The
mission is a rousing success, worthy of a celebration because its one
of the rare ones where nothing
goes wrong with anything. The proceeding goes smooth, the negotiation
slow but nice and no one gets attacked.
The worst is a
verbal argument that easily splutters out that proves to honestly
just be sexual frustration.
And yet Obi-Wan
feels in no mood to party as they board the ship home, once more
dressed in regular clothes and his hair free of braids as Qui-Gon
follows at his back with Anakin. He doesn’t want to drink the beer
they have been supplied with and doesn’t want to take the boxed up
food that has been sent with them by grateful residents.
He just wants to
sleep, just go home and sleep.
He’s just so
tired and he’s seen himself in the mirror, Obi-Wan looks wane. Just
pale and worn down in a way that has nothing to do with physical but
all to do with his emotional state.
Someone who doesn’t
know him wouldn’t catch it of course but Obi-Wan can feel Anakin’s
worry.
But
there’s nothing he can do about it.
He almost winces as
he hears Qui-Gon follow him to the cockpit with Anakin cutting off at
the lounge to put the leftovers away.
He had wanted a few
moments of peace bu-
“Ouf.” The
breath is knocked from his chest as Qui-Gon suddenly grasps him in
the cockpit and turns him, pulling him into his arms. “Wha-”
“Forgive me.”
Qui-Gon murmured against his temple, his lips brushing against the
skin in a familiar and warm motion that makes Obi-Wan tremble.
“Forgive me the pain I cause you. I’m trying to remember, I swear
I am Obi-Wan.” He rumbled out, that big nose brushing into
Obi-Wan’s copper hair with the warm breath rustling against his
ear.
Blinking into the
tunic, Obi-Wan made a little noise. “Qui-Gon?” He whispered in
confusion.
“I know we were
together Obi-Wan. I know you love me and I know I love you. I’m
just having trouble separating padawan Kenobi.” Qui-Gon murmured.
Obi-Wan’s breath
froze at those words, eyes wide but sightless into the beige fabric.
“But I do know I
love you. I can tell. Just give me time to separate the memories of a
child to the adult you are?” Qui-Gon continued.
Shaking in his
arms, Obi-Wan stammered before whimpering and wrapping his arms
around the others waist in turn, clinging to him as he felt like a
leaf in a wind, blowing hither and tither as warm arms tried to
steady and support him, Qui-Gon whispering comfort.
But in those words
were hope.
Obi-Wan had gone
forward in hopeless situations before. He could go forward with home
even better.
‘Just let me
separate the child in the memories.’
The words repeated
in his mind.
Obi-Wan could prove
that he was no child anymore, he just had to spend time with Qui-Gon
and let him see the adult that he had become.
Shaking, Obi-Wan
stood up on his toes and pressed a soft, sweet kiss to the corner of
Qui-Gon’s lips before dropping down. “I can wait… I’ve waited
before.” He rasped out quietly, staring at the man with wide eyes
filled with some wetness that refused to fall.
Qui-Gon smiled
sadly back. “That’s all I need. Some time. I may never remember
Obi-Wan… but I see how you have grown. I see the beauty you are and
the mind you carry like a weapon. Just let me convince my brain that
you are no longer a child.” He pressed a soft kiss to Obi-Wan’s
forehead.
Closing his eyes
while trembling slowly, Obi-Wan clenched his hands into the fabric
and gave a nod.
He’d waited
before.
He’d do it again
for this.