-Gon was not going to tell him what had him upset and Obi-Wan was getting tired of trying to figure it out.

"Perhaps that should be the initial focus of your meditation," Qui- Gon suggested shortly.

This time, however, Obi-Wan was not to be so easily rebuffed. "For the past few days, you have been acting irritable. Not with the Yttres. Just with me. So it must be something I've done. I've tried as best I can to think of what I have done to cause this reaction, but I simply can't think of a thing. I will willingly comply with your suggestion that I meditate, but would appreciate more direction than what you have given me."

Qui-Gon turned to face Obi-Wan. As his blue eyes bore into the younger man's grey-green ones, his scowl only worsened. "Ah hah. If you think you are going to play with me this way, you are wrong. You've been acting badly ever since we arrived on Yttres, but that little show six days ago was more than I should be expected to bear." Qui-Gon's expression softened, but not much. "I cannot hold this anger. I have been struggling to release the negative emotions into the Force, but I'm not being as successful as I should be." Turning away from Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon said "Leave me, please, Padawan, to my peace."

Qui-Gon had called him `padawan' most of his youth. When Obi-Wan came of age, Qui-Gon usually referred to him as being his apprentice when in public, but still called him by the diminutive title in private. Obi-Wan could not recall being called `padawan' by his Master since their sexual relationship had started shortly after his knighting. Qui-Gon did call him by a few interesting names during peak sexual moments, the variety of which kept Obi-Wan endlessly entertained. But being called "padawan" now made Obi-Wan very uncomfortable.

It was on the tip of Obi-Wan's tongue to make a sharp retort to his former master that he was no longer anyone's padawan, but he restrained himself, knowing that such a remark would only serve to make the situation worse.

Six days ago, he thought. A show. What had happened six days ago that had started all of this? Again, Obi-Wan sorted carefully through his memories. The day had started with firstmeal, alone in his room. Then he had gone to meet with his delegation. Through his bond with Qui-Gon, he had successfully communicated a number of tricky issues, including that he felt his side would make certain concessions if Qui-Gon's was prepared to concede some things as well. Qui-Gon had been able to get those concessions out of his delegation and by midmeal the negotiations were progressing nicely. They had eaten in the large commissary, each remaining with their own delegation. The afternoon had proceeded similarly, culminating in a first draft of the treaty.

After ending the negotiations for the day, both delegations had met in the reception hall and been served drinks and small tidbits to eat. Avjalpa, the head of Obi-Wan's delegation, was accompanied by his son, Dyrkan, who was of a similar age to Obi-Wan and his daughter, Passande, who was a few years younger. Dyrkan had offered to show Obi-Wan the view from the tower, and Obi-Wan had agreed when Passande insisted on accompanying them. During the climb, it had become obvious to Obi-Wan that, were it not for Passande's presence, Dyrkan would have shown Obi-Wan that he had something more than just the view on his mind.

Upon returning to the reception hall, Obi-Wan had tried to be as gracious as he could with Avjalpa and Dyrkan, but the wine was stronger than he was accustomed to and he quickly grew sleepy. Obi- Wan was a bit embarrassed that he was showing the effects of the alcohol, and knew that he needed to decline the invitation to attend lastmeal with the delegation in favor of retiring to his quarters early to rest. He could not afford to have anything compromise the negotiations at this stage of the proceedings.

He had tried to steal a moment with Qui-Gon, even if it had to be in the presence of both delegations, but couldn't seem to get past Dyrkan, who was becoming insistent. He remembered that he had quickly fallen asleep that night after a brief meditation to purge the alcohol from his system.

Ah hah, he thought. That must be it. I didn't send him anything before I went to sleep. And if he had tried to send anything to me, I was not aware, so I wouldn't have responded.

No, wait a minute. That couldn't be it. Because it was only two days ago that he had been able to really sense Qui-Gon's displeasure. So it must have been something that started six days ago, but had gotten worse two days ago. Again, Obi-Wan couldn't think of anything that had happened two days previous. He had communicated with Qui-Gon; it was Qui-Gon who had rebuffed him.

Cocktails? Obi-Wan had been very cautious, having already learned that the drinks were potent, nursing just one for over an hour. The banquet? He had sat next to Dyrkan, who flirted outrageously but had taken Obi-Wan's lack of response in good nature. Dyrkan really could be charming.

The night that they had arrived on-planet, Dyrkan had been very friendly, and Obi-Wan had been happy to have someone his own age involved in his delegation. Dyrkan told funny stories, but they were never mean-spirited no matter how humorous. He was a lovely young man; tall, slim without being skinny, dark shoulder-length hair, a handsome boyish face, sparkling flashing dark eyes with lashes the likes of which Obi-Wan could not remember seeing before. If Obi-Wan had been asked to summarize Dyrkan in a phrase, it would have been approachably elegant. Since Obi-Wan wasn't able to be alone with Qui-Gon, he had spent a considerable amount of his free time with Dyrkan. And when Dyrkan was putting on a show, he was almost irresistible.

A show. Six days ago. Dyrkan. But nothing untoward had happened.

Obi-Wan had, without thinking, settled himself into the first meditation posture on the floor of the cockpit. He looked up and saw that Qui-Gon was still sitting in the pilot's seat, but appeared to be meditating. Could Qui-Gon be jealous? Was that what this was all about? Surely not. Surely, Qui-Gon could never think that Obi-Wan would break his vows. Qui-Gon knew all about Obi-Wan's youthful sexual experiences. After all, he had been his master at the time. But he also knew that they were nothing more than experimentations. Qui-Gon might not have been Obi-Wan's first lover, but he was certainly going to be his last.

But Obi-Wan could think of no other explanation for Qui-Gon's pique. It might seem ridiculous to Obi-Wan, but it might not seem so to Qui- Gon. After all, he was older and had voiced great reservations about bonding with Obi-Wan because of their age difference. Qui-Gon had made a few wry remarks to Obi-Wan during those discussions about whether he could `keep up' with a young energetic lover, but Obi-Wan hadn't paid them much attention. Perhaps he should have been more attentive to Qui-Gon's motivations.

Now, Obi-Wan's dilemma was how to convince Qui-Gon that nothing had happened; that Obi-Wan didn't want anything sexual to ever happen between himself and any person other than Qui-Gon for the rest of his life. Basic diplomacy skills level one. How do you prove that you didn't do something? By proving what you did do. In this case, proving what he really did feel. But never from a defensive posture.

Obi-Wan rose silently to his feet. He could not see any indication that Qui-Gon was aware of the movement. That was a good sign. Qui- Gon wouldn't let himself slip into a deep meditative trance unless he instinctively and implicitly trusted his companion. So there was still that trust between them that could be built upon.

Obi-Wan hadn't excelled at his diplomacy courses for nothing. He thought he knew how to conquer Qui-Gon's resistance. He needed to be hard, to be hot, and to be ready. Very quietly, Obi-Wan removed his clothing, layer by layer, folding the articles onto the co-pilot's seat. He removed the small vial of oil from where he had tucked it earlier that day, where his body heat would keep it warm, hopeful that it would be put to use shortly after they boarded the ship. He opened the vial and set it on a flat surface on the console.

Getting an erection under these circumstances was easier than he expected. He could see the outline of Qui-Gon's cock down the right thigh on the inside of his leggings. Even soft, it was sizeable. Just the briefest memory of what it felt like to have that lovely cock, fully erect and swollen just for him, breaching the entrance to his body, got his blood flowing. The delicious burn when Qui-Gon took him without lengthy preparation. Just the way he liked it. Well-oiled, but not stretched too much. He loved that. Qui-Gon teased him about being impatient, but the truth was that he really liked sex to be almost, but not quite, to the point of pain. A good hard pounding. Oh, yes, he was getting hard now.

He loved it when Qui-Gon was moving inside him. Most of his young lovers, both male and female, had been so busy concentrating on their own pleasures when they were making out together that they achieved their satisfactions almost independently of one another. More often than not, he had ended up stroking himself to climax; almost a mutual masturbation. It was not that way with Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon was a most- considerate lover, always attuned to Obi-Wan's reactions. Only with Qui-Gon had Obi-Wan ever reached climax simultaneously with his partner. Obi-Wan's favorite was when Qui-Gon was stroking Obi-Wan's penis as he plunged into his body and all Obi-Wan had to do was hang on for the ride, his hands free to hold on as tightly as he could.

Obi-Wan realized that he was standing in the cockpit, stark naked, his hands at his side, his penis fully erect. He looked down and saw that his foreskin had already retracted itself almost completely behind the head of his penis and that he was starting to leak. Yes, he was ready.

Apparently, before he began his meditation, Qui-Gon had pushed his seat back from the console. That was good. That meant that there was some space between the seat and the console. Obi-Wan cautiously insinuated himself into that space, watching Qui-Gon carefully for any signs that he was rousing.

When he was in position, Obi-Wan swooped down, forcing Qui-Gon hard against the back of the seat, which reclined deeply. He straddled Qui-Gon's legs, pushing his erection up against Qui-Gon's belly and covering his mouth with his own. He sucked hard, pulling Qui-Gon's gasp into himself as he plunged his tongue into the startled mouth. As Qui-Gon came to his senses, he didn't exactly reciprocate the embrace, but he wasn't pushing Obi-Wan off his lap, either.

"Oh, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan breathed into an ear as he broke off the kiss, holding a hand against Qui-Gon's mouth to stifle any protest. "I've been without you for so long." Obi-Wan was planting little kisses along the flare of his ear as he spoke. "For a while there, I didn't think I could make it another day. I almost came to you in the night." More kisses, this time behind the ear and down the column of the neck. "Three tendays. Too long." Obi-Wan arched back, making a small space between their bodies. "Touch me. Please touch me."

When Qui-Gon didn't move, Obi-Wan took Qui-Gon's limp hand into his own and pressed it against his erection. "Maybe thirty days with no sex is easier on you than it is on me." The kisses moved across the chin and started up toward the other ear. Obi-Wan was pressing himself up against Qui-Gon now, trapping the hand between them so that it would be difficult for Qui-Gon to retract it. "You've had more experience with abstinence. I don't like it at all." He started undulating his body so that the trapped hand had to rub across his penis. Qui-Gon still hadn't moved to speak, but his breath was coming a bit quicker.

"From the first time we made love, I knew that you were all I would ever need. Ever want. Just you." Obi-Wan was whispering in the opposite ear now, letting this tongue flick lightly into the canal between words. "I need you really badly. I need you now." At that, Obi-Wan could feel the soft organ in Qui-Gon's leggings begin to quicken. He pressed on.

"Please, my love. Please. I want you inside me. I want you so much." Obi-Wan let his body slide just a little lower, so that his groin could grind against Qui-Gon's hardening penis. "Yes. I know you want me too."

Obi-Wan had not been pressing on the bond before, but now he put a mental surge into breaking into Qui-Gon's mind. There was a little resistance at first, but it was crumbling rapidly. Leaning back a little, Obi-Wan reached between them and untied Qui-Gon's leggings, pushing them down just enough to release the erection from its confinement. It was full now, standing up proudly. He reached for the open vial and before Qui-Gon could protest, he had poured a sizeable quantity of the still-warm oil over the hard red shaft.

Without an instant's hesitation, Obi-Wan lifted himself up and grasped Qui-Gon's shaft in a firm grip, positioned it at the entrance to his body and lowered himself back down onto that shaft.

Oh, the searing heat. Obi-Wan winced a bit. Without any preparation at all, the burn was more than a little painful. Knowing well that the brief pain would quickly give way to incredible pleasure, he pressed on, holding onto the armrests for leverage. He relished Qui- Gon's groan as he sank down, fully impaling himself. Even more, he relished the feeling of Qui-Gon's hand grasping around his own penis between their bodies, firm but not too tight. Just enough pressure to send waves of bliss throughout his body. He pushed that bliss into the bond. There was no resistance now at all.

Again, Qui-Gon groaned. "Oh, by all the gods, you feel so good." Obi- Wan was starting to sense Qui-Gon's pleasure through their bond.

Obi-Wan didn't have a lot of mobility in this position. He tried to thrust against the phallus inside him, but couldn't get a good purchase on the floor with his feet. By now, Qui-Gon sought the delicious friction as much as Obi-Wan did. "Here, let me," Qui-Gon growled, sliding himself much further down in the seat, his hands on Obi-Wan's waist to hold him tight as they moved together. Obi-Wan still didn't have a lot of range of movement, but he didn't need it. Qui-Gon began thrusting into his body, slowly at first, testing the angle with each thrust until he hit the right spot and Obi-Wan cried out from the sheer pleasure of it. He had to brace himself with his hands on Qui-Gon's shoulders to keep from collapsing, so intense was the rapture.

It didn't last long. Neither of them had the stamina or the will to hold off. Both of them were panting and moaning heavily within moments. Qui-Gon's hand wrapped itself around Obi-Wan's penis again. "Are you ready, love?" Obi-Wan couldn't tell if the question came from Qui-Gon's mouth or through the bond, but he couldn't answer either way; he just nodded.

Qui-Gon began a rapid series of thrusts, each one a little faster, a little deeper, a little harder. He maintained a firm pressure on Obi- Wan's erection at the same time, his thumb steadily stroking the spot just behind the head. Obi-Wan pressed down, taking everything Qui- Gon could give, each thrust raking across the sweet spot inside him, the waves of pleasure crashing upon one another. Qui-Gon kept thrusting until he felt the organ in his hand begin to pulse and he heard his lover's cries. He froze on an upward thrust, his balls drawing up tightly, and shuddered as the climax exploded throughout his body.

As the ecstasy receded, Qui-Gon started to slump back down into the seat. Obi-Wan pressed down with him, tightening his internal muscles, keeping the softening cock still deep inside himself. Obi- Wan sank his upper body down to rest on Qui-Gon's chest, his head tucked under his lover's chin, his own chin snuggled into the `v' of Qui-Gon's tunics. "Please, don't leave me yet," he breathed. This time it was Qui-Gon's turn to just nod instead of answering.

Obi-Wan didn't realize he had drifted off to sleep until he was awakened when Qui-Gon shifted slightly below him. He smiled broadly feeling the soft cock still nestled inside him. He clenched his muscles, just a little, and elicited a small satisfied groan from his lover. The smile faded rapidly when Qui-Gon moved the arms which had been wrapped around his back and the cold air of the cockpit hit his sweat-soaked skin.

Obi-Wan started to pull back, but Qui-Gon stopped him. He untied his tunics and wrapped them around Obi-Wan's back, pulling him down to his chest again.

Obi-Wan nuzzled against the soft damp chest hairs, letting out a little sigh as the flaccid penis slipped out. "We're making a mess," he said a bit ruefully, feeling his lover's seed trickling from his opening.

Qui-Gon let out a short burst of laughter. "Hah. You made a mess when you poured that oil all over the place." Qui-Gon kissed the top of Obi-Wan's head. "And when you came."

The two lovers snuggled quietly for a few minutes. "I love you," Obi- Wan broke the silence. "And I can't bear it that I've done something to displease you."

Obi-Wan waited for the body below him to stiffen, but it didn't. Instead, the hands that had held the tunics against his back began to move, softly and slowly, in a gentle caress, still keeping him warm and safe. Then, also very softly and slowly, he began to feel the warmth of Qui-Gon's love wash across his mind. He moaned softly. It was almost better than an orgasm.

"You really don't know, do you?" Qui-Gon asked, his breath blowing gently through Obi-Wan's hair.

"I'm not sure. I think it has something to do with Dyrkan." Obi-Wan gulped a deep breath, unsure what to say next. A denial might sound like there was something that needed to be denied. "But nothing happened."

"I know that," Qui-Gon said softly. "It just hurts me to see you act like that."

Now Obi-Wan was confused. "Like what?" He pulled back so he could look Qui-Gon squarely in the face, locking his eyes onto his beloved's bright blue ones.

"All that flirting. You were just shameless."

"What?!" Obi-Wan pulled back even further, almost falling off Qui- Gon's lap. "I wasn't flirting. Ever."

"Oh, yes you were."

"No, I was not. I don't ever flirt. Well, I might have as a padawan. But I don't anymore."

"Oh, yes, you do."

"I do not!"

"Batting those eyelashes. . ."

"I do not bat my eyelashes. There's no humidity on the Sith-forsaken planet. My eyes were dry."

"Making little coquettish gestures..."

"What coquettish gestures?"

"You know."

"I do not."

"Yes, you do."

"Like what?" Obi-Wan was getting more indignant by the moment.

"Like when you used your napkin to wipe something off Dyrkan's cheek."

"What? Are you kidding? He told a joke. I laughed so hard I sprayed saliva on his face. We laughed even harder when I tried to apologize but was making a bigger mess."

"It looked pretty intimate from where I was sitting."

"Intimate? You thought it was intimate?"

"Yes, I did." Now Qui-Gon was getting indignant. "I saw you holding hands," he hissed.

"With Dyrkan?" Obi-Wan backed up and stood. He was oblivious to the sight he made, naked and red-faced with indignation. "I did no such thing."

"Oh, yes, you did. When Avjalpa got up from the table. I saw you."

Obi-Wan had moved from indignant to fully irate. "He kept trying to stroke my thigh. I was trying to keep his hand on top of the table so he couldn't get at me under the table again." He stalked toward the door. "I was not holding his hand, and I resent it that you thought that was what was going on."

"Well how about when you left the reception with him?"

Obi-Wan turned and glared at his bondmate. "I'm not even going to dignify that one with a response," he spat out, as he stalked out in a huff.

Qui-Gon did not move from his seat. Although he desperately wanted to take a shower and put on fresh clothes, he did not want Obi-Wan to think he was following him. Qui-Gon heard the shower running. It was a small ship, he would just have to wait his turn. Tucking his sticky penis back into his leggings and tying the waistband again, Qui-Gon tried to suppress his anger. The boy didn't even act remorseful. How dare he?

Qui-Gon heard the shower door opening and slamming shut again. He closed his eyes and leaned back into the seat. Unbidden, memories of their bonding ceremony flooded through his mind. His beloved Obi- Wan, standing beside him, holding his hand, taking vows together. Vows that were superfluous because their commitment to one another had already been made.

Obi-Wan's face had shone in the sunlight flowing through the window, casting his red-gold hair into a halo. He had worn a white cloak with full sleeves over a pristine white uniform, the traditional bonding ceremony garb. But on Obi-Wan, it had looked like an angel's wings.

Obi-Wan's hand, so delicate in comparison to Qui-Gon's own paws, had betrayed its power with how firmly it gripped his. The voice had trembled just a little at first, but then gained in strength, echoing off the walls of the chamber and filling Qui-Gon's mind with sweet words of love and devotion.

And later that night. In bed. When Obi-Wan had turned to his new bondmate and fiercely demanded to be taken; asking to be filled with Qui-Gon's body the way his mind was filled with his love. They had had sex before that night, but Qui-Gon had always insisted on having Obi-Wan on top. Obi-Wan had never been penetrated and had still been a virgin in that respect. Since then, Obi-Wan seldom wanted to be on top saying he preferred to feel Qui-Gon inside him.

Oh, Force, how he loved that man. Did Obi-Wan have any idea the effect that he had on people? Was he so oblivious to his own charms and how desirable he was?

That thought took Qui-Gon back. Obi-Wan was really very naļve about such things. He really didn't believe it when he was told he was beautiful. It wasn't important to his job as a Jedi, so he paid it no mind. Obi-Wan always acted as if he accepted the fact that Qui- Gon loved him, but then he appeared embarrassed and flustered whenever Qui-Gon told him how loveable he was. Sometimes Qui-Gon thought that Obi-Wan supposed that his lover was just trying to flatter him. Obi-Wan had always been this way. During his early experimentations, when Obi-Wan had confessed his sexual inadequacies to his master, he hadn't believed Qui-Gon when he tried to convince his padawan that he was truly desirable, both in body as well as in spirit.

The man didn't have a clue.

Now that was more of a problem than Qui-Gon had originally thought. How could he explain to his beloved that his innocent actions were seen by others as being sexual invitations? That others thought he was flirting with them? The way he tucked his chin and tilted his head whenever he was given a compliment. The way his eyes lit up before a smile could spread across his mouth. The laugh that always sounded just a little naughty. The lilt in his voice when he was pleased or happy. The way he concentrated on someone when they were talking to him, making them feel like his whole attention was centered on them and them alone. It made people feel special to have Obi-Wan pay that kind of attention to them.

The man just didn't have a clue.

At that moment, Qui-Gon's thoughts were interrupted. Obi-Wan walked quickly into the cockpit. He was naked, pink and moist from his shower, his soft red-gold hair spiked out wetly. He snatched up his boots from the floor and his clothing off the co-pilot's seat and stalked back out of the cockpit again without a glance in Qui-Gon's direction.

This time, Qui-Gon followed him. The sleeping couch on the small ship wasn't much of a bed, but it was the only thing to sit on other than the seats in the cockpit. Obi-Wan tugged his leggings up over his wet skin and sat down to pull on his boots. He was ignoring Qui- Gon's presence.

Qui-Gon went to sit beside his beloved; the weight of the two of them on the unsubstantial couch caused them to shift into one another. Obi-Wan stiffened and tried to pull away, but Qui-Gon caught him and pulled him into an embrace. Qui-Gon could tell that Obi-Wan had managed to dissipate most of his anger and frustration into the Force, but was reluctant to engage in a conversation that might stir them back up again.

"I love you," he said simply.

Relaxing into the embrace just a little, Obi-Wan answered back, "I know."

"I'm just a hard-headed old man sometimes."

Again, "I know."

"You really don't believe me when I tell you that you are beautiful. Or desirable." Qui-Gon could feel Obi-Wan's chin tuck down and his head tilt a little to the side. "But you are. Others see it even if you don't."

Obi-Wan was starting to pull back out of the embrace, but Qui-Gon held him fast. "No, just listen." Obi-Wan stopped resisting and sank his head against Qui-Gon's shoulder. Some things were going to be easier to say when they weren't looking into one another's faces.

"You don't realize it, but you are so lovely and sweet that others think you are flirting with them. You have all the qualities that make a person attractive to another. You are kind, considerate, intelligent, capable, good-looking and attentive. And you have a nice body, too." Qui-Gon could feel Obi-Wan beginning to resist again. "No. It's true. There's a difference between being modest and being honest. You need to stop brushing this off and pay attention to the effect that you have on others."

"But Master, I don't know how to be anything other than what I am."

Qui-Gon felt a momentary stab at Obi-Wan's use of his old title. He had unconsciously assumed his former teacher's attitude. He laughed, pulling Obi-Wan close and tight. "Why do you think I love you so much," he asked affectionately.

Obi-Wan laughed a little in return. "Because I'm great in bed?"

"Well, you are that too. But that's not the only reason." Qui-Gon's tone of voice grew more serious. "I love you because you are everything that is worthy of being loved." Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan swallow uncomfortably in the tight embrace, but he did not release any of the pressure. "And you need to know that others besides me would like to have you love them the way you love me. If they can't have all of you, they'll settle for any little piece of you they can get."

Qui-Gon took a deep breath and continued. "So they see your kindness as encouragement, because they want to think that they might have a chance at getting something more, too."

Obi-Wan had grown very still, enfolded tightly in his lover's arms. Several minutes passed silently as Obi-Wan thought over Qui-Gon's words. "I think I see what you are saying, my love. But what can I do?" Obi-Wan's breath caught roughly as he inhaled. "I didn't mean to do anything that would ever give you cause to doubt that you are all that I want – all that I'll ever want. I don't want to do anything to make you feel the need to be jealous ever again."

"Be mindful, my own. No more than that. I don't want you to change at all. I love you just the way you are. But be mindful of the effect that you have on others and try to be considerate of their feelings." Qui-Gon took another deep sighing breath and blew it out rapidly thought his mouth. "And for my part, I'll work hard not to let the reactions of others to your considerable charms wake up that little green monster in me."

There was a silence between the two, unbroken by anything other than their steady breathing. Finally, Obi-Wan sighed softly "I understand."

Qui-Gon released some of the pressure, letting Obi-Wan remain in the embrace by his own choice. "I knew that you would. That's one of the reasons why you are so precious to me. I love you so much." He leaned back and then down, letting his eyes drift closed, to kiss Obi- Wan gently on the center of his forehead. He felt the smooth skin crinkle just a bit under his lips. He didn't need to look at his beloved to know that an irrepressible smile was now lighting up his face.

Then he felt a hand caressing his penis through the soft cloth of his leggings. "Want to love me some more?" he heard.

Laughing and pressing up into the hand, Qui-Gon answered "You are such a flirt!'

An Ceann
(The End)