Title: The Breifest Touch
Author: Arldetta
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. If I did I could afford to buy all my Anime. :p
Warnings: This is Slash, meaning malexmale relationship. In the Anime world this would be shounen ai, which would be seen as light interaction but mostly dealing with the relationship. (In other words not even close to Yaoi, Hentai - Lime or Lemon. )
Summary: After a party, Obi and Garen are talking and suddenly it leads to something they weren't expecting. -One-shot- (Romance)
Author's Notes: Now, this little scene was written in response to a challenge that I asked from my readers on my Yahoo Group. I asked them to give me a scene they wanted written and my task was to fulfill their request. If you would like to get in on it, please see my Group, link in my profile. Now, my next comment is due to the fact that this fic is slash and in Star Wars. I have never been very fond of slash in SW and I really dislike the Qui/Obi pairing, however I have read and enjoyed some fics that were just that. I on the other hand am not opposed to the Garen/Obi pairing at all and thus hope to initiate a whole Obi-Muln genre! . ;) Now, as I'm sure most of you know, I'm really an Angst writer, tried and true. It is my life, my everything. So for me to go off and try something like this it is always very nerve wracking for me. So please forgive me if it stinks:( Otherwise, enjoy and tell me what you think!

Dedication: This little ficlet goes out to Shanobi, who will forever be my inspiration in this fandom! Thank you for all your encouragement and support! Luv ya, sweetie! . :D

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The arrival alert sounded as the door slid open quietly. Not that it would have made a difference anyhow. No one was inside the apartment of Jinn and Kenobi right now as they were all at Senator Cordon nil Sanmpia's retirement party. He had invited many of the Jedi as quite a few had helped him out over the years. And the celebration had lasted well into the night. Only a few hours remained before dawn when the event started to wind down. It was at this time that the Masters present sent their Padawans back to the Temple. Some still had lessons to attend to the following morning and they would need their rest.

And it was for this reason that two young men stumbled their way into the humble apartment laughing. "So I told Master that she better sit back down before the Hyperdrive kicked back in, but she didn't listen. Next thing I know is I see her feet flying up over her head as we launch into Hyperspace! Boy was she angry but I just couldn't stop myself from laughing. I know it wasn't right, but she looked so funny when she fell."

Joyous laughter filled the room as Obi-Wan Kenobi flopped onto the couch in the common room imagining the sight of Master Clee falling. "That must have been a sight," he said when he finally calmed down enough to speak. "I wish I could have seen it."

"Well, don't let her know I told you about it. She was so mad she made me swear not to tell a soul. But it's already been six months and I just couldn't keep it from my best friend." Garen Muln smiled brightly at the ginger haired youth.

Glancing up at his friend, who had gotten comfortable in one of the chairs and returned the gesture. "I promise I won't tell. But I still wish I could have been there." The laughter trickled down to some random snickers. "So how much longer do you think they'll be at the party?"

"Hard to say. There were quite a lot of people still there when we left. I'm just glad they let us go early. If it wasn't for you I would have been bored out of my mind."

"Me too. I hate having to deal with politicians. They're just so stuffy and sometimes I think that they are only out to benefit themselves and not the worlds they represent."

"Yeah, well that may be true but Senator Cordon sure knows how to party."

"That's for sure."

"Although I do think that there was something in those drinks they kept handing out. Well, maybe not all the drinks just the ones from that bartender. Every time you got them, he was watching every single move you made. Not that I could blame him. I think he was trying to hit on you."

Obi burst out laughing again. Incredulously he said, "Me? If I could only be so lucky." The Padawan was sprawled out on the couch with an arm draped over his eyes. He had begun to suspect something was in his drink when he broke out into an uncontrollable fit of laughter that probably prompted his Master to send him home. He had let his subconscious take over his tongue for the most part but now that the words were starting to sink in, he lifted his head and asked the other young man seriously, "You really think so?"

For Garen this whole situation had taken a sudden and unexpected turn. He wasn't exactly sure how he felt about it yet. There was a lot of potential for disaster but also for something else. And Obi's startling reaction made his heart flutter for some unknown reason. When he mentioned that a male bartender had been hitting on his friend, he thought that Obi might take offense to the situation or at least be a little disgusted by it. But no, it seemed that he was not adverse to the attention but on some level even wished for it. And that is what intrigued the taller Padawan the most. Leaning forward, he answered, "Definitely. The way he smiled at you. The way his eyes sparkled when you came over. The way his gaze never left you until you were gone. I watched it all." Because I was watching you too. His subconscious added.

Frowning a bit, Garen wondered where that thought had come from. The two had been friends forever it seemed and not once had he thought about Obi in any other light than that. Perhaps I have had too much to drink too. After all he could tell Obi was rather tipsy and he knew he wasn't thinking clearly either. This was just another side effect of whatever they had consumed. A light wave of dizziness coursed over him.

"Hey, Gar," Obi called softly, almost as if talking any louder would shatter their eardrums. "I don't feel so good." It appeared that having sat around for a bit the real effects were starting to make themselves known. "I think I'm gonna be sick."

Garen easily picked up on the slightly slurred speech and frowned. With much effort he managed to force himself to his feet. "Alright big boy, let's see if some fresh air might do you good." Gingerly, he made his way over to the couch and pulled the smaller boy to his feet. Obi-Wan seemed like a huge rag doll, barely able to keep his footing while Garen threw one of his arms over his shoulder. "Let's go."

Leading the way, Muln headed for the small balcony that virtually every apartment had. There were some in the center of the level that were used for certain species and needs while most lived on the out rims of the level. The whole walk, the taller boy kept up with encouraging words such as, 'Just a few more steps.' 'We're almost there.' And 'Here we are,' when they reached the transparasteel door. He continued to take them to the railing and had Obi take hold once they got there.

There was a comfortable silence between them as they watched the traffic. On a city Planet there was no such thing as a sleeping city. This world was always bustling with life. Of course the volume of inhabitants seemed to lighten at certain hours but there were always people on the move. Unfocused sea-kissed eyes watched the vehicles zip past. The continual hum of repulsor-lift engines and the occasional warning alerts when one vehicle cut off another was the beating heart of the megatropolus.

Garen watched the traffic and his friend intermittently. The smaller man seemed a little worse off than himself and he wanted to make sure he was ok. For a few minutes it seemed as if the dose of fresh air was working. He felt a little more clear-headed. There was a soft breeze that drifted past now and then and it made the night air feel cool against their skin. But on one particularly hard breeze, Obi seemed to have lost his balance. However, Garen was instantly there to keep him on his feet. The sickly look returned to the ginger haired boy's face.

The taller boy stood directly behind Obi, wrapping his arms around the slender waist. Obi-Wan was about to protest when Garen shushed him. "It's ok. You're all right. Just lean back, I'll support you, and close your eyes." The shorter Padawan still exuded an air of innocence and trusted his closest friend implicitly. Garen could feel the lithe figure lean into him and relax. "Good. Now just do what I do, take a deep breathe and exhale." The pair breathed in unison for a while. Taking in a lungful of air, holding it for a moment then releasing it slowly. It was the same method they used to start meditation so both were very familiar with the rhythmic process.

"So, how are you feeling?" Garen asked a while later.

"Much better, thanks." The nausea had definitely passed now and Obi-Wan's thoughts were becoming a little more coherent. Of course all the breathing and effects as well as the late hour were making him rather tired instead. It was almost as if the night had turned into a dream, a wonderful dream at that. He was being held and he could feel the warmth that surrounded him. It wasn't something that happened often. Not that Qui-Gon was a bad Master, just that he was not prone to physical contact in many ways. It was something Obi had always craved more of. He was much more of a touchy-feely person. Even the lightest touch of a hand on an arm did wonders for him. So this was heaven.

Garen was also enjoying the closeness. It felt oddly comforting to have another body leaning against his. Of course he had held his Master on occasion when she was hurt. But this was completely different. The figure next to him was toned muscle, firm and solid. And the presence itself was kind and gentle. Also, because they had known each other for so long there was no awkwardness in the embrace, just acceptance. No worries. No fears. Just contentment. The taller Padawan smiled. "Good. I'm glad I could help."

The smaller figure chuckled a moment. "You have always been there for me Gar, whenever I needed it. I couldn't ask for a better friend." As he spoke he drew away from the warmth slightly so that he could twist around and look at his friend. But when their eyes met, it seemed as if the world froze.

Crisp, clear blue locked with aquamarine depths. Breaths caught in throats as they stared. A gentle breeze blew light brown hair on both heads. And the rushing lights of passing transports cast an ethereal haze on the balcony. For long moments, they were mesmerized by the view. Each one examining the smooth features of the other. In the end it was the larger of the two that finally acted. Slowly, ever so slowly, his head drifted closer to the smaller youth's, eyes never veering from the other. And for one brief agonizing instant, that neither could even draw breath in, lips hovered just out of reach from each other.

A second later the gap was closed as the taller Padawan shrunk the distance. It wasn't wild or passionate, forced or indifferent. It was just the briefest touch of lip on lip but it did send something coursing through them. It was electric and alive and set their heart racing.

Way too soon, the contact was broken as Garen pulled back wondering what would happen next. He suddenly became afraid. Afraid that this impulsive action would ruin their friendship. And if it didn't he was afraid that this would never happen again. He had the urge to try and talk his way out of this and opened his mouth, stumbling over his words, "Obi, I…. It… we…" Too caught up in trying to find the right words to say, he was surprised when lips connected once more on his, effectively shutting him up.

Obi-Wan had to stand on tiptoes but the reward was worth it. The first kiss had just been too wonderful, he couldn't resist having another. He had closed his eyes this time to savour the kiss even more and he was hardly disappointed. The instant their lips touched they pressed into each other further. Only seconds later did he feel the wet touch of a tongue seeking admittance to his mouth. He granted it immediately. The probing muscle battled for dominance which it easily won and was now exploring every millimeter of the moist cavern. It was then that he grew bold enough to do his own exploring and soon he was diving into the other boy's mouth too.

It was intoxicating. He had never experienced this kind of contact before, and he doubted that Garen had either. Of course, he had kissed girls before just that it never seemed like this. They were always too soft and timid and on more than one occasion he feared he may even hurt them. Their frames too fragile to withstand anything more than soft caresses. And yet he hadn't fully entertained the idea of trying it with another man. But now, caught in this liplock with the solid form of his best friend it seemed obvious to him to do. And he gave himself over completely to the moment.

Garen was just as enthralled. At first he had been shocked that Obi initiated a second kiss but he soon relaxed and drank in the experience. Growing bolder he silently asked his friend for more, running the tip of his tongue along soft pliant lips. And he was ecstatic to be let in. Force, how he loved the taste of the smaller man. It was musky yet sweet and just too exhilarating, he had to have more. He was drawn in further when he felt the responding muscle move into his mouth. It was such a wondrous experience it went straight to his head.

Neither knew how long they dove and tasted and tried to press themselves even closer together but some minutes later the need for air broke them apart. Both young men were left gasping for air. Each one's eyes searching the face of the other. They couldn't exactly name what had happened between them but they both knew that this was only the beginning. Yet there was no fear in the realization, just wonder and excitement.

Quietly, they turned back to watching the traffic. They needed to think, to figure out what all this meant for them. Holding each other both Obi-Wan and Garen smiled knowing that they would not be alone in their search for answers. And the beginning of a journey is even better when shared with friends. They stayed on the balcony and watched the sun peek over the horizon, looking forward to a new day – together.

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A review or two(preferably more) ;D is always a help to us writers! And hopefully with more encouragement I can finally convince my muses to return to finish off Mask of Duty and Reliving Shattered Dreams (F&B's sequel) some day soon! Considering I've been gone so long, please forgive me. But it's all my muses fault! Convince them that you still want me to write! Review, please! PLEASE!

And as always, thanks for reading!

-Ari :D