Rating: PG.
Archive: Yes.
Warning: Amy is a Sith, yes, she is.
Summary: Qui-Gon tries for Obi-Wan one last time.
Notes: Heh. Wrote this some time ago, just found it, and died laughing. Now, don't you dare laugh.

****

Dreams are not enough to slake the timeless longing in an inevitable future.

So Qui-Gon Jinn thought, when he looked at Obi-Wan, new-made Jedi Knight, beaming with the glitter of success. Brightness incarnate, laughter among his friends, and not a word for his former master.

Qui-Gon leaned against the wall, content for the moment just to have the privilege of holding Obi-Wan with his eyes. For really, when it came down to words, what could be said? Too much spoken already, the thought of breaking the Code even held in each of their minds, kisses fiery with farewell, laden with promises of secret trysts?

For the Council would oppose this, they knew. Had denied them permission to lifebond three years ago, and continued to do so. For years, Qui-Gon had held in his mind the thought that after Obi-Wan was knighted, perhaps…?

But no. The Council had again refused Obi-Wan’s request, made just before his successful completion of the trials of knighthood, killing the Sith that had attacked them on Naboo.

In his heart, Qui-Gon knew that it was his own fault that the bond had been refused the Council’s blessing. He was a maverick, bent upon his own methods, many of which did not follow the advice of the Council, but worked too well for all that. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, was determined to follow the Code.  And the Code, while not forbidding a love relationship between padawan and master, was adamant on the idea of the Council’s approval.

The Council was a bunch of old fools, or young ones, Qui-Gon thought, remembering Mace’s cold words as he forbade any bonding. And the Will of the Force would not be denied, and this was, most empatically, the Will of the Force. A union between himself and Obi-Wan would make them each stronger, not weaker. Would make Obi-Wan more himself and less Qui-Gon’s padawan. Why could the Council not see this?

The crowds were beginning to drift away now, the last well-wishers kissing Obi-Wan and saying goodbye, some more effusive than others. But eventually they all faded out the doorway like stars when morning dawns.

And at last he was alone with Obi-Wan.

“Padawan,” he said, without thinking, and almost immediately corrected himself. “Obi-Wan.”

Obi-Wan smiled. “Yes, master?” And did not correct himself.

“Are you going to accept the Council’s decree?” Qui-Gon asked.

Obi-Wan lifted his eyebrows in that endearing way. “Of course I am,” he said matter-of-factly, and turned away from Qui-Gon, leaving a heart lying shattered in the dust.

“Go back to Anakin, master,” Obi-Wan called over his shoulder. “It’s the Will of the Force, isn’t it?”