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“Cin’s been eyeing you.” Adi slides into the seat across from him quite unprompted. Mace looks up from where he's been reading with annoyance.
“Why do you care and why should I?”
“Because you haven't noticed and I think you should.”
Mace rolls his eyes. “Are you done?”
“This attitude of yours is why I think you should. It would be good for you to have some fun.”
It's clear that she's not going to let this go. Mace turns off his terminal and gives her his full attention, including his full irritation.
“There is nothing in this galaxy that gives you the right to commentate on my sex life.”
“Have I said anything about your sex life?”
Mace doesn't even dignify that with an argument. He just stares until Adi backs down.
“At least tell him you're not interested. It's polite.”
“I am not walking up to the newly appointed battlemaster and out of the blue telling him that I don't want to sleep with him.”
“If instead you do, far be it from me to commentate.”
“Won't you find something productive to do with your time?”
Adi stands. Finally.
“I'll tell Cin to ask next time you see each other.”
Absolutely not.
“Do that and you won't like the consequences.”
She narrows her eyes at him.
“A threat, Master Jedi?”
Mace snorts despite himself.
“A promise.”
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Unfortunately, Adi is right. The next time that he meets up with Cin he notices that the catch of his eyes is… anatomical, though not lingering enough to be unprofessional or uncomfortable. He is not hiding it either, he meets Mace's eyes before or after with a clear and confident gaze. It's familiar: he had been doing it this whole time, but Mace had never thought anything of it. Wouldn't have ever, if Adi hadn't said anything.
He could frown, act displeased or uncomfortable and he's sure that Cin would stop immediately and they would never have to speak of it. But he doesn't, feeling a bit of curiosity on where this could lead. He finds himself looking back every time that his eyes flicker to him. And then they have to stop, because the barest bit of tension starts to build and this is a Masters seminar, if they don't nip it in the bud then the whole room will know. Probably already does.
Indeed, their colleagues start to drift towards closing session much more quickly than usual. Mace decides to be proactive about this, sheathing his saber and bowing a general leave to the room before stepping into the hallway. It takes few minutes, but the next to exit is Cin, who looks wholly unsurprised to see him waiting. He tilts his head down the hall, and they start to walk.
“Did Gallia talk to you at all?” Mace asks, after they have both taken the time to collect their thoughts and feelings. Because while he is interested in a way, if Adi is involved at all then he is not, on principle.
“Adi Gallia?” Cin asks in return with confusion. It's a slight relief.
“Never mind then. It's no trouble, she simply, on occasion, likes to meddle in affairs that have nothing to do with her.”
“I see.” Cin returns diplomatically. His hair bounces behind him as he nods. “I assure you my actions are completely of my own volition.”
“Good.”
They come to a junction, turn the corner that will keep them walking down an uninhabited hall.
“I'll admit, I've been a bit uncertain.” Cin says at length. “I've done my best to be subtle but clear in my efforts to get your attention, but you have never shown anything but neutrality in response. It almost seemed like you were not aware of my intentions.”
Mace sighs, not exactly embarrassed but feeling inconvenienced by his lack of skill in this area. “I am not the most adept at reading body language when it comes to attraction. I was indeed unaware.”
“I see.”
They walk.
“Do I owe you an apology?” Cin looks at his face for an answer.
“Perhaps not. I find myself curious about what you have to offer.”
Satisfaction rings in the force for a moment before it's soothed. Cin pulls them to a stop at a window alcove, completely placid.
“Do you bottom?”
Oh.
“I have never before, but I'm open to learning.”
Cin tilts his head. Again, the swing of his tied up hair catches part of Mace’s attention. “Try it on your own, first. Then if you're still interested, you have my personal code.”
“I do?”
“You do now.” Cin pulls his hands from inside his sleeves and presents Mace’s own comm to him. When in blazes did he…?
“I take it you leaving it in session was not intentional, then?” There's definite amusement in Cin’s voice. “It was certainly quite more heavy-handed than I had expected. Rather obvious.”
Now, Mace is embarrassed. Mortified, even. The Masters are going to talk about this.
“My thanks.” He says, ears burning as he physically takes it from Cin’s palm.
“Not to worry, Master Windu. It will be forgotten in a decade or so.”
He's teasing, Mace decides.
“Perhaps I should take on a watchman post.” Mace mutters, resigning himself to the years of gossip anyway.
“Oh, that would be a lifetime’s worth of talk for me. I can hear it now: “Drallig was so bad in bed, he made the Temple's best swordsman up and leave.” ”
Mace raises an eyebrow at him. “Bold assumption that I'd make sure to sleep with you before I go.”
“I'm not. But they would.”
“We might as well then.”
“I mean it about trying on your own first.” Cin’s presence withdraws from where he had been sharing surface emotions as part of their conversation. “You know how to reach me.”
With that, he bows and takes his leave. Mace stands in the hall for a few more moments, processing their conversation and his emotions before turning his steps towards the halls. He picks up an instructional pamphlet and it's accompanying recommended supplies, tucking them in an interior pocket in his robes. He sees a Master that had been at session on the way to his quarters. She looks at him with as much surprise as a master can, which is to say, contemplatively. Mace nods to her as he passes and decides not to remember that she had witnessed his fumble with his comm.