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Quinlan woke up to the late morning sun warming his skin, a faint headache pulsed behind his eyes… nothing a breakfast beer— brunch beer wouldn’t fix. He groaned and sat up. This was new. He was outside, (unsurprising), wearing clothes, (surprising) but somehow he was on the roof of Padme’s villa.
Hardly the most strange place he’s ever woken after a night of drinking and fucking, he shrugged, probably was a fun night.
He wandered around looking for a way down. He could always use the force to aid a leap down of course. But where was the fun, the challenge, in that? After pacing around he spied a balcony, it was a top floor one, so not a far jump. Perfect. It was probably his balcony too, though he couldn’t be sure, he never used his balcony. But the view looked familiar.
He jumped down hoping to land like a graceful loth cat, quiet as a whisper. Once in the air he realized he'd misjudged the distance, his stomach lurched as he fell through empty space. It didn't cross his mind to use the force to ease his landing. The resounding crash as he landed clumsily knocking over the small metal chairs and table, was loud enough to wake the household. Luckily everyone was most definitely already awake and hanging out downstairs.
He paused waiting to hear if Padme would yell at him from somewhere down below.
Nothing.
He'd gotten away with it. He breathed a sigh of relief. While small, that woman had a sharp tongue and his backside still hurt from the beating she'd bestowed on it the previous week.
He slid open the glass balcony doors and stepped through heavy curtains into the dim room. Immediately he froze recognizing the room. Quinlan had toured the estate with Padme and the rest of the group when they arrived, all the rooms were decorated beautifully but vastly different from one another. This one was large with mirrors everywhere, including the ceiling. Quinlan wished his room had a mirror above the bed. Maybe then he'd be more compelled to bring his conquests to bed.
There was a low moan and the lump of blanket’s moved in the middle of the vast bed. Quinlan began to tiptoe toward the door. That last thing he needed was being accused of impropriety when he was just trying to get down to the kitchen!
“You can stop trying to be quiet, I’m already awake. Just come cuddle me,”
Quinlan stifled a laugh. Anakin sounded so sleepy, so far he’d slept in almost every day. Quinlan couldn’t understand how he himself managed to rouse himself earlier (albeit in strange surroundings) than the younger man after completely out drinking him nearly every night.
“Cuddles, want cuddles Obi. I don't feel good, please?” Anakin pouted, the lump of blankets shifted again.
Quinlan was tempted to slip into the bed and cuddle him, would he realize right away? The room was pretty dark, but his build was larger and more muscular than Obi-Wan’s.
“Oh I’ll cuddle you… and more if you want. But Obi-Wan might have something to say about that,” Quinlan said as he strolled toward the bed, “besides you two kicked me out of the room last time. That hurts a fellow, you know!”
Anakin jerked and scrambled up, sitting against the headboard, “I knew it was you, I was just joking,” he said gruffly, obviously embarrassed.
“Mhm,”
Anakin held the sheet up covering his bare chest, like a shy girl. Quinlan thought he looked ridiculous, but also adorable. He could see why Obi-Wan was so helplessly besotted. Even first thing in the morning, rumpled, grumpy and with a tangled mess of bed head he was beautiful.
He didn’t look well though, obviously he was hungover, they had drank together last night. Of course Obi-Wan had eventually come and taken Anakin to bed. Then Quinlan had gone on… it got muddled, well he had gone on to have a great time obviously and somehow ended up on the roof.
“Why are you in our room anyway?” Anakin asked, though he looked greatly disinterested.
Quinlan sat on the edge of the bed.
“I might have somehow passed out on the roof,” he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, “I thought your balcony was mine, our rooms are beside each other. Which reminds me, you are very loud during sex—”
Anakin tried to kick him but he caught his bare foot.
“I’m not complaining, it’s pretty hot,” he winked and Anakin jerked his foot free.
“Go away and let me sleep.”
“You sleep too much, this is vacation!” Quinlan said animatedly.
“So what?” Anakin countered, a tad belligerent.
“So? Obi-Wan won’t say it, but he wants to spend more time with you. You can’t keep sleeping half the day away and ignoring him. He wants to do things with you, not by himself, it's your guy's anniversary trip.”
He saw a wave of hurt pass over Anakin's face, he looked down into his lap shoulders slumping. He looked so guilty and ashamed. Quinlan felt bad for scolding him. He'd been acting strange ever since they got to Naboo, obviously going through something. Probably depression, Quinlan surmised.
“Are you ok?” Quinlan asked genuinely.
“I’m fine.” Anakin leaned back against the headboard and set his jaw.
“You know, Obi-Wan is one of my oldest friends. That means you're my friend too, ok,” Quinlan put his hand on Anakin's blanket clad knee, “I know I joke around a lot. But I've gone through a lot, I’ve seen a lot. I’m a grey Jedi for kriff’s sake. What I'm trying to say is I'm here for you too,”
“Thanks,” Anakin said quietly.
“Well, is there anything you want to talk about? Something obviously has been eating at you..” Quinlan probed.
Anakin looked away, he looked uncomfortable. Of course he wouldn’t want to share anything. Quinlan was just the ‘funny idiot’. That’s all he’d ever be in most people's eyes.
“Sorry, I’ll leave you be.” Quinlan was about to get up.
“He’s too good for me.” Anakin blurted out. “I’m going to mess it up, it’s just a matter of time.” he finished quietly. He leaned his head back on the headboard and looked completely miserable.
“Whoa there, listen, like I said Obi-Wan is one of my oldest friends. I've seen MANY versions of him. He’s most definitely far from perfect, and frankly not deserving of the pedestal people place him on. And I say that as his friend, the man is human,”
“I know he’s not perfect,” Anakin said, “but he’s too good for me. I have nothing to offer him, he’s better off with someone else.”
Quinlan scoffed, this beautiful young moron was completely delusional, but telling him that might be insensitive.
“You are selling yourself short Anakin, who do you think had to hear Obi-Wan raving on and on about how wonderful you are? Honestly it was so sweet it was nauseating.”
Anakin cracked a small smile.
“Hey how about a platonic hug, you look like you need one,” Quinlan spread his arms, “eh? C’mon, you know you want to.”
Anakin rolled his eyes, but tentatively leaned over and Quinlan wordlessly enveloped him in a tight hug.
“I’m not gonna get too sappy, but Obi-Wan has the best taste and he chose you. Even before he was sure of his romantic feelings, guess who had to constantly hear about the amazing chosen one?”
Anakin laughed softly, his breath tickling Quinlan’s neck. He held on tighter, relaxing, leaning more of his weight against Quinlan's chest.
This was nice. This was more than nice…
Quinlan gently pushed him away, holding his shoulders. After all he didn't trust himself to behave properly for much longer, he knew his track record. Platonic hug? What an idiot he was. Holding shirtless Anakin, smelling him, was beyond intoxicating.
Stars, he could see why Obi-Wan was so obsessed. Get a grip, he reprimanded himself. Master Yoda. Master Yoda naked, he thought. Anything to drive away the improper thoughts about his best friend's boyfriend. Oh Anakin in this bed, the mirror above them…. Stop! Green wrinkles! Wiry white hair!
Anakin was staring at him, he probably looked insane.
“Do you feel any better?” He asked, forcing his voice to sound mostly normal.
Anakin nodded, “Yeah, I mean besides my stomach. Thanks for the pep talk,”
“Oh well you’re in luck, I know the best hangover cure,” Quinlan stood up, “come on,”
They walked down the halls and stairs in companionable silence. That went well, Quinlan thought, see I can be mature when I want to be.
“I’m still down for a threesome, whenever you guys want,” he teased, nudging Anakin in the ribs. Kark it, he couldn't help himself, luckily Anakin didn't take offense to the joke. Though at this point it was an old joke.
Obi-Wan was sitting at the table with the twins and Padme was packaging food, they'd missed breakfast. Anakin sat next to Obi-Wan and kissed him a few times, before resting his head on his shoulder.
Quinlan grabbed two cold beers from the fridge, he opened them both.
“Drink it,” he ordered Anakin and began to drink the other one. Anakin wrinkled his nose and tried to push it away.
“Trust me,” Quinlan said and finished his.
“Trust him,” Obi-Wan said, “it does work,”
Anakin warily began to drink.
“Quinlan, what was that crashing sound?” Padme asked, she put her hands on her hips and stared threateningly at him.
“Uh why are you blaming me?” He squeaked, grabbing the broom before she got any ideas, “it could have been Anakin,”
“Hey,” Anakin said.
“Well it could have been you, she didn't see!” Quinlan justified, he began to sweep the already clean floor.
“Ahem,” Padme said and Quinlan could feel her staring at him.
He looked up, “Alright fine,” he swept more aggressively, “I might have passed out on the roof and knocked over the chairs on Anakin's balcony when I jumped down,”
Obi-Wan snorted, “Typical,” he murmured into his mug, but Quinlan could see his eyes were crinkled trying and failing to hide a smile.
“Broom.” Padme demanded.
“Nothing broke!” Quinlan said, hiding the broom behind his back, “It was just loud,”
“Broom now,” her small outstretched hand reached out.
“Really that is not necessary lady,” he placated, “besides my ass is still bruised from that last beating,”
“I'm not going to beat you, this time.” Padme swiped the broom and put it back in the corner, “I can't have you waving that thing around the kids,”
Padme had strongly suggested another day at the pool instead of the beach. Quinlan much preferred the beach, sandcastles, sun, room to run. He felt like he was going to break something here, so many karking potted plants and hanging lights. It hardly looked functional.
The pool was decently large, but shallow, he could hardly swim, so he just floated. He basically had it to himself, everyone else was chilling in the lounge chairs.
Padme and Sabe sat next to each other, each of them holding a squirming baby. Obi-Wan and Anakin were lying together, a sickeningly cute sight. Ahsoka and Rex had gone into town and Cody sat by himself. This was painfully boring. Drinks weren't even out yet, it was too early apparently.
Quinlan flipped over and walked with his knees (the pool was way too karking shallow) to the edge, there were also quite a few large fish swimming around. Maybe a strange Naboo custom, fish in your swimming pool?
“This is kinda boring,” he said to no one in particular, “can we at least drink Padme?”
Padme giggled, “you might have more fun in the pool Quinlan, that is a koi pond.” she said.
“Huh?”
Anakin and Cody began to laugh and Obi-Wan shook his head bemused.
Quinlan stood up and looked around.
Padme pointed to a metal gate covered with vines nestled in the hedges. Quinlan bounded over and unlatched the gate, he pushed it open.
There was an absolutely massive pool, larger than his whole apartment back home, surrounded by lounge chairs and various toys and balls. A low stone wall allowed sun in and the view down the mountains to the ocean was breathtaking.
“This has been here all along?” he shrieked.
Why did they insist on hanging out in the dark garden when this huge beautiful pool was here?
Quinlan took a running leap and splashed into the pool. It was deep and perfectly cold and clear. He whooped and swam around splashing up water.
He waited. No one else was coming out to join him. He’d have to remedy that.
He crept back into the garden. Obi-Wan was holding a baby, Luke? Honestly they looked the same to Quinlan. Both bald, white, and squirmy. Luckily he was never asked to hold them, (probably was deemed too irresponsible) they unnerved him, those huge round eyes and gummy smiles.
Anakin was alone on the chair, Quinlan made his way over. The rest of them ignored him, they were all fawning over the babies.
“Come swim with me, I’m bored,” Quinlan poked Anakin in the ribs.
“I’m comfortable here,” he rolled on his side and pulled a towel up like a blanket.
Unbelievable, why was everyone acting like tired old women?
Well Quinlan figured he’d have to forcefully infuse some fun into the group. He snatched the towel off Anakin, bent down and scooped him up.
“Hey!” Anakin smacked his chest.
Quinlan hoisted him up higher and threw him over his shoulder, before fleeing the garden.
Anakin squirmed and kicked, Quinlan jumped into the pool still holding him. The water splashed high in the air. Quinlan heard another splash, probably Cody.
Anakin coughed and choked, clinging tightly to Quinlan.
“You can swim right?”
Anakin shook his head, “Not good,” he rasped, “desert planet.”
“Ah, well I can teach you if you want,” he swam to the shallow end and Anakin finally let go.
Cody climbed out of the pool and began throwing toys in, floating snake shaped things and some floating boards.
Quinlan grabbed a board and gave it to Anakin.
“Here, lay your chest on this, it’ll keep you afloat and you just kick your feet.”
Anakin tried, he wobbled a bit, but was doing ok.
Obi-Wan came over, he sat in a tiny patch of shade and dangled his feet in the water. Quinlan swam over, leaving Anakin and Cody together. He began to poke Obi-Wan’s toes underwater.
“Oh no, a sea-creature wants to eat your toes!”
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. Ah Obi-Wan, so quiet and mature now.
Quinlan stood between Obi-Wan’s knees, “Padme?” he asked.
“She’s putting the twins for a nap and bringing drinks,” Obi-Wan said.
“Awesome!” Quinlan turned around and grabbed behind Obi-Wan’s knees hauling him onto his shoulders before charging through the water toward Anakin and Cody.
“Quinlan!” Obi-Wan bellowed, “I’m wearing my clothes!” He grabbed fistfuls of Quinlan’s wet dreadlocks, his thighs squeezing the sides of Quinlan’s neck.
Cody popped his head between Anakin’s legs and stood up, Anakin shrieked clutching his head frantically.
“My eye!” Cody yelled, he began stumbling through the water.
Quinlan laughed and continued to charge over, Obi-Wan protesting the whole time. Off to the side Rex leapt into the pool, Ashoka atop his shoulders and clinging to his short blond hair. They were back early, usually they shopped for hours, it was ridiculous.
Anakin and Cody had the noodly snake things and were whacking anyone in reach. Quinlan and Rex seemed to be getting the most wacks. Probably because Anakin and Cody didn’t want to hit Obi-Wan. Ahsoka managed to steal one of Anakin’s snakes and began thwacking his butt and back.
A frenzied battle commenced, shrieking, loud smacking and splashing.
Finally something interesting! These fools were going to sit in the garden and gossip quietly all afternoon. Well that's why I'm here, Quinlan thought, gotta make sure everyone is having fun!
Eventually it cooled down, somewhat. Rex threw Ahsoka into the water and they began beating each other with the noodles.
Anakin dismounted Cody and straddled his water board near the shallow end.
Quinlan deposited Obi-Wan onto the side of the pool, where he peeled off his soaked pants and shirt, revealing his swim shorts. He wrung out his clothes and lay them to dry, muttering to himself.
The gate squeaked open and service droids came in carrying platters of drinks with little umbrellas and chopped fruit, Padme followed them in. The droids arranged the drinks on the tables before leaving.
Quinlan was about to sprint out of the pool to grab a drink or three, when Padme gracefully removed her frilly, poncho, dress thing. Quinlan didn’t know what it was. Women's fashion confused him at the best of times, but Padme was always wearing some bewildering configuration of silks and ruffles.
He froze, mouth open.
While she’d come to the beach many times, she always wore a dress of some sort. Padme folded the long lacy thing and laid it on a chair. She adjusted her hair, it was tied on top of her head. Well Quinlan was not really looking at her head. He didn’t know where to look. Her slim white body was on full display, she wore a red band over her chest and tiny red bottoms as well as several bracelets.
Unbothered, she dug in her massive bag.
“Obi-Wan,” she called out, he looked up from fussing over his wet clothes. She tossed him a tube of sun shield before daintily stepping into the shallow end of the pool.
Her and Anakin began chatting.
Quinlan still found himself frozen and staring. Sithspawn! How had he never noticed how beautiful she was? The rest of the summer was going to be interesting to say the least. Maybe he’d purposely ruffle her feathers and get another session with the broom…
Ahsoka thwacked the noodle over his head, “It’s rude to stare,” she said before diving under the water.
Quinlan attempted to walk normally out of the water.
“Make sure you leave some drinks for the rest of us,” Padme said, “or I might need to go get the broom,”
Anakin burst out laughing and fell off his board, he splashed around wildly before standing up next to Padme, his hair plastered down the side of his face and neck. He looked like a half drowned prog next to Padme’s picture of elegance.
“Yeah, yeah,” Quinlan growled, feeling a blush rising up his cheeks and ears, luckily it probably didn’t show with his dark skin.
He took a few gulps of the sugary drink, the alcohol fortifying him a bit.
Anakin had gotten out of the pool and was rubbing sun-shield on Obi-Wan’s back, the two of them giggling like idiots about something.
Ahsoka, Rex and Cody were still splashing around in the deep end and beating each other with the noodles.
Padme was by herself in the shallow end, watching the fight with mild amusement. Quinlan grabbed another drink and carefully stepped into the pool carrying both.
“My lady,” he offered her one, before taking another huge gulp of his.
“Why thank you Quinlan, such a gentleman,” she sipped daintily.
He stared at the straw between her glossy lips and coughed. Force help me.
“Uh don’t mention it,” he began to twirl the little umbrella between his fingers before jamming it in his hair, “kinda sunny, need the shade,” he joked.
“Aww that’s so cute!” she took her umbrella and poked it into her bun. They both chuckled and continued sipping their drinks.
Afternoon slipped into evening, the sky turning a ruddy orange. Padme had gone back to the Villa to look after the twins and sort dinner out. Everyone else had migrated from the pool to the hot tub. Anakin was pretty drunk and most likely emboldened by their talk in the morning, he kept begging Quinlan to tell stories about Obi-Wan.
Quinlan was only too happy to regale the small group of Obi-Wan’s younger exploits, most of them embarrassing. Obi-Wan smiled good naturedly and shook his head from time to time, his arm around Anakin’s waist.
“I made sandwiches,” Padme said, she’d just shown up with a basket, “the twins are sleeping,” she added in Anakin’s direction.
“Anything to drink to go with the sandwiches?” Quinlan asked cheekily.
“Yes there are some beers,” she said.
Quinlan leapt out of the hot tub and grabbed a sandwich and beer, “Thank you Padme,” he said with his mouth full.
“Yes, yes,” she said, turning on the strings of lights.
She took a beer and slipped into the water, Quinlan stared again. Force help me, he nearly choked.
“You need to eat something,” Obi-Wan admonished, he helped Anakin out of the water and wrapped him in a towel.
They all ate the sandwiches and drank, laughing and talking. Ahsoka went to bed early, Anakin refused to go to bed, but kept dozing off in Obi-Wan’s arms.
“We should do this every summer,” Quinlan mused, “I mean if you’ll have us,” he stammered.
Padme smiled, “That’s a wonderful idea, it’s nice to see everyone happy together and enjoying the villa.” she said, “It was empty for far too many years,” she added sadly.
“I’m gonna go to bed, got an early run planned,” Rex said.
“Yeah me too,” Cody got out with him and they both said goodnight.
“I better get him to bed too,” Obi-Wan said.
“Oooh,” Quinlan teased.
“Ha ha,” Obi-Wan countered, “you didn’t need to keep giving him drinks Vos,”
Obi-Wan ushered Anakin toward the house, who grumbled the whole time that he wasn’t tired, he was just resting his eyes.
“Yes darling, well you can rest your eyes in bed with me,” Obi-Wan soothed.
Padme giggled, “Poor Ani,” she sipped her beer, “I’ll have to join you boys more often,”
They sat across from each other alone in the hot tub.
“Uh yes you definitely should!” Quinlan chugged another beer, he wondered where he’d wake up in the morning.