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Mace’s narrowed gaze almost made Obi-Wan wish he hadn’t said anything.
“You aren’t funny, Obi-Wan,” he finally said and Obi-Wan’s shoulders fell.
“You really don’t think I stand a chance?” he asked, face turning pink in embarrassment.
Mace looked at Obi-Wan hard for a few minutes, before he finally straightened up a little, face turning into something like disbelief.
“You’re….serious?” he asked, looking surprised.
“No, I just thought I’d sit here and embarrass myself in front of you by asking for Qui-Gon’s favorite flower because I’m not interested in Qui-Gon,” Obi-Wan muttered to himself.
“I’m…sorry,” Mace said after a few beats of silence, “It’s just- well I’m not sure I know his favorite flower. I- I don’t think he’s ever gotten any, if I’m being honest.”
“Well if he doesn’t like flowers, then do you know what courting gift he would like?” Obi-Wan pleaded softly, “I really want to hit the mark the first time, you know? Lock things down quickly.”
Qui-Gon had been in Obi-Wan’s life for three months now, ever since he’d gotten back from his long-term mission out on Mandalore helping to rebuild things after running with the Duchess from Death Watch for nearly half a decade, and Obi-Wan had quickly realized that he was a little in love with the man.
So much so that he’d asked the satellite temple that he’d grown up in to allow him to make the move to the main temple, if only for the chance to get to know the man a little better and possibly court him.
It had seemed silly and he’d not been too optimistic, knowing that the chances of two alphas working together—and more importantly Qui-Gon being willing to mate with another alpha—was incredibly low. Still, Obi-Wan had held out a little hope since he’d be more than willing to play the traditional part of a beta if the man would accept his offer.
And then Qui-Gon had disappeared for four days, only to reappear smelling faintly of the honeyed heat of an omega, Obi-Wan hadn’t been able to hide the disappointment or the jealousy that had filled his chest.
Right up until Qui-Gon shattered all of that.
“Did you have fun?” Obi-Wan asked, already preparing to go sulk later, when Qui-Gon wouldn’t see him.
“Ah,” Qui-Gon seemed embarrassed about the whole thing, “No, actually. It’s never fun to go through a heat alone but I’m used to it at least. It’s no longer painful, just a bit unsatisfying.”
“Unsatisfying,” Obi-Wan repeated and then as the realization had hit him, “Qui-Gon. Are you- are you an omega?”
Qui-Gon’s face turned pink as he nodded, suddenly looking a little uncomfortable.
“You didn’t know,” he said, shoulders falling.
“I didn’t,” Obi-Wan agreed.
“Oh.” Qui-Gon said, “Well if you- you know, if you’d rather us not be seen together any more than-.”
“What are you talking about?” Obi-Wan asked immediately, “Don’t talk nonsense, Qui. Why would I do that? What does your designation have to do with our friendship?”
Qui-Gon looked at him for a minute, blinking incredulously before his face softened and he gave Obi-Wan a gentle smile, “Thank you, Obi-Wan. That means a lot to hear you say. I’m afraid that not everyone shares your enthusiasm.”
“Well screw them then,” Obi-Wan said with a wave of his hand, “Besides, it’s your turn to pay at Dex’s. I wouldn’t miss that for the world.”
The smile that crossed Qui-Gon’s face was so bright that Obi-Wan felt a bit like he was staring directly into the sun and he knew that he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he didn’t figure out how to start a courtship before someone took the older man from him.
“I-I’m not sure,” Mace finally admitted, “I- To my knowledge, no one has ever tried to court Qui-Gon.”
Obi-Wan scoffed, “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m serious,” Mace said, “Not as long as I’ve been here anyway. No one has tried.”
“I’m sure that he just didn’t mention it,” Obi-Wan said as he waved him off, “But that does complicate what to get him as a gift. Hmmm. Well…I’ll figure it out anyway. Thank you for your help.”
“Good luck,” Mace said, “I wish you the best, truly. I think this might be the best news we’ve gotten in months.”
Obi-Wan looked at him with narrowed eyes for a second before deciding he probably didn’t want to know.
“Great,” he said, a little suspiciously, “So will you help me pick out flowers then?”
“Absolutely,” Mace replied firmly and Obi-Wan beamed back at him.
“Perfect.”
Qui-Gon blinked as he looked at the flowers that Obi-Wan was holding out.
“Uh, Obi-Wan?” he asked, looking at the man.
“For you,” Obi-Wan said, pressing the flowers into Qui-Gon’s hand, “I talked to Mace. He said your favorite color was green and so I went with a green theme. I added some blue and purple in to make it cohesive but…I hope you like them anyway.”
Qui-Gon took the bouquet from him, gently pressing his face to the flowers as he breathed in the scent.
He loved flowers but he couldn’t ever remember someone giving them to him.
The bunch was a perfect blend of colors and scents and Qui-Gon thought it might have been the most thoughtful gift that anyone had ever given him.
Obi-Wan surprised him, even more, every day that they spent together.
He’d gotten used to Alphas shying away from him once they found out that he was an omega, afraid that Qui-Gon would get attached somehow and end up wanting more from them than they wanted to give.
Not that he could really blame them, seeing as how he’d been to forty matching ceremonies and left every single one alone before deciding that a decade of rejection was more than enough for him and refusing to attend anymore.
“They’re beautiful,” Qui-Gon said softly, smiling at the man, “Thank you, Obi-Wan.”
Obi-Wan’s cheeks turned a bit pink as he looked down at his feet.
“Not as beautiful as you,” he murmured and Qui-Gon’s stomach twisted.
Obi-Wan’s words weren’t fair.
The man was beautiful. One of the most handsome Alphas that Qui-Gon had ever seen. His copper hair and blue eyes were brilliant and bright and his broad build and thick muscles were what all the omegian romance novels always gushed about when they talked about the perfect mate. Qui-Gon had seen the way that omegas tripped over themselves to get the man’s attention, though he never seemed to notice.
And somehow he seemed to genuinely enjoy spending time with Qui-Gon, despite the fact that he could have the attention of anyone that he wanted.
Qui-Gon licked his lips, throat suddenly feeling dry, “Did you still want to spar today?”
A complicated emotion crossed Obi-Wan’s face before he nodded.
“Of course,” he agreed, “I’m going to kick your ass old man.”
Qui-Gon just let out a huff of laughter, ignoring how the words made his heart tighten in his chest.
“Then we should get going before my bedtime,” he teased as he stepped into his quarters, gently placing the flowers into the sink as he filled it with water to keep them perfect, bending down to sniff them one more time before stepping back out and gesturing for Obi-Wan to lead the way.
Qui-Gon looked so confused as he looked from Obi-Wan to the chocolates that Obi-Wan almost felt kind of silly. Qui-Gon might have said that he liked the flowers but maybe he had really just liked the flowers and hadn’t been able to think of a way to let Obi-Wan down gently.
Was Obi-Wan just setting himself up for an embarrassing rejection?
“These are my favorite,” Qui-Gon finally said, still sounding confused, “But…they are so hard to find. How did you even…?”
He trailed off as he looked up at Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan just gave him a small smile.
“I was off-planet for a few days,” he explained, “And I stopped in one of those duty-free stores that you sometimes see at spaceports. I thought you might like them.”
More like he’d begged Mace for just a single thing he was sure that Qui-Gon would like and finally gotten out of the man that Qui-Gon had a fondness for a type of chocolate that came from Concord Dawn of all places, that he’d said was just the right side of bittersweet.
Obi-Wan had proceeded to call Satine and all but beg her to send them, which she’d done with a laugh and a demand for Obi-Wan to have a holo with her at some point so that they could catch up and she could tell him about the mysterious omega who’d caught his eye.
“They’re my favorite,” Qui-Gon repeated, “And hard to find. The planet that they are from isn’t very well-known. It was a fluke that I tried them to begin with. They just happened to have them on clearance on a planet that I’d been visiting.”
“Well, I found them. How lucky,” Obi-Wan shrugged nonchalantly like it hadn’t taken him two weeks to procure them.
“How lucky indeed,” Qui-Gon said, “Did you- Did you still want to come in for tea?”
He seemed a little bashful and Obi-Wan couldn’t help but think he’d been a little too forward with how nervous Qui-Gon suddenly looked.
“If you wouldn’t mind,” Obi-Wan agreed, “You do make the best cuppa. I don’t know what you do differently but they are heavenly.”
Qui-Gon gave him a warm smile as he stepped back, making room for Obi-Wan to walk into his quarters as he tucked a piece of long, brown hair behind his ear.
“He won’t respond to anything I do,” Obi-Wan complained, to Mace, who looked a little surprised himself.
“Are you being too forceful?” Mace asked, “Maybe he just needs someone to be gentle with him. I’m sure the whole courting thing is new and he-.”
“I can’t be any more gentle!” Obi-Wan insisted, “I’ve been nothing but gentle! He doesn’t respond to anything! I don’t know what I’m doing wrong! Force, do you think it could be that he’s not interested in me?”
Mace shook his head, “Not possible. That can’t be it.”
Obi-Wan groaned, pressing his forehead against the table.
“I don’t know what else to do, Mace. Can I- Can I just ask him outright? I- I know it’s normally seen as distasteful but…I don’t want to keep pursuing someone who doesn’t want me.”
“How about…you let me talk to him?” Mace asked and then at Obi-Wan’s look, “I won’t tell him what’s going on. I promise. Just- let me see and I’ll try to figure out where his head is. We are good friends. He won’t think anything of me stopping by to have a friendly chat, I promise.”
“Fine,” Obi-Wan agreed, “Just- If he’s not interested, I want to know. And if he is, can you…find out what I’m doing wrong?”
Mace nodded as he picked up his caf, taking a sip, “I’ll take care of it, Obi-Wan. Just don’t give up on him yet. I’m sure that there’s just been a mistake.”
Qui-Gon couldn’t help but sigh as the sound of knocking rang through his quarters.
He could feel Mace’s force presence on the other side but the urge to just not answer the door was stronger than any guilt he felt from ignoring the man.
Mace knew as well as anyone that he liked to be left alone on matching day and he would normally have respected Qui-Gon’s wishes which meant one of two things.
Either there was some kind of emergency and Mace had forgotten, which would mean that Qui-Gon wasn’t going to answer the door, or he’d managed to upset someone to the degree that the Master of the Order had to get involved in which case, Qui-Gon definitely wasn’t answering the damn door.
The last thing he needed to hear about was how he’d upset yet another Alpha by doing something that he hadn’t realized he wasn’t supposed to do and they were demanding he apologize for being an ‘uncouth’ omega.
It shouldn’t have been too much to ask to spend today alone.
Even his master had always avoided him for a day after the matching ceremony had taken place, wisely deciding not to bring up Qui-Gon’s repeated failures at finding a mate.
Of course, he’d known that Qui-Gon was going to fail from the start, so Qui-Gon supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised.
“Oh. Oh .” Master Dooku looked so surprised that Qui-Gon squinted at him.
“Master?” he asked, voice weak, “I don’t feel good. I- I think I might have to go to the Halls of Healing. It- It feels like my skin is on fire.”
“Your skin is on fire…” Master Dooku looked bewildered and Qui-Gon huffed, leaning his head against the door to his room, closing his eyes for a moment in the hopes that he might be able to quell the dizziness that had overtaken him.
“You’re a- you are an omega, Qui-Gon,” Master Dooku finally said, “Nothing is wrong, I assure you. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel this way. You are just going through your first heat, is all. Let’s get you back to your bed and I’ll call for a Healer. They’ll be able to give you something for the fever and then when your heat has broken we will get you signed up for the omega-specific class. They’ll be able to explain things much better than I.”
“I’m an omega?” Qui-Gon asked, not bothering to open his eyes as the room started to spin, “Does that mean I’ll sign up for the matching ceremony to find an alpha?”
“Yes,” Master Dooku agreed, “However I think that we will have to have a talk prior to your signing up. It may be of benefit to you to know some things.”
“Like what?” Qui-Gon asked, letting out a relieved moan as a cool hand found the back of his neck and his master started to lead him back to his bed, though his movements were a bit stiff.
“Well you are a little different than some other omegas,” Master Dooku explained, “And so your match may go a little differently than most.”
“What does that mean?” Qui-Gon asked, finally opening his eyes as his knees hit his bed.
He crawled in, sighing as his head hit his pillow.
His master disappeared for a moment before coming back with all the spare blankets they had in their hall closet.
“It means that some deity is out there laughing,” Master Dooku muttered to himself.
“What?” Qui-Gon asked.
“Nothing,” Master Dooku dismissed the question, “It doesn’t matter.”
Except that it had mattered.
It mattered so much that after a decade of matching ceremonies, Qui-Gon had still not found a mate and after a particularly embarrassing case where an alpha that he’d shown interest in had pretended to be interested before suddenly starting to ridicule him post-ceremony until Master Yoda had been forced to step in, Qui-Gon had decided to swear off the ceremonies and just accept that he’d never find a mate who’d be willing to have him as their omega.
Qui-Gon was possibly the galaxy’s worst omega.
He was too tall and broad, his hips too narrow and voice too deep for anyone to see him as anything except an alpha. Omegas were always disappointed to find out he was an omega and Alphas were always disgusted at the thought of Qui-Gon, who was much larger than a majority of Alphas, being their omega.
It was a losing battle.
One that he wasn’t willing to fight anymore.
The knocking got louder and he groaned, throwing up a hand from the nest of blankets he’d created on his couch to open the door, not bothering to look up as he heard Mace step in and the door slide closed behind him.
“Qui-Gon what’s- oh,” Mace said, probably having realized what day it was, “I’m sorry. I should have been more cognizant of what day it was. It’s- Well I need to speak to you regarding something and- it’s actually not that important. It could wait until tomorrow.”
Qui-Gon sighed, finally looking up to look at the man, who was standing stiffly at the door.
“What is it, Mace?” he asked tiredly.
“Well, Obi-Wan’s been calling you,” Mace said, stepping forward to sit at one of the bar stools near the small breakfast nook, “And he wanted me to check in because he was worried. I told him that I would come to make sure that you were okay. But, did you not tell him about today?”
Qui-Gon swallowed, throat feeling dry, “No. I didn’t. I- He was asking about whether or not I was going to be at the matching ceremony and I…didn’t really want to rehash it. I’ve done enough explaining. He’s still young. He can have his fun at the matching ceremony and still come talk to me tomorrow if he wishes.”
Even if he didn’t want to hear about the new partner that Obi-Wan would inevitably find, he would listen to it just so that Obi-Wan wouldn’t feel the need to stay away from him. It wasn’t Obi-Wan’s fault that Qui-Gon had started to develop feelings.
He couldn’t help it though. Not when Obi-Wan would often stop by with gifts, saying that he was thinking of Qui-Gon. Not when the gifts were some of the most thoughtful gifts that he’d received, even though Obi-Wan hadn’t known him as long as most of the friends he had.
Even if Obi-Wan clearly didn’t realize that a lot of what he brought Qui-Gon was typically for courting traditions. He couldn’t be expected to know about them when he’d spent his entire childhood on one of the satellite temples, where he’d mentioned that many of the sentients didn’t have secondary genders.
And he didn’t know what he’d do when Obi-Wan came back with an omega to introduce to Qui-Gon. He’d already heard the murmurs in the temple about how many omegas were signing up specifically in the hopes that Obi-Wan would be participating and he didn’t want to be there to see it happen.
If Obi-Wan had already messaged him, he’d probably found one of those particular omegas who had wanted to seek him out, to begin with.
“Obi-Wan? At the matching ceremony? Why would he do that?” Mace asked, sounding confused.
“...Because this is the first year he’ll be able to participate?” Qui-Gon said, confused, “Why wouldn’t he want to find an omega? That’s all he’s been able to talk about since coming to the temple. He wants to find a mate and settle down. That’s the reason that he’s come back to the main temple in the first place.”
“But an alpha who is courting wouldn’t join the ceremony,” Mace said seriously and Qui-Gon couldn’t control his expression fast enough to hide his disappointment.
“Oh. I- I didn’t realize,” Qui-Gon said, “I thought that he would have- well I guess it seems silly but with how much time we were spending together, I rather thought he’d tell me about any omegas he wanted to court.”
“Are you serious?” Mace asked, almost looking frustrated.
“I- I- Is that why you’re really here? Have I done something to offend Obi-Wan?” Qui-Gon asked, chest tightening, “Is this his way of saying that he doesn’t want to speak with me anymore? Just- Has he been talking to Tahl? Do you know? I- I knew he’d find out eventually…”
“Unbelievable,” Mace muttered before shaking his head, “No. That’s not why I’m here. I’m here because one of you is stupid and I’m pretty sure I know who. I’m actually going to go now. I think I’ve figured out what I needed after all.”
“I-Okay,” Qui-Gon said, feeling defeated as he collapsed back into his nest while Mace turned to walk back through the door.
Even Mace didn’t want to deal with him anymore, though he wasn’t sure if it might have been the scent of him going into preheat that made the man want to leave or just something that Qui-Gon had said. Either way, he had a feeling he’d just burned another bridge and he didn’t even know what he’d done.
“He doesn’t know,” Mace said and Obi-Wan scoffed.
“Come on, Mace,” he pleaded, “I was serious. I need to know what I’m doing wrong. You didn’t even bother to ask why? You just accepted he said that he didn’t know why?”
“No,” Mace said tightly, “He doesn’t realize you are trying to court him, Obi-Wan. When I spoke with him, he expected you to be at the matching ceremony.”
Obi-Wan blinked at him, “But…you only go to the matching ceremony when you aren’t courting someone. You are supposed to be completely unattached.”
“I know. He doesn’t know you are trying to court him ,” Mace repeated, “He thinks that you are just being nice.”
Obi-Wan looked at Mace in disbelief, “But- But- I brought him flowers! And chocolate and some live plants he’d been looking at for months and I asked him to dinner and breakfast and I’ve- I’ve hardly been secretive about it Mace! I swear! I asked him about what he wants in a mate and if he thought that I might fit those qualities and we- How does he not know? I brought him the book! It was in with the rest of his books! I bought it just for him!”
“You bought him the ceremony journal?” Mace asked incredulously, “And he still doesn’t know?”
“I looked at hundreds of them!” Obi-Wan all but shouted, “It took me three hours and six attendants to decide on the one I got him! How does- How does he not know?”
Mace looked a bit uncomfortable for a second before he finally sighed harshly.
“I suppose he hasn’t told you much about his padawanship, has he?” he asked.
“He’s told me all about Dooku and Averross,” Obi-Wan said insistently, “About his missions and antics and he told me about his knighting. I’ve heard…I thought I’ve heard at least enough to be considered courting material.”
Obi-Wan looked a little embarrassed, “Does he- Does he really think me so revolting that he never even thought that I might have been trying to court him? Am I really that far out of his league?”
Mace laughed, the sound humourless.
“He isn’t worried that you are out of his league,” Mace said, “He thinks you are out of his .”
Obi-Wan blinked at him a few times.
“I- I don’t understand,” he finally admitted.
“‘Listen, Obi-Wan,” Mace said, “Qui-Gon isn’t…he doesn’t have the qualities of most omegas. He’s different and people- people don’t always like different. I don’t think- I’m not sure that anyone has ever attempted to court him before, if I’m being honest. I know you didn’t believe me but I was being serious. But please don’t tell him I’ve told you this. He would be upset to know that I’ve spoken to you about it. He had a certain situation around thirty years ago that made him stop attending the matching ceremony and I don’t think that he’s looked for anyone since.”
“He- He’s never been courted?” Obi-Wan asked incredulously, “Not even once? How is that possible? He’s smart and gentle and sweet and hot as sith’s hell .”
“He’s much larger than most typical omegas,” Mace reminded him gently, “He’s broader and taller than even most alphas. He’s almost a full foot taller than you, Obi-Wan. That’s-.”
“So?” Obi-Wan cried out, “If he says he wants to be my mate I’ll just figure things out. I took one look at him and wanted to climb him like a tree. Why would I care how tall he is if he doesn’t care how tall I am?”
Mace’s face scrunched up and Obi-Wan winced.
“Oops. Too much information. Sorry,” he apologized and then after a moment, “...But I’m serious. If he’s interested in me then that’s all I need to know. I’ll sort things right now.”
He stood, “I’ve actually-I’ve got a gift for him right now. I’ll go get it and be at his door in less than an hour. I’ll get it sorted out, Mace. Just give me the day.”
Mace opened his mouth to say something but Obi-Wan was already in his bedroom, grabbing the last gift that he’d been holding onto and out the door before the man could even speak.
Qui-Gon heard the knock on the door and groaned.
He didn’t want to answer it.
Couldn’t everyone just leave him alone?
Preheat always left him feeling needier and made his need for tactile comfort worse. And as someone who never had the chance to actually be tactile, Qui-Gon was aware that he could be too much around his heat, desperate to be touched so badly that he would accidentally force contact on people.
It was a problem, but even the healers seemed at a loss of what to do.
“Qui-Gon! It’s Obi-Wan! I need to talk to you right now!”
Qui-Gon sighed, “Can it wait, Obi-Wan? Now isn’t really a great time!”
“It can’t!” Obi-Wan shouted through the door, “Please! I need to see you!”
Qui-Gon gritted his teeth, shoving his head hard into the blankets as he raised a hand, opening the door and trying to ignore the fresh, clean scent that he’d come to associate with Obi-Wan as it started to permeate the space. It was comforting, more than it had a right to be and every bone in his body screamed for the Alpha.
“Qui- Are you okay?”
Qui-Gon turned his head to peer at Obi-Wan tiredly.
He was holding something in his hand and Qui-Gon couldn’t help sucking in a sharp breath as he saw the soft-knitted blanket in the man’s hand. It was beautiful, deep green and probably painfully expensive and so soft looking that everything in Qui-Gon wanted to grab it from the man, before he could explain who it might be for.
“I’m fine,” he said instead, “I’m just…I’m just relaxing is all.”
Obi-Wan’s face softened and Qui-Gon hated the way that his heart jumped in his chest as Obi-Wan stepped forward, sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch, a hand coming up to shut the door as he gave Qui-Gon a gentle smile.
“You look a little toasty,” Obi-Wan said knowingly, “And the room smells very sweet for you to just be relaxing, Qui. You don’t happen to be in preheat, do you?”
“I might be,” Qui-Gon admitted, a little embarrassed.
“I see,” Obi-Wan said, “Then I suppose there’s no time like the present to tell you.”
Qui-Gon wasn’t sure how the wounded noise that left his throat made it past his lips but he couldn’t help the heat in his cheeks at the surprised look on Obi-Wan’s face.
“Oh. I guess Mace was right after all,” Obi-Wan said but before Qui-Gon could ask him what he meant he thrust the knitted blanket towards him.
Qui-Gon sat up shakily, taking the blanket before he could stop himself, pressing the soft fabric to his face, breathing in the scent that he’d come to associate with the man, face burning as he felt the first of the slick that he’d started to produce just from smelling Obi-Wan’s scent.
“I- I…” Qui-Gon stopped as his heart twisted uncomfortably in his chest, “I’m sorry, Obi-Wan. I can’t accept this.”
His limbs were frozen though and he didn’t make any move to hand it back to Obi-Wan, his inner omega desperate to start trying to work it into his nest, the need to have Obi-Wan’s scent close to him almost too much to handle.
“I- Well I’d hoped you would accept it,” Obi-Wan said, “Could you- Would you at least tell me why you won’t take it? It took a very long time to find the perfect one. I thought you would like it.”
“I- Listen Obi-Wan. This. This is what people on Coruscant use to court omegas,” Qui-Gon finally confessed, stomach heavy with guilt, “All the gifts that you’ve been giving me are. And I know that you are just trying to be nice and I- I really have enjoyed receiving them so I was reluctant to-to tell you the truth but I…can’t lie to you. If anyone were to know that you gave this to me they would assume that you are- that you are courting me.”
“Okay?” Obi-Wan asked slowly, “And why is that a problem?”
“I- You- You wouldn’t care? If they assumed we were together?” Qui-Gon asked incredulously, “Not a bit?”
Obi-Wan just laughed, “Do you really think me so foreign that I don’t understand how courting works? I know that they are courting gifts, Qui-Gon. That’s why I’ve been giving them to you.”
Qui-Gon almost wished he were dead.
“I- You- Are you…really that cruel?” Qui-Gon finally managed to choke out, “That you’d- you’d play with me like that? I- I thought we were friends.”
“Play with you?” Obi-Wan asked, “What do you mean, Qui-Gon? I’m not playing with anyone.”
“You just- You just came and despite all the omegas that have been fawning over you, decided that the broken one was the one you wanted,” Qui-Gon spat out, “Don’t lie to me, Obi-Wan! You- You didn’t have to do this! You could have just said you didn’t want to speak to me!”
“Qui-Gon, I’m not lying,” Obi-Wan insisted, “I’m telling you the truth. I’ve been trying to court you for months now! I even had Mace come to talk to you because I thought you might be too nice to turn me down! The gifts didn’t happen to be like courting gifts, they were courting gifts. Why would I have bought you a ceremony journal if I didn’t want to be with you? And the nesting blanket? That’s an awfully expensive joke to play.”
Qui-Gon froze, “...ceremony journal?”
“Yes,” Obi-Wan said firmly, “The green ceremony journal I gave you two weeks ago. You told me that you loved the color and the detailing on it. The one with the ivy.”
“That’s- That’s what a ceremony journal looks like?” Qui-Gon asked, voice small.
Obi-Wan blinked at him for a moment, almost as if he were trying to compute what Qui-Gon was saying.
“Qui-Gon have you- have you never seen a ceremony journal before?” Obi-Wan finally asked.
“I- I’ve never had to,” he confessed, “They normally show them to you the first time you are courted. I- I’ve never been courted. At least, at least not unless someone was joking.”
“I- I don’t know what to say to that,” Obi-Wan admitted, “But I- I wouldn’t ever joke about something like this. I’ve been trying to court you for six months. I was beginning to think you just didn’t know how to turn me down.”
“But I’m- I’m much too tall and broad to be an omega,” Qui-Gon parroted, “And my voice is too deep. My hips are narrow and-.”
“And I’ll climb you like a kriffing tree if you’ll let me,” Obi-Wan cut him off, “Seriously, Qui-Gon. Just say the word and I’ll do it. I want you. I’ve wanted you ever since I got here. I’ve been hoping you would accept my advances for months. I-.”
Obi-Wan gasped as Qui-Gon yanked him forward, pulling the man into his nest and on top of him as he let out a desperate noise.
“Yes,” he said hoarsely, “Yes. If you want me I’m yours. You can have me. Please, Obi-Wan. You’re all I’ve wanted since I met you.”
Obi-Wan locked eyes with him for a few moments before ducking his head down, meeting Qui-Gon’s mouth in a clash of tongue and teeth and he cupped Qui-Gon’s face leading him through the kiss with ease.
Qui-Gon felt like his body was on fire and he let out a moan, thighs falling open for the younger man automatically.
When Obi-Wan pulled back his eyes were dark and Qui-Gon watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.
“Are we really doing this?” he asked, voice thick, “Because you are in heat. I- I don’t think I’ll be able to hold back, Qui-Gon. I might bite you. Maybe we should-.”
“I don’t need to wait,” Qui-Gon swore, squirming as more slick started to gush from him, “I want you. I want-hgnhh please I’m desperate. I’ve never had someone to help me through a heat. I want it. I want you. I- I want to mate. I don’t want to wait anymore.”
“Are you sure?” Obi-Wan checked once more, voice hoarse.
“Take me,” Qui-Gon pleaded and Obi-Wan ducked his head back down, pressing their lips together as he started to tear at Qui-Gon’s clothes, easily pulling the man out of his tunic and pants before he’d even realized what was happening.
Obi-Wan pulled back again, sitting on his legs as he looked Qui-Gon’s body up and down.
Qui-Gon fought the urge to cover himself up, letting Obi-Wan take in everything.
This might be it. The moment that Obi-Wan realized just how not like an omega Qui-Gon was and backed out. His cock was already hard against his stomach, too big to be an omega’s and leaking precome in an embarrassingly steady drip.
“You’re beautiful,” Obi-Wan breathed, instead of anything Qui-Gon expected him to say and then Obi-Wan started to strip himself, throwing his clothes off to the side, though his eyes never left Qui-Gon’s body, making heat stir in Qui-Gon’s gut as he licked his lips like he was looking at a particularly delectable treat.
Qui-Gon couldn't help but rake his eyes down Obi-Wan’s body, stopping to stare at his half-hard cock. It was big, bigger than Qui-Gon thought most alphas would be and he squirmed as he felt more slick gush out of him, feeling like there was fire in his veins.
“Oh yes. You smell delightful. Your slick smells so sweet,” Obi-Wan breathed as he ducked down, pressing wet kisses along the column of Qui-Gon’s throat, mouth trailing down his chest and stopping over one of his nipples, the warm breath making it harden.
Qui-Gon’s back arched as Obi-Wan’s fingers grazed over one of them and ducked down, taking the other between his lips to suck it gently. It was already too much to be touched after having gone so long without it and his head was swimming with pleasure and hormones that he wasn’t used to.
His hands scrambled to twist into Obi-Wan’s hair, fingers tightening in the copper locks as Obi-Wan sucked harder, pinching the other between his fingers and twisting, sending sparks through Qui-Gon’s body.
Obi-Wan played with them for a little bit before pulling back to blow gently on the wet nub, making him shiver.
“So beautiful,” Obi-Wan murmured again, “I- I want to taste you, Qui-Gon. You smell so sweet. Can I, please?”
Blood rushed from his head so fast that he was dizzy with it and he nodded, hoping that he didn’t pass out and make a fool of himself.
“Turn over for me, darling,” Obi-Wan said, “Let me see you.”
Qui-Gon scrambled to listen, almost knocking their heads together in his haste to turn around and arch his back, presenting for the man as warm hands grabbed his hips, Obi-Wan rubbing at them lovingly.
He’d always been told they were too narrow, that there wasn’t enough for an alpha to hold on to but Obi-Wan’s hands were warm and sure around them and he couldn’t help but think that maybe he’d just needed the right alpha. He’d needed Obi-Wan.
His mind stopped thinking when Obi-Wan ducked his head down and Qui-Gon let out an embarrassing noise as he licked a strip across his hole, lapping out the slick there with enthusiasm as Qui-Gon squirmed underneath him, toes curling in pleasure as Obi-Wan gripped his ass, pulling the cheeks apart so that he could bury his head between them, tongue lighting up every single nerve in Qui-Gon’s body.
It was dirty and obscene the way that Obi-Wan ate him out like there wasn’t anything that he’d rather be doing and Qui-Gon couldn’t help the desperate whines and moans that left his throat, unable to think about anything but the way that Obi-Wan’s tongue felt as he shoved it into his hole, sucking at him rim and making his body feel like a livewire.
“Obi, Obi, Obi, Alpha,” Qui-Gon chanted, arms shaking so hard he could barely keep himself up and when Obi-Wan gave him rim a particularly hard suck they collapsed under him and he shoved a cheek against his pillow, widening his stance to give Obi-Wan more room to work.
His whole body went taut as Obi-Wan ducked his head further, lapping at his perineum and then mouthing at his balls, the heat pooling in his stomach as he let out a loud, unbridled moan.
He’d always heard that alphas didn’t normally like to touch male omega’s cock and balls but he thought that it must have been a lie as Obi-Wan’s hand wrapped around his hip to take Qui-Gon’s cock into his hand so that he could squeeze, hand starting to jerk the man off as he mouthed happily at his balls before travelling back to play with his hole again.
Qui-Gon was a trembling mess by the time Obi-Wan finally pulled back, face shiny with his slick and expression drunk.
“Oh you taste amazing,” Obi-Wan breathed, “Like the best candy I’ve ever had.”
Qui-Gon could only whimper, so lightheaded that he couldn’t think.
“Can I-?” Obi-Wan brushed a finger against his hole and Qui-Gon almost came, body so sensitive that he felt like he was on a hairline trigger, “Can I knot you, darling? Can I take you so that I can give you my bite?”
Qui-Gon was nodding before he was even finished and Obi-Wan gave him a devilish grin before ducking down, moulding his much smaller body to Qui-Gon’s, cock rubbing against Qui-Gon’s hole as he rocked gently against the man.
Obi-Wan kissed Qui-Gon’s shoulder, “I’ll climb you like a kriffing tree if you’ll let me. I don’t know what all those dumb alphas were talking about. You’re perfectly sized for holding while I kriff the shit out of you.”
Qui-Gon whined.
“Yeah, I know darling,” Obi-Wan said, brushing Qui-Gon’s long hair to one side as he pressed another kiss to his shoulder, “I’m going to give you what you need.”
Qui-Gon let out a strangled noise as Obi-Wan’s cock slid into his hole, eyes widening as he realized just how above average the man was, his dick filling every inch of him deliciously as Obi-Wan buried himself inside of Qui-Gon.
“Ohhhhhh,” Qui-Gon moaned, “Oh that’s so good. It feels so good.”
Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Qui-Gon’s chest, “Just wait darling. We haven’t even gotten to the fun part yet.”
Obi-Wan planted his knees on either side of Qui-Gon’s body, pressing one more soft kiss to his shoulder before pulling out almost all the way.
Qui-Gon’s back arched as Obi-Wan slammed back in, the jolt of pleasure shooting straight down his spine, eyes opening wide in surprise.
“Oh krifff,” he cursed, “Hnggghhh.”
Obi-Wan’s pace was brutal and Qui-Gon’s fingers twisted into the nest underneath him as Obi-Wan pounded into him, the only sound the slapping of skin and heavy breathing as Obi-Wan held tight, refusing to slow down to even let Qui-Gon breathe.
“Oh that’s it,” Obi-Wan said, petting Qui-Gon’s chest, “That hole is so desperate. Do you feel how it squeezes when I pull out? My sweet omega doesn’t want to be empty for even a second. What a pretty thing you are. So good for me. So tight and wet. How does it feel, darling? How does it feel to finally have what you need?”
“Fe- Feels good,” Qui-Gon whimpered, “Feels so-so good.”
“You just needed the right alpha,” Obi-Wan murmured into his ear, “You just needed a nice thick cock inside of you. You couldn’t settle for a tiny knot. You needed to be nice and filled, darling. You just needed me.”
“Yes, yes,” Qui-Gon agreed, “Need you. Only you. Please. Please, Obi-Wan.”
“I know, I know,” Obi-Wan assured him, “I’ve got you, sweetheart. I’m not going to let go until you're all nice and stuffed up just like you need. You are so good for me. Look how sweetly you are taking my cock. Do you feel that knot at the base? That’s just for you, Qui.”
Qui-Gon’s thighs were trembling and he let out a whimper, not sure that his voice would work.
His whole body was on fire, balls tightening as he started to feel Obi-Wan’s knot catch on his entrance, the man ramming into him again and again as he hit his prostate over and over so that Qui-Gon couldn’t think.
He came before Obi-Wan, hole quivering around the man as his legs collapsed underneath him. Obi-Wan refused to let up, still pounding into him desperately as his knot began to grow, leaving Qui-Gon feeling like he was going to split in half, the tugging making his head spin.
Obi-Wan shoved in one more time as his knot finally got too large to pull out and Qui-Gon screamed hoarsely as Obi-Wan’s teeth pierced his mating gland and then everything went dark.
He woke up later with Obi-Wan lapping at his neck apologetically, hands running up and down Qui-Gon’s sides gently, knot still tightly wedged inside of him.
“O-Obi?” he asked hoarsely.
“I’ve got you, darling,” Obi-Wan promised, “I’m sorry. I think it was just a little too much for you.”
His head was still fuzzy but he felt warm and safe with Obi-Wan moulded to his back, cock buried deep inside of him as he lapped gently at the new bite.
“Don’t be sorry,” he said softly, “It was amazing. The best thing I’ve ever felt.”
“I’m glad,” Obi-Wan said, “Because you’re going to be stuck with it for a long time.”
“That sounds perfect,” Qui-Gon said, hands finding Obi-Wan’s so he could lace their fingers together, “This is- this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Thank you.”
“No. Thank you,” Obi-Wan murmured, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ve never met anyone like you Qui-Gon. I- I think I was in love with you from the moment you said hello.”
Qui-Gon thought he might die.
“I- I love you too,” he confessed, “I kept thinking that there wasn’t any way that you would want me, as perfect as you were.”
“Well clearly you’ve never taken a look in the mirror,” Obi-Wan said, sighing happily as pressed his cheek against his back, “Because the fact that no one has ever climbed you like a tree is criminal. They should arrest every single one of them. Or, well, they should. But I’m glad that no one realized how perfect you were before I found you.”
Qui-Gon squeezed his eyes shut as the corner of his eyes stung.
“I love you,” Qui-Gon said again, voice thick.
“I love you too darling,” Obi-Wan said softly.
“I’m glad you found me too,” Qui-Gon said, “I couldn’t think of anyone I’d want more.”
“Keep saying things like that and you aren’t going to be able to walk straight when I’m done with you,” Obi-Wan murmured thickly, “I’m going to kriff you in every position.”
Qui-Gon’s face turned pink as his cock twitched excitedly.
“Oh, oh yes,” Obi-Wan said, “That’s the enthusiasm that I like to see. How do you feel about riding me next? That way you can bite me easily. We’ll get you nice and drunk on cock and then have you give me your mark.”
Qui-Gon’s hands tightened around Obi-Wan’s.
“You don’t mind if I’m on top? It’s…not too dominating?” Qui-Gon asked, voice small.
“I hate them all,” Obi-Wan muttered, “Like a kriffing tree, Qui-Gon. I’m going to climb you like a kriffing tree. Your hole isn’t ever going to be the same again. We’re going to every single position possible. Missionary, Doggy Style, Cowgirl, Reverse Cowgirl, Spooning, Sideways Straddle. Just you wait. Your ass is going to be so sore you’re going to be stuck in our nest for days after your heat.”
Qui-Gon couldn’t hold back the strangled moan that passed his lips.
“I’m going to ruin you,” Obi-Wan promised, “And then put you all back together and then I’m going to find a stupid freaking ring and I’m going to marry you in front of all the dumb alphas who decided that their egos were too fragile to try mounting you. They’re stupid.”
He kissed Qui-Gon’s shoulder once more and Qui-Gon could feel his smile against his skin.
“This is the best sex I’ve ever had,” Obi-Wan said seriously, “And I once got fucked by a besalisk with a two-headed cock.”
Qui-Gon’s head whipped around as he looked at the man, “You’ve been penetrated before?”
“Yes of course,” Obi-Wan said as though he didn’t understand why Qui-Gon was surprised, “It feels nice and I was in a temple where most of the Jedi didn’t have a secondary gender. Everything you do is just done by what feels good. They don’t care whether I’m an alpha or an omega.”
Qui-Gon squirmed under him, letting out a little moan as Obi-Wan’s knot rubbed against every nerve inside of him.
“Is that something you’d be interested in?” Obi-Wan asked huskily.
“You- You’d let me kriff you?” Qui-Gon asked, though he couldn’t ignore how the heat started to pool in his gut at the thought.
“Mmm, I don’t see why not,” Obi-Wan murmured, “Your cock looks wonderful and it’s not as though I’ve never done it before. It will take a little work because I won’t slick the same way but I’m sure it could feel nice for both of us.”
Obi-Wan pulled one hand out of Qui-Gon’s to cup his half-hard cock.
“Mmm I think it's the perfect size to split me open,” Obi-Wan hummed, “What do you think? After your heat, of course. But if you’re open to trying, I’m open to being opened.”
“That sounds- that sounds nice,” Qui-Gon agreed and Obi-Wan laughed as his cock twitched in Obi-Wan’s hand.
“I love you, darling,” Obi-Wan said, before ducking to press their lips together again, “I hope you know that.”
Obi-Wan started to shift, moving the both of them until they were on their sides, Obi-Wan wrapped around Qui-Gon like a backpack, seemingly unbothered by how much smaller he was.
“I love you too,” Qui-Gon said, “So much.”
“Get some sleep,” Obi-Wan said, kissing his shoulder, “You’re going to need it for what I have in store for you.”
“Sounds good,” Qui-Gon said, yawning as he relaxed into Obi-Wan’s arms, going boneless in their nest.
Their nest.
It was theirs.
Obi-Wan was his.
It was the only thing he could think of as he drifted off to sleep, safe and warm and loved and mated in Obi-Wan’s arms, like it was where he’d always belonged.