Permission
Why are you asking me this?" Qui-Gon asked feeling incredibly bemused. "I think you have the agreement of the one person that really matters."
He looked across the table that Dex's help hadn't quite gotten to clear away before they sat down, to the man who was in many ways a mirror image of himself. Liam Senoe bowed his head, the expression on his face clearly marking the fact that he was trying to form his thoughts correctly,
"Just days ago I would have agreed with you. Before meeting you at the Art Gallery." He paused judging his next words carefully, "before I saw a familiar expression on a face."
"Noela's?"
"No, that would be yours." Having gotten that out, Liam seemed to relax. Qui-Gon on the other hand was now a great deal more uncomfortable, words finding themselves stuck in the back of his throat like some sticky syrup, "Liam, I haven't, I never..."
The waitdroid took this inopportune moment to create a scene cleaning the table and asking their order. If a droid could be said to be put out, the machine definitely showed symptoms of that emotion, when the men requested some privacy and that they would call when they wanted something. Left to their own devices once again, Liam gently resumed the subject.
"Master Jedi, caring is always beautiful no matter the form it takes over the years. I know you haven't said or done anything that could be mistaken for anything but what you were able to give, and if you were to ask Noela about this, as I have done, she assumed all these years that while you found her a fun and refreshing friend to give you respite from all of your challenges, she just wasn't your type. I believe she mentioned some blondes a few times." Liam grinned his strangely familiar lop-sided smile.
"She told you about them?" Qui-Gon's chagrin seemed to delight Liam.
Liam chuckled, leaving that hot topic alone for Noela to manage later. "All of that doesn't negate the fact that I saw a beautiful look of what could be described at the very least as protectiveness and caring. The secrets of your soul will remain that unless you wish to speak of them, but I do feel the appropriateness of asking you if you think I am a fine enough man for her."
It had always been an amazing thing to realize that at pivotal moments in life, in the time of those very moments that are etched forever on a person's brain, memory flashes bright and clear. Qui-Gon knew those times at his knighting, at losing Xanatos, at gaining the care of Obi-Wan. Somehow this time, the only thing he could remember through the years was how she looked the first time he saw her on that bench at the embassy all those years ago, shining with hope and promise.
"I am honored you felt to ask me such a thing. She has always deserved someone that was free to put her first. I am glad she found someone that is willing to do just that. Yes, I think you are a fine enough man for her." Qui-Gon's voice was low and moderate, belying the unusual strength of emotion he was feeling.
Liam blew out an audible breath of air, relief showing in every feature. Both men knew another bond had been formed, one of caring for the same person, without jealousy or rancor, or need of competition between then.
"You really didn't have to ask, however, you should have already known," stated the now re-balanced Qui-Gon.
"Oh?" queried the now puzzled Liam.
"Yes. If you had been some sort of a fool, I would have just mind-tricked you and been done with it."