Qui-Gon stepped into the main Council Chamber and smiled gently
at what he saw. The large room was empty save for two figures
illuminated in the dim moonlight. Master Yoda was sitting in
his low chair, Obi-wan at his feet, curled up on a large,
bean-filled cushion. Yoda beckoned him into the chamber.
"Distraught, he was," the soft voice intoned. "Lost you he
thinks he has."
Qui-Gon moved forward, crouching behind his student. He lay the
gentlest of touches on his brow. "He has much to learn."
"Yes. Stay with him you must. Train Skywalker shall I."
Qui-Gon smiled at his own master in thanks, and then gazed down
at his sleeping student. "He is very sensitive for a Jedi. He
hides it well, but...."
"Gone he believed you. Expected this is."
"Of course." Carefully, he reached out his mind to his Padawan,
while he began a gentle stroking of the boy's arm, thrown
heavily across the cushion the way it would often be thrown
across his master on cold nights. //Obi-Wan, wake now, you can
let go your grief//
Obi-Wan whimpered in his sleep, obviously believing himself to
be dreaming. He turned his head slightly, and Qui-Gon
strengthened the mental call, bringing him to consciousness
lightly and easily.
Troubled blue eyes flew open, and suddenly Qui-Gon was being
embraced as if by holding him tightly enough Obi-Wan could stop
the illusion from disappearing. The Master gladly returned the
hug, enfolding his Padawan in his cloak and hushing him softly.
"I am real, Obi-Wan, I will not leave you."
For a moment, a note of hysteria resonated in their bond, and
then it faded, and Obi-Wan's hold loosened. "I saw you die. I
held you...."
Qui-Gon stroked his hand over the soft spikes of his ward's
hair. "I will teach you soon of the ways of healing. And the
ways of death. You will master these things quickly I believe."
He could see the fear and loss still clear in the brilliant
blue gaze that regarded him with unending affection. "Come,
Padawan, I shall hold you as you sleep and reassure you that I
am alive until you believe it to be true."
Bidding Master Yoda goodnight, Qui-Gon led a tired Obi-Wan to
their quarters. Yoda watched them go with a smile of
contentment despite his deep concern over young Anakin, and the
part he would play in their distant future.
Qui-Gon awoke suddenly. The warmth that had been beside him
when he had fallen asleep was gone and he opened his eyes
hoping to find it again. Obi-Wan was standing in front of the
window that looked out over the academy courtyard. He had
pulled on his long nightrobe and had his arms wrapped around
himself, maybe for comfort and maybe for warmth. His mind,
though, was at peace, and this gave Qui-Gon some reassurance
that it was not the darkness that had woken his young student.
He climbed out of bed silently, untwisting his sleeping robe,
and quietly moved to where Obi-Wan stood.
The young Jedi hummed happily as his master's arms came around
his waist and he was pulled back against the solid warmth
behind him. He covered Qui-Gon's hands with his own. "Trouble
sleeping, Padawan?"
"I wanted some time before the sunrise, Master."
Qui-Gon nodding in understanding. Obi-Wan had always had an
affinity with the night. It held a calmness, he had always
said, that helped him concentrate his attention to just one
thought instead of the multitude of distractions that were
present through the daylight hours. It made meditation easier,
he claimed. Qui-Gon had always thought his student illuminated
the darkness with his own light.
They stood together for a time, Obi-Wan drinking in his
master's warmth and energy, Qui-Gon just enjoying the feel of
his surrogate child in his arms. "There is something bothering
you, Padawan," he murmured eventually. "Don't hold in your
feelings, your emotions, talk to me. There must be no residual
anger over what you witnessed."
"It's not anger, master." Obi-Wan dropped his head back against
Qui-Gon's shoulder, sliding his fingers between those of the
large hand covering his own, entwining them.
The elder Jedi placed an affectionate kiss in his student's
hair. "Then what?"
"Do you truly think me ready to face the trails?"
Qui-Gon had forgotten that Obi-Wan had slept through his short
but conclusive conversation with Yoda. "I owe you an apology,
Padawan. I was so caught up in the moment, in the power Anakin
floods me with, I spoke without thought, irrationally if you
will. Master Yoda will take Anakin as his Padawan. You shall
remain mine. I have not forgotten, nor can I ever forget, what
we spoke about."
"You still... want me then?"
Qui-Gon uttered a sound of despair at the hurt he had
unintentionally caused. "How can I ever tell you how much?"
Obi-Wan found himself incapable of expressing the relief he
felt at his master's confession. Although he tried to keep his
sudden tumble of emotions from their bond, he was tired and it
bled through despite his quickly-erected barrier.
Qui-Gon gently turned his Padawan in his arms and held him
tightly, resting his cheek in the wayward hair. "I am sorry."
He felt powerful arms wrap around him. "I would not abandon
you, and I should not have spoken so rashly."
"But that is one of things I so love about you, Master, that
you speak your mind before your conscience has a chance to step
in."
Qui-Gon chuckled. When had he ever deserved a treasure such as
his chosen Padawan had turned out to be? He squeezed the lad in
his arms a little tighter before releasing him. "Come back to
bed, Padawan. Allow me to keep the nightmares at bay for the
rest of the night."
Obi-Wan smiled and nodded thankfully.
Qui-Gon smiled at his old master as he crouched before him. "He
will be delighted, Master Yoda."
"Knighthood he deserves. But, one condition there is."
Qui-Gon's smile faded slightly. "A condition?"
But Yoda was smiling. "Stay with him, you must. Your desires we
know."
The Jedi Knight's eyes widened, as did his grin. "Your
permission will be given?"
"Ah, ask formally you should." Never before had he known his
master to tease so unmercifully.
"Of course." He remained crouching. And Yoda indicated the door
in a not-so subtle hint.
"Well? Tell him you must!"
Qui-Gon felt he was being shooed out of the room.
He found Obi-Wan in the gardens, talking to little Anakin
Skywalker. Qui-Gon was pleased to see that no ill-feeling had
been caused between his Padawan and the boy he had freed. He
felt his heart swell with pride at the surety that Obi-Wan
would never have held a grudge against the child. He watched as
he walked towards them, felt the surge of energy when Obi-Wan
sensed his approach and looked up to smile warmly at his
master.
"Anakin," Qui-Gon greeted the eight year-old with a pat on the
shoulder, feeling the slight brush of Obi-Wan's body as he
stood. He turned, placing his hand on his student's arm. "I
have news, Padawan."
Obi-Wan could feel the joy emanating from his master. He
waited, and when words were not forthcoming, he pressed
Qui-Gon. "What is it, Master?"
"The council have bestowed your knighthood upon you."
A million emotions passed through the young man, and he
resisted the urge to vent any of them. Instead, he simply
smiled, with his lips and his eyes. "That's wonderful."
Qui-Gon admired his Padawan's restraint, but he could not share
it. He brushed a hand over the smooth cheek raised to him. "We
should summon them, and make our request. If... if you are
still sure?"
The suggestion that he had any hesitation broke Obi-Wan's rare
silence. "I've never been more sure."
It was a time before any other sensation broke through
Qui-Gon's joyous revere. There was a tugging at his tunic, and
he looked away from the passionate face of his Padawan down
into the sullen eyes of Anakin. "Master Jinn, if Obi-Wan is to
be a Knight, will you be my teacher?"
Qui-Gon watched as his student dropped into a crouch in front
of the boy, a gentle smile creasing his face. Always so sure,
so certain of himself, of his abilities and his feelings,
Qui-Gon mused happily.
"Qui-Gon and I will not be parted, Anakin," Obi-Wan spoke
seriously. "We have made an agreement to remain together."
Hearing the words in that perfect enunciated accent sent a
shiver of heat down the old Jedi Master's spine. He could
resist no longer. Crouching behind and to the side of Obi-Wan,
he wrapped his arms around him, enfolding him in all that he
was, pressing his own bearded cheek against the smooth one.
Young Anakin's eyes bulged, but he said nothing.
"Obi-Wan and I fell in love some time ago. But my first
consideration had to be his training, for his precious life
will always depend on it. We agreed to bury our mutual
feelings, but only until the day he became a fully fledged Jedi
Knight. On that day we would ask the Council to approve our
lifebond."
Obi-Wan pushed his hands up into the sleeves of his master's
robe, grasping the arms that embraced him, thereby hugging
back. "It has not been easy," he continued Qui-Gon's
explanation, "but with our own control and the gift of the
Force, we have succeeded." He let himself lean back, feeling
almost that he could melt into his master's strength and
warmth. He felt they had come through the fire. At last.
Mace Windu was attempting not to smile as he approached Yoda in
the Great Hall. The old master looked to be meditating deeply,
but his attention remained on his immediate surroundings; he
was waiting for Mace, the Master realized. That made his smile
all the more difficult to control.
"Master Jinn and Obi-Wan have requested an audience with us,
Master Yoda."
Yoda's eyes snapped open immediately. "Took their time, they
did."
"We could... tell them to wait until tomorrow."
Yoda waved his hand. "Tease them we should not. Wise they have
been in their wait, but hungry they have become." His bright
eyes sparkled. "Deserved this they have."
One hour later, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stood before the Council.
"Congratulations on your Knighthood, Obi-Wan Kenobi," Mace
Windu greeted them.
"Thank you, Master Windu. It is an honour."
"The ceremony will take place at sunset tomorrow, Obi-Wan.
There will be great celebrations. You are a welcome and valued
addition to our numbers."
Obi-Wan bowed his head. "Thank you."
A short silence followed, as the council waited for the Jedi to
speak, and the Jedi waited for the council to speak. Finally,
Qui-Gon reached across the space between them, and took
Obi-Wan's hand in his own. "Master Yoda, we respectfully
request...."
Yoda laughed gently. "Know, we do. Approve we do. Meant to be
together you are." Qui-Gon wasn't sure what else to say. He
could hardly keep the bubbling laughter of joy within him. For
the second time that day, Yoda had to tell him to leave the
chamber. They did, with respectful bows.
Only when they were far down the wide, empty corridor, did
Qui-Gon stop and reach for his Padawan, lifting the young man
from his feet and hugging him tightly, releasing the laughter
as he did so. Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around his master's
neck, his own delight escaping his lips. As his feet once more
touched the ground, their eyes met and locked. The laughter
faded into something more intense. They had waited so long, and
Obi-Wan's hooded gaze told Qui-Gon of the repressed desires now
surfacing, mirroring his own.
"Must we wait?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "Not a moment longer." Scooping his
Padawan into his arms, the Jedi Knight carried him to their
quarters.
Watching his Padawan lying naked beside him, Qui-Gon believed
he could indeed fall in love all over again. Obi-Wan had turned
onto his front, still facing his master, arms flung out, legs
sprawled and twisted in the covers he had somehow collected
with his feet. Qui-Gon settled himself on his side to watch his
student in angelic sleep.
Eyes which he thought had seen everything followed the curves
of the young body lying beside him; from the fine hairs on the
back of the neck, flawless skin over powerful muscles, the
beautiful dip of the small of the back sweeping up to the swell
of the tight buttocks. Strong thighs and legs that had gripped
him in the throes of orgasm drew his attention for a long
moment, before he raked his gaze back up. Obi-Wan was the most
beautiful sight he had ever witnessed. Since the night, many
moons ago, when they had finally confessed that their love for
one another went deeper than the usual Padawan/Master
relationship, Qui-Gon had taken his pleasure in watching
Obi-Wan sparring, fighting, admiring the passion with which he
learnt the Jedi ways and the masterful swordsmanship he had
accomplished at such an early age. His acrobatics during spas
and fights usually sought to leave the Master breathless while
also doing their required task of distracting the enemy.
His own reactions and words around Anakin Skywalker concerned
him, and he knew they concerned Master Yoda too. The boy was
perhaps something they as yet could not see. Still, it would
become clear as his training continued, and none were more
qualified to see that than Master Yoda himself.
Mindful not to wake his Padawan, Qui-Gon slipped out of bed.
Slipping on his robe, he padded out of their quarters in search
of food for them both. They had slept in late, having not
actually gone to sleep before sunrise anyway, and it was just
gone time for the mid-day meal. Soon they would have to start
to get ready for the evening's celebrations, preparations would
have already begun in the temple and the Great Hall. The
ceremony itself was a sombre, serious affair, but the party
afterwards would last into the morning's early hours.
News of their bonding had traveled fast. The younger female
padawans he passed regarded him with envious eyes, and other
Masters stopped to congratulate him, both on the bonding and on
Obi-Wan's knighthood. By the time he had managed to wind his
way through the well-wishers and found some breakfast for
himself and his Padawan, it was over an hour later. He returned
to their quarters to find the bed empty and the shower running.
Qui-Gon placed the covered tray on the low table in the main
living area and for a moment he simply listened. It seemed like
a dream, all this, to have everything they had once promised
each other finally delivered to them. When they had made the
promise, come to the agreement, Qui-Gon admitted to himself, he
had thought it would never come to pass, that Obi-Wan would
find another his own age and very likely a female. But as time
had gone on, it had become startlingly clear that the young
Padawan had indeed made up his heart and his mind. It left
Qui-Gon breathless that such a beauty, such a precious thing
could ever love and desire him as deeply as Obi-Wan did.
The object of his thoughts stepped out of the bathing room,
towel-drying his hair and utterly naked. As if they had spent
every morning like this, Obi-Wan planted the most sensual
chaste kiss the Jedi master had ever experienced on Qui-Gon's
lips, and uncovered the tray. Letting his eyes roam over the
choices, he picked up a piece of Gadlian toast and nibbled at
it while he busied himself finding fresh clothes.
Qui-Gon watched all of this in amusement. But this was
Obi-Wan's day, the one he had toiled so hard to reach, the one
he so utterly deserved. "I love you," was all he could think to
say.
The words stopped Obi-Wan in his tasks, and he moved to stand
in front of his master. "And I love you, Master." There was a
hint of surprise in his tone. And then he smiled. "What am I
going to call you?"
Qui-Gon laughed, his hands coming to rest hesitantly on his
lover's bare hips, still amazed that this intimacy so long
awaited was now so freely given. "I believe you know my name,
Obi-Wan."
"I can't remember ever using it."
"It will come." Qui-Gon teasingly leaned in for a kiss. His
naked Padawan in his arms felt a luxury he believed he would
never be able to do without. "As you are no longer my Padawan."
But Obi-Wan shook his head. "I shall always be your Padawan.
Always. I shall never stop learning from you, listening to your
advice and often ignoring it." He hesitated before adding, "I
need that."
"You are a Jedi Knight now, Obi-Wan, you do not need...."
But a gentle finger at his lips shushed him. "I need it. I need
to hear the way the word - the term with all its meaning and
weight - roll off your tongue when you address me. In recent
months, it has been the one thing I have clung to. I need it."
The frank admission silenced Qui-Gon. Not that it was just a
word. To him it meant commitment; of his life, his teachings,
his knowledge and experience. It meant promising to share his
very self with another, a young boy who would grow to be a
Knight in his own image. When he had first called Obi-Wan
'Padawan' it had not been spoken lightly. It meant much. But to
Obi-Wan, it meant everything. It was protection and love,
unconditional no matter what. It was a hand when he stumbled,
healing when he fell, warmth during cold nights and security
when all else around him was crumbling or shattered.
The master wrapped his arms around his student and held him
tight. "My Padawan, for always."
Qui-Gon stepped up behind Obi-Wan, gazing at the concentration
on the face in the mirror before them. "You need not fix your
braid, Padawan. You are no longer a learner."
Obi-Wan's hands stilled at his shoulder. "I'd like to keep it,"
he murmured. Qui-Gon smiled. Last night, he remembered, he had
commented on how he had spent their months of forced celebacy
thinking about curling his student's braid in his fingers,
having it brush against his chest as Obi-Wan kissed him, tickle
his thighs while other pleasures were bestowed upon him.
"That's your decision, Padawan. But..." He turned his lover in
his arms and took the coloured threads from Obi-Wan's fingers.
He combed his fingers through the long, soft strands of hair
that made up the braid. "...leave it free just for the
ceremony?"
Obi-Wan smiled, a devilish smile that Qui-Gon had not yet
gotten used to seeing on the oh-so familiar face. "Whatever
pleasures you, Qui-Gon."
The effect that such simple words had on the Jedi Master
shocked him. His body reacted instantly to the low, suggestive
tones of his Padawan's voice, and to the glorious spark in the
young man's eyes. Breathing deeply, he wrapped his arms around
Obi-Wan's waist, cuddling the warm body close while he pressed
his face into the sweet neck. "By the Force, I wish the
ceremonies weren't so close."
Obi-Wan chuckled softly. "Patience is an essential Jedi lesson,
one you taught me as I remember."
"Have I ever told you that you are a most frustrating student?"
"Many, many times."
They walked through the Temple halls side by side. The only
difference this evening was Obi-Wan's long lock of hair,
unbraided, dropping like silk over his right shoulder. Each
time Qui-Gon glanced at him, the younger Jedi was presented
with a mental image of his master nibbling that hair, sucking
it until the end became a damp quill with which Qui-Gon could
write his name in invisible ink on Obi-Wan's chest. In reply,
Obi-Wan sent a wave of amusement and love. And one word.
//Patience//
The knighthood ceremony was long and involved, borne of
tradition over many generations of Jedi Knights. Such rituals
had never impressed and usually did not involve Qui-Gon, and he
found his attention wavering on several occasions. This, he
decided, was not a good habit for a Jedi, and turned the entire
proceedings into a lesson for himself. One in concentration.
Chants, meditations, a short summary of Obi-Wan's Jedi career
to date... he knew it all. He had been there. And then Obi-Wan
was standing, and walking toward the stone steps to the main
temple alter. Master Yoda spoke the words of dedication, and
Obi-Wan repeated them, low and with an sober understanding of
what they meant, what he was pledging his life to do.
And then he turned, a full Jedi Knight standing proudly before
his peers. And Qui-Gon's heart swelled. It was customary then
for the new Knight to lead the procession into the Great Hall
and thus start the more relaxed celebrations. All eyes were
upon Obi-Wan. He did not move. He spoke.
"I have Master Yoda's permission to break with tradition to
share with you all something that brings me great joy. As you
have heard, my master, Qui-Gon Jinn, took me as his Padawan
Learner when my own parents neither wanted me nor cared for my
fate. All my life, then, he has been with me. Without him I
would not be a Jedi Knight. But more importantly, without him,
I would not be complete. Tomorrow, if he will still have me, we
will become bonded together for life and even in death we shall
still be entwined. This evening, this night, my abilities, my
body and my soul, all belong to him."
Stunned silence followed, for just a moment, while Obi-Wan
turned slightly to smile at Yoda standing to his side, and to
have the ancient one smile back. And then the congregation in
the temple erupted into applause. Obi-Wan started down the
steps, leading the procession now as he was supposed to. When
he got to the base, he stopped once more, and met the
tear-filled gaze of his master. //Walk at my side as you always
have//
Qui-Gon moved to join his Padawan, but when he got to Obi-Wan's
shoulder, he was speechless, unable to find the words to
express himself. Obi-Wan simply smiled, understanding flooding
their bond, and together they led the crowd to the hall.
He had hardly seen his Padawan from the moment they had stepped
foot into the decorated hall. Flower petals carpeted the floor,
other padawans and Masters alike had surrounded Obi-Wan to give
him their best wishes, and Qui-Gon had looked on proudly. Yet
now he could sense something different from his student. He
stepped out into the grounds that surrounded the hall and found
Obi-Wan leaning against the railing, looking out over the quiet
city bathed in darkness.
"Padawan, is everything all right?"
Obi-Wan looked up, smiling as his master came to stand by his
side. "I needed some air."
"That isn't surprising." He hesitated, but there was so much he
felt he needed to say. "Obi-Wan, I was touched... greatly by
your words in the temple. I... I treated you badly, around
Anakin. I'm sorry, again."
Humbled by Qui-Gon's obvious hesitance, Obi-Wan turned, winding
his arms around his master, burying himself in the robes of the
Jedi Knight. "You've already apologized, Master. And I
accepted."
"But I feel it wasn't enough, Padawan. You are more precious to
me than life itself and yet I made to cast you aside like you
meant nothing. I can barely recognise my own actions and I
certainly can't explain them nor understand them."
"Do not dwell on it." Obi-Wan snuggled closer, feeling at that
moment as a young Padawan again, seeking comfort in his
Master's closeness and solidity. He felt Qui-Gon's arms circle
and tighten around him, felt the kiss in his hair. He lingered
like that for a few long minutes, and then turned within the
embrace to once again look over the city. One of Qui-Gon's
hands settled against his hip, the arm still encircling him.
Always had Obi-Wan been size enough to fit into his master's
arms. The fingers of Qui-Gon's other hand played with the lock
of hair that fell free over his Padawan's right shoulder.
"Wisdom is one of your greatest skills, Obi-Wan. Wisdom, and
serenity."
Obi-Wan almost laughed. "You have always said that I was the
least serene boy you ever met."
"In actions, maybe, then you have an exuberance, an enthusiasm
and energy that will not allow serenity. But in your thoughts,
in your mind, you manage to find a peace that I lack."
"Then we balance one another."
Qui-Gon sighed in amusement. Peace. With himself. With the
Force. With all that was around him. How else had he silently
withstood his master's public rejection of him and that same
master's seeming infatuation with a young boy? "In the temple,
you said that we would bond if I would still have you." Obi-Wan
turned his head slightly, not needing the answer he was already
assured of. "If you are willing, I have booked transport to
Lescaut for tomorrow morning." Qui-Gon heard Obi-Wan's intake
of breath and smiled to himself. Still he could surprise his
Padawan.
"Lescaut?"
"I thought we should do this properly." Obi-Wan turned in
Qui-Gon's arms once again and kissed him, at first hard and
lusty, and then gently, lovingly. Lescaut was the traditional
place for the bonding ceremony. An ancient Jedi who maintained
the temple there could conduct a private ritual of vows. The
planet was lush and green, accommodation was usually in
luxurious wooden cabins so far apart within the forests that a
pair could wonder in a different direction each day and still
be assured of privacy.
"Are we to have witnesses?"
"Master Yoda and young Anakin will accompany us, and leave
immediately after the ceremony. It is not a long journey, we
have waited long enough. By sunset on Lescaut tomorrow we shall
be alone, and eternally bonded to one another."
Qui-Gon stepped out of the cool shelter of the cabin into the
clearing. The final part of the ritual was meditation. In all
Jedi law, it usually was. Qui-Gon had chosen to do his in the
centre of the open living area of the cabin. Obi-Wan had
happily gone outside into the warmth of the early evening air.
It was the hot season on Lescaut, the heat was easily bearable
for most of the day and Qui-Gon's young Padawan had always
favoured the warm.
The Jedi Master was expecting to see his new lifebonded
meditating. The sight that befell his eyes caught him
off-balance. Slightly in front of, and to the left of the
cabin, a large rock had at sometime in the planet's history
taken up residence. It was quite large; the same height almost
as Qui-Gon and wide enough for a man to lie across it in any
direction and be comfortable; as comfortable as any man could
be lying on a rock.
Obi-Wan sat on the nearest edge, cross-legged, still deep in
his meditative trance. He was clad only in a pair of loose
white leggings. The lock of hair, that he would twist expertly
with thread and leather into his Padawan braid, fell freely
over his shoulder as it had done at his Knighthood ceremony. In
the day's dying sunlight it looked like precious strands of
gold, infinitely soft and delicate. Obi-Wan's elbows rested on
his thighs, his hands settled loosely on his shins where his
ankles crossed in front of him. He looked at peace. He also
looked the epitome of sensual beauty. Qui-Gon had to battle the
urge to go to him and lick the sheen of sweat from his
sculptured chest.
"I wish you would." Obi-Wan's eyes opened, pinning Qui-Gon in
their stunning brightness.
"Eavesdropping on my thoughts should not be allowed."
"But you are so easy to read now."
It was true. The bonding ritual involved opening up to one
another further than they had ever done as Master and Padawan.
Thoughts were shared, and that opened, intimate pathway from
one mind to another would never completely close. With a
graceful ease, Qui-Gon jumped up onto the rock, sliding up
behind Obi-Wan, one leg either side of his lover, wrapping his
arms around the naked waist. Obi-Wan leant back into the
embrace, resting his head on the strong shoulder behind him.
"Have we completed the ritual, Qui-Gon?"
"Almost, Padawan. There is still one important part remaining."
Obi-Wan hid his disappointment and frank frustration as a Jedi
Knight should. "And what is that?"
Suddenly, Qui-Gon's mouth was at his neck, nibbling and kissing
the hot flesh. Obi-Wan groaned, his eyes closing. "That is what
you deeply desire, Obi-Wan, as I do."
Obi-Wan smiled in understanding. "Each other."
"Yesss...."
Nothing more was needed. Qui-Gon's fingers traced the curve of
his lover's spine with his fingers, the touch as intimate as
any Obi-Wan had known.
"How long has it been? I've watched you, loved you, protected
you when I had to, hope I had the courage to stand back and let
you live and learn as I should have done. Had I not been so
desperately in love with you." Qui-Gon wasn't sure where the
words were coming from; perhaps direct from his soul. All he
knew was that they had to be said. "Your voice is like a
calming breeze to me, one I can conjure from memory when I need
to as a balm to my ravished soul. Your eyes are like laser
beams through my mind. How many dark nights have I watched you?
Sat and listened to you, and drowned in the blue sea that
washes over me. Your mere presence at my side, in the same
room, or even simply knowing that we are under the same sky
brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart. I want to get as
close to you as is humanly possible. I want to open myself to
you and have you never leave me. I need you with me as I need
air to breath and water to drink. You are my life force,
Obi-Wan, and I shall never be without you."
The strength of conviction behind his lover's words was enough
to break the young knight. He turned in the embrace that held
him and offered his mouth to be plundered by that which had
spoken the soulful words. When the kiss ended, Qui-Gon stood
and easily scooped his lifebonded mate into his arms. Jumping
down from the rock, he carried his laughing ward into the
wooden cabin.
At the back of the open living area, a slatted partition hid
the large, luxurious bed covered in silk cushions and throws.
Lescaut was where lovers came to be bonded. The bed was one of
the most important and well used pieces of furniture in these
cabins. Qui-Gon unceremoniously dumped Obi-Wan on to it,
removing the loose leggings in one swift movement. Then he
unfastened his own robe and undressed under his lover's wanton
gaze. Finally he joined Obi-Wan, catching the young man in his
arms when he knelt up in the soft coverings and kissing him
deeply once again.
Obi-Wan had always been animated, in everything he did. His
passion equaled his energy and his desire for Qui-Gon was
unbounded. His tongue devastated his lover's mouth, demanding
everything he had been denied for too long. And Qui-Gon was
more than willing to give it. Their hands roamed flesh,
searching out all the places that would give pleasure, knowing
them just by accepting into their minds the thoughts of the
other.
Feeling the rush, Qui-Gon sought to calm his Padawan slightly.
He pushed him onto his back, delighting in the arousal so
evident in Obi-Wan's flesh. With aching slowness, he smoothed
his palm over the tight young stomach. He leaned down, kissing
over the path his hand had taken. Moans of pleasure issued
forth from Obi-Wan's lips as he arched his hips to press
himself against his lover's lips.
Qui-Gon's eyes rose to take in his beloved's rapturous face.
"Obi-Wan...." Blue eyes pinned him, accepting the sound of the
Jedi name as an intimate caress. Under that intense gaze,
Qui-Gon moved lower sliding his lips, the warmth of his mouth
over his Padawan's straining phallus. Obi-Wan's head dropped
back to the pillow, groaning deep in his throat as he was
swallowed down.
His breathing more rapid with every second that passed, Obi-Wan
could feel his climax building. He didn't want it to be like
this, not this time. "Qui-Gon... please...."
The master made his way back up his Padawan's body, kissing and
licking his way. The moment he could, Obi-Wan reached for him,
drawing him close to pull him into a kiss.
"Tell me, Obi-Wan."
He expected his apprentice to be unable to find the words, to
communicate through the bond that linked them. He didn't expect
the words that followed.
"Take me, Qui-Gon, claim me. I need to feel you opening me,
burying yourself within me. Fuck me, Qui-Gon, please."
The Jedi Master's eyes widened. "Where did you learn...?"
Obi-Wan's eyes sparkled with glee. "Do you want me?"
"Is that a trick question?"
Qui-Gon's arms went around his lover and fell back, pulling
Obi-Wan with him until the young Padawan covered his body. Lips
met again, tongues twisted in passion. When he pulled back,
Obi-Wan looked around for what he knew his master would have
left somewhere close.
//On the night stand, beloved.// Obi-Wan looked over and leaned
across to grab the bottle. He almost lost his precarious
balance, and Qui-Gon grabbed his hips to steady him, bringing
him back to his master's body, his master's arms. Combing
desperate fingers into the short, red-blond hair, dragging them
through the long lock of golden hair as Qui-Gon's mouth
possessively claimed Obi-Wan's again.
Not breaking the kiss, Obi-Wan opened the bottle with his thumb
and finger, holding it in his palm. Passed caring, he poured
some of the warm oil onto Qui-Gon's stomach, knowing it would
pool in his navel. He fastened the bottle once again and
dropped it onto the floor, throwing it over the edge of the
bed. Breaking the kiss simply to draw a breath, Obi-Wan moved
his legs up the side of his lover, deliberately moving the head
of his sensitized shaft into the oil. Qui-Gon released a feral
groan from his chest, his fingers digging into Obi-Wan's
shoulders as the young one again moved down, this time moving
to sit on his thighs.
Obi-Wan pulled up from Qui-Gon's almost desperate clinging to
him to sit back. He drew his fingertips slowly through the oil,
dragging them down to the rampant erection he wanted to fill
himself with and coating it. Qui-Gon's moans increased in pitch
as slick hands grasped him with the absolute perfect pressure
and started to move up and down, squeezing and releasing in
total harmony with what Qui-Gon desired, and some small part of
him released that he was being read more intimately than he had
ever been.
"Please, Padawan." How had his imp of a leaner blossomed into
such a sensual master. He felt close to begging.
Obi-Wan didn't wait for that. He knelt up over Qui-Gon, one
hand on his lover's shaft, the other opening himself, guiding
Qui-Gon into him. Locking his gaze with Qui-Gon's, he lowered
himself steadily until he was filled and opened beyond what he
believed himself capable of withstanding. Qui-Gon sensed a
brief wave of sudden panic and fear, and reached out with his
own mind, embracing his Padawan.
What pain there had been passed quickly, leaving only a deep
pleasure that became an ecstasy spiralling up through his body
from the pulse point in his ass that Qui-Gon's cock rubbed
mercilessly against with his own movements.
Qui-Gon took in the glorious sight of his beloved riding him.
The fire in his eyes, the cascade of his hair, his innate
beauty that shone with the strength of the Force that
surrounded him. It was a sight that left him breathless. Until
Obi-Wan started to move, to lift himself off that which impaled
him just to drop back down before the tip could leave his body.
And then he had to breathe.
Obi-Wan's eyes played over Qui-Gon's body before locking back
into his hooded regard. He grasped his own erection, pleasuring
himself in front as he did behind.
The sight alone would have been enough to push him over the
edge, but the exquisite crushing of his shaft in Obi-Wan's
body, the massaging of his erection in such a tight, slick, hot
channel. He came hard, brutally filling his Padawan with his
seed as Obi-Wan reached his own climax over his own hand and
Qui-Gon's stomach.
Obi-Wan moved carefully, unwilling to lose his lover from his
body for the moment. Qui-Gon's arms crushed his Padawan to his
sweat-slicked body, holding him, murmuring to him words of
undying love and eternal need. The position finally separated
them physically, and Obi-Wan stretched his legs out, winding
them around Qui-Gon's until he was as close as he could get. He
could feel his lifebonded from head to toe.
Obi-Wan wanted to return the sentiments of his lover's earlier,
soul-felt words. His mind was alight with the flames that had
smouldered within him for too long. Everything he wanted to say
was bundled in with everything else, making simple phrases
inadequate. A gentle touch caressed his mind.
//I know, my Obi-Wan. I feel it too my beloved//
Everything that needed to be said was spoken in the embrace in
which they lay.
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