Oh, oh man. Uh, mypainyourpain is. Wow. How does Obi-Wan react to all this? Weak from his injuries and being told not only that he almost died, but that he’s had soul withering for years without knowing, and that his own master and mentor is his soulmate? That’s quite the load to drop on him all at once… and does the council allow Qui-Gon to continue training him? So many questions!
Opening
his eyes slowly, Obi-Wan stared at the dim
ceiling in confusion while
smacking his dry, crusted lips together.
It
was white.
The
white of the Halls clearly, he had been here to often for comfort
really, sometimes for observation due to ‘Force’ related reasons
or so both Master and the healers said. But the last memory…
‘I
was sure I was going to die… I was bleeding so much and they
couldn’t staunch it…’ Obi-Wan’s slow mind pieced together the
last moments, the healers frantic voice, the whispered conversations
around him…
The
confusion.
He
had resigned himself but clearly they had found a way.
And
despite feeling so weak, Obi-Wan felt good at the same time.
Shifting
slightly, Obi-Wan could tell he was clean, redressed and under a warm
blanket.
His
blanket
to be precise, Obi-Wan could smell the scent of vanilla the blanket
carried after he had rubbed it in with the oil since Qui-Gon had
given him a bottle of the stuff.
It
was a calming scent and Obi-Wan loved it but what was that doing in
the halls of Healing?
The
healers generally didn’t allow things like that unless you were a
long term patient.
Trying
to move, Obi-Wan paused again.
His
hand was stuck.
It
took him what felt like hours to turn his head to look, finding his
master head on the bed and
his hand latched onto Obi-Wan’s.
‘How
long have I been sleeping?’ Obi-Wan blinked slowly, staring at his
master’s form as he took in the ruffled hair.
For
all that Qui-Gon’s tunics never looked properly pressed, he was
meticulous about his hair, always keeping it half bound, always
properly brushed, no knots or snares in it unless they were caught
out without supplies.
But
right now it looked to be falling out of the half tie he had it in,
ruffled up and a bit greasy.
That
more than his own state alarmed him and he gave Qui-Gon’s hand a
tug, feeling a bit numb.
Qui-Gon
muttered, shifting a bit and Obi-Wan gave as harsh a tug as he could.
That
finally woke him and he lifted his head to squint in the dim room,
staring at Obi-Wan uncomprehendingly for a few seconds, almost
endearingly confused with red lines on his left cheek from where he
had been laying against the bed sheets.
But
then his eyes widened in surprise, his hand tightening on Obi-Wan’s
as he straightened up all the way. “Obi-Wan.” He breathed out,
standing only to sit on the bed, reaching out with his free hand to
cup Obi-Wan’s cheek. “You’re awake.” He rasped out in
disbelief.
Blinking
slowly, Obi-Wan croaked then coughed and nodded, nuzzling against the
hand.
Fumbling
for the bed table, Qui-Gon pulled a bottle from it with water,
pressing the button of the head piece of the bed with one finger from
the hand holding the bottle.
He
seemed reluctant to let go of Obi-Wan’s hand.
Slowly
the bed rose until Obi-Wan was half sitting and Qui-Gon placed the
bottle to his lip, gently tipping it until Obi-Wan could take tiny
sips.
A
bit of water ran down the sides of his mouth but honestly, Obi-Wan
was just grateful for the water.
Qui-Gon
took it away too early but Obi-Wan knew that was for the best.
Drinking
too much after what was likely a medical coma wasn’t a good plan.
Qui-Gon
set the water away and then wiped the wet trails of Obi-Wan’s face,
watching him reverently with a small, relieved smile on his face.
“What happened?” Obi-Wan finally whispered out, moisture in his
mouth allowing him to speak.
The
question wiped Qui-Gon’s smile out of existence.
Obi-Wan’s
master was hesitating and it made Obi-Wan blink, feeling Qui-Gon’s
anxieties through tier bo-wait, their bond… it felt… different?
Deeper?
Could
feel Qui-Gon’s guilt and worry as if it was his own almost.
“What
do you remember Obi-Wan?” Qui-Gon murmured quietly finally,
subdued.
Closing
his eyes, leaning into the hand, Obi-Wan mulled over that before
looking back at Qui-Gon. “Warehouse.” He mumbled out, licking his
lips.
Nodding
slowly, Qui-Gon let out a deep breath. “…I jumped the blaster
padawan. We gave away our position to early and when the trandoshan-”
“She
attacked you.” Obi-Wan rasped out, licking his lips again
as
he
blinked
heavily, the flash image of the woman with the glowing viroblade and
claws flashing in his mind.
Pausing,
Qui-Gon stared at him before nodding, smiling slightly. “And you
jumped in front of me… my brave Obi-Wan.” He murmured, leaning in
and pressing his chapped lips to Obi-Wan’s forehead.
That
contact….
That
was new.
And
yet it felt right, familiar…like coming home.
Obi-Wan
let out a soft noise, closing his eyes in response to it.
He
had a feeling what came after everything was said and done would lead
to confusion and pain, something had been done to him, Qui-Gon was
guilty and something had happened…
So
he would enjoy this comfort while it lasted, for as long as it
lasted.