Grunting in surprise as he had been tethering on the edge of sleep when
his door had opened, Qui-Gon lifted a hand to his eyes to shield from
the light as he squinted at his doorway at the shape standing there
framed in light.

Though honestly there weren’t many people it
could potentially be other than his padawan if Qui-Gon really thought
about it but to be fair, his brain was on the edge of sleep!

The teen stood there, uncertain, his pillow held tightly in his arms and his eyes red rimmed.

Blinking, Qui-Gon pushed himself up on his elbow a bit. “Obi-Wan?” He rumbled, voice thick with the sleep he had almost reached.

The
boy shuffled. “I-I’m sorry, I just…” He stuttered, tone uncertain and
borderline frightened and Qui-Gon felt his heart break before he
softened.

This was not the first time Obi-Wan had showed up in
his doorway at night, the boy had been through civil war, terrible
visions and pain enough for anyone to have nightmares. The boy clearly
had lingering traumas if not outright PTSD after the Melida/Daan affair.

And clearly he expected to be sent away and to deal with his own trauma as he always did.

“Come
here padawan,” Qui-Gon instead invited as he lifted his arm to hold the
blanket up. Instantly his padawan quickly scuttled inside and closed
the door behind him before Obi-Wan closed the distance from the door to
the bed and crawled in under Qui-Gon’s arm with his pillow under his
head. He pushed in close as Qui-Gon placed his arm and the blanket
around him. “Nightmare?” Qui-Gon asked quietly as he stroked the baby
soft hairs of the others nape with a gentle hand.

Obi-Wan nodded into the warm and muscled chest of the older Jedi.

‘I’m
glad I decided to wear a sleep tunic to bed tonight.’ He thought to
himself as he continued to slowly rub at hairs and nape before rubbing
down the others back. “Its alright, you can stay here with me.” Qui-Gon
promised quietly.

There was a little sniffle and then Obi-Wan
cuddled as close as his small body allowed him while accepting the
comforts of his master, his little hands tightening into the others
sleep tunic.

When the other didn’t make any noises for close to a
half hour, Qui-Gon started to suspect the other was asleep and settled
his hand on the boys back as he settled to try and go back to sleep.
Honestly it wouldn’t take too much with the warm little teddy curled
into his body.

However just moments before he could, Obi-Wan did
speak up. “I’m sorry master, I’m suppose to take care of myself but I
keep coming here and crawling into your bed.” He hiccuped quietly and
hid his face in Qui-Gon’s chest.

To be fair, Qui-Gon couldn’t see
the other anyhow as he couldn’t see in the dark. Pulling the boy a bit
up he instead pressed a soft kiss to the redhead’s forehead. “Don’t
Obi-Wan. I am here to be your guardian and your teacher, that is the job
of a master and that includes helping you through any eventual issues
you have. As long as you trust me to help you.” Qui-Gon murmured
quietly.

There was a little sniffle and then a nod. “I trust you.
You’re safe… you’re big and safe.” Obi-Wan whispered so quietly Qui-Gon
almost couldn’t hear him.

Smiling into the dark, Qui-Gon pressed
another kiss to the others forehead. “Then I’ll keep on trying to look
after you, everyday for as long as you stay my padawan.” He promised
softly.

There was a soft snuffle and then Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around the others chest, holding on. “Thank you…” He whispered.

Smiling into the dark, Qui-Gon pressed his nose to the others hair.

He may not be able to guard Obi-Wan from his nightmares or from the visions the Force sent him… but he could reassure him.