The Senator's Apprentice
by AK
Many thanks to Nonie for the beta and the awesome interpretative guidance, without which this fic would have been a lot different. I don't know what I would do without you.
Thanks also to Renee, for everything. The Force is out there...
Maul responded immediately to his Master's call. He always did.
He took the lift up to Palpatine's Coruscant chambers, and his Master quickly let him in. Maul was slightly surprised; Palpatine usually changed his appearance for his apprentice's visits. His Master was not wearing the usual heavily cowled black robes, but instead wore the face, body, and ceremonial dress of the "Senator from Naboo."
Maul eased in the door warily; something had changed. Something was different this day. His lightsaber bumped against the frame with a small clink, and his black-gloved hand moved to silence it.
Palpatine glanced automatically down both ways of the corridor. Maul's visits were always a trifle risky, but it was a risk to which both were accustomed.
The Sith's face lost all traces of emotion as he shut the door and turned to his apprentice. His face was distorted; the focused Sidious expression on the pleasant Senator face, and the eerie combination unnerved Maul.
"Yes, Master," he said, reaching up to adjust his hood. It swished softly around his shoulders as it fell back. Revealing him.
Palpatine looked him full in the face. His eyes bespoke bright confidence and a gloating kind of pleasure.
"I have been nominated to succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor of the Senate," Palpatine told him, and the cold Sidious voice was meshed with the cheerful tones of the Senate guise.
The news meant little to Maul. He understood that it was a major victory for his Master, but galactic politics was that Master's arena, not his own. But he nodded once, respectfully.
"Yes Master," he repeated, voice soft.
Palpatine broke eye contact, strolling across the room as if lost in thought. He moved differently in the guise, Maul noted. The Sith Lord's eyes followed his Master's movements. He knew what was coming next.
Palpatine turned, half-regarding him, half-distracted. He leaned back, against a pillar, and curled one finger towards his apprentice. Beckoning him.
Darth Maul went to him, and Darth Maul knelt.
Maul tugged at the exotic costume, loosening, pulling. Palpatine stared down, watching him, and Maul felt his own length stir beneath his black robes. He reached in with one leather-gloved hand, past a final layer, and drew out Palpatine's sex.
He'd never done anything for the "Senator" before. For Sidious, the Sith Master in his true form, many times. But this was different, interesting, and a dark, celebratory air breathed in the room.
The Sith Lord took his Master's arousal into his mouth, and the pale flesh stiffened quickly under his focused attentions.
"I will be Chancellor," Palpatine told him, in a thoughtful tone, and he let out a tiny, quiet sigh. One hand drifted to a horn on Maul's head, and he idly fondled it between thumb and forefinger.
The affection in the offhand caress was unusual as well. Maul could not see his Master's face, but he felt the other man's physical pleasure, and the erotic thrill given him by the power he would soon seize. Maul wondered if Palpatine was still looking down at him, but he doubted it. In his mind he could see his Master; he would be staring out at nothing, concentrating on the future.
It was, as they said, always in motion.
Palpatine's body tensed harder under him, and Maul's mouth was filled with hot fluid. Maul swallowed, and after a few moments leaned back, licking his lips. His own sex was burning now, fully erect.
Maul tilted his head up to look at his Master.
Palpatine gazed down at him. A delicate smile graced the Senator's false face, and Maul felt his own face respond with pleasure, showing his teeth. His Master so rarely smiled at him.
But then Palpatine looked away, to stare above Maul's head. His attention back upon the future, upon his ambition, upon his plans.