Maul

Hi there! Can I request a prompt in the oldben! Verse where somehow Ben let slip that he was on the council and how other people react to that. If you don’t feel like writing it, that’s okay.

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“To go to Nigama you are to, a peaceful mission it should be for
you two while Master Qui-Gon and his padawan searches the Dima
cluster for the true source of the disturbance.” Yoda finished,
watching the Zabrak and Ben for their reactions and interactions.
Maul was paying close attention, attentive to the council and to his
master who was…looking at Depa or more likely at Depa’s chair.

“Lost you are Master Ben?” Yoda inwardly sighed, he had hoped for
some improvement but perhaps Ben would always be a bit lost, he did
his duty just like anyone even if he did lose his way now and then.

“Hmm? Perhaps? I was just thinking about how that was my seat
once.” Ben offered airily, tilting his head. “I used to hide
corellian brandy and gummies in it for long meetings.” He smiled
faintly, fondly before blinking and looking at Yoda. “Nigama, yes,
right, that’s a good place to be. Sunny and warm. Maul we will need
sunscreen I think…or well I will.” Ben thoughtfully tilted his
head.

“…Your seat Ben?” Depa blinked, shifting a bit.

“Hmm? Oh, yes. You were injured. So I took the council seat, I was
thirty five…strange how that goes. Well, chop chop Maul, we should
get going. Pack.” Ben bowed and headed for the doors while Maul
threw them all an apologetic look before hurrying after his master.

Mace just sighed and shook his head, it wasn’t like Ben was trying
to snub them, obviously one of his worse days. “…Did he wake up
screaming again?”

“Yes.” Qui-Gon offered shortly in return before closing his eyes
and breathing out through his nose. “I mean…yes, he did. He woke
up screaming and crying, calling for Cody.” He rubbed the brink of
his nose, he sometimes got the feeling that Ben had loved this Cody
at some point but that it never went anywhere and now it was just a
faded memory.

“Hurt himself? Tried to leave again?” Yoda’s ears twitched.

“No. Happily he did not. He curled into me. He’s getting better
Masters, I swear but the healers has warned us. Ben might never be
fully settled and physically he is as good as he can be.” Qui-Gon
smiled a bit at that, Ben had worked hard to gain that health back.

Ben was no longer a ravaged wreck of an old man. Treatment, good food
and care had done exactly what it was suppose to, help him. His knees
snapped, his back hurt and he still needed his medications but he
could live as close to a normal life as possible for a Jedi.

“I’m kind of worried about the fact that he had my chair.” Depa
offered in turn, looking around. “Because we’re not that far
apart in age.”

“Injured you were he said, common this seemed. Many injured Jedi in
the future.” Yoda frowned.

“…I get on the council?” Obi-Wan blinked and everyone looked at
him as the copper haired teen looked back, shrugging. “Well…Ben
was me. I got on the council seat…and…I was pretty young for a
Jedi Master and a council member.” Obi-Wan shrugged. “No
disrespect but I’m happy to still be a knight at thirty, never mind
the council.”

“He’s…right. Ben was a very young master to be on the council.”
Qui-Gon frowned at his padawan, thinking hard. ‘No…no that’s
not the future anymore. The future is changed thanks to Ben. The
world is different. The TEMPLE is different.’

“Look after his master, Padawan Maul will.” Yoda gestured at them
with his cane. “Concentrate on your own mission you two should.”

“Yes Master.” Both bowed as they were clearly dismissed.

Elsewhere two yellow eyed men had the information they wanted.
“Nigama. Only him and your ‘redeemed’ apprentice.”

“I know. I will handle it Master.”

“You better. Do not fail me this time.”

Hi there! Can I request a prompt in the oldben! Verse where somehow Ben let slip that he was on the council and how other people react to that. If you don’t feel like writing it, that’s okay.

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“To go to Nigama you are to, a peaceful mission it should be for
you two while Master Qui-Gon and his padawan searches the Dima
cluster for the true source of the disturbance.” Yoda finished,
watching the Zabrak and Ben for their reactions and interactions.
Maul was paying close attention, attentive to the council and to his
master who was…looking at Depa or more likely at Depa’s chair.

“Lost you are Master Ben?” Yoda inwardly sighed, he had hoped for
some improvement but perhaps Ben would always be a bit lost, he did
his duty just like anyone even if he did lose his way now and then.

“Hmm? Perhaps? I was just thinking about how that was my seat
once.” Ben offered airily, tilting his head. “I used to hide
corellian brandy and gummies in it for long meetings.” He smiled
faintly, fondly before blinking and looking at Yoda. “Nigama, yes,
right, that’s a good place to be. Sunny and warm. Maul we will need
sunscreen I think…or well I will.” Ben thoughtfully tilted his
head.

“…Your seat Ben?” Depa blinked, shifting a bit.

“Hmm? Oh, yes. You were injured. So I took the council seat, I was
thirty five…strange how that goes. Well, chop chop Maul, we should
get going. Pack.” Ben bowed and headed for the doors while Maul
threw them all an apologetic look before hurrying after his master.

Mace just sighed and shook his head, it wasn’t like Ben was trying
to snub them, obviously one of his worse days. “…Did he wake up
screaming again?”

“Yes.” Qui-Gon offered shortly in return before closing his eyes
and breathing out through his nose. “I mean…yes, he did. He woke
up screaming and crying, calling for Cody.” He rubbed the brink of
his nose, he sometimes got the feeling that Ben had loved this Cody
at some point but that it never went anywhere and now it was just a
faded memory.

“Hurt himself? Tried to leave again?” Yoda’s ears twitched.

“No. Happily he did not. He curled into me. He’s getting better
Masters, I swear but the healers has warned us. Ben might never be
fully settled and physically he is as good as he can be.” Qui-Gon
smiled a bit at that, Ben had worked hard to gain that health back.

Ben was no longer a ravaged wreck of an old man. Treatment, good food
and care had done exactly what it was suppose to, help him. His knees
snapped, his back hurt and he still needed his medications but he
could live as close to a normal life as possible for a Jedi.

“I’m kind of worried about the fact that he had my chair.” Depa
offered in turn, looking around. “Because we’re not that far
apart in age.”

“Injured you were he said, common this seemed. Many injured Jedi in
the future.” Yoda frowned.

“…I get on the council?” Obi-Wan blinked and everyone looked at
him as the copper haired teen looked back, shrugging. “Well…Ben
was me. I got on the council seat…and…I was pretty young for a
Jedi Master and a council member.” Obi-Wan shrugged. “No
disrespect but I’m happy to still be a knight at thirty, never mind
the council.”

“He’s…right. Ben was a very young master to be on the council.”
Qui-Gon frowned at his padawan, thinking hard. ‘No…no that’s
not the future anymore. The future is changed thanks to Ben. The
world is different. The TEMPLE is different.’

“Look after his master, Padawan Maul will.” Yoda gestured at them
with his cane. “Concentrate on your own mission you two should.”

“Yes Master.” Both bowed as they were clearly dismissed.

Elsewhere two yellow eyed men had the information they wanted.
“Nigama. Only him and your ‘redeemed’ apprentice.”

“I know. I will handle it Master.”

“You better. Do not fail me this time.”

Ooooo, are Maul and Obi wan going to get together? I can imagine the reserved both Maul and Obi wan have about that. Older Obi wan is Maul’s master and Maul while very much attracted to Obi wan and would not mind having hot sex, is slightly confused and very embarrassed bcuz he has romantic feelings for younger obi but more parental feelings for old Ben. Obi wan would probably point blank ask Qui Gon (and Ben probably) if there’s anything wrong with him and Maul having a romantic relationship

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“You smell nice.” Ben chuckled quietly as Quinlan wrapped him in
a tight hug, the Kiffar rubbing his cheek against the others head
like a large affectionate cat.

“He smells like a swamp rat.” Obi-Wan huffed.

“Shush, Ben cuddles now.” Quinlan scolded before going back to
nuzzling the top of the older mans head. Maul watched quietly from
the salle benches, brows raised. The Zabrak looked and felt like a
totally different man, lacking all his tattoos and a gray sensation
in the Force more then anything else.

“I’d say he smelled like a womp rat, but that’s just my
opinion.” Ben offered in return.

“I’m not that ba-wait you’ve been close enough to smell womp
rats?” Quinlan pulled back enough to blink down at him and Ben
shrugged. “Tattooine is full of em, tastes good in soup though.”
He shuffled away from Quinlan to sit down on the benches beside Maul,
giving his padawan a soft smile.

“…Don’t they carry a form for plague?”

“Oh yes, but that’s only if you get bitten.” Ben offered airily
before resting his head on Maul’s shoulder.

All three younger men traded looks at that.

“Was lucky to never get bitten honestly. May have been alright the
first few years but the older you get, the worse the plague effects
you.” Ben mused before almost bouncing to his feet as Qui-Gon
arrived, moving to his bondmate with a warm smile. “There you are.”

“Apologies, Plo had some questions for me.” Qui-Gon pressed a
kiss to the others temple and then nodded to the others. “Knight
Vos, good to see you back…less happy to smell you but that’s what
showers exist for.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it, I reek. I’ll go handle it.” Quinlan
groaned before moving over and giving Ben one last hug before he
left.

Qui-Gon snorted then smiled down at Ben. “We ready for a sparring
session then?”

“Mhmm, just let me tie my hair.” Ben peeked through his belt for
hair ties only for Qui-Gon to pull one out of his and tie Ben’s
hair into a bun. “…Maul pulled a hair tie from his belt earlier
and so did Obi-Wan. Does everyone I know have hair ties now?”

“Yes. You tend to lose yours.” Qui-Gon offered peacefully.

“Hmm.”

“You do tend to lose them Master.” Maul offered while standing
slowly, stepping onto the mats to warm up with Obi-Wan.

Ben meanwhile nuzzled himself under Qui-Gon’s chin for a bit of
comfort, smiling softly at the gentle hands in his hair.

“There we go, nice bun to keep it out of your eyes.” The older
man offered before leaning down and stealing a quick kiss. “Now
lets go warm up and then we can spar.”

“We’re sparring? Oh good, its nice when you trust me.”

“We’re not going to far or to long, last time we did that you
pulled a joint.” Qui-Gon murmured and moved to the other mat,
nodding to Maul and Obi-Wan. “You two can continue warming up or
spar too.”

“Spar!” Obi-Wan offered excitedly, giving Maul a carefree grin
that was returned with a softer one from the Zabrak.

Ben took a few second to peer at them before smiling softly.

Qui-Gon rolled his eyes a bit but was smiling too as the younger men
went at it, more play fighting then actually sparring.

‘Its kind of cute. You have to admit that.’ Ben offered
softly.

‘Only because Maul is so soft spoken. Obi-Wan is being obnoxious
about it.’

‘I never seen him react to someone like this.’ Ben
stretched slowly, mirroring Qui-Gon’s katas.

Qui-Gon hesitated a bit at that. ‘You mean you never reacted
like that. Don’t you?’

‘Not really. Obi-Wan is different from me, this Obi-Wan is very
different from me. I was…I was different as a padawan. I tried
to…I was a very stiff and proper padawan.’ Ben hummed.

Qui-Gon thought that information over even as he slowed his pace for
his bondmates sake. ‘And he isn’t?’

‘He’s willing to change. That’s different, he’s willing to
challenge beliefs now. I wasn’t. That took time. Things are
different in the temple Qui-Gon, this is not the temple of my padawan
days. And he laughs more.’ Ben chuckled softly.

Qui-Gon conceded to that before shifting and bowing a bit to Ben,
smiling as his bondmate returned the favor. “Spar now?”

“Training sabers. I don’t want to hit you again.” Ben sighed
quietly and the other man quickly stepped closer, taking his hands
and stroking them. “Hey, that was an accident and the power was
low. You didn’t mean to.”

“I still made a hole in your sleeve and burned you.” Ben sighed
again, more miserably.

Maul and Obi-Wan were still circling each other, both grinning as
they feinted and tested each other. Both to caught up in each other
to notice anything else for the moment.

“That’s what bactas there for love.” Qui-Gon smiled and stroked
Ben’s cheek gently, feeling the other melt into the touch.

I LOVE your Ben and Maul fics. I would love to see Ben bestowing little physical affections on Maul and Maul isn’t quite sure what to think but they’re so nice and Ben is so sweet and he can’t help but melt every time he gets a touch or a kiss from Ben. (Purely platonic affection. Ben is romantically in love with Qui-Gon but he loves Maul like a son.)

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“And breathe out…” Ben opened his eyes, smiling softly at the
red skinned Zabrak in front of him, stroking the back of the others
hand as Maul did as told, a butterfly peacefully resting on one of
his horns. The sight sent calm waves through the older man as he Maul
continued to slowly breath and immerse himself into the light side of
the Force, steadily purging the sith tattoos from himself under Ben’s
guidance.

He caressed the others wrist gently and sent a soft pulse of
affection towards his padawan, humming softly at the shy affirmation
he got in return.

This Maul was so very different from the one Ben had meet in the
future. Was shaping to be a much different man though still soft
spoken.

“Well done Maul.” The Jedi master offered when the other surfaced
moments later.

“Thank you…we should return to our quarters, we’ve been here
for quite some time. Master Jinn is bound to be worried.” Maul
stood slowly, helping Ben up with careful hands. The master gave a
low grunt of discomfort as his knee made an audible snapping noise
before sighing in relief as he straightened out.

“Yes, you are right of course. He’s been good about not
monitoring me though.” Ben reached up and curved his hand around
the back of Maul’s neck, pulling him down and carefully pressing a
kiss to the others forehead. “Well done padawan. You’ve come so
far already.”

“Thanks to you.” Maul smiled a bit in shy confusion, the trail of
golden silka beads resting against his shoulder.

Ben just chuckled at that before sighing as felt the soreness return
to his legs and back.

“…Next time though, you should sit on a bench instead of kneeling
with me.” Maul frowned before offering his arm to the other as
support, Ben leaning gratefully on his padawan. “Your knees do not
bend like those of the youth master.”

“Bah, it gives Qui-Gon reason to spoil me.”

“It gives me reason to throw dignity to the wind and pick you up
like a prince or princess.” Maul offered back.

“Ah, you are learning the language of sass padawan of mine, good,
good.”

“Not so much sass as genuine worry Master…how about a Grandmaster
of the order carry instead?”

“So a piggyback ride?”

“Yes.”

“Would it make you happier and stop worrying?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. Yes, Grandmaster carry it is.” Maul smirked at that and
stepped in front of Ben before bending a bit down, allowing the other
onto his back for a careful carry back to the quarters.

Since the removal of his more obvious tattoos, people had stopped
staring as much though he could still hear muted whispers. They
weren’t the same horrified or worried ones that existed before
though, more intrigued would be his guess.

‘They think you’re handsome’ Ben chuckled along the
bond, resting his chin on the others shoulder.

‘Not sure what I feel about that…’

‘You do not have to feel anything about it. No one will blame
you if you keep your distance for now. Reminds me, Obi-Wan was asking
about sparring with you if you were interested, are you?’

Maul mused on that. ‘Is it alright with Master Jinn?’

‘Qui-Gon is…unsure but he won’t say no. He may want to
observe but so do I. You know he’s still confused by all of this.’

Maul snorted and Ben chuckled out loud as they stopped in front of
the quarters, Ben opening it up so Maul could step through the doors
with him still on the youngsters back.

“Welco-Ben?”

“His knees creaked and snapped. I told him he should have sat on a
bench instead.” Maul offered Qui-Gon before carefully settling Ben
on his feet, giving Obi-Wan a small smile as the other padawan waved
at him.

“I see. A warm bath for later then.” Qui-Gon moved to his
bondmate and gave him a soft kiss. “It went well?”

“Yes, Maul is progressing quite well. We should be able to get rid
of all the tattoos on the next session.” Ben nodded before smiling
at Maul. “If you wish to get new ones after you can of course.”

“I will think about it. I may not get new ones, like Master Kolar.”

“Its up to you Maul, your choice.” Ben nuzzled against Qui-Gon’s
broad chest, closing his eyes and therefor not seeing the three other
exchange looks over his head.

“I’m surprised they can be removed at all.” Maul ventured
carefully as he moved with Obi-Wan into the kitchen to start on lunch
for them.

“Normally…you shouldn’t be able to. But you desire change, the
light side of the Force provides and…there is me. I act as the
middle man who…cleans.” Ben yawned a bit against Qui-Gon’s
chest, making a low noise of unhappiness as he was moved only to
settle as they sat on the couch with Ben in the older master’s lap.

“So the meditation is a form for…purification?” Maul paused,
glancing at Ben in surprise.

“In a manner. But I’m just the middle man. Your tattoos belong to
the dark where you no longer want to be.” Ben yawned again,
snuggling against the other man as Qui-Gon slowly undid the braid and
rubbed his fingers through the long white hair. “Your wish to be
rid of the Sith that you once embraced is what is truly removing it,
I just bring the additional power for it.” He mumbled a bit as
Qui-Gon removed his hands to wrap a blanket around them.

Maul tilted his head before nodding, assured by the others sleepy
words.

Obi-Wan gave him a half smile as the two worked quietly together to
prepare lunch while Ben drowsed against his bondmate.

“…Your future will be better then what it was…it will all be
better.” Ben mumbled before tucking his face into Qui-Gon’s
collarbone.

I loove your writing so so much! Please could you do one with bb!obi and Sith!quigon where obi is wrapping maul/ventress/dooku around his tiny finger and getting them to bring him sweets despite quigon attempting to curb his sweet tooth (because although Sith are supposed to give into temptation the amount of sweets obi wants to eat are in no way healthy)

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“No.” Qui-Gon
growled, picking up his apprentice and settling the child on his hip,
glaring at both Maul and Savage. “That is enough, no more sweets,
do you two have any idea how much sweets he’s eaten this week
alone?”

Maul raised a
severly unimpressed eyebrow before shrugging. “No.”

“To much. So much
that he’s getting ill and having stomach aches and he has cavities
from here to Naboo.” Qui-Gon adjusted his apprentice on his hip and
gave the copper haired imp a long look. “No more sweets, I’m
putting my foot down.”

“But Master!”

“No.”

“Daaaaaaad.”
The child whined, going for his last option.

“Nooo.”

()()()()

“I told you all
not to give him anymore sweets!” Qui-Gon growled, incensed as he
stared at the guilty looking child with chocolate sploges on his
face.

“Relaaaax, its a
treat for doing so good. You’d have been impressed with him today.”
Ventress smirked at him, leaning on her hands. She wasn’t about to
admit that Obi-Wan’s big, slightly glowing, green eyes had made her
give in and give him chocolate.

“I don’t care,
treats can be something NOT sweets.” Qui-Gon took a moist cloth and
started to wipe the child’s face, eyes narrowed in displeasure.

“…It was just a
little bit master?”

“Tell that to
your cavities. Force Obi-Wan, please show SOME restraint.”

()()()()

“And no sweets.”

“Of course not
Qui-Gon.” Dooku offered pleasantly with a hand on Obi-Wan’s
shoulder, watching the other man seemingly deflate in relief. “I do
have some decorum, as if I kept sweets around.”

“…Good, he has
enough cavities to make a mining operation possible.”

“Dentist bot
time?”

“If we had one on
site, yes but we don’t. What do you think my own personal side
thing is?” Qui-Gon offered dryly before the space ship closed up
and took the man away.

Obi-Wan and Dooku
watched the ship until it was gone before the old man reached into
his pocket and pulled out a wrapped cookie, handing it to the wibbly
looking child. “Technically not sweets. Just don’t tell him.”
Dooku chuckled and guided the young one back inside.

He didn’t feel to
guilty giving the child a cookie since Qui-Gon would bring back a
dentist mech.

“Thank you
grandpa.” Obi-Wan gave him a sweet smile and nibbled on the cookie.

“…How does
chocolate cake for dessert today sound?”

“Really?”

“Yes, dessert,
technically not a sweet once again.”

How about reformed sith Maul as Ben’s padawan?? It could be in the DJ!Old Ben universe or in a new one. Qui-Gon is not very happy with how many shady/sith friends his padawan has xD

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Ben stepped out of his and Qui-Gon’s
quarters with a small smile on his face before turning and raising
his eyebrows. “Well, are you coming or not?” He questioned,
tilting his head with an even softer, coaxing smile on his face.

There were some curious Jedi’s around
as they knew that Qui-Gon had already vacated the rooms to spar with
his padawan.

Their curiosity turned to surprise then
horror as the red and black tattooed Zabrak hesitantly stepped out of
the quarters and stopped in front of the older Jedi who continued
smiling.

Ben however took the Sith by the
sleeve, holding it gently in his fingers as he started to lead him
through the halls of the Jedi temple with a calm and casual air about
him, Maul following along with tense shoulders as they passed more
and more staring Jedi’s.

“Ben, I’m not sure this is a smart
idea…” He offered in his soft voice.

“Bantha fodder, they’ll listen…oh
that reminds me, I forgot lunch.” Ben blinked then looked to Maul.
“Remind me of that when we get back to the quarters.”

Maul sighed but nodded, allowing the
older man to guide him by his sleeve to the elevator. As it closed he
saw a young calamari spring through the halls and leaned closer to
Ben. “I’m surprised no one stopped us.”

“Oh, there will more then likely be
temple guardians waiting us on the top floor.” Ben offered easily
then took Maul’s hand instead as the other tensed. “But they’ll
let me past. And you. You have evidence after all.”

Ben was right, on the top floor several
temple guardians were waiting on them, lightsaber pikes activated.

“Oh, hello.” Ben smiled at them. “I
have meeting with the Council. I have to introduce everyone to my padawan.”

“WHAT!?” Came the roaring voice of
Mace Windu from the council chamber.

Ben gently tugged Maul with him past
the guardians, smiling. “Mace, I have a padawan. He has evidence
for all of you to take a look at.”

The Korun master rubbed a hand over his
face. “Ben…Ben please, you can’t take a sith as your padawan.”

“Former Sith. Also an apprentice.
He’s renouncing his vows as a Sith to be my padawan. Mace meet
Maul, Maul meet Mace Windu.” Ben beamed warmly and tugged Maul with
him to the middle of the chamber.

“…Evidence you say?” Yoda’s
ears twitched as he watched Maul and Ben.

The Zabrak hand tightened on Ben’s
before nodding slowly. “Yes.” He offered softly before reaching
for his belt and pulling a data chip from a pouch. “Everything
you’d need to put both Hego Demask and Sheev Palpatine on trial for
several crimes of corruption and murder. Also proof of their plotting
to overthrow and promote certain governmental systems.”

There was a bit of hesitation before
Mace stepped to them and took the chip from Maul, staring at him
before moving to insert the chip into his chair for them to review
the information.

Ben meanwhile was happily humming,
squeezing Maul’s hand reassuringly. “Maul’s twenty one. He’s
an excellent duelist and very capable of Force abilities.” He
beamed. “I’ll have no need to teach him those things but I will
be teaching my padawan Jedi philosophy and the light side of the
Force.”

Maul looked to Ben suddenly and
frowned. “Your ankles feel painful. You should sit down.” He
shifted in agitation.

Mace closed his eyes. “…You’ve
already formed a padawan bond.”

Ben just smiled at that.

“…You know what Ben…I’m…just
going to let Qui-Gon handle you. Yup. And Quinlan.”

Ben tilted his head as the bond between
him and Qui-Gon flared to life with alarm. ‘Ben, why is padawan
Eerin here in the salle telling us that you have a sith by the
hand through the Jedi temple?’

‘I don’t have a sith by the
hand. I have my padawan by the hand.’
Ben offered back peacefully, feeling a flash of surprise through the
bond.

‘Your…oh no…you know what, I’m
going to let Mace handle that one.’

‘Funnily
enough, that’s what Mace said.’

‘I…alright…fine…just…I’ll
make bantha skewers for dinner…tell him to behave.’ Qui-Gon
let out a sound the equivalent of a mental sigh. ‘…I love
you.’

‘I love you
too~’ Ben looked to Maul and smiled warmly. “Qui-Gon says
that he’ll make bantha skewers for dinner. Now come along padawan,
we need to get you new clothes befitting a Jedi…and I believe we
need some silka beads.” He mused.

Maul looked back at
the council and shrugged at them, looking just as lost as the Jedi
council.

How was it that Ben
could wrap them all around his slightly lost old fingers?

I would love to see old Ben’s adventures in getting a tea plant and every other jedi facepalming and having small heart attacks for him being so reckless to go with a sith for backup!

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“Ben can but Ben shouldn’t.” Qui-Gon could feel a headache
building as he placed his hands on his hips and stared at the other
man.

“Ben can and Ben shall.” The man offered as he puttered into the
kitchen sedately, peeking around before going for the fridge and
peeking inside it.

“Ben, please.” The other man sighed then moved to him, wrapping
him in his arms as Ben took a smoothie pouch that Quinlan had filled
the fridge with for the time traveling Master with.

“I like Maul. I already told you that. He’s kind to me and he
only needs someone who will listen.”

“Ben, I had Mace come storming down into the salle while I was
sparring with Obi-Wan, telling me to get you to listen because you
wouldn’t listen to the council. And usually that would make me very
proud if it wasn’t for the fact that you actually did go into the
lower levels of Coruscant with only a Sith as a backup.” He watched
Ben unsnap the cork on the pouch.

“And the Jedi shadow.” He pointed out before sucking on the bag.

“You and Maul are lucky they have changed mission parameters for
you two.” Qui-Gon grunted while resting his cheek on Ben’s head.

The white haired man hummed at him before shuffling to get out of the
grasp and set on the kettle for a cup of tea. “Honestly though, I
was quite safe.” Qui-Gon raised disbelieving eyebrows.

“Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

“Oh I’ll just show you.” Ben reached out for the others hand,
guiding Qui-Gon into his mind and past the shields.

()()()

I haven’t been to the lower levels in quite some time.” Ben
looked around curiously at the seedy looking streets. Maul made a low
noise and stayed close to the others side, grocery bag in arm. “For
the better, its a cesspool of scum and criminals.”

“Hmm, someone should do something about that.” The Jedi tilted
his head and stepped around a puddle instead of wading through it.
“Very little light too.”

“If you want to do your deeds that is strictly not legal, the dark
is the best.” The Zabrak shrugged, his unoccupied hand drifting to
the hilt of his saber in warning as he noticed several nefarious
looking individuals looking to Ben.

“Its honestly making it hard for me to see.” Ben sighed. “My
eyes are really not what they used to be.”

“I can imagine so.” Maul eased up as they turned their attention
of the obvious Jedi dressed man beside him. “The plant shop is down
this way.” He nodded.

“Ah, good.” Ben beamed warmly at that and moved along with a
content expression, seemingly unaware of the danger he was in. Maul
glanced up to see a shadow moving on the roofs, both of them staring
at each other before focusing on keeping pace with the old man.

Ben stepped in and peeked around the shop that smelled of earth,
living things and fertilizer. Maul wrinkled his nose but Ben only
smiled and stepped to the counter, greeting the Twi’lek standing in
the store. “Good day madam. I’m looking for a tea plant, as a
gift for my coming bondmate and was recommended this shop for exotic
plants. Perhaps you can help me?”

She eyed his clothes then nodded. “Certainly serah Jedi. We have
several tea plants in store right now. Though four of them are only
seedlings, two are in seed form and three are ready to be planted in
a garden. Which ones would you prefer?”

Ben mused on that, stroking his chin. “Qui-Gon would enjoy the
chance to grow and care for it himself…so the seedlings perhaps?”

“This way serah.” She gestured, moving out from the counter and
towards the back of the shop.

Ben followed without question and Maul closed his eyes before
following quickly.

“This is a Alderaanian black tea plant. This is a Malestreaan fire
plant.” She gestured to two saplings that was under lamps before
gesturing to one with next to no light on it but with ample water. “A
Naboo honey lake tea plant and this-” She gestured to the last one
that was dark red in color. “Is a Corellian mountain tea plant.”

Ben peered closely at them before giving the Twi’lek a pleased
smile, warm as he looked at the yellow skinned lady. “Oh you’ve
cared well for these saplings. They’re all thriving rather
happily.” He turned back and did not see her eyes blink in surprise
before she turned both smug and happy looking. “These are going to
grow into formidable bushes with continued care of this level.
Qui-Gon would adore all four of them.”

“Well…for such a discerning customer…perhaps I could…lower my
prices just a bit? So you could bring two with you home?” She
hesitated, biting her lips.

Ben looked at her again and then took her hands. “Oh no, you need
your money and I will not trick you out of any.” He smiled warmly
before humming and looking between the plants. “As for which I
want, the Corellian mountain plant fits Qui-Gon’s taste.” He
looked mournfully at the honey lake plant before smiling warmly.

He did not see Maul carefully nodding to the plant then pointing at
himself.

The Twi’lek nodded slowly to both of them. “I will have it
delivered to the temple then serah. To whom is it going?” She went
to the counter with Ben following.

“Ben Kenobi. Here’s my credit chit.” He dug through his robe
pocket and accepted the recipe for the plant after paying.

“It should be there tomorrow serah, if not then come back with the
recipe to ensure it gets delievered.” She jumped a bit when Ben
gave her a little bow and quickly returned it, blushing slightly.

“Thank you gratiously my lady.” He turned to Maul and smiled
warmly. “I think I’m ready to head home now.”

Maul nodded and gestured with his head to the door. “We’ll go
find the speeder again.”

As they left, the Twi’lek went to put aside both the lake plant and
the mountain plant, knowing the red and black Zabrak would be back
later for the former.

()()()()

“See? Nothing dangerous happened.” Ben went back to his smoothie
pouch.

Qui-Gon gaped at him then took a deep breath. ‘I’ll…have to
thank Maul…sith hells…’

“You got me a tea plant?” He wrapped his arms around Ben again.

“Its a bonding present, you wont get it yet.” The other man
teased then eyed the smoothie pouch. “…Is this baby food?”

“Yes. Quinlan said its approved by the healers as an in between
snack for you. No additives.” The older man eyed the other warily.

Ben just shrugged at that. “Its good.” He went back to eating as
they waited on the water to boil, Qui-Gon burying his face in the
others soft white hair with an amused huff.

Please save Old!Ben verse’s Maul… He doesn’t deserve Sidious.

Posted on av swmoddy

“Disturbing the report is Master Ben, understand our worry you
must.” Yoda lifted his cane at the man who stood there peacefully,
hands tucked into his own sleeve. “Dangerous Siths are.”

“Maul does not wish to harm me. He’s curious. And currently he’s
throwing the other two of the trail. He told his master that he’s
gaining my trust.” Ben smiled softly.

“And what if that’s exactly what he’s doing and he’s lying to
you?” Mace growled, hiding his worry underneath his stoic face.

“He can’t earn something he already has.” Ben shrugged slowly.

“Ben please.” The other council members look sharply at Mace at
those words though they do admit that they are also worried. “If he
decided to betray you…”

“Those who are lost in the dark only require someone to speak to
sometimes. He’s not bad. Not yet, he’s not been corrupted yet.
Light and Dark and Gray are just shades and even those who wander in
the Light can go astray.” Ben offered softly. “I know that is not
a popular opinion but balance exists in it. Please consider that,
please consider what has to change.” He smiled warmly at them.

Ben pulled his hands out of his sleeves and held them out. “You do
not have to trust him. But please…trust me?”

What could they say to that other then yes?

()()()()()

They both stare at each other, hands resting on their saber hilts,
tense and ready to draw their weapons as the quiet night passes
around them. Qui-Gon had only wanted to check on the other, having
been gone for close to a month, two weeks longer then the mission was
intended to but they were needed.

He had, tired as he was, let himself into Ben’s apartment, smiling
at the quiet, soothing sensation he felt over his skin and gone to
check the bedroom.

He’d found Ben…and Maul.

Maul kneeling by the bed in the dark, obviously having been there a
while from the look of it.

Ben made a soft noise and both glanced at the white haired man
resting there.

Qui-Gon let out a deep breath through his nose and then slowly
removed his hand from his hilt, staring at Maul as the sith, after a
few seconds of hesitation, slowly did the same, resting his hands
back in his lap.

“…You’re not suppose to be here.”

“Master Ben told me I was welcome anytime.” A softer then
expected voice returned.

“You’re Maul.” Qui-Gon breathed out then glanced at Ben when
the other made a soft noise again and shifted. Maul reached out and
rested a hand on the older mans shoulder and he instantly settled at
the touch, his sleepy Force presence reaching out before settling
back in its slumbering state.

“…He hasn’t been sleeping well while you were gone. Nightmares,
unease, insomnia…” Deep unnerving yellow eyes focused back on
Qui-Gon.

“…I guess I should thank you then if you’ve been easing it.”
Qui-Gon took a deep breath and closed his eyes before stepping back
and out of the way. “…I won’t mention you’ve been here…for
Ben’s sake.”

Maul stood slowly, keeping his eyes on the Jedi as he made his way
out of the bedroom and to the window. “…You are lucky. He loves
you.” Was all the Zabrak offered before he was out the window.

Qui-Gon let out a breath he hadn’t been aware he was holding in
before moving to the bed and settling on the side, reaching out to
stroke Ben’s cheek. Faded green opened to squint in the ever so
faint light from the living room before Ben smiled drowsily up at
Qui-Gon.

“You’re back.”

“Indeed dear. I apologize for the delay.”

“It was out of your hands.” Ben nuzzled the hand slowly then
reached out, tugging on the other mans wrist.

“A moment.” Qui-Gon shifted and bent down to remove his boots
before obliging Ben, laying down under the covers with the other and
wrapping his arms around him.

“I missed you.” The younger man whispered with a content sigh at
those arms once again being around him.

“And I you my Ben. The council tells me you’ve taken to wandering
out of the temple alone.”

“Not alone.”

“…Your sith friend does not really count.”

“He’s kept me safe. I went to the lower levels on Coruscant. I
found a present for you there.”

‘As if I needed a secondary heart attack.’ Qui-Gon thought dryly
as he held the other man to him a bit tighter. “Ben…”

“It was quite safe. I was with Maul.”

“You trust him to much.”

“I trust him with just enough.” Ben yawned and burrowed closer to
the warm chest, sighing in pleased bliss.

Maul goes to meet with OldBen again while OldBen’s outside the Temple? Shows up out of nowhere in the market and helps him carry his groceries while they chat.

Posted on av swmoddy

“Ben,
he could turn on you.” Qui-Gon offered quietly, holding the others
hand tightly as the white haired man snuggled against his shoulder.
The long strands had turned snow white during the time they had
gotten closer.

“He
won’t.”

“You
don’t know that. He’s a sith Ben.” Qui-Gon wrapped the other up
in his arms.

“I
thought you wanted to talk about our bonding ceremony, not Maul?”
Ben smiled at him and Qui-Gon sighed before smiling back.

“Yes,
I was thinking something small. Us two, the council, my padawan and
his friends which includes Quinlan.” He
slowly caressed the others hand with his fingertips, smiling at the
sensation of Ben utterly relaxing against him.

Ben
hummed. “That sounds about those I really want there…” He
mused. “And
Che of course.”

“And
Che.” Qui-Gon agreed readily, glancing at the purple tea box with a
small smile before tucking a blanket around Ben’s shivering form.
“Cold or just a muscle spasme?”

“Both.
I got so used to living on a desert planet that now my body won’t
adjust to the temple.” Ben whispered quietly before shifting up and
pressing his lips to Qui-Gon’s in a slow kiss. “Thank you for
looking after me.”

“I
want to.” Qui-Gon stroked Ben’s cheek slowly. “I want to look
after you. My Ben.”

“My
Qui-Gon.”

()()()()

The
shadow appears silently at his side and Ben smiles quietly to
himself. “That is not wise of you.”

“My
master thinks I’m gaining your trust.” Maul offered in return as
he walked beside the Jedi.

“And
are you?”

“…I
don’t need to gain what I already have.” Maul took Ben’s
groceries with careful arms as he noted the tremble in the others
arms. “Should not your bond mate be here for this?”

“Qui-Gon
is of on a mission with his padawan. Though I suspect he is also
picking up a gift for me. You are of course aware that I’m being
tracked and they have now seen you?” Ben stopped at a vendor to
peer at the mouth watering succulent fruits before paying for four of
them and tucking them into the bag Maul was carrying.

“Yes.
But they already knew about me, did they not?”

“Of
course. Even if I lied they’d know with
my shields still struggling.”
Ben mused before looking around. “Talking about gifts…I should
get Qui-Gon his own for our bonding ceremony.” He hesitated as he
looked around and Maul focused on him.

“…What
does your mate enjoy?”

“Tea.
Sparring.
Strategy games.
Art. Plants. The living Force…me?” Ben smiled in amusement at the Zabrak’s grimace. “Not like that. He…enjoys my company. And on
the wholly, I am not healthy yet for those kind of activities. The
strain on my heart alone…” He peeked around. “I don’t think
bringing a helpless stray with me would count as a present but
perhaps a tea plant…to grow and cultivate.” He mused on that for
a bit.

“…There
is a plant vendor down in the lower levels who
carries exotic plants from different planets.
However its not safe there. I do not think you should be there.”

“Not
alone at least.” Ben looked at Maul and smiled warmly. “But I’m
not alone am I?” This time Ben wasn’t even referring to the
hidden Jedi guard that always followed him when he left the temple on
his own.

Maul
shifted on his feet before nodding and leading Ben along. “A gift
then, for your mate. Tea plant? Would he even have time to cultivate
it?”

“There’s
always someone who can look after it.” The Jedi offered softly and
then reached out, gently brushing his fingertips to Maul’s
shoulder. “Always someone who will listen.”

Yellow
eyes stared at him from inside the dark hood before Maul focused on
holding onto the grocery bag. “We best get a shuttle, its a far
walk for you.”

“Of
course. Thank you Maul.”