"So what is it?" Han held the small object pinched between his thumb
and his forefinger, studying it, before it was neatly plucked from
his grasp. It bobbled in the air, floating, then stopped, dropping
into Luke's outstretched hand.
"Well, for one, it's very fragile." He replaced it on the table,
ignoring the look Han sent him that clearly said 'show off'. "And to
answer your question. I found in it Obi-Wan's things after he died."
While he'd been huddle in the back of the Millennium Falcon. He'd
been sorting through the small satchel that had been all the older
man had taken with him from Tatooine, fighting back tears the entire
time as the raw ache of another death filled him.
And strange it had seemed then, to mourn more deeply for a man he'd
known only a handful of days than for the people who had raised him.
But he'd had a bond with Obi-Wan that he'd never had with his Aunt
and Uncle, or for that matter, with anyone else, ever, not even Leia.
Luke shook himself from his memories and returned his attention to
Han.
"Uh huh, it belonged to the old man. So, what is it?" Luke grinned
at his friend's impatience and motioned him toward the computer
terminal. Somewhat dubiously, Han went and on the screen was a
perfect replica of the small stone that was resting on the table.
Small as the palm of a hand, it was cut like a gem, clear with
streaks of translucent green shimmering through it. It seemed to
glow slightly, giving off a faint luminescent shine.
"I found this on one of the data disc's we got on Dathomir.
According to this," he continued, pointed, "It's a meditation
device. It's supposed to 'induce visions'."
The expression on Han's face went from dubious to downright
skeptical. "Induce visions? Humph. Sounds like more Jedi mumbo-jumbo
to me." Han glanced up at the chronometer and visibly winced.
"Didn't notice it was that late. I've got to go, Luke, before Her
Royal Highness skins me alive." He turned just as he reached the
door. "Good luck with your meditation device." His laughter was cut
of by the closing of the door.
Luke allowed himself a smile. Some things never change. His smile
was replaced by a frown as he regarded the small stone on the table.
He sighed, there was so much about the Jedi ways that neither
Obi-Wan nor Yoda had been able to teach him in their race to prepare
him to meet the Emperor and now they were both lost.
The data disc's they had recovered on Dathomir helped of course, but
there was more information there than he could sort through in a
lifetime, much less in the time he was able to concentrate on them.
With another heartfelt sigh he settled himself in front of the
monitor again.
It was hours later when he finally admitted defeat. There was no
more information on the stone anywhere else on the disc and the tiny
section he had found had been sketchy at best, mentioning only that
the stone was a focal point for certain meditations. It could take
him years to find anything else. It had been a stroke of luck as it
was to find this file.
His eyes narrowed. There was no such thing as luck. If he had found
that file, then he had been meant to find it and to find the purpose
of the stone. He looked at it again. A focal point during
meditation, the file had said. Well, there was no better time than
the present.
Luke settled himself comfortably on the floor, cross-legged, the
stone held loosely in his hands. He focused his mind, just as Yoda
had taught him all those years ago and opened himself up to the warm
embrace of the living Force. So complete was his concentration that
at first he didn't feel the stone heating in his grasp until the
energy surged up his arms and was driven, white-hot, into his mind.
Not pain, but power, energy unlike any he had ever felt. He was
helpless, images tumbling before his eyes far too quickly for him to
grasp and he was lost in a swirling mass of color and light.
It seemed to go on for an eternity before he fell abruptly back into
his body and swayed backwards dizzily.
"Master!"
Strong arms caught him and held him and he leaned into them
gratefully. He managed to open his eyes and saw a young man staring
down at him, his face a mask of concern. Nauseous, Luke closed his
eyes again, breathing deeply in an attempt to quell the sickness.
"Master, are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Another breath. "Just give me a minute." He opened
his eyes again and felt somewhat better. He was stretched across the
young man's lap. Apparently the young man had caught him and
probably saved him from smashing his head on the floor. The young
man grinned at him.
"You startled me, Master. Out of all the times we've meditated
you've never done that before."
Luke pulled back a bit, "Why do you keep calling...me..." The sound
of his own voice surprised him and he stopped. Concern etched it way
across the young man's face again.
"Master Qui-Gon, are you sure you're all right? Would you like me to
call a healer?"
Master Qui-Gon. But Qui-Gon was the name of...
Luke sucked in a sharp breath, and the other man's brow creased
further. Luke realized he'd been asked a question.
"No, no, I'm fine," he stammered, "I just need to rest a minute." He
pulled complete away and sat with his back against the wall. The
young man looked doubtful, but apparently decided not to disobey,
instead settled into a kneeling position across from Luke.
His hair was different, golden, not white, and short, with one
slender braid trailing over his shoulder, hanging almost down to his
waist. His face was different as well, cheeks smooth and beardless,
unmarred by both the passage time and tragedy. And his voice had not
the harsh edge of age. But it was -him- probably not much older than
Luke had been when he'd first met him.
"Obi-Wan," he whispered hoarsely. The young man looked at him
expectantly. His brow furrowed as no more words were forthcoming.
"Yes, Master?" Obi-Wan asked, hesitantly. He shifted uncomfortably
as Qui-Gon still said nothing. Perhaps he should have called the
healer after all. His master was looking at him very strangely.
Luke looked downward at himself, at his hands, his clothes,
everything. No, this was definitely not the body that he had woken
up in this morning. It was much larger than his own with long hair
that he could feel against his neck. He remembered the stone. A
vision, then, he was experiencing a vision, nothing more.
If that was true then this was a very elaborate vision. He could
feel the coldness of the floor beneath him and Obi-Wan had felt very
solid against him.
He sat, silently contemplating this when a thought hit him.
If Qui-Gon Jinn was still alive, then this was before Obi-Wan had
taken Anakin as his apprentice, it was before -everything-. If he
just...
He cut off the idea. If this was real, then he had no right to
tamper with the order of things. Everything happened for a reason,
even tragedy. As it was, he wasn't going to do anything until he
figured out exactly what was going on.
And right now he had other things to concern himself with. The Force
around Obi-Wan was practically humming with distress and in a moment
he was probably going disregard Luke's order and call the healers.
"I still feel a bit unsteady, uh," What was that word? Think..think,
"Padawan." That must have been it, Obi-Wan relaxed somewhat.
"Perhaps I should lie down for a little while." So I can figure out
what is happening.
With a bit of effort Luke managed to push himself to his feet. He
swayed slightly, still disorientated, and Obi-Wan was beside him in
an instant, looping Luke's arm over his shoulder.
Luke leaned on him gratefully, biting back a smile that would only
have confused Obi-Wan further. Always previously around Obi-Wan the
man had seemed larger that life. In his mind's eye Obi-Wan towered
over him, even though in actuality they had been very close in
height. Now he was the one on high, both in height and experience.
The thought was both amusing and disconcerting.
He leaned on Obi-Wan perhaps a bit more than necessary, allowing the
younger man to take the lead so that Luke could hide the fact that
he had no idea where to go. The corridors they traveled were simple,
no paintings or decorations on the walls. But the windows...it took
all his self-discipline not to stop and stare at the strange beauty
of the city outside. Coruscant, in all its lost majesty, as it had
been so long ago.
Obi-Wan lead him to a door and keyed it open, something that Luke
was silently thankful for. He helped Luke to the bed and Luke sank
down on it gratefully. He started when he felt the young man's hands
at his waist but Obi-Wan was simply removing his belt. Luke allowed
the young man the liberty, since he had no idea how to take it off
himself and had no wish to be fumbling with it in front of his
'apprentice'.
His tunics followed and then Obi-Wan knelt, helping Luke to take off
his boots. Again, Luke allowed Obi-Wan to take the lead, wary of
doing anything unusual and arousing Obi-Wan's suspicion. If only he
knew what he was -doing- here! This whole incident was bordering on
surreal. He realized a beat late that Obi-Wan was speaking to him.
"Would you like me to stay, Master?"
Luke blinked, somewhat bewildered. Surely Qui-Gon wouldn't want
anyone hovering over him like that, especially his apprentice, but
Obi-Wan hadn't been embarrassed or hesitant to ask...
"You may stay if you like," Luke answered carefully. He felt a small
wave of pleasure ripple through Obi-Wan and then the young man got
to his feet, folding Luke's/Qui-Gon's clothing. Luke leaned back
onto the bunk and sighed with relief. He rolled on his side towards
the wall and closed his eyes. Perhaps in the morning he could make
some sense of this.
Luke's eyes flew open in shock as a warm body slid into the bed and
spooned up behind him, snuggling close.
"Master?" Again that doubtful tone mixed with concern. "You're very
tense, are you feeling worse?"
"No, no," Luke managed to croak out. "It's just...just been a long
day."
Obi-Wan wasn't sure how early afternoon could count as a long day
but it wasn't his place to question. Instead, he lightly massaged
Qui-Gon's shoulders, soothing the taut muscles.
Luke forced himself to relax, again relying on Obi-Wan to not do
anything that Qui-Gon wouldn't permit. Obi-Wan responded to that
relaxation by pulling Luke close again and with a jolt Luke realized
that Obi-Wan was as near naked as he was.
Obi-Wan pressed his face to the back of Qui-Gon's neck, inhaling the
clean scent of the silky hair and skin. He sighed, contented,
blowing an accidental puff of warm air on the exposed ear.
Luke's skin prickled at that heated rush of air and he had to
forcibly tamp down his body's reaction to it, ignoring the warm
figure behind him. Obi-Wan the Jedi knight had been fascinating but
Obi-Wan the apprentice was beautiful. And very warm. And curled up
behind him on a bed.
No, this would -not- do, a Jedi must have complete control over his
body as well as his mind and he wasn't about to even consider doing
such an inappropriate action. He was clearly seeing too much in
this, of course Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon would have a close relationship.
But this close? his mind asked.
He took a deep breath and began a calming technique, settling his
mind. He might have succeeded if Obi-Wan hadn't chosen just that
moment to press a soft kiss to the nape of Luke's neck. More kisses
followed tentative, seeking kisses and Luke would have to be a fool
or a virgin not to hear the unasked question in those soft touches.
Close relationship indeed. All right, Master Jedi, he thought, now
what?
He could dissuade him, could plead illness and surely Obi-Wan would
understand, would pull back and settle into sleep. All he had to do
was tell Obi-Wan he was too tired, too unwell. All he had to do was
say it, just a few simple words. Words that refused to come.
In the end he did nothing and Obi-Wan seemed to take his silence as
a tacit agreement. Light kisses were followed by hands with long
slender fingers, tracing circles over Luke's borrowed flesh. One
hand slid up and cupped Luke's cheek, nails lightly scraping the
beard that Luke had been unaware of until just that moment.
A thumb brushed over Luke's lips and he parted them, barely letting
his tongue touch it before he could stop himself. Oh, but this was
wrong, this was insane! Obi-Wan's mouth had moved up to his ear,
sucking the soft lobe into his mouth and Luke groaned, finally
leaning into the caresses that were wreaking such havoc within him.
It wasn't just sex he knew. Sex he could resist, he had power over
the physical demands of his flesh. But that physicality combined
with what Obi-Wan was feeling, the young man had opened himself up
to who he thought was his lover, letting his emotions wash over
Luke; pleasure, heat...love. And this was -Obi-Wan-, Obi-Wan was
touching him, with talented fingers that were drifting lower, now
lightly pinching Luke's nipples. And Obi-Wan was loving him. To have
such emotions coming at him, if not for him, was something that Luke
could not resist. Not from Obi-Wan.
And so even as he was guiltily aware of being the usurper, a thief
who was stealing that which did not belong to him, he reveled in it,
lost himself to the sensation. Those teasing hands cupped his
erection through the thin barrier of his pants at the same moment
Obi-Wan's mouth closed over Luke's. He gasped and Obi-Wan's tongue
took advantage of the lapse, sliding in to explore the wet silk of
Luke's mouth.
Obi-Wan pulled back, his hands went to the waistband of Qui-Gon's
trousers and skimmed them off. He quickly shed his own pants before
again snuggling up behind his master, this time with no barriers
between them. Obi-Wan could feel his master's arousal, the air
practically vibrated with it, but still he was very gentle, very
careful in his touches, giving the other man every opportunity to
say no.
His Master was acting so strangely. Never before in their lovemaking
had he been so...passive. They had always been equals here, if not
elsewhere, and their passion had sometimes been more of a battle
than making love, each fighting for and allowing dominance in turn.
He knew that Qui-Gon wasn't just humoring him, allowing sex that he
didn't really want, but then why was he acting so oddly? Obi-Wan
pushed the thought aside, now was definitely not the time to be
worrying about this.
Instead, he simply enjoyed the pleasure of touching the one that he
loved so, the firm silky flesh beneath his hands that he knew so
well.
Luke felt the damp, heated length of Obi-Wan's arousal pressed
against his back and blood surged to his already throbbing cock.
Obi-Wan's hands resumed their path, lazily slithering down Luke's
body to return to his groin. Slender fingers combed through the
coarse hair, teasingly avoiding the cock that swelled up from that
soft nest. Luke made a soft sound of protest, angled his hips upward
towards those hands but they skittered away, returning only when he
relaxed.
Fingers lightly tripped downward, stroking Luke's hip, down his
thigh before skimming back up leaving Luke's flesh entirely to hover
over his erection, not touching but close enough for Luke to feel
the warmth of the palm only centimeters away from his aroused flesh.
He held his breath, waiting, not daring to move for fear of that
hand being retracted yet again.
The tip of one finger just touched the crown, found the teardrop of
slick liquid there. That finger smeared the fluid all over the head
and down the shaft, forcing a muffled whimper from Luke. More
fingers joined, fluttered over the shaft in ever changing patterns
before finally curling around it, barely squeezing it.
Luke was lost in a storm of frustration and anticipation, struggling
to remain still. A soft, keening cry wrenched its way past his
constricted throat as the hand tightened briefly before pulling
back.
He nearly screamed, would have screamed if he hadn't felt a soothing
mind touch, reassuring him. Luke settled back into the blankets,
again forcing his body to stillness, to wait.
He heard the sound of a jar opening and then the hand returned, cool
and slick with gel and he moaned helplessly as it tightened,
squeezing then releasing. The other hand, the one that he had been
dimly aware of stroking his back previously, slid downward to the
dark crevasse of Luke's ass.
Luke stiffened as those fingers sought the puckered entrance of his
body, this was so new to him, he'd -never- done this but the body he
was in apparently had and those fingers slid in with little
resistance despite Luke's tension. The hand around his cock tighten,
distracting him and another oiled finger eased its way into his
body, sliding carefully in and out. They twisted slightly, rubbed a
spot that flared sensation across Luke's already overwrought nerves.
The fingers pulled out and Luke was so irrevocably lost in a fog of
ecstasy that he hardly noticed the thickness that replaced them,
seeking entrance.
Obi-Wan soothed his master as gently as if he'd been a virgin, ever
conscious of his unusual tenseness, carefully easing his cock into
the tight passage even as Qui-Gon finally relaxed. He sank in almost
abruptly, gasping slightly as the heat and tightness engulfed his
throbbing erection.
With care, he began to move, only a tiny bit at first, in and out,
but Qui-Gon began to respond, beautifully, as he always had before,
pushing backwards into each thrust.
Luke arched against Obi-Wan even as he thrust into the slick tunnel
of Obi-Wan's hand around his own cock, the pleasure doubling and
redoubling with each deep lunge into his body, all his senses
focused on ecstasy within and without.
Until he felt the brush of Obi-Wan's mind against his.
He was reached for a bond that wasn't there and Luke nearly wept,
knew that this would end now, that he would be evicted from this
warm cocoon of sensuality and love. He waited for the exclamation,
the rejection.
They never came.
Instead, he felt a decade-old bond, a link of master and apprentice
that had been barely formed and then only completed after death,
snap into place within him and then they were -joined-, two separate
beings as one.
Luke could feel Obi-Wan's bewilderment, he knew something was
strange, felt the shift, the reversal, but the younger man could
also feel that the man in his arms loved him and for this brief
suspended moment that was all that mattered.
Usurper no longer the love he felt was directed at -him- and even as
his body exploded into a brilliant swirl of light and passion, no
greater pleasure could be had then the embrace of emotion that
surrounded him. He had barely touched it when the world seemed to
shatter like a mirror, raining down a million silvered fragments
into Luke's mind. He erupted into a kaleidoscope of color and
sensation until it stopped abruptly and he reeled backwards into his
own body, his pulse still throbbing in his ears.
Before he even realized where he was the stone slipped from his lax
fingers and fell to the hard polished floor, where it fractured in
half, its luminescence dimmed.
He collapsed backwards onto his elbows, his mind still dazed with
aftershocks of pleasure and its abrupt withdrawal. Long moments
passed before he finally struggled back up to a sitting position to
stare bleakly at the broken stone. He found that the meaning was
clear to him now, as if someone had whispered words directly into
his mind. Now he understood.
The stone had not been a focal point as much as it had shown him
-his- focal point. And it had shown him that his focus was wrong.
It had made him realize that Obi-Wan was not -could not- be his
chosen one, his love, no matter how much or how long he wished it
could be so. Deny it to himself as he might, even after all this
time he had still held a kernel of longing in his heart for Obi-Wan.
The man had been his focus for so long, for so many years; it was
easy to see how Luke had allowed this to happen.
And now he had been allowed to stand, briefly, in Qui-Gon's place,
just long enough to realize that he didn't belong there. He saw that
he had to let it go and start seeking his own true one, to stop
yearning for one that was not his. Somewhere he -would- find someone
to love him like that. He would let go of Obi-Wan and wrap himself
within the soul of his other.
But not tonight.
Tonight, he pulled the blanket from his sleep couch and curled into
a corner, eyes closed against the flickering candlelight as he sat
and mentally replayed old memories. And new ones as well.
-finis-
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