Chapter Text
Everything had to be perfect.
Baze blinked dust out of his eyes and wiped a sweaty palm on his apron. He tucked the duster cloth into his pocket and surveyed the guest bedroom. It was as bare as all the others he had cleaned today, but by the force is was spotless. Baze allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction and pride.
A sudden, deep clanging of the temple bell dropped the smile and made his chest go tight. They were here! The Jedi Council was here and he was still in his dirty work clothes! He pulled the apron hurriedly over his head, the tie catching awkwardly on his ears in his haste.
"Yow! Come on come on come on, arrgh!"
He bundled up the cleaning supplies and started a hurried jog towards the temple gate.
"YAHOOOOO!"
The cry was louder than the temple bells and sent Baze's heart racing twice as fast. He dropped his apron and broke into a sprint. When he reached the courtyard, utter chaos reigned.
Young acolytes were leaning out of the balconies cheering and whooping. The Abbess stood statue-like with a hand over her face. The robed members of the Jedi Council stood frozen between shock, awe and bewilderment. Around a dozen Guardians were running breathless and dusty around the courtyard.
And ahead of them all was Chirrut. He wore a kyber-bright smile and nothing else. Baze stopped short and blushed red to the tips of his ears.
Baze watched in confused, aroused, astonishment as Chirrut dodged every grasping hand. His staff swung wide arcs in front of as he leapt and danced past his would-be captors. His er, other staff, was also swinging freely in a way that made Baze's mouth go dry. So when he tried to call his partner's name it came out in a croak.
"Ch-chirrUT!"
The naked initiate stopped his dance and cocked his head. If possible, his smile widened.
"Baze!"
He turned and sprinted towards his partner arms spread wide. He leapt over a failed tackle by a Guardian and launched himself as Baze. The still furiously blushing man caught him easily, arms locking around the backs of Chirrut's thighs. It was a well practiced move by the pair, although Chirrut was usually clothed when he greeted Baze this way.
"Chirrrruuut" Baze moaned into his partner's belly as the other laughed brightly and kissed him on the top of his shaven head.
"Did you enjoy the show, my love?"
"Well of course!" Baze spluttered, "But did it have to be today, dear one?" Chirrut laughed like a waterfall and kissed Baze's head again.
"You know I can't turn down a dare. And anyway, you needed a laugh before facing those uptight old Jedi!" Baze dropped Chirrut to his feet.
"Don't try to blame this on me!" His attempt at indigence was quashed by Chirrut's smiling, victory-flushed face. He leaned in, chuckled, kissed his partner softly above the ear and whispered.
"I love you, my-"
"Malbus! Remember your duties." He was interrupted by the Head Guardian's stern shout. Baze sighed.
"Yes, Guardian Colwitt." Hastily, he reached back and untied the wraps securing his robe and then pulled off his dirty work tunic. He wrapped it around Chirrut's shoulders and knotted the wrap as a belt at his waist.
"Don't catch cold my love." Baze admonished quietly. Chirrut grinned into their hasty kiss and seemed ready with a quip but Baze had already turned and jogged over to where the official visiting party stood, still in shock.
They waited in silence, expecting the Abbess to speak. Baze now saw that the hand over her face obscured quivering, repressed laugh. Instead, Guardian Colwitt spoke through gritted teeth.
"Masters, it is an honour to welcome you to the temple. Allow me to introduce our youngest and most promising Guardian, Baze Malbus. We were hoping you would allow him to sit in on our meeting."
Every Jedi's eyebrows flew skywards and for a moment Baze felt a wave of shame crash over him. But then he glanced over to Chirrut who lounging against the courtyard wall. He was playing lazily with hem of Baze's tunic and grinning in his partner's general direction. Baze smiled back and thanked the force that Chirrut was always there to save him from seriousness.
He turned back to the guests and bowed his now bare chest. With a smile Chirrut would have been proud of, he said "Welcome to the Temple of the Whills."