A/N: Same song, second verse! Which chapter do y'all prefer?

Anakin's Unvoiced Request

"Master?"

Obi-Wan Kenobi looked up in surprise at the subdued tone of his Padawan's voice. "Yes, Anakin?" he responded. Anakin was staring at his feet and wouldn't meet Obi-Wan's eyes. The apprentice paused for a long moment, apparently unsure what to say. Obi-Wan was mystified by this behavior. Anakin was usually so straightforward.

"Master, you know that Padawans aren't allowed to . . ." Anakin swallowed and failed to finish his sentence. Obi-Wan sighed inwardly; what had his Padawan done now?

"Aren't allowed to what, Anakin?" he pressed sternly. His apprentice shuffled his feet while his face reddened steadily. Finally Anakin said in a quiet voice,

"Aren't allowed to wear beards."

The statement was so unexpected that Obi-Wan very nearly snorted with laughter, but he managed to shrink his amusement to a small chuckle.

"No, Jedi Padawans are not allowed to wear beards," he agreed, still grinning. When Anakin didn't move, or even look up, Obi-Wan sobered and peered at him questioningly. "Why do you ask?"

After hesitating again, Anakin began haltingly, "I don't—I don't know how . . . to . . ." Obi-Wan was honestly clueless as to what his apprentice was trying to tell him, but when Anakin started running his fingers along the curve of his chin, everything clicked into place. Obi-Wan was irritated that he hadn't understood sooner, and saved his Padawan the embarrassment of groping uncertainly with his words. It all made sense; Anakin was fourteen now.

"Oh—yes, Anakin. Of course I can show you how to use a vibro-razor." Anakin, with his gaze still on the floor, nodded as if he were trying to look pleased, but he couldn't seem to project anything beyond gloominess. Taking pity on his apprentice, Obi-Wan led him all the way back to their living quarters rather than choose one of the more public rooms close by.

In their room, Obi-Wan and Anakin stood side by side in front of the reflector. Obi-Wan activated the vibro-razor and showed his Padawan how to grip the handle.

"You have to angle it carefully," Obi-Wan explained over the vibro-razor's hum. He pressed it against his own cheek and ran the small blade up and down to demonstrate. "If you don't, you may end up slicing your skin by mistake. Follow the curves of your face like this." He mimed a normal shaving procedure while taking care to hold the vibro-razor slightly above his skin. After all, Jedi Knights were allowed to wear beards, and this Knight had no intention of removing his.

Anakin took the vibro-razor from him without comment and pushed it impatiently against his chin. Always too hasty, Obi-Wan thought as he grabbed his apprentice's hand to move it into the correct position. Anakin ran the vibro-razor over his jaw and around his mouth while Obi-Wan watched, offering tips and correcting his Padawan when necessary. Soon Anakin's peach fuzz was gone. Yet the apprentice was still red-faced, humiliated, moody.

"Good grief, Anakin, it's nothing to be ashamed of," Obi-Wan pointed out in an almost exasperated fashion. "The vibro-razor is a delicate tool, difficult to use." He smiled lightly. "Besides, who do you think taught me how to use it?" Anakin's head shot up in surprise.

"Master Qui-Gon?" he guessed incredulously.

"He did indeed," affirmed Obi-Wan. "After all," he commented on a jocular note, "what else are Masters for?"

***The End***