Need Chapter III
by Esmeralda
Qui-Gon awoke to silence and shadows; stretched out alone amidst the tangled sheets. He released a sigh of frustration. Since their return from Neider, it seemed scarcely a night had gone by that he hadn't woken to find Obi-Wan missing from their bed. He knew that, as on previous nights, he would probably find the young man sprawled asleep upon a couch.
Wearily Qui-Gon rose, wrapping his robe around him he went in search of his absent lover; he frowned when he entered the main chamber and found it empty. He drifted through the room, unconsciously drawn towards his Bond-mate. Qui-Gon paused by his Padawan's former quarters; the adjoining door was open and someone was moving around inside. The room was unlit, but Coruscant's bright moon shone in through an open window. Qui-Gon stayed in the shadows; moving forward slowly, until he was able to see directly into the little room.
Obi-Wan sat, cross-legged upon the bed; silver shadows dancing across his naked skin. The young man was rummaging through his box of keepsakes - a collection of trinkets and oddments, most picked up from places they had visited together. He knew some of them - the small marbled pebble that had been his gift to the boy, the tooth of a Draigon, a little flute carved from achana wood.
He felt a sharp stab of shame. His concern, however great, did not give him the right to spy upon the boy. Still he was uneasy that Obi- Wan seemed completely unaware of his presence. Qui-Gon watched as his Padawan took something out of the box, holding it up to the open window, it glinted in the moonlight. It was a tiny bottle. Dark and slender, it gave no clue as to its contents.
He hesitated for a moment and then stepped forward. "Obi-Wan."
The youth jumped, sliding off the bed on to the floor, wild eyes darting frantically to the doorway. As he stepped into the room, any misgivings Qui-Gon felt over spying upon his young lover vanished at Obi-Wan's sudden guilty look.
Obi-Wan scrambled to his feet; boyish features set into a cool bland mask. Qui-Gon watched as his Padawan slipped the bottle back into the box, closing the lid with a soft click
"Sorry...I...I couldn't sleep. I was just...looking through some of my things..." Obi-Wan's eyes fluttered around the room nervously, settling everywhere but upon Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon attempted to reach his Bond mate through their link, his alarm spiralling as he found his Padawan's shields firmly in place.
"May I see?" He motioned casually towards the box, disturbed by the sudden panicked look in Obi-Wan's chameleon eyes.
"Its just junk...I was just sorting through it."
"In the middle of the night?"
The young man shrugged "I couldn't sleep...I'm sorry I didn't mean to disturb you."
Hi Padawan had offered the same excuse on previous nights, but this time he was not appeased by it. Under his steady gaze Obi-Wan appeared to grow increasingly nervous, dropping his eyes to the floor.
"Obi-Wan what was in the bottle?"
The young man's head snapped back up, his face bleached white in the silvery light.
"B...bottle?"
"The bottle I saw you take out of your box. What was in it?"
Obi-Wan's gaze slid back to the floor.
"Answer me Padawan!" Concern sharpened his voice - anguish pushing him toward anger.
"N...nothing...it's..." The young man drew a shuddering breath before continuing, this time with more certainty. "There's nothing in it."
"Nothing?" He frowned unconvinced. Obi-Wan looked uncomfortable.
"I just...I just 'liked' the bottle."
It was a poor explanation, and even Obi-Wan seemed to know it. They stood facing one another in awkward silence - Qui-Gon struggling to decide how best to act.
He knew *something* was troubling Obi-Wan, and after today's near disaster, he was afraid of what that 'something' might be.
Qui-Gon remained convinced that, whatever it was, it had nothing to do with their Bond. Their link allowed no room for uncertainty, he could *feel* the love and desire the younger man felt for him - and was continually astounded and humbled by it. On the one occasion he had queried his lover, Obi-Wan had become distressed, almost angry; clearly upset that Qui-Gon would have any doubts about his feelings. Then Obi-Wan had become alarmed, fearful that it was in fact Qui- Gon who was regretting their Bonding. It had taken some time to reassure the young man, and Qui-Gon had not brought the subject up again.
Confident that it was not related to their Bond, Qui-Gon decided Obi- Wan's poor concentration and general listlessness, stemmed from their troubles on Neider. The young man had simply got out of the habit of sleeping through the night; and enforced rest was guarantied to put his Padawan in a restless mood. The loss of appetite was more worrying, but again he told himself - it was simply an 'after effect'. He had fully expected these 'symptoms' to fade with time - today had shattered whatever illusions he had been clinging to. Obi-Wan was not getting better, he was getting worse.
Having identified, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there was something wrong with Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon now faced the problem of how best to uncover it. He had already tried and failed to get Obi-Wan to open up to him. Though with hindsight he realised Master Yoda was right, he had been spending too much time on research - time which would have been better spent with Obi-Wan.
Of course Obi-Wan hadn't exactly been talkative of late. Today had been a prime example of his Padawan's current conversational skills - or rather 'the lack of'. He didn't want to force Obi-Wan to talk to him; his instincts told him that, though this was not a problem with their Bond, it was one best solved between them as Bond mates - equals, not as Master and Padawan. However it was, as he had just discovered, too easy to slip into the role of Master - expecting, and receiving obedience. Perhaps they needed to get away from the confines of the Temple for a while? Go some place where they could simply be Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and talk as lovers. He made his decision.
"Come back to bed Obi-Wan."
The young man blinked stupidly at him for a moment, obviously not expecting their conversation to take this turn; stepping forward only after a noticeable hesitation. Qui-Gon put an arm around cool, bare shoulders, and led his somewhat bewildered lover back to bed.
Chapter IV
When Qui-Gon awoke again, midnight blue had dissolved into the soft flushed pinks of morning; Obi-Wan was still sound asleep. For a brief moment he lay content, simply enjoying the closeness of the lean, warm body tucked up against him. Then the troubles of the previous day began to make their voices heard - a relentless litany of doubt and confusion.
He thought through the wisdom of his decision, and still found the judgement sound. They needed to escape the stifling seclusion of the Temple, to go somewhere they could explore their Bond without the unintentionally prying eyes of other Jedi. Somewhere they could just be lovers. He lay sorting through possible destinations in his mind. There was one place...Altair; a secluded world, uninhabited by men or machines, a haven he had last visited as a Padawan. He had long since held a desire to take Obi-Wan there, even before he had realised his true feelings for the younger man. Now would be the perfect opportunity.
Raising himself up onto his elbow he looked across at his lover. The young man's normally smooth boyish face seemed tired and careworn, tiny lines drawn around the youth's eyes and mouth. How long had they been there? Since Taogoa? He traced one gently with his forefinger. No, not Taogoa - Naboo. How much of this was his doing? Had his thoughtless actions carved these lingering marks of grief into his lover's flesh? Trapped in his memory was the look of hurt anger on the younger man's face, as he had announced his intention to take another as his Padawan. Obi-Wan's grief had sliced into him before mental shields had slammed into place, shutting him out.
Obi-Wan was still shutting him out, although not in the same way, his Bond mate wasn't shielding against him - at least not often. However, the younger man was clearly distressed over something, and Obi- Wan's stubborn refusal to let him help left him hurt and confused. Perhaps he shouldn't be so surprised, even as a very young boy Obi- Wan had always tried to struggle through his problems alone - as though seeking help was a sign of weakness; but it grieved him that his Padawan still wouldn't reach out for help.
Was it wrong of him to expect more from Obi-Wan now that they were Bond mates? Was he being unfair? Was he demanding *too* much from the younger man? After all it wasn't as though Obi-Wan was entirely aloof - certainly the young man wasn't being physically distant. Qui-Gon stroked a soft cheek sadly; that was part of what hurt - he felt as though his Bond mate was trying to convince him that all was well by their love-making; and it was tearing him apart.
He told himself that he was responding to Obi-Wan's almost 'overwhelming' physical and sexual demands solely because it strengthened their Bond and enabled him to maintain the sense of closeness he was afraid to lose. It did appear that, for the moment at least, it was the only way Obi-Wan would reach out to him. However it didn't eradicate the uneasy sense of guilt he felt.
He was unable to deny that even the possibility of refusing Obi-Wan was extremely unlikely. The intense pleasure of their encounters simply swept away all other considerations, and he was lost as soon as the younger man touched him. Even a touch wasn't always necessary - an intense look, a smile, Obi-Wan's clear rich voice; any of these possessed the power to shatter his thoughts - replacing them with a burning need that both awed and alarmed him.
Even now as his fingers drifted over sleep warmed flesh he felt the first stirrings of his arousal. It seemed all his anxieties couldn't over- ride his physical awareness of his Bond mate. A side effect of being Bonded? Or simply a side effect of having a young and beautiful lover? As gray-green eyes slowly fluttered open he no longer cared.
Stretching slowly the young man pushed up against him, grinning delightedly as he felt the physical evidence of Qui-Gon's desire. Qui- Gon closed his eyes, trembling lightly as Obi-Wan's fingers idly stroked across his chest.
The young man sighed dramatically, "I suppose we should get up."
Qui-Gon's eyes shot open. "What-?"
Obi-Wan grinned wickedly
"Well you'll be wanting to get back to your 'research'." The young man rolled his eyes, "and I still haven't finished replacing the power circuits on that...hmph-!"
Qui-Gon cut his lover off with a kiss, and proceeded to kiss and lick his way down his Bond mate's squirming body. Obi-Wan giggled, struggling half heartedly to pull away. "Hmm...power...cir-circuits...on that communicator...ah-!" It was Qui-Gon's turn to grin as he found a particularly sensitive spot. "Ah...oh...yesss..."
Trailing his tongue over the young man's flat stomach, Qui-Gon lightly nudged the rising erection as he slid his hands down trembling thighs. "Oh please...oh please...oh please...-." He ignored his lover's pleas, drifting back up to claim a burning kiss. Obi-Wan writhed and twisted beneath him; gasping when he broke the kiss and drew back, //What do you want my love?//
The young man shuddered, //You...I want you...//
The images suddenly flooding their link left him with no doubt as to what his Bond mate wanted.
Reaching into the bedside cabinet he withdrew the bottle of unscented oil. As he opened it Obi-Wan sat up and took it from him. Smiling Qui-Gon leaned forward to steal a lingering kiss, then lay back down upon the bed. Obi-Wan impatiently pushed off the sheets and straddled him. Qui-Gon hissed as the cool oil hit his belly, trickling down his sides. The young man's hands trailed through it, warming it with shaking fingers, slowly drawing it down to coat Qui-Gon's straining flesh. His hardened member throbbed and pulsed beneath the sure, gentle strokes; until the pleasure became too much and he caught the youth's wrist.
Obi-Wan slid off his thighs, handing him back the oil before laying face down upon the bed. Qui-Gon took a moment to admire his lover, lean muscles and smooth skin tinted with the soft blush of dawn. Then he carefully poured out a little of the oil, letting it pool in the hollow of the young man's back. It was Obi-Wan's turn to gasp, wriggling slightly as cold oil trickled over warm skin. Quickly Qui-Gon massaged it into the supple flesh, smiling as Obi-Wan arched up to meet his firm smooth strokes.
He deliberately drew the oil upwards first. Rubbing it across the young man's shoulders, and neck, he let his fingers linger in the soft hair at the nape; Obi-Wan squirmed impatiently. Pouring out a little more oil he stroked it down the young man's sides, fingers sliding easily over the sleek muscle. Obi-Wan pushed himself up and Qui- Gon's fingers slipped underneath, first drawing across the taught belly muscle, then moving up to tease sensitized nipples. Obi-Wan cried out in wordless pleasure.
Qui-Gon slipped his hands back out and took up the oil again, this time pouring it directly over the young man's buttocks. Obi-Wan sank back down onto the bed, murmuring softly. Qui-Gon let his long fingers stretch out to play across his lover's flesh, lightly kneading each firm mound. Slowly he let his touch wander inwards, stroking oil gently down the crease, brushing his finger over the youth's opening with the lightest of touches. Feeling his Bond mate's response rippling through their link, growing dizzy with the pleasure of it.
When Obi-Wan pushed back against his gently probing touch he deepened it a little, letting his oil slick finger slip inside slightly. Sensing no discomfort, he pushed in a little further. Obi-Wan voiced his approval.
//Yess...oh yess//
Qui-Gon pushed, feeling the muscle relax and give beneath his gentle urging. A second finger joined the first, only moving when he was reassured the young man was still in no pain. He found the hidden nub and stroked across it lightly. Obi-Wan cried out, no longer capable of speech.
Withdrawing his fingers Qui-Gon gripped slender hips, gently raising the young man up until Obi-Wan was kneeling, head low, upon the bed. Qui-Gon surrendered his hold and with tender care guided his rigid flesh into the tight hot channel. Fully sheathed he paused a moment letting them both adjust to the overwhelming sensation of becoming one. Then as Obi-Wan shifted back a little he began to thrust, slowly at first, increasing the tempo as Obi-Wan moved to meet his thrusts. They reached out to one another through their link - connected in body and mind, feeling each other's pleasure as well as their own.
Qui-Gon reached around to take hold of Obi-Wan's length, hot and heavy, the silken flesh hardening beneath his fingers. He stroked it in time to his thrusts, instinctively knowing the necessary pace to ensure his Bond mate's total pleasure. Obi-Wan's excitement spiralled, drawing Qui-Gon helplessly towards release, and with one last, almost savage thrust he came. As he cried out his pleasure Obi-Wan stiffened in his arms; a gasp and then a warm rush of heat as his lover's seed spilled over his shaking fingers.
Struggling not to collapse across his lover, he withdrew carefully. Heart still pounding in his chest he sank back onto the bed, gently pulling Obi-Wan down to lay beside him. They lay in comfortable silence, limbs entwined, fingers gently stroking sweat slicked skin - not trying to arouse, just seeking to prolong the sense of closeness.
After a little while Obi-Wan smiled, brushing his fingertips across Qui-Gon's face. //What are you planning?//
Genuinely puzzled by the question, Qui-Gon frowned at his Padawan, causing Obi-Wan to chuckle softly. //I know that furrow// A finger settled lightly upon the older man's brow. // I used to dread it.// Grey- green eyes turned thoughtful. // I knew it meant that you were thinking up some new and terrible lesson for me//
Qui-Gon moved quickly capturing the young man's finger between his lips. He sucked on it gently. //Terrible?//
Obi-Wan gave a little gasp. //Hmm...well...perhaps not terrible...but...ah...difficult-//
Qui-Gon let his tongue swirl over the digit. //You learnt something from them did you not? //
//Ah ah...yesss-//
//Such as how to keep your mind upon one task, when your body has itself set upon another.//
//Hmm...//
He released the finger reluctantly, and to Obi-Wan's obvious dismay. "However you are quite correct my love. I do have something in mind." He smiled reassuringly to lessen the young man's sudden apprehensive look. "Not a lesson, nor a task. More of an excursion."
"An excursion?"
"You recall me mentioning Altair."
Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, the planet you visited in your final year as a Padawan."
"Well...I thought perhaps, since we have a little time to ourselves, we could take the opportunity to go there."
He watched the young man's reaction carefully. Green-gray eyes widened a little, and he thought he detected a hint of uncertainty. However there was no real indication of unease as Obi-Wan smiled.
"Why not." The smile became mischievous. "Of course it may not be the garden paradise that you remember. I mean it's been *so* many years since you were there. It's probably a thriving metropolis by n-Ow!"
Obi-Wan rubbed his ear where Qui-Gon had flicked it. Qui-Gon laughed at the young man's expression. However he had little time to enjoy his moment of 'victory' before Obi-Wan reached out and tugged his beard - none to gently.
"Ow!" He caught his Padawan's hands when the laughing youth sought to continue his attack. Smiling he shook his head in mock disapproval as he struggled to hold on to his lover, an almost impossible task with them both still slippery with oil.
"Enough...Enough Obi-Wan."
His Bond mate sighed and lay still. "Alright I surrender. Do with me as you will." Qui-Gon chuckled and stole a kiss. Obi-Wan grinned. "You can do more if you like." It was Qui-Gon's turn to sigh dramatically.
"Have pity Obi-Wan. I will need *some* energy to fly the ship."
Obi-Wan shook his head in mock reproval.
"Master...master...*that* is why we have auto-pilot." As the young man laughed, Qui-Gon pushed his Bond mate onto the floor. With a long suffering sigh Qui-Gon climbed out of bed, stepping over his mirthful lover.
"You need to shower Obi-Wan." The young man scrambled to his feet. Qui-Gon pushed his Padawan back onto the bed gently. "I will go first. *You* can go after." Obi-Wan lay arms outstretched - a tempting vision, but Qui-Gon managed to turn away...just. He wandered through into the shower room; his mind entertaining images of incubus, and elemental creatures, thoughts tangled with the image of a beautiful green-eyed young man.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14