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Dooku sighed as he noticed the flush on his Padawan's cheeks and the spark in his eyes as he gazed in admiration at his much too old saviour.
"Jedi."
"Fett."
This man was a bad egg, nowhere near good enough for Dooku's youngest.
"Do you two know each other?" Anakin asked, and the old Jedi knew he did not want to go down that slippery slope.
They had had time to “make peace” but that did not mean they liked each other at all.
The opposite, in fact.
His presence was a nuisance to him.
"You have my thanks for assisting my Padawan," he said regardless, because it was important.
Anakin might have been a real hothead, more stubborn than a Banta and more naturally unrefined than all his previous Padawans put together, but he had grown attached to him.
"I was of marginal help, on the whole he managed very well on his own, he was well trained," the Mandalorian forced himself to answer tersely without noticing how proudly Anakin straightened up.
Damn it, Dooku really did not need this, his boy's ego was already brushed enough by the Chancellor every time they saw him.
"I've still got a lot to learn," the young blond man nevertheless declared in a humble tone, clearly trying to adopt the behaviour expected of him even though it was not in his nature.
Hmm... he had not taught him that, it must have been Obi-Wan's influence. Oh, Obi-Wan... at least that boy would have been simple to teach. Well... simpler than a whirlwind of a child genius, gifted and loved by the Force as a cherished child did not mean much.
"He's a natural, it's very easy to teach him," he declared, because he knew how to show his appreciation even in front of others.
Being humble was for the weak-minded, Obi-Wan was only allowed to be because he was a diplomat and played his political socialisation and his flattery of the High Council differently from himself.
He was an old man who was extremely proud of his deserving Padawans and Grand Padawans, so why hide it?
Short answer – and long answer – : he would not.
"We're off."
"Already?!"
"Now, Padawan."
The Jedi Master did his best to ignore every second of delay his Padawan took in greeting his saviour because he knew he was going to get annoyed and frowned as he joined his comrade who was smiling placidly... but Dooku knew him too well to be fooled.
"Just tell me."
"Let's just say that if he takes his time and goes out on the town once he's back at the Temple, you won't have to worry about who he spends time with," Sifo-Dyas chucked.
"He's giving him his number, isn't he?"
"He's giving him his number," the other Jedi confirmed. "You know, I'm not sure I can think of a good way to express in my report to the Council that this young man who I may deem ready or not for the Knighthood is or is not ready for the Knighthood based on his ability to get into the trousers of a sullen Mandalorian."
"Shut up."
"Hmm... Don't be so grumpy, love, it's all our fault."
It was sadly true, and he kicked himself for it. Sometimes – often – Dooku hated that his relationship with Sifo-Dyas had made Anakin curious about male-male love affairs and distracted him from Amidala. She was a nice girl, and Dooku would much rather have her for a daughter-in-law than that lout.
"Is the interest mutual?"
When his lover shrugged, looking vaguely uncertain, Dooku turned and sighed deeply as he watched Anakin continue to talk to Fett.
"Force, how is he so incapable of refined seduction?"
At least it would guarantee that Fett would not be interested.
"Don't be so sure," Sifo-Dyas replied, shaking his head when he told him of his thoughts. "He finds him spontaneous, energetic and determined, qualities he appreciates very much."
"Then they'll meet again."
"If I were you I'd get ready to see this Mando around, that's all I'm saying."
Dooku leaned against his lover, trying not to pout.
"I'm never going to have grandchildren, am I?"
Now he understood Yoda better.
"Don't worry about that, Obi-Wan's on it. With his own Mandalorian on top of it. The baby will be adorable, another Force-sensitive redhead."
Dooku facepalmed.
What had he done to deserve this?