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Misunderstandings

by Trudy West

Title: Misunderstandings
Author: Trudy West
Rating: NC-17 (for the explicit sex only)
Archive: MA yes; anywhere else, just ask first.
Pairing: Q/O
Warnings: Fluff. Lack of substantive plot. Oodles of dialogue. Creaky old story devices. Alien sex rituals. Ignoring certain canon.
Disclaimer: It's fanfic. Everybody needs a hobby. All hail King George.
Summary: To paraphrase Mark Twain: it ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you think you know, that just ain't so.
Author's Comments: Once upon a time, long ago, there was a challenge posted on the MA list. And I thought, that's a nice bunny, and I started to write. And now, two and a half friggin' years later, I don't remember exactly what the challenge was or who posted it, but hey, the story is finally finished. When I say I can't write to a deadline, I mean I really can't write to a deadline.

"I don't understand him. Do you?" muttered Obi-Wan.

"No," said Qui-Gon, sotto voce. "This seems to be yet another dialect."

The blue-skinned Tigrasan ended his monologue, smiled politely, and gestured for them to follow.

"I hope we'll find a translator soon," said Obi-Wan. "Or barring that -- that our roles in the ceremony are simple enough to learn by pantomime. If we'd ended up on that Varidian Five assignment instead of here, at least we would have been able to speak the language."

Qui-Gon didn't respond, his gaze directed upwards at the primeval tree spreading above them. Obi-Wan himself looked downwards, stepping carefully over the arched, sinuous roots. He noted with amusement his master's confident blind strides, even as the big man's head tilted back to examine the canopy.

Usually uninterested in plants, Obi-Wan found himself particularly impressed by a mound of huge crimson flowers. The tropical foliage that was common on Tigras could apparently be found in impressive sizes here on the grounds of the Mother Temple.

As they passed under another archway, a line of sight opened up. The gardens stretched into the distance, the greenery a softening counterpoint to the stone pyramids and courtyards that made up the large complex.

Their guide made an unintelligible comment and waved at the view. In the absence of words, Obi-Wan made an appreciative "hmm."

Other Tigrasans passed nearby and Obi-Wan listened, hoping to hear a familiar word. No – still the same incomprehensible dialect. Or perhaps multiple dialects, he couldn't tell. One of the Tigrasans' hallmarks was linguistic complexity, which, along with their traditional leanings towards mild xenophobia, had kept them at the fringes of galactic civilization for eons.

Master and padawan followed their guide pacing alongside one of the mossy stone walls. Friezes contained intertwined figures carved in deep relief. Obi-Wan caught a glimpse of entangled stone torsos, arms and legs – and they were walking through an archway and into a small secluded courtyard.

Their Tigrasan companion led the way to a covered porch and ducked behind one of the long flowing white curtains.

The interior was pleasantly dim and cool after the brightness of the gardens. Rugs covered the stone floor, large pillows were scattered about, and there was a single wide low sleeping couch.

The Tigrasan gave a practiced smile and abandoned them, retracing his steps back across the courtyard and out the arch.

The sheer curtains lifted in a faint breath of breeze.

Obi-Wan glanced towards Qui-Gon, who stood entranced by the view past the ghosting curtains back out into the beflowered courtyard. Eyebrow lifted in bemusement, the padawan investigated the only interior door and found a basic sanitary facility with an oculus in the middle of its ceiling -- a kind of bathing atrium, with the brilliantly white clouds like soap bubbles in the intense blue of the sky.

Obi-Wan approached the stone container in the far corner of the room, puzzling; it was too small for either a Tigrasan or human to bathe inside it. Then he saw the long-handled dipper: a self-powered shower. He trailed his fingers into the cool water and rolled his shoulders inside his layers of clothing, feeling the humidity in the air, the stickiness of his skin.

Returning to the main room, he found Qui-Gon shedding his outer tunic.

Obi-Wan said, "One would not call it quaint. Yet primitive doesn't quite describe it either."

"Elemental," said Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan glanced around the stone walls to the garden outside, where the dark shadows under the trees contrasted starkly with the brilliant splashes of sunlight. The breeze brought a floral, earthy smell into the room.

Qui-Gon sat down and began working at his boots. At Obi-Wan's questioning look, the Master said, "It seems appropriate to match our host's attire."

"I failed to bring a sarong," said Obi-Wan.

"I'm sure that they will be provided, if we are expected to wear them. In the meantime, undertunic and bare feet will be more comfortable in this climate." Qui-Gon flexed his naked foot, rolling it at the ankle. Obi-Wan watched for a fascinated moment – elegant foot, long toes, delicate bones faintly visible under the skin.

In one easy motion, Qui-Gon rose and stepped out into the garden. Obi-Wan watched through the filmy curtain as his master settled in a kneeling pose under the large central tree. Of course, when presented with a garden, Qui-Gon's first choice of leisure activity would be to meditate.

Obi-Wan pulled at the neck of his tunic and wrinkled his nose. A bath would be his own choice for relaxation. This was a ceremonial mission; no effort required beyond cultural sensitivity. And bathing would certainly be an act of cultural sensitivity: the Tigrasans were a very sanitary, well-scrubbed people.

As dusk fell, a woman arrived, bringing the customary smile and a lighted lamp. Accompanying her was an older Tigrasan who carried himself with the dignity. He bowed and spoke sonorously if incomprehensibly to Qui-Gon, then to Obi-Wan. Master and padawan bowed in return.

"We are honored," said Qui-Gon, echoed by Obi-Wan.

"He's offering you greetings on behalf of the Mother Goddess," called a cheerful voice, "and wishing you a long and fruitful life."

"Deaghleth!" exclaimed Obi-Wan. "At last, a Tigrasan we can understand."

Deaghleth grinned, an unrestrained expression rather than the polite smile that was the standard for his people.

"You know about our dialects, Senior Padawan Obi-Wan."

"Not that you had an entirely different one for your temples, no."

"Ah, but this dialect is not for all our temples – this dialect is specific to the Mother Temple alone. There is one dialect for each of the fourteen major temples on Tigras." Deaghleth laughed at Obi-Wan's mock chagrin, then turned to Qui-Gon. "If you please, Master Jedi, this gentleman Jaan Haas Rianall is one of the senior priests of the temple, and requests that you accompany him on a brief tour."

"Certainly," said Qui-Gon. "Will you translate his comments as we walk?"

"Ah, sadly, no," said Deaghleth. "I will not be coming with you, and the Jaan do not speak any language other than the high and low dialect for this temple. Most of what he says to you is by courtesy only; no matter than you cannot understand, only that you listen with respect."

"What about our participation in the marriage rites?" asked Obi-Wan. "Someone has to instruct us in a language we can understand. Does no one at the wedding speak the foreigners' dialect other than yourself?"

"Some of the other guests can, as some of them work with offworlders," said Deaghleth, "but that's of no issue. The marriage ceremony is quite simple. There's very little to it. I will give you an overview while Master Jinn is touring with the Jaan. The simplicity of the ceremony is why we considered inviting offworlders; the royal marriage ceremony is widely attended and relatively unstructured. As you know, many of our ceremonies can taxing, which -- "

Deaghleth glanced at the older Tigrasan and his attendant, who were waiting patiently. "As much as I would like to speak with you at length, Master Jinn, we're being impolite to the Jaan."

"I'll see you later, then, Padawan, Ambassador," said Qui-Gon.

"I will not see you again tonight, Master Jinn, but perhaps following the ceremony tomorrow," said Deaghleth. "Alas, I have other commitments until then. I came by to wish health and congratulations to you both, and to provide a quick overview of tomorrow night's events."

"I can fill you in later, Master."

Qui-Gon nodded and turned to bow to the Tigrasan priest, who bowed in response, then strode off with Qui-Gon alongside.

Obi-Wan clapped Deaghleth on the shoulder. "I'm very pleased to see you. Not least because I can finally understand what someone around here is saying."

Deaghleth threw an arm around Obi-Wan and thumped him on the chest. "And I am very pleased to see you as well. Many great congratulations, my friend! And may you both have happy long life!"

"Congratulations for what?"

"For your marriage, of course!" Deaghleth beamed, tapping Obi-Wan on the chest with a finger. "I had the strongest intuition about you and Master Jinn back at the conference last year, but of course it would have been highly indiscreet for me to say anything. Indiscreet by Tigrasan standards."

"We're not married," Obi-Wan said.

Deaghleth's slanted eyes crinkled in perplexity. "Of course you're married. You're here, are you not?"

"Tigras asked for Jedi as representatives of the Republic to attend the royal wedding, and we were sent. The Council said we had the greatest familiarity with your society."

"Tigras asked for a Jedi couple. A paired couple. Of Jedi," Deaghleth said. "And they sent you. Of course you are married."

Obi-Wan said, "I don't understand. I just told you, we're not –"

Whomp – Obi-Wan caught his breath in surprise. Deaghleth had given him a strong poke in the ribs.

"But of course," Deaghleth said, with a ferocious smile, "You. Must. Be. Married. Because only married persons are permitted on the grounds of the Mother Temple during a marriage ceremony. The royal two who are to be married come to the grounds as the only singles present, and in the course of ceremony, they join the ranks of the married attendees. This is a very, very serious matter. Very serious consequences."

Serious? The Tigrasans had a history of fanatical devotion to their religious beliefs – a sometimes violent devotion. "What type of consequences?" asked Obi-Wan. "I remember that capital punishment used to be practiced for some ritual violations, but –"

Deaghleth looked shocked. "Certainly not. We don't do that any more. Not often, anyway. Do you take us for savages? In times past – but I digress. No, when I said consequences, I meant -- disgrace! Very, very scandalous disgrace. Terrible."

Disgrace didn't sound that terrible compared to execution. Obi-Wan asked, "What kind of disgrace?"

Deaghleth said, "Dreadful. Many years ago, a woman came to see her sister married, when she herself was not married. This was discovered, and her family was banned from all the Lifemark ceremonies, not just the marriage ceremony. Banned for two hundred years. All their descendants were thus illegitimate, thus unable to properly inherit, unable to properly marry themselves. The family lost all status. They were ruined! I think they run a vegetable stall in the market at Iglastia now."

Deaghleth gripped Obi-Wan's wrist and hissed under his breath, "We did not labor through the years to get Tigras in communication with the Republic and to get those old fossils in the Ruling Chairs to accept greater interaction with offworlders, only to have a scandal created by our first offworlders at a royal wedding!"

Deaghleth released Obi-Wan's arm, made a teeth-baring smile and said in his normal tone of voice, "So I must congratulate you again on your marriage! We are honored to have you here, Padawan Kenobi, with your mate, the esteemed Master Jinn."

Obi-Wan asked, "How did this misunderstanding occur?"

Deaghleth said, "A pair of Jedi, paired Jedi, a couple of Jedi. It's the damned translators, but whether it's on your side or ours, it's too late at this point! Please, Obi-Wan, we didn't go through all those negotiations back on Iilan Four to botch this now!"

"I understand," said Obi-Wan. "Qui-Gon and I are now married. Temporarily. I only hope he doesn't meet any Tigrasans he can converse with, until after I tell him the happy news myself."

Deaghleth hesitated. Obi-Wan gave him a questioning look.

The Tigrasan said, "I should clarify about the ceremony. I hope...I'm sure it won't be a difficulty. We talked about this topic before, I remember. That night we had too much to drink, and I asked many impertinent questions about Republic, ah, mores. I remember from what you described, that many Republic species, and Jedi especially, are very straightforward about matters of the, ah, em."

Uh oh. Obi-Wan remembered that evening. It has involved much hemming and hawing from Deaghleth, and most of the questions had been about sexual practices. Deaghleth had asked Obi-Wan about the sexual behaviors of each of the Republican species who had attended the Iilan Four negotiations -- but the Junior Ambassador had failed to answer any of Obi-Wan's questions about Tigrasan intimate practices, Deaghleth's responses dissolving into intoxicated giggles and hand-waving.

"Yes? What matters are we talking about?" Obi-Wan asked warily.

"For the ceremony tomorrow night: in the first part of the proceedings, the Future Queen marries her Consort. Nothing for you to do other than stand there and look attentive. The latter part of the proceedings is where the newly wed couple joins the collective of the Married by initiating their conjugal life together in the company of the attendees." Deaghleth began hand-waving. "Initiating...their...conjugal...con-ju-gal...life."

It took a moment for the light to dawn. "We watch them have sex?" asked Obi-Wan.

"No!" exclaimed Deaghleth. "How ridiculous!" More hand flapping at Obi-Wan's preposterous idea. Deaghleth continued, "All the couples have sex together. At the same time. I mean, with each other. The two in each couple. One with one. Not with the other couples."

Obi-Wan rubbed the bridge of his nose. He needed more details – he wasn't leaving anything else to fall afoul of a cultural mistranslation. The Tigrasans were modest in their public behavior; perhaps this ceremonial sex was something mild, like kissing or embracing. "Deaghleth, how do the couples have sex? What is the act?"

"The usual way." Flap flap, went the hands.

"What is the usual way?" asked Obi-Wan grimly.

Deaghleth took a deep breath, tucked his hands under his armpits, and said plaintively, "The normal way. Penetration. Putting the male sex organ inside the other person's body." Deaghleth looked up at Obi-Wan from under his thick ebony eyeridge. "Do you understand?"

"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "I understand."

"Even given your...unusual situation, this will not be a difficulty, will it?" asked Deaghleth. "I remember from our conversation that the Jedi are very logical about sex. And maintaining the Tigrasan alliance with the Republic is a very logical thing. So this act during the ceremony is acceptable to you, yes?"

"It...yes, this act is acceptable to me." Obi-Wan met Deaghleth's eyes. "But I cannot speak for Qui-Gon. He must give his own opinion in the matter."

Deaghleth flapped anxious hands again, then caught himself and crossed his arms. "Master Jinn must find this acceptable! Because I have no idea what would happen if he did not. You responded to our invitation. You have already set foot within the Mother Temple. Leaving early is not possible. Not attending the ceremony is not possible. Please encourage Master Jinn to accommodate in this matter."

"I will communicate the gravity of the situation to him," said Obi-Wan.

Deaghleth glanced up at the large bluish moon peeking over top of the courtyard arch. "I must go, I must not keep these next persons waiting." He performed the formal Tigrasan diplomat's bow. "Be well, Senior Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi."

As he exited the courtyard, Deaghleth crossed paths with several young Tigrasans carrying food platters. They arranged them on a low table and bowed their exit.

Obi-Wan considered the food, enough to feed his master and himself several times over. He lifted one of the protective mesh domes, dipped a finger in a warm substance, tasted. Not bad.

At least Qui-Gon would get a solid meal before his padawan broke the news.

Qui-Gon listened in silence, staring off into the moonlit gardens during Obi-Wan's recitation of developments.

Obi-Wan concluded, "I told Deaghleth I could not speak for you in this matter. This situation is awkward for us personally, yet to my knowledge it is not forbidden by the Code. The Code would encourage us to do anything that is reasonable and in affinity with the Force to help the Tigrasans strengthen their ties with the Republic. Otherwise they won't be safe from the encroachment of the Trade Federation for much longer."

Qui-Gon said without looking at Obi-Wan, "What are your thoughts on your proposed role in this event?"

Obi-Wan shrugged. "I have no objections. It is for a greater good." Force, Obi-Wan realized he was being as indirect and unclear as Deaghleth had been. But it wasn't as if he and Qui-Gon ever had extensive discussions about sexual matters. They covered the topics that were necessary in the padawan curriculum, and that was all. Obi-Wan had no knowledge of his master's sexual history, and as far as he was aware, Qui-Gon was equally ignorant of Obi-Wan's.

Obi-Wan added aloud, "I have no specific concerns, if that's what you mean. I have experience. Enough experience to get by."

Obi-Wan thought that last fact had been worth mentioning; after all, some Jedi did choose to remain celibate – he had best reassure Qui-Gon on that issue. He Obi-Wan had been with a man and had received anal penetration. He had never topped, but he knew how to take the receptive position. Thank the Force he wasn't still a virgin. If he had been, he would have felt obligated to inform his master at this juncture, and that would have made this ridiculous situation even more complicated.

Qui-Gon glanced down to where the exterior moonlight met the shadows of the entryway. "I cannot think of a way to gracefully extract us from this situation. We are hampered both by our own ignorance and Deaghleth's limited knowledge, as he is not of this temple's caste nor familiar with royal protocols."

Obi-Wan said, "We can't leave, and we can't refuse to participate. I had thought that one of us might arrange to become ill or injured, but that's probably a bad idea."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "It's out of the question. We both know the emphasis that the Tigrasans place on signs and portents. An honored guest becoming ill on the eve of the wedding – they might call the entire thing off, and that could cause a loss of face and a break between the two noble families that could last for decades. And we know Tigrasan's love of correct etiquette, and their perception of ill-mannered persons as unlucky and to be avoided. Even simply making further inquiries about the event could be perceived as improper and inauspicious."

Qui-Gon finally looked at Obi-Wan and quirked a rueful half-smile. "Earlier, Jaan Haas Rianall showed me the place where the ceremony will be held. It's a large courtyard at the foot of the main pyramid. The Tigrasans were assembling dozens of tents. At the time, I had no idea they were for. Now we know."

"One for each couple, most likely," said Obi-Wan, and cleared his throat. "Master, is there any preparation that we should do?"

"What do you mean?" Was there an edge in Qui-Gon's voice?

"I'm not sure," said Obi-Wan. "I suppose we'll have the necessary supplies provided. At least the Tigrasans have a number of their own same-sex couples; they must be aware of the need for lubrication and the like, as their physiology is within humanoid standards."

Qui-Gon countered, "If the Tigrasans were unfamiliar with same-sex couples, then this misunderstanding about our relationship would never have occurred in the first place."

Testy, that. So the Master was ruffled by this development, as he himself was, Obi-Wan realized. Oddly, knowing that made him feel better. He himself felt emotionally disturbed -- more than a Jedi should be -- at the idea of being thrown together sexually with an accidental partner. The concept of forced intimacy was unappealing to him, even with someone he knew and trusted as deeply as his own master. It was reassuring to know that even a Jedi Master could feel unsettled by this situation.

Qui-Gon rose and turned, the lamplight behind him, his expression difficult to read in the shadows. "One preparation I do recommend: meditation before we retire. While this act for this purpose is, as you said, permitted by the Code, it is still not something to be done lightly. Even if this act has not the same meaning for us as it would have for a Tigrasan married couple, it should be undertaken with full awareness and consideration. Even reverence; for our hosts take this ceremony to be sanctified."

Obi-Wan wasn't certain that any amount of meditation would enable him to be reverent and serene while having sex – and having sex with Qui-Gon Jinn, of all people. Qui-Gon and fucking. Obi-Wan winced. Those two concepts had never been remotely in the same neighborhood before.

With the lamplight at an angle, Obi-Wan realized that from where he was sitting and looking up, he could see the bulge in the front of Qui-Gon's leggings. It seemed more prominent due to the shadows cast across the bigger man's groin. He realized that Qui-Gon was still waiting for Obi-Wan's response to the master's directive to meditate.

"Yes, master."

"I leave you to your thoughts, then, Padawan," and Qui-Gon stepped out into the gardens, the thin white curtains swirling like a living thing in his wake.

Obi-Wan woke in the middle of the night, stirred from dreams of Jedi with cloak-hidden faces who fondled him and made him ache for release.

He had slept naked next to Qui-Gon on multiple occasions, but here, in this bed, he had kept his leggings on. Qui-Gon had chosen to remain clothed as well. The tall man was stretched on the other side of the sleeping couch, hands folded serenely over his stomach, apparently in deep sleep.

After reciting various Jedi litanies in his head, his erection showed no signs of diminishing. He couldn't stay like this; he wouldn't be able to sleep, or worse, he would have a wet dream and the stains to show for it in the morning.

Best to address the problem now. Obi-Wan rose and quietly slipped through the curtained door into the bathing atrium.

Obi-Wan loosened his leggings and slid both hands into his crotch. He touched himself in his usual way: one forearm pressed against the line of his groin, fingers pressing between his legs and clutching his testicles, the other hand fondling his penis. As he stroked himself, he stared up at the star-sprinkled night sky, visible through the oculus in the atrium ceiling.

Tomorrow night, he would be touching Qui-Gon rather than himself. Obi-Wan had already decided that he would be the one to receive penetration, since he had done that before. He felt certain Qui-Gon would accede to any request that he Obi-Wan might make; Qui-Gon would want to make this as easy for the junior partner as possible.

The only risk in that plan was if Qui-Gon were unable to get an erection. Qui-Gon might be out of practice; he might be one of those Jedi who were habitually celibate; certainly Obi-Wan was unaware of any sexual liaisons in his master's past, with the possible exception of Qui-Gon's relationship with Tahl.

Other possible obstacles: Qui-Gon might put off by the idea of sex with his own padawan. Certainly Obi-Wan was needing time to adjust to the idea. Older men sometimes had difficulties getting hard; not that Qui-Gon was old, but he was well past his years of peak physical sexual ability, in the most base animal sense.

Bah -- this worrying was nonsense. Qui-Gon was a Jedi Master, with all that implied for body control. Qui-Gon would not allow minor issues to interfere with a mission's success. Jedi Masters probably had a few Force-enhanced tricks in the sexuality department. He Obi-Wan would take the receiving role, Qui-Gon would penetrate him, and that would meet the requirements of the ceremony. That would be the end of it.

Belatedly, Obi-Wan realized that he wasn't sure about that last point. In fact, he wasn't certain about a great many things. He hadn't had the time to ask Deaghleth about all the details. Was there a specific sexual position that was considered proper for the ceremony? And were they expected to do it more than once?

No use in wondering about it now. And if couples did get their own private tent – at least they wouldn't have an audience if they failed to follow the traditional process.

He pumped his cock efficiently until he came. Rinsing his hand in the bathing tank, he then sluiced water over the place on the floor that he had marked with ejaculate. He gave one last glance to the moon framed overhead, then returned to the other room to sleep.

The day dawned abruptly, the shy light of early morning yielding quickly to the full solar blast.

Deaghleth had mentioned in the original invitation that their time was unscheduled until the actual event, so they behaved as they usually did on ceremonial missions. They performed a kata set. They considered sparring, then decided to refrain in case weapons or violence would be considered improper. They read their datapads. They ate midmeal. They meditated. Neither of them were inclined to conversation.

The late afternoon shadows had lengthened across the courtyard by the time a Tigrasan appeared, carrying a stack of cloth which he unfolded to display as two sarongs.

Obi-Wan said, "If you would be the first to bathe, Master, I would appreciate it."

Qui-Gon nodded and disappeared into the bathing room.

Obi-Wan paced deliberative circles in the courtyard, muttering a walking meditation under his breath. He felt crisp and alert, as he did before a pending crisis on a mission, or before an athletic competition at the temple. He deliberately evened out his breathing. There was no cause for anxiety. Everything would be fine.

Qui-Gon reappeared, toweling his hair dry, and Obi-Wan ducked past him into the bathing area.

He splashed the water about vigorously, waving the dipping cup with abandon. After a quick patdown with a towel, he approached the shelf where the toiletries were stored and found a scentless lotion. He prepared himself, one hand braced against the rough wall, the other tucked under his buttocks. It went well; he was able to insert three fingers with relative comfort. Yes, he would be able to do this. It would be all right. This was nothing, really. Just an unusual twist to an otherwise low-key mission.

Obi-Wan exited with a spring in his step that had been missing earlier, and gave his master a confident nod before he turned to the business of dressing.

Adjusting the tiesash of his sarong, Obi-Wan sensed Qui-Gon's approach before he felt the bigger man's hand on his arm.

"Obi-Wan, during this night, we must stay attuned to each other, and the Force."

"Of course," said Obi-Wan, a bit too quickly.

"Not of course," said Qui-Gon. "Listen to what I'm saying, padawan. We've never done anything quite like this. As familiar as we are with each other, in this situation we could misread." The master's hand was still on Obi-Wan's arm, a gentle grip. "There is no need for this to be an unpleasant experience in any way."

"I understand. Everything will be fine," said Obi-Wan, realizing he had snarled the knot in his sarong in his distraction.

A sound made them both turn as several Tigrasans appeared, their hands laden with flowers. After decorating both Jedi with garlands, their hosts led the way out of the courtyard.

The large open space was dotted with tents placed about five paces apart, and beflowered Tigrasans milled about with an air of suppressed excitement, their blue skins appearing even darker in the blue-tinted moonlight. Obi-Wan noted that in the darkening twilight, the thin material of the tents looked almost opaque. That was reassuring. This event was going to be sufficiently public as it was.

Their guide pulled aside the door of one tent and waved them in. The guide patted the thick layers of overlapping rugs at the tent center, then opened wooden box in one corner of the room, showing that it contained a selection of bottles and containers.

One last choreographed flourish over a table on which were placed foodstuffs and carafes of beverages, and their guide bowed his way out.

The fact that they were well-provisioned implied that the ceremony might last through the night. Obi-Wan caught Qui-Gon's eye; the older man started to speak but was cut off by the sound of music nearby.

The Tigrasans were assembling, one pair before each tent. Obi-Wan joined Qui-Gon before their tent and assumed his accustomed air of Jedi calm.

The first part of the ceremony required nothing more than standing at attention as the wedding occurred on the lower part of the steps of the great pyramid, located some distance from them. Obi-Wan could barely see the outline of the royal couple in the red of the faraway torchlight.

Obi-Wan's mind wandered. Were Tigrasans expected to be virginal at marriage? Were this couple anticipating the first sex of their lives, or merely the first conjugal sex? Tigrasans didn't talk about such things, at least not with outsiders. Obi-Wan still remembered Deaghleth's incoherence when the Tigrasan Junior Ambassador had finally scraped together the intoxicated courage to discuss sex with Obi-Wan, back during the last days of the negotiations on Iilan Four.

All at once, the people around them broke position, and with a murmur of soft speech, rapidly disappeared into their tents. Qui-Gon spun about and ducked inside their own tent, Obi-Wan following.

Pulling the curtained door in place behind him, Obi-Wan noted that while he could faintly see through the fabric walls of their own tent to the blurred outlines of the other tents in the eerie bluish moonlight – the other tents' interiors were opaque due to their whitely luminous fabric.

"So voyeurism is limited to the audible," Obi-Wan said.

"Indeed," said Qui-Gon. ‘The material is sufficiently reflective in moonlight."

The master lowered himself to the carpeted floor, long body shifting back and forth as he tried several half-reclining positions. To another's eye, it would have seemed merely that the tall man was making himself comfortable; to Obi-Wan, it spoke of nervous fidgeting.

The colder the water, the faster the plunge; best for both of them that they get this over quickly. Obi-Wan tossed aside his garlands and yanked at his sarong, pulling the fabric away from his hips.

Falling to his knees with a quick "if you please," Obi-Wan lifted away Qui-Gon's own floral necklace, then went to work on the other man's sarong tie. Fiddling the knot loose, he unwrapped the folds of cloth, keeping his gaze resolutely below his master's waist.

Thankfully, Qui-Gon was already partially hard. Obi-Wan's next course of action seemed obvious, and he bent forward and closed his mouth around Qui-Gon's erection.

He had done this before, not often but a couple of times, enough to have some idea of technique. He tongued gently and could feel the other man's cock swelling in his mouth. What a relief. As strange as this was, everything was proceeding according to plan.

Obi-Wan moved his mouth up and down on the shaft, and belatedly remembered to caress the other man's testicles, keeping his touch light. He risked a glance upwards. His master was staring back at him, and Obi-Wan quickly closed his eyes. This would be challenging enough without having to actually make eye contact.

The cock in his mouth seemed stiff and urgent. Obi-Wan released it and sat up – only to realize that he had forgotten to get any oil. He scooted over to the wooden box, took up a vial and poured slick liquid into his palm, then spread his knees and inserted two fingers. They went in fairly easily, and he thanked the time had spent earlier stretching himself.

He crab-walked on hands and knees back to Qui-Gon, who appeared not to have moved. Focusing again on Qui-Gon's body rather than his face, Obi-Wan threw a leg over the larger man's supine hips and positioned himself. Reaching behind, he clasped the column of the other man's erection and angled it against his own ass. Holding the cock firmly, he pressed back against it.

Suddenly there was a huge plug invading into his body; the head of the penis had popped in. It felt maddeningly uncomfortable, and his own penis responded, his half-erection surging momentarily then wilting down.

It should be easy now. He could use his own body weight to complete the penetration. He slowly lowered his torso; the thick cock went deeper into him. His opening felt stretched to the limit, and he grimaced.

Hands grabbed his biceps. He opened his eyes. Qui-Gon was leaning up towards him with an urgent expression. "It's hurting you," Qui-Gon said in a rough voice.

"It's all right –"

"Not if it hurts you."

"No, I'm all right, it's just, here," said Obi-Wan, snatching at the vial of oil. Spilling a messy handful, he seized his own near-flaccid organ and pulled. His cock began to harden in his grip, nerve endings becoming sharper, hungrier.

Qui-Gon was still looking at him with stress locked in his face. Obi-Wan seized the other man's hand and guided it to his penis. The big fist closed around his cock, squeezing, sliding.

Oh, now that felt good, that tight clench around his cock. The bulk rammed up his ass began to feel tolerable. Obi-Wan pushed his hips downward and rocked them slightly; the thickness inside him shifting with the motion. He flexed his thighs and on one downwards push, an intense sensation flared inside him; he had found the right angle.

Qui-Gon's other hand released Obi-Wan's upper arm and moved down to seize the younger man's hip, nails digging into skin. The master's breathing was heavy, and his stroking was irritatingly out of rhythm with Obi-Wan's own urgency. Obi-Wan placed his hand over his master's and tightened their joint grip on his cock, trying to control the pace.

His body began the crest into orgasm, pulled along as in the fast-moving arc of an ocean wave. A microsecond of suspended bliss, and in the next moment, his cock was pulsing over their combined fingers.

The event had rushed to closure, but despite that, Obi-Wan had come harder than he expected. He wrung himself empty with the last squeeze of his fingers.

He was jolted upwards as Qui-Gon bucked, arching up, in his neck straining, finding his own release. Then the tension in the big man melted, the long body began to ease flat against the carpets.

Obi-Wan shakily raised a knee and rolled off to one side.

Looking up towards the ceiling he saw – extraordinary! – ripples and flickers of what could only be the Force – the Force, visible to the naked eye. There were phantasms of Force energy drifting throughout the tent, their light subsiding as he watched. He glanced down at himself, then at Qui-Gon; their two bodies were outlined in liquefied Force, a shimmering radiance.

Qui-Gon was shielding heavily, his Force presence dampened, glowing like hidden coals under a thick layer of ashes. Qui-Gon was rarely effusive, but Obi-Wan could usually get a sense of the man's emotional state. Except now; there was almost nothing to sense. A muffled blankness, a door closed and buffered.

It wasn't meant as a slight, Obi-Wan told himself. They were lovers out of temporary necessity. Qui-Gon had been required to expose his body, but the ritual didn't require that he expose his mind. On the contrary, the intimacy of the ritual might encourage his reserved master to withdraw into himself even more than usual.

Obi-Wan looked up at the ceiling again. The wisps of Force energy were gone.

He glanced at Qui-Gon; the master was still lying prone with his eyes closed.

Obi-Wan ventured, "I suppose we could congratulate ourselves, as we managed to fulfill the requirements of the ceremony. As far as we know."

No response from Qui-Gon.

"Another mission brought to a successful conclusion," Obi-Wan said, and couldn't refrain from a snorted laugh.

A faint answering chuckle. "Are you certain that you're all right?"

"I'm fine," Obi-Wan said.

Quiet. In the breeze were soft noises from the surrounding tents.

Qui-Gon's voice again. "You seemed to be in pain."

"A bit, at first," said Obi-Wan. "But then it usually is that way, in my limited experience. It gets better as things move along."

The moon appeared to flutter as the fabric moved in the slight wind.

Qui-Gon said, "I am sorry that you had to experience this, under these circumstances."

Now that was unusual. Qui-Gon never apologized for how a mission turned out. Missions unfolded as they would. Odd to think that Qui-Gon would for some reason feel accountable for this situation...or perhaps for being unable to think of a way for them to extricate themselves from it?

"It wasn't unpleasant," said Obi-Wan. "Quite the opposite. Enjoyable, really." Upon consideration, ‘enjoyable' was an understatement. His orgasm had been more intense than with his one prior lover, back on Coruscant.

The newly knighted Dar-Mial had been enthusiastic, but he was barely more skilled than the virginal Obi-Wan. They had fumbled their way through two encounters before missions separated them, and when they met again over a year later, Dar-Mial had shown no further interest.

Obi-Wan had had mixed emotions: regret, and also relief that he wouldn't have to worry about navigating the minefield of Jedi sexual relationships. When both excessive attachment and carelessly casual sex were forbidden, that left a narrow line to walk, and most Jedi chose to avoid the entire issue.

Obi-Wan had heard the arguments, read the philosophers who said that sexual relationships were a distraction from a life of complete commitment to the Force. But, but, but...given that the Force itself was the essence of life, and life was inherently sexual and generative, it was puzzling that the Jedi, its most fervent devotees, seemed unable to find a way ---

Qui-Gon's voice brought Obi-Wan back to the present moment. "Now what happens?"

Obi-Wan said, "Pardon me? I don't understand what you mean."

Qui-Gon said, "Did Deaghleth share with you any other information about this night? Such as what happens next?"

"No. Do you have any idea, master?"

"No."

Obi-Wan huffed with amusement. "Of course not. The Force forbid that we have any clear idea about anything that's supposed to happen on this mission. For how long do you think we should stay here?"

"I have no idea. We can wait until others begin leaving."

"Who knows when that will be. At least we know it can't last more than a few days, since the Tigrasans know we're due back on Coruscant by then." Obi-Wan levered himself into a sitting position, then onto his knees, being careful of his sensitized ass. "Might as well eat something."

Crawling to the table, he squinted at the dishes in the dim light "Would you care for anything?" he asked over his shoulder.

"Water, please."

Obi-Wan poured a glass from the pitcher and leaned back to offer it to Qui-Gon.

"Thirsty work," Obi-Wan quipped.

"Hydration is important," Qui-Gon tossed out as reply, then shook his head. "I didn't mean to imply."

"Imply what?" Obi-Wan asked, selecting a piece of fruit.

"Any further exertions. We have met all the requirements, as far as we know. And I very much doubt that anyone will appear at this late juncture to give us further instructions."

"I certainly hope not," said Obi-Wan. "It would take forever for Tigrasans to tutor us in sex, if Deaghleth is any example. The wedding would be tendays over, and the discussion would probably cause enough hand flapping to change the climate of the entire planet."

Obi-Wan took a bite of the fruit, swallowed, and decided to ask the question that he had intentionally avoided up to this point. "What are the rules on sexual intimacy between master and padawan? I admit that I should probably know that, but I confess I'm in the dark on the matter."

"Oh, so now you ask?" Qui-Gon's tone was ironic.

"It wasn't necessary for me to ask earlier. I was determined to meet our obligations here regardless. Now that we've done so, do you think there will be any repercussions with the Order?"

Qui-Gon handed the glass back to Obi-Wan, and gave a small shrug. "My understanding is that there are no specific rules, other than the usual ones that guide teacher-learner interactions and Jedi in general. Act according to the will of the Force, mutual awareness, lack of coercion, and the like. The Code is ambiguous on the matter of sex, regardless of Abstentionists claiming all erotic activity should be avoided. Under the present Council, sexual activity by or between Jedi is permissible, subject to certain guidelines."

"So even sex between masters and padawans is permitted, under the current interpretation of the Code?"

"Certainly," said Qui-Gon, settling back down on the carpet. "There are several padawans in your cohort who are having, or have had, sexual relations with their masters."

There were? How could he not have known that? It suddenly seemed important to Obi-Wan that he had not known that. "I need to start cultivating better sources of Temple gossip."

"It's not surprising that you didn't know," said Qui-Gon. "I didn't know during my own padawan years. There's more awareness of those relationships among the masters than among the apprentices, although even the masters rarely speak of it. You know that many Jedi disapprove of sexual encounters as a matter of both principal and practicality, even those that do not follow the strict Abstentionist model."

Obi-Wan poured a dribble of water from the pitcher to wash the sticky fruit juice from his hands, and wiped them dry on a nearby rug. He turned back towards the bed of piled carpets to speak -- but Qui-Gon lay as if asleep, although he had been speaking only a few moments earlier. Whether Qui-Gon was in fact asleep or no, it was a clear signal that he didn't wish to continue the conversation.

Obi-Wan lay down nearby, not close enough to touch, but close enough for companionship, and stared up into the dark of the tent roof.

Obi Wan floated back to consciousness. Both the moon's position and his own internal clock said it was a couple of Tigrasan hours later.

One factor in his awakening: he was hard, his erection jutting above his abdomen.

Damn it. If he could sneak away and be alone, then he could masturbate, as he did last night. But there was no option of sneaking away tonight, and the tent was small. He'd have to simply wait for it to subside.

Obi-Wan counted his breath cycles. In, pause, out. In, pause, out.

He was becoming more aroused, not less. He placed one hand on the side of his groin and pressed down, hoping to distract himself and redirect the energy flow.

Qui-Gon's voice. "Go ahead and give yourself relief."

Obi-Wan sighed in defeat, and said, "I thought you were asleep."

"We share the same rousing condition."

On reflex Obi-Wan looked over and caught a glimpse of Qui-Gon's erection, as urgent as his own.

Qui-Gon said, "I suppose it's to be expected, given the circumstances."

"Good to have a different excuse for once," said Obi-Wan. "Other than the rampant hormones of youth."

"We all have rampant hormones at times."

Obi-Wan ran his fingers around the base of his erection. "I'm not used to doing this with an audience."

"Nonsense," said Qui-Gon. "You don't refrain when on we're on missions together, even when we're in close quarters. I just ignore you."

Obi-Wan hissed chagrin between his teeth, half amused, half mortified. "Yet another thing I didn't know. This mission has its enlightening moments, I admit."

Qui-Gon sounded amused himself. "There's no reason for you to abstain for tendays on end, simply because we're on a mission and housed together. Surely you don't believe that you're the only Jedi that masturbates while lying next to his conveniently inattentive partner?"

The idea of Qui-Gon masturbating had never crossed Obi-Wan's mind. His own Master, like most of the other masters, had always seemed uninterested in anything sexual. To the extent Obi-Wan wondered about it, he assumed that Jedi Masters, over the course of their years with the Force, reached a point where they were no longer disturbed by their baser urges.

If he didn't ask now, he's probably never find as opportune a moment. "I've never overheard you indulging yourself, on a mission or any other time," said Obi-Wan.

"One learns a few tricks over the years."

Aha! So Qui-Gon did pleasure himself. And that was an odd thought to have of one's master, so odd that Obi-Wan wasn't certain how to respond. Surprised, yes, intrigued, yes. Puzzled. Curious.

Obi-Wan rolled his head to look at Qui-Gon. "All right, I have to ask. You've never said anything about masturbation before, much less about doing it in close quarters. Why not mention it earlier? You could have saved me years of furtive anxiety."

Qui-Gon twisted one arm upwards and settled it under his head. "If you think back, you might remember that I did make a few discreet references to it. Obviously I was too subtle, since it didn't register. I had thought I was being perfectly clear, just circumspect. One's sexuality is a private matter. You never brought it up, in so many words, so neither did I. I didn't want to intrude."

Obi-Wan snorted. "In my earlier padawan years, you dictated everything in my life, from my studies to my diet. You weren't worried about intruding with any of that, private though they were. Why didn't you say more about sex?"

Qui-Gon's free hand moved absently to rub at the hollow of his own throat. "Perhaps I should have. Perhaps I was too obscure. Sometimes by our actions we create the very situation we wished to avoid."

Qui-Gon's hand drifted south along his breastbone. Obi-Wan didn't realize until after the motion ceased that he was disappointed that the hand stopped to rest just below Qui-Gon's ribcage rather than going further down.

Qui-Gon said, "My own master was scathing on the topic of randy padawans. He remains one of the most exacting Abstentionists in the Order. I never understood his vehement aversion to the very possibility that sexual drives might be used to good purpose. After years of his lectures, it was difficult to for me to recognize that my desires put me more in touch with the Living Force, not less."

Qui-Gon's Force aura had muted even more, as it often did when speaking of his former master. There was a difficult history there, Obi-Wan had suspected for years, but Qui-Gon had never spoken freely about it, and Obi-Wan had never felt comfortable bringing it up.

Qui-Gon continued, "I finally accepted that I differed from Dooku in this matter, and stopped trying to adopt his perspective. Eventually I came to believe that he had done me his student a disservice, by disciplining me so strongly to his own preference. I promised to show more consideration with my own padawans."

Obi-Wan said, "You don't often speak of your time with Master Dooku."

"No. He and I were alike in many ways, but yet we often failed to understand each other. As I grew into my maturity and self-confidence, the strain in our relations became apparent. I didn't seek to argue with him, but I stopped pretending that I agreed with him. He expected obedience in heart as well as action, and he resented my obstinance. The gulf between us grew wider until we could barely make ourselves heard across it."

In their rare encounters, Obi-Wan had seen the tension between Qui-Gon and Dooku, but he hadn't known what to make of it. Most masters and former padawans maintained strong friendships, but it was obvious even to a casual observer that Dooku and Qui-Gon Jinn had not.

Obi-Wan wondered this predicted for his own future relationship with Qui-Gon. Would Qui-Gon be as remote from a Knighted Obi-Wan as he was from his own former master?

Qui-Gon said, his voice trailing as if speaking to himself, "The Force brought me to Dooku for a purpose, but I confess that as his padawan, I often found that purpose difficult to comprehend."

If emotional distance were truly Qui-Gon's experience as a padawan, then it shed some light on Obi-Wan's early years with Qui-Gon: that sense of disconnect, of distance, of Qui-Gon holding his new padawan at arms length...a sensation which had slowly lessened as years went by.

Obi-Wan asked, "What do you believe to be the root of the disconnect? Was it just the issue of Jedi sexuality?"

Qui-Gon said, "Some among the Jedi have said that Dooku and I are too much alike in personality to get along well. That made us assume too much commonality between us, and made it all the more painful when we failed to resolve our differences."

Too alike. Obi-Wan could see that, based on what he knew of Dooku. The formidable Master was known to stand apart and alone: he had very few friends, if any; he defied the Council when it suited him; he sometimes seemed to live in his own world where he was utterly convinced of his own infallible knowledge of the Force. All traits that could be attributed to Qui-Gon at times.

Obi-Wan said, "You and I don't have that difficulty."

"You don't think we have our differences?" Qui-Gon seemed surprised, and no wonder: Obi-Wan had rarely hesitated to question his master, although he did try to show respect while doing it.

"No, we have plenty of those," said Obi-Wan. "I meant the difficulty of being too similar. Early in my padawan days, I wondered if I'd ever understand you. You seemed so far beyond me. So reserved, so in control of your emotions, so certain of your decisions. Quite the impassive Jedi master."

"As the years passed, you must have gotten a more accurate sense of my limitations," said Qui-Gon. "Certainly I was far from an ideal Jedi after Tahl died."

Obi-Wan didn't respond; that had been a nightmarish time, Qui-Gon at first enraged and then despondent to near-suicide over the loss of Tahl.

Qui-Gon continued, "No, you and I aren't greatly alike, Obi-Wan, and that is all for the best. You have always been grounded in your own self, rather than childishly patterning yourself after me. Now, as you approach your knighthood, I find myself coming to rely on your judgment and skills as much as I rely on my own. Well-managed differences can be the foundation of a good pairing, rather than a hindrance."

Extraordinary endorsement – and where was a datapad recording when one needed one? Qui-Gon was still shielding heavily; perhaps that was why he had expressed himself explicitly in words this time, rather than simply radiating an unspoken sense of affection, as he usually did when he wanted his padawan to feel approved of.

Despite his interest in the conversation, Obi-Wan's attention was increasingly directed towards his aching groin. His master may have sensed as much, because the older man fell silent.

Obi-Wan touched himself, aware of Qui-Gon lying next to him. His ass ached in addition to his cock, a surprising and new sensation; previously he had never felt any desire for penetration in advance of the actual event.

Their first encounter had felt abrupt at the time, but now the memory was arousing. Had his master's orgasm been unusually intense, as his own had been? What would a second time be like? Had Qui-Gon seen those visible Force emanations afterwards?

Obi-Wan said, "Would you mind if we tried it again?"

"If you'd like," said Qui-Gon.

That sounded merely tolerant rather than enthused. Obi-Wan hesitated, wondering whether to proceed, and how to do so, remembering how he had pounced on Qui-Gon earlier, not wanting to appear so graceless this time.

Qui-Gon solved the problem for him. The master rolled to his side and placed the flat of his hand on the younger man's belly. Obi-Wan sighed; the teasingly light touch was both calming and stimulating.

Qui-Gon began kissing a line down the centerline of Obi-Wan's torso. The long loose hair was as ticklish as the kisses, and Obi-Wan wriggled slightly. Qui-Gon continued to move downwards, and wrapped his thumb around the base of Obi-Wan's penis. Obi-Wan watched the back of Qui-Gon's head moving further downwards, then he was touched by a warm mouth.

Eternal Force, it felt wonderful. In his two earlier encounters with Dar-Mial, this had been what he most enjoyed. Obi-Wan rocked his hips, needing to move but not wanting to thrust. His ass desperately wanted attention, and he spread his thighs, hoping Qui-Gon would take the hint, but the older man seemed absorbed in his current task.

It became too much of one touch when he needed more of another. Obi-Wan pushed on his master's shoulder, and Qui-Gon moved back and away, giving Obi-Wan enough room to roll and come up on his knees, rump in the air.

Obi-Wan felt the other man moving up behind him, then a few moments of arranging legs; Qui-Gon's greater height requiring that he straddle Obi-Wan's knees rather than kneel inside of them. Obi-Wan felt fingers at his opening, probing, and he relaxed to let them enter. The fingers retreated and a bluntness pushed into the crease of his ass, pressed into him.

The effort wasn't sufficient to breach, so Obi-Wan levered backwards. He felt his body stretch open and the intrusion slide in. Earlier, he had been too focused on controlling the act to pay much attention to the intensity of that internal touch.

Full depth penetration and Obi-Wan felt skewered, pinned in place by the bulk jammed into his ass. Qui-Gon's hands were massaging Obi-Wan's hips, but otherwise the man didn't move.

"Please," Obi-Wan said to the carpet, "move." His invisible partner pulled back, pushed forward, but it wasn't enough, not nearly enough. "More, harder, please," and the action became faster, and Obi-Wan arched his back, searching for the angle to get the most stimulation. The next plunge caused a frisson inside his body, and Obi-Wan gasped.

Immediately the motion stopped, Qui-Gon frozen behind him.

"Damn it, more, harder, now," Obi-Wan snapped, almost out of his mind with lust and impatience, and the motion began again, back and forth, and Obi-Wan clapped his hand over his own cock. He climaxed with a spasm, dimly aware of jerky thrusts against his hips.

His face was rubbing against the carpet, and his knees were sore. Obi-Wan collapsed, did a careful stretch of arms and legs. He blinked, squeezed his eyes, blinked again. As before, the Force was dancing around them inside the tent, like friendly wisps of moonlight.

Obi-Wan turned his head towards Qui-Gon. The bigger man was lying on his side facing him. Qui-Gon looked as sweaty and wrung out as Obi-Wan felt himself. The faint light of the Force danced over Qui-Gon's body like a will-o-the-wisp.

"That was good," Obi-Wan gasped.

The older man took the padawan's forearm, gave it a reassuring squeeze.

His memory faded after that pat on his arm.

Obi-Wan woke spooned against a warm back. Not fully awake, he nuzzled warm skin, ran his hand along the ribs to the curve of waist. He let gravity encourage his hand downwards, following along hip and abdomen into the groin.

He was gently stroking there when the bigger man shifted, rolling forward, exposing his back and raising his thigh.

That seemed like an invitation, and one he was happy to accept. Obi-Wan located the vial of oil nearby and slicked his fingers. He hadn't penetrated anyone before, but he'd wondered about it, and now here was that opportunity, such as he might never get again. His heart began trip-hammering in his chest, and he willed it to slow down.

Qui-Gon's opening felt incredibly tight. Was that normal? Obi-Wan wasn't sure. He hadn't touched anyone else like this, only himself. It felt very different to do this to someone else. Obi-Wan moved his fingers slowly, trying to imitate what he himself liked. Qui-Gon seemed willing to let Obi-Wan take the lead; the big man lay still except for the rise and fall of his breathing.

The muscle was loosening around Obi-Wan's fingers. That much was reassuring, although otherwise, Qui-Gon might as well have been meditating for all the response he gave.

Obi-Wan was careful to shield his sense of uncertainty. He trusted his master to speak if the encounter seemed wrong; but privately, he could admit that he would feel more confident if Qui-Gon were more active. Not to mention that Qui-Gon's calm made Obi-Wan feel a bit self-conscious, in retrospect, about his own thrashing and moaning during their earlier rut.

But there was no reason to expect Qui-Gon to know of Obi-Wan's uncertainly; they were both shielding. And while Obi-Wan had told his master that he was experienced, he intentionally had been vague on the details. Qui-Gon probably assumed Obi-Wan was well-versed in all the basic sexual positions.

Obi-Wan tentatively bent his finger, seeking the prostate, and felt ridiculously relieved when Qui-Gon flinched.

It seemed like a good flinch, but just in case, Obi-Wan whispered, "Sorry."

Qui-Gon turned his head slightly. "It's all right."

"Let me know if, um –"

"It's all right."

It wasn't exactly the passionate exchange that Obi-Wan had hoped for, but it would do. Now that he was focused on the act Obi-Wan realized that he very much wanted to top Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon spread and open, taking pleasure from the feeling of a hard cock inside his body...would Qui-Gon arch and moan, like Obi-Wan did? Or would he lie passive and receptive as he did now, surrendering?

Obi-Wan shifted up and over, positioning himself. He guided himself to the entry point and gave an experimental thrust.

Oh Force – halfway in, and it felt good, but ah, it was tight, too tight, borderline painful.

"Master, can you relax a bit more?"

There was no answer, but Obi-Wan felt the crushing grip on his cock begin to ease. Ah, now, that was better. In fact, that was incredible. As the near-pain subsided, the pleasure rose up. He was already on the brink of climax and his cock wasn't even all the way in.

He couldn't come yet, he hadn't pleasured his partner nearly enough. Obi-Wan knew he wasn't the most experienced lover, but as a Jedi, he should be able to find enough self-control to last a few minutes. He continued to thrust, carefully, so as not to accidentally trigger his own orgasm.

Obi-Wan reached for the distancing technique that he used for dealing with pain: placing his consciousness apart from his body's physical response. He noted the pattern of shadows and hollows along Qui-Gon's upper back, observed the arc of long hair fallen over the shoulder. The master's face was turned downwards, forehead cushioned on a hand.

Feeling more in control now, Obi-Wan shifted his hips, and Qui-Gon moved in response. Ah good, now that he'd found the right spot, he should be able to get Qui-Gon to come. He hoped. Lube, he needed more lube. Damn it, he'd left the bottle too far away. Obi-Wan thought of Force-calling it to himself, but he didn't feel entirely confident of his Force-enhanced fine motor skills at the moment.

Well, there was one nearby location that did have lube. Obi-Wan slid two fingers inside his own ass – that felt strange and wonderful, penetrating and being penetrated – then removed his fingers and slid his hand along and under Qui-Gon's hip, groping for the other man's erection.

Qui-Gon was already hard. Obi-Wan began to squeeze Qui-Gon's cock, working the circle of his fingers. Finally the body lying beneath his began to move in unison, Qui-Gon grinding between Obi-Wan's hips and hand. Despite his master's thick mental shields, Obi-Wan could faintly sense the man's pleasure. Another thrust, and another...

Qui-Gon's buttocks clenched, and the sudden tightness put Obi-Wan over the edge. But this time, he didn't get swept away in the sensation; he remained fully aware in the instant, feeling the rush of energy pouring out of his body and into the other man, watching the muscles in Qui-Gon's shoulders knot and release.

Obi-Wan eased himself out and lay down with exaggerated care. He felt a bit jittery and strung out, as if he'd gone too many days without sleep. They'd had sex three times now, and each time it had been different. He wondered if that were normal; he'd never climaxed more than once in either of his two encounters with Dar-Mial, and while those had been pleasant, they were lacking from those of tonight. In his past encounters, orgasms had felt sharp and sudden. These tonight had felt deep and long. More of a full body experience, not just between his legs.

His master still hadn't said anything.

Obi-Wan reached out a hand to Qui-Gon's shoulder. The leonine head turned towards him.

The dim light made it difficult to see, but what Obi-Wan could see of Qui-Gon's expression wasn't what he had expected. Qui-Gon looked solemn and a little sad. He put a large hand to Obi-Wan's face, leaned over and kissed him on the forehead.

"Thank you."

Qui-Gon rolled over. Obi-Wan stared at the broad back.

Well, all right, Obi-Wan thought. Perhaps it wasn't the most earth shattering sex Qui-Gon had ever had. It had been Obi-Wan's first time topping, after all. Not that Qui-Gon knew that. At least the older man had climaxed, so the sex couldn't have been completely yawn-worthy.

Perhaps now that the night was almost over, Qui-Gon was transitioning back to their usual master-padawan status. Perhaps he was even embarrassed. Force knew Obi-Wan was feeling a little exposed and foolish himself. A Jedi master and senior padawan, thrashing about like mating mynocks. Writing this mission report was going to be interesting. No doubt Qui-Gon would leave Obi-Wan to agonize over the details in the draft, then chop out most of it in the final edit.

Outside, one of the nearby Tigrasans gave a yelping shriek. Obi-Wan couldn't keep himself from grinning. At least he Obi-Wan wouldn't be the only one who had made embarrassing noises at the royal wedding.

Obi-Wan went to sleep.

The sounds of chanting woke them in the early morning. Without a word, they quickly donned their wrinkled sarongs and stood in front of their tent in imitation of the other guests while exhortations were recited from the distant dais.

The chanting ended, which apparently was the signal that the ceremony was over. People began to disperse. One Tigrasan immediately appeared in front of their tent, bowing, and they followed his gestures through the milling crowd.

Back at their original place of lodging, their little courtyard was a beehive of activity, Tigrasans bustling about, overseen by a harried Deaghleth.

The diplomat said, "Good morning, good morning! I hope you do not mind; we took the liberty of assembling your belongings. We need to make fast time to your ship. Tit-tut!"

"We're leaving?" asked Obi-Wan. "I don't understand. We have another few days –"

"Yes, this freighter is a little slower than the official government corvette, it will need those extra days in order to deliver you back to Coruscant at your originally scheduled arrival time," said Deaghleth, pausing to rattle directions to the other Tigrasans, who scurried to pick up the Jedi's compact luggage, then quick-footed their way towards the exit arch.

Following right on the porters' heels, walking almost backwards to continue talking at the Jedi, Deaghleth continued, "You will forgive me; I made the assumption that you would prefer to depart promptly, given the circumstances. The royal couple will be in seclusion for some time, so it is no discourtesy to them. A lovely ceremony, was it not? Everything went well. Very propitious. The felicitous presence of the Jedi representatives from the Republic was greatly appreciated."

Deaghleth pulled himself up to his full height; he barely reached Obi-Wan's shoulder. "And now, alas, I must take my leave of you, my friends. Thank you again for joining us for such a momentous occasion, and at some inconvenience to yourselves, I do understand. My very best wishes, and I hope to see you when I rejoin the Tigrasan delegation at the Senate." One last smile and bow, and Deaghleth turned on his heel and sprinted away.

"I suppose we get to keep the sarongs," said Obi-Wan.

Looking at the backs of their hastily departing Tigrasan porters, Qui-Gon said, "We'd best move quickly, or our luggage will arrive back at Coruscant before we do."

In short order: dashing out of the Mother Temple complex, zipping off on a planetary shuttle, arriving at the main spaceport, up the ramp into the freighter just on board in time for departure, and escorted to their guest suite where they were promptly abandoned by the Tigrasan captain, who said in Tigrasan foreigners' dialect for the honored guests to excuse him please, that he had to get back to his duties.

The suite was cramped and sparse, obviously not intended for high ranking guests such as themselves. Obi-Wan crossed the sitting area to investigate the bedroom. "Only one bed – I suppose since we're still technically on Tigrasan territory, we're still treated as a married couple –"

"Excuse me," said Qui-Gon as the fresher door slid shut behind him.

"Certainly," said Obi-Wan to the empty room, a bit puzzled. Qui-Gon had seemed a bit odd this morning. But perhaps he simply was desperate to bathe. Force knew that Obi-Wan himself did; he felt grimy in more places than he wanted to think about.

He resorted to unpacking their luggage while he waited for his turn in the fresher.

By the end of the day, Obi-Wan knew he had to do something.

The freighter had very little common space, so the Jedi had agreed to remain in their cabin, reading, meditating, and doing such mild exercises as could be performed in a confined space.

In short, the circumstances were like hundreds of such trips they'd done before. But the emotional atmosphere was bizarre. They were both still shielding, and both knowing that it was odd to do so; usually the return trip was an opportunity to relax. They didn't speak, when they would usually be debriefing and conversing.

It felt somewhat like those times when they were angry with each other, yet the space between them didn't feel aggrieved. More like awkwardness, and awkwardness was an unusual experience for a senior padawan-master pair who'd spent many years in proximity and who knew each other so well.

Obi-Wan reached for the Force, and the Force was there, strong but skittish, like a fitful beast.

The sexual tension was thick as fog. At first, Obi-Wan clamped down on his reactions, shielding heavily, ashamed that Qui-Gon might sense his padawan's lack of control. Then he began to see signs that Qui-Gon might be doing the same thing; having a sexual reaction and trying to suppress it.

He would catch Qui-Gon staring at him then quickly looking away. Then Obi-Wan himself would be the source of an off moment; he would walk behind Qui-Gon's chair, and glance at the profile, a curve of ear, a braid of hair – and he would feel a sudden rush of emotion, so strong that even Qui-Gon must have felt it across the training bond, since the master glanced up interrogatively.

No, this couldn't continue.

Qui-Gon was brooding; Obi-Wan knew that much. The master had retreated into himself, as was his wont when perturbed. Obi-Wan tended to leave the man to find his own solutions; but in this case, Obi-Wan suspected that the source of Qui-Gon's unease was Obi-Wan himself.

On this issue, he had no intention of standing aside patiently and letting Qui-Gon hash through this alone. After all these years, he knew his master well enough to know that solicitous inquiries would be ignored. Obi-Wan had to attack in a way that would guarantee a response.

But before he did that, he had to know where he himself stood. It made no sense to demand that Qui-Gon reveal his concerns if he Obi-Wan was unable to do the same.

Obi-Wan resolved to spend the night in meditation to work through his own uncertainties over what had happened on Tigras.

The meditation didn't take as much time as Obi-Wan had initially thought it might.

In fact, once he cleared his mind and focused, things became very clear, very quickly.

The following morning, the atmosphere between them was much the same, except that Obi-Wan himself felt grounded and serene. He had found a touchstone in the midst of this confusion, but Qui-Gon seemed to still be disturbed.

Obi-Wan deliberately tossed his datapad aside; the movement diverted Qui-Gon's attention from his own data pad.

"Master, I was thinking of what we discussed earlier on Tigras, about masters and padawans in sexual relationships."

Qui-Gon nodded, face revealing nothing more than polite attentiveness.

Obi-Wan asked, "Have you ever been in such a relationship?"

"No." Qui-Gon looked back down at his datapad.

Obi-Wan pressed, "Have you ever considered it?"

"No," said Qui-Gon, a bit more strongly that Obi-Wan expected. Then the master amended, "Not until recent events."

"And now?" Obi-Wan asked.

Qui-Gon sighed, set aside his datapad. "Previously, I had never thought on it overmuch. To the extent that I did think on it, it seemed a distraction to the training purpose of the master-padawan bond. But now...I can see the attraction."

Aha! Obi-Wan felt vindicated – he had been right, both he and Qui-Gon had been thinking along the same lines, and tying themselves into knots of uncertainty over it.

"I would like to continue a sexual relationship with you," said Obi-Wan, aiming for a matter-of-fact tone, rather than a pleading one. Never start a negotiation from a position of weakness.

Qui-Gon refused to be drawn in, looking at him with a Jedi master's dispassionate gaze. "Why?"

Obi-Wan took a centering breath. This had been so clear to him last night in his meditations – he needed to communicate it clearly now. "I love you -- as my master, a fellow Jedi, a friend and comrade. Before this mission, I had never seriously considered you as a sexual partner. Whenever I thought of you as a sexual being, to the extent that the thought ever arose, it was only in relationship to Tahl. If you ever had as close a relationship with anyone else as you had with Tahl, I never saw it."

"I never did," said Qui-Gon. "Other than with yourself."

Obi-Wan was unsettled for a moment, then continued, "What happened on Tigras was unexpected, but it was a blessing from the Force. It was wonderful. I came to know you in a different way. I sensed the Living Force that night more strongly than I ever have before. I didn't go looking for this, but now that I've experienced it, I want to follow it where it leads."

"Did you not feel this way with your other lovers?" asked Qui-Gon, with that impartial manner.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "Lover. Singular. No, I didn't. I was attracted to him. Sex was new and exciting for that reason. It was nothing like our encounter on Tigras."

"Inexperience was also a factor on Tigras," said Qui-Gon.

That stung a bit, but Obi-Wan refused to rise to the bait. "Perhaps," he said, keeping his tone even. "But I don't need an advanced degree in humanoid sexuality to recognize our deeper compatibility, as compared to the shallower attraction I felt for Dal-Miar."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "That wasn't what I meant."

Obi-Wan said, "I admit, I overemphasized my competence on Tigras, to show that I was willing and able. But in actual fact, I'm not very sexually experienced. I'm aware of that."

Qui-Gon looked at him intently. "You seemed sufficiently experienced."

Obi-Wan matched that gaze, and he couldn't help it -- his breath caught. "Ah, well, good," he said lamely.

They continued looking for a long moment. Obi-Wan finally glanced away and shifted uneasily; damn his body, he had an erection.

Qui-Gon asked baldly, "Are you aroused?"

Startled, Obi-Wan nodded warily. For a moment, Qui-Gon's expression had almost looked like what one might receive from an accusatory Dooku.

"So am I," said Qui-Gon. "Thus are we both distracted, and so easily. Do you see why this is dangerous for us?"

Dangerous? Obi-Wan didn't see that it was dangerous. Embarrassing, distracting, yes, but to call it dangerous seemed a bit extreme. But perhaps Qui-Gon was correct; certainly the Temple philosophers believed that strong sexual attraction was a risk for Jedi.

Obi-Wan said, "If this is a danger, we've faced many other dangers together. Do you want to face this one? Or would you prefer that we turn away from it?"

If Qui-Gon truly felt that this was dangerous territory to be avoided, Obi-Wan would defer to that. A Jedi master would actively avoid something only for very good reasons.

But Qui-Gon seemed uncertain himself. The master scrubbed at his face with one hand in a frustrated gesture.

"Part of me wants it very much. More than I would ever have predicted. But I have reservations." Qui-Gon's expression became distant, as it did when he spoke of Dooku back on Tigras, and Obi-Wan could almost feel that disapproving presence of that senior master looming over the two of them.

Qui-Gon said, "Usually the Force speaks clearly to me about what I should do. But on this, I cannot hear it."

"I believe that the Force brought me to this, both now and that night on Tigras," said Obi-Wan. "I would not have spoken of this otherwise."

Qui-Gon was silent, his mind and face unreadable. Obi-Wan could sense the emotion churning underneath, but he had no idea of the outcome.

After several minutes of silence, Obi-Wan ventured, "Master...I feel that the Force guides me in this. What do you feel? Can we do this? And still be Jedi?"

Qui-Gon shrugged ambivalently. "I don't know. Some Jedi manage. A few. It is possible." Qui-Gon shook his head. "A master-padawan sexual relationship requires Council approval, with increased oversight and supervision of the pair. You know that I don't agree with all Jedi traditions, but I do agree with that one. Are you willing to submit to that?"

"Yes," said Obi-Wan.

"But I am not sure that I am," said Qui-Gon, "and I'm not sure you yourself are as certain as you sound. Consider: are you prepared to explain to the Council why you want us to be lovers? Think of the questions that will be asked of you. Is it because the sex would be enjoyable? Or because it would be convenient? Why does it feel better with me than it did with your other lover? Does the sex give you a sense of power or dominance over your master? Which sexual acts excite you, and why? Can you answer these things? Can you explain?"

Qui-Gon leaned back on his heels with a frown, crossing his arms and tucking his hands inside the sleeves of his tunic.

Obi-Wan shook his head in dissatisfaction. "Yes and no. Yes, I can explain much of what I want. No, I can't explain everything. Who could? The mysteries of sex have kept the scientists studying and poets writing for millennia. I'm not going to be able to package it all up in a neat answer, not for you nor for the Council."

Qui-Gon was silent, his mental shields opaque.

Obi-Wan didn't want to leave this topic unsettled, or leave anything unspoken that needed to be said. Best to get it all out in the open. "Do you believe that wanting this is wrong? As Master Dooku believes?"

"Not wrong," Qui-Gon admitted, but he sounded uncertain. "But as with all things, a Jedi must see clearly. He must be aware of his intents and desires, be able to surface what is latent in his own mind."

"I believe that I can do that, in regards to this," said Obi-Wan. "Can you?"

Surely with everything that Qui-Gon had encountered in his lifetime as a Jedi, the master could adjust to this. But perhaps Dooku's repression had bitten deep, despite Qui-Gon's statements that he had overcome that influence.

"Can I?" Qui-Gon repeated. "That's a good question. I as well as you must face this. Are you ready to inquire into yourself about this, and discuss your thoughts with those in authority over us, and permit their judgment of us?"

"Not at this instant," said Obi-Wan. "But yes, I could be ready, soon."

Qui-Gon pulled his hands from his sleeves, clasped his knees, fingers clenching into the fabric of his leggings, then relaxing. "Then so must I be."

"Then you agree?" said Obi-Wan. "You want this as well?"

"Want this?" Qui-Gon's glance sharpened, and Obi-Wan felt undressed where he sat, and he felt the color rise in his cheeks.

Qui-Gon continued, "Yes, in many ways, I want this. But I have many concerns as well. I do believe that we should examine this further before we make statements of intent or commitment."

"What are your concerns?" asked Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon said, "What if we're deceiving ourselves? What if this is only a temporary lust, and neither of us is experienced enough to recognize it for what it is?"

Obi-Wan's erection was still half hard. He said wryly, "I certainly feel lust, but it's not the only thing I feel. I feel love."

"Our emotions evolved to fit our biology," Qui-Gon pointed out. "Love serves the drive to reproduce. What if this is nothing more than appetite? For me to feed on your body as you feed on mine?"

"That imagery is supposed to dissuade me?" quipped Obi-Wan, then subsided at Qui-Gon's unamused gaze. "It's not only lust on my side. I'm sure of it."

"And what about on my side?" asked Qui-Gon.

What did that mean? It sounded as if Qui-Gon were saying he only felt lust for Obi-Wan, and that made no sense; Obi-Wan knew the man loved him, he'd seen it proved a thousand times. How could the addition of sexual desire kill that higher, noble emotion?

Obi-Wan said, "On your side? What do you mean?"

Qui-Gon looked away, wrapping his arms around his torso, as if he were cold or injured. "I've never felt sexual desire this strongly before."

"Well, I haven't either," said Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes in a brief show of frustration. "I can't speak to your experience, Obi-Wan, only you can do that. However you are a young man, as you pointed out in recent days. But for me, it's been many years since I felt anything like this. I thought that this particular craving was behind me."

The master rubbed both temples as if in response to a headache, then dropped his hands as if acknowledging that the gesture had failed to help. "I'm having difficultly accepting how deeply this is affecting me. At times it feels as powerful as the strongest, most violent emotions I've ever experienced. Obi-Wan, I see you, or sense you, or think of you, and the emotion seizes me. It takes a great effort to regain my balance. It's as if this enormous hunger has awakened in me and can't be sated."

Obi-Wan's pulse jumped; he noted it but didn't try to calm it. "We haven't tried to sate it. One ritualized evening together isn't much. Isn't that why many cultures allow a newly attached couple to remain in seclusion for a time?"

Qui-Gon said, "You seem to be keeping your balance despite all this."

Obi-Wan said, "I'm trying not to expect any resolution, either one way or the other. If you believe that we must continue as purely as master and padawan learner, as before –"

Qui-Gon cut in, "I'm not sure that I can return to that."

Then what did the man want? Obi-Wan felt the frustration, then let it go. If this uncertainty were frustrating for him, how much more so it must be for Qui-Gon, who as a senior Jedi was accustomed to knowing his own mind.

Obi-Wan decided to take it step by step. "So you don't know if we should be together in a sexual relationship. But you don't know if we could continue as master and padawan under those conditions."

"Correct. I don't know," said Qui-Gon, and stopped without any further elaboration.

"Would you send me to another master to finish my training, then?" Obi-Wan kept his center. Whatever needed to happen, would happen. There was nothing to fear.

Qui-Gon sighed, looked at the ceiling. "No. I think not. I intend not. But in the near term, I cannot easily regain...my lack of awareness of our – of the potential of our sexuality is gone, and I do not know if I can regain that state of ignorance. Nor do I want to forget. I want this with you, and my wanting is confusing my judgment about what is best for you and for your future. My judgment must serve the Force and your best interests, not your desires, and certainly not my desires."

Why did it need to be this complicated, Obi-Wan wondered to himself. Yes, they were Jedi, and yes, they were currently master and padawan. But none of this looked like an impediment to him. Was Qui-Gon, being the elder and more aware of Jedi sexual history, simply more attuned to the risks? Or was the master just more hesitant given his early conditioning from Dooku?

He realized that the source of Qui-Gon's unease didn't matter. All that mattered was that each of them stay attuned to their own feelings. He knew his own mind on this; while he respected Qui-Gon's concerns, they did not undermine his own certainty.

Obi-Wan said, "I don't see why both our interests and desires cannot be served. I would choose you as master and as lover. And it sounds as though you would have me as padawan and as lover. Back on Tigras, you said that you had come to trust my judgment as much as your own. Surely with both of us eager to do the right thing by each other and in accordance with the will of the Force, we can navigate this."

Qui-Gon released a long breath, and met Obi-Wan's eyes. "With the will of the Force, we will attempt it. We will petition the Council. But until then, we cannot be intimate again. Aside from what answer the Council may give, I need this time for my own reflection."

They spent the rest of the day in solitary pursuits, as much as was possible in such a small living space. Qui-Gon spent hours pouring over texts in his datapad; he barely grunted an acknowledgment when Obi-Wan came back from the ship's mess with their evening meal. At least the atmosphere between them was normalized – more like the typical wind-down from a mission, without the difficult undercurrents.

That night, when Obi-Wan retired without comment to the bedroom, it was Qui-Gon who remained in the sitting room, legs folded under him and eyes closed in meditation. But unlike Obi-Wan's experience the previous evening, apparently Qui-Gon did not receive rapid enlightenment. The master did not enter to the bedroom at all that night; if he slept, he did so elsewhere.

The next day, there were faint shadows under Qui-Gon's eyes, but he had a quiet hello and a hand on the shoulder for Obi-Wan at firstmeal. Otherwise, the day proceeded much like before, with each of them absorbed in their own small activities, giving each other space and privacy as possible.

It was mid-afternoon when Qui-Gon spoke: "Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan was busy cleaning his boots. Tigras had been a beautiful planet to visit, but that tropical climate had included moist, clinging soil. "Yes, master?"

"Have you any additional insights on the situation we discussed yesterday?"

"No," said Obi-Wan, focused on a particularly stubborn clot of mud in the boot tread.

"You have nothing further to share?"

"No," Obi-Wan repeated, but he glanced up, and seeing Qui-Gon's face, put the boot aside. He was sure of his feelings in this, and wouldn't be led into doubting them for no good reason. But from the look on Qui-Gon's face, the master had something on his mind.

Qui-Gon said, "I have more to say, if you do not. Before either of us make a final decision to pursue this, we should be open with each other."

"Yes..." Obi-Wan ventured, knowing there was some substance pending, not yet sure what it was.

"Obi-Wan, I have not had this kind of relationship before."

Obi-Wan rather thought that could have gone without saying, but he assumed Qui-Gon must have some reason for emphasizing it. "Neither have I. My impression is that the great majority of Jedi have not had an ongoing sexual relationship, so it's not surprising to me that neither of us ever have."

Qui-Gon said, "No, that's not what I meant. I meant that I haven't had this kind of a relationship before. A sexual relationship."

Oh. Oh. Obi-Wan started to say something, then thought better of it and rephrased his statement. "What sexual experiences have you had?"

Qui-Gon shrugged. "A few groping encounters in my youth. Nothing particularly successful or significant. Not even with Tahl."

Obi-Wan digested this information. It was a little unexpected; on Tigras, when Qui-Gon had said that he had chosen to honor his own sexual leanings, in opposition to Dooku's teachings, Obi-Wan had assumed that Qui-Gon had actively pursued sexual experiences. Now it sounded like Qui-Gon's decision to honor his own sexual independence had been more in the abstract than the concrete.

Obi-Wan asked, "So our night together was...?"

"It was my first experience of full sexual intimacy with another being, yes. You didn't know?" Qui-Gon almost sounded embarrassed.

"How would I have known?" asked Obi-Wan. "You didn't say anything."

"I thought perhaps my ineptness was a telling sign." Qui-Gon wasn't meeting his padawan's eyes.

"No," said Obi-Wan. "You didn't seem inept, as far as I could tell. But I'm not well versed in this either. I had all of two joinings with Dar-Mial, and we were both so ignorant that we barely managed to do the basics. You did seem a little restrained that night on Tigras, but that seemed an appropriate reaction, given the circumstances."

Qui-Gon continued with more assurance now, "I didn't think there was any value in conveying my own history to you at that time, back on Tigras. You already had enough on your mind. But now...well. If we're considering an ongoing sexual aspect to our partnership, then you'd best know my situation."

Force, it hadn't even occurred to Obi-Wan to ask before now -- "Were you sworn to celibacy? If so, I am sorry - " Some Jedi made such a formal commitment. Qui-Gon could easily have done so at some point in his life, without his current padawan knowing.

"No," Qui-Gon cut in. "Nothing so final. I simply had never had an occasion to...there had never been a welcomed opportunity." The master raised his hands in a gesture, then let them drop. "Even with Tahl, I'm not sure what would eventually have happened. She never showed any interest in physical intimacy. Some Jedi pairs remain celibate even when bonded."

Obi-Wan was still trying to work out the significance of Qui-Gon's former virginity. What would it mean for a person to become sexually active later in their life, rather in their youth? Was Qui-Gon regretting the years gone by, that he hadn't explored this previously? Or was he regretting that he got pulled into it at a time when he though he'd put this issue behind him for good?

Obi-Wan asked, "Do you regret it, what we did? It was unexpected, and on a mission that we very nearly weren't available to take on. Had we been sent to Varidian Five as planned, someone else would have handled the Tigras assignment."

"No," said Qui-Gon. "No. I do not regret it. But my ignorance makes this situation all the more difficult now. As the master, it is my responsibility to give you the benefit of my life experience. And in this, I have no life experience to give you."

Obi-Wan had a glimmer of understanding – one of the things Qui-Gon was struggling with, was how to address this situation from his role as master. But there was nothing of master and padawan inherent in a sexual pairing. For them to proceed, Qui-Gon would need to find a way to be a sexual partner, which was a different thing than being a master. This, after decades of inculation in a master's responsibilities, a master's obligations to his padawan.

"So you have no life experience in this. That's good," said Obi-Wan. "In this at least we can act as equals, rather than as teacher and student. While I hope to keep learning things from you for the rest my life, I'd rather not be always be seen as the student in need of tutoring, even in my lover's bed."

Qui-Gon gave him a look. "No. Not that. Not in bed, and increasingly, not a green student in any way. You are already a Jedi in your own right, Obi-Wan; our time together now is more for the convenience of the Council than for any need of yours for training. We're one of the best teams they have, and they are reluctant to end that by granting your knighthood. But a Jedi's maturity comes in its own time, and does not wait for the Council's blessing."

Qui-Gon reached up to lightly touch Obi-Wan's padawan braid. "Regardless of when this is cut, you are already my equal in many things, and my better in some. For a long time I have seen you more as a partner to be trusted, not a subordinate to be guided. That will not change, regardless of when this braid is sheared, and whether we bed again, or never."

Obi-Wan leaned in close. "If you trust my judgment, then trust it in this. If you are willing to be with me in this way, so am I with you." Obi-Wan kissed the other man, deliberately but quickly, so fast that he barely felt the contact. "We can walk this path. We will find a way."

Qui-Gon had closed his eyes, seemed to collect his thoughts. Sudden movement as he rose to his feet, towering over Obi-Wan. "Then we will submit ourselves to the Council, and await their ruling."

They spent their last few hours on the ship rehearsing their notification to the Council. Obi-Wan proposed to speak first, as the junior member of the partnership, to show his initiative in the decision. Qui-Gon would add his own comments. Then they would wait for whatever next steps were required.

Standing before the Council, after they gave their brief report on the Tigrasan mission, they announced their intention to pursue a sexual relationship.

Obi-Wan delivered the message smoothly, but he was glad that the long sleeves of his robe gave him somewhere to put his nervous hands.

Qui-Gon provided his own short endorsement. Then they waited.

Mace Windu looked from padawan to master and back.

Windu said, "Very well. Approved."

As if following an unspoken signal, the Council broke position to thumb through their data pads and regroup before their next agenda item.

The master and apprentice continued to stand as several aides poured in from the adjacent room, consulting with the various councilors.

From his seat, Windu gave the two an irritated glance. "Yes? Was there something else?"

Obi-Wan said, "We thought that the Council might have more questions for us."

"We don't," said Windu. "If we have questions in the future, we know where to find you. Good day and be off with you."

Bemused, Obi-Wan followed his master out of the Council room and towards the lifts.

A safe distance from the chamber door, Qui-Gon paused to let Obi-Wan catch up, and then quirked an amused eyebrow.

Obi-Wan grinned in return. "I'm almost disappointed. All our discussions and preparations, and for that?"

Qui-Gon said, "The value of the preparation was in the self-reflection. That was the important part, not any test the Council might devise."

Obi-Wan said, "Still, after all that effort, I feel that we deserve a little something. A merit badge, perhaps. An official license to operate sexual equipment. A signed certificate of libidinous intentions -- "

The kiss was chaste, but it had the heat of promise.

"Now? To our rooms?" Qui-Gon asked, and Obi-Wan understood his meaning perfectly.