Series: Set in "Fighting Shadows" series between "Uncertainty"
and "Confusion," but can be read as a stand alone without any
problem. Other two stories are available on the M_A archive and
at my homepage at http://adult.dencity.com/ndannais/
Archive: Master and Apprentice--anyone else ask please
Summary: Obi-Wan gets lonely on a holiday.
Disclaimer & Feedback: I don't own anyone, much less these
fine characters--although I own a couple of action figures of
them, does that count? Probably not. Oh well, I refuse to make
any money off them, and crave feedback as much as Obi-Wan
craves Qui-Gon and vice versa.
Obi-Wan stared out the window at the group singing in the town
square. With a sigh, he moved back to the fireplace, but the
warmth of the blaze was not the kind of warmth he desired. He
wanted Qui-Gon there beside him. If all had gone as planned, he
would have been. But Qui-Gon and Anakin had been delayed and
weren't sure when they would arrive, if they made it at all.
He hadn't seen his love since they had admitted their feelings
a month before. At this rate he was beginning to think
conversations through their link and the occasional holographic
meeting was all they'd ever have. And most of the time he told
himself he was fine with that. But today....
He wasn't sure if Qui-Gon even knew today was N'atal. Few
cultures celebrated the ancient holiday--in fact, he hadn't
celebrated it properly since he was twelve. He'd spent the
years since then at Qui-Gon's side, their duties as Jedi taking
them all over the galaxy and leaving little time to do things
like celebrate a forgotten holiday.
For some reason it had never bothered him until this year.
Maybe it was because he was on a planet that actually
celebrated the day. He'd seen the people shopping for gifts and
making plans. He'd even seen a few happy reunions in the hangar
when he'd arrived. The Force was full of a happiness that just
felt like N'atal.
He'd been shielding himself from Qui-Gon most of the
day--ostensibly because he would be busy working on the mission
scheduled to start the following day, but really more because
he didn't want Qui-Gon to sense his mood. It wasn't his former
master's fault they were apart. They'd chosen their lives, just
as they'd chosen each other--with their eyes wide open. And he
wouldn't have it any other way.
Not that that kept him from wanting the other man with him,
especially on a holiday that meant family and home. He'd gone
home to be with his parents and brothers nearly every N'atal as
a child, but when he'd been taken as Qui-Gon's apprentice he'd
been too busy. And he'd been content just to be around his
Master, even if they didn't celebrate.
Somewhere along the line, Qui-Gon had come to be more his home
and family than any place or anyone he shared blood with. Not
having him around today of all days was...difficult.
He felt a tugging from the other end of their bond, and steeled
himself to be cheery as he let down his shields. //Looking for
me?//
//How are the preparations going for your mission?//
//Fine.//
He felt a slight hesitation on Qui-Gon's part before the next
question. //Am I bothering you?//
//Of course not.// Apparently he wasn't cheery enough. Or
perhaps Qui-Gon knew him too well. //I'm sorry, I'm still a bit
distracted from my reading.// Not the truth, but then if he'd
wanted to tell the truth, he wouldn't have spent most of the
day hiding.
//Ah, is that it? I thought it might be because you were alone
on N'atal.//
For a moment, Obi-Wan was stunned into silence. //You knew?//
he asked finally.
//Did you think I was that unobservant?// The tone was amused,
with no hint of annoyance. //I wasn't sure if you wanted to
deal with it on your own, so I left it alone.//
//Then why did you even mention it?//
//Because you didn't seem to be dealing with it at all.//
Obi-Wan shrugged, even though his former Master couldn't see
him. //There's nothing to deal with. You couldn't be here. I
couldn't be there. If we can't get used to that, we might as
well turn in our lightsabers now. So how's Anakin?//
//He's fine, and you're changing the subject.//
//I'm fine, Qui-Gon. Stop being such a...Master.//
//I will always be your Master.// He caught the feelings along
the bond before Obi-Wan had time to form the words. //I am all
those other things as well,// he added, his tone deepening.
Obi-Wan smiled. //Ah, but you can't be some of them from a
distance.//
//Can't I?// Obi-Wan gasped as he felt a phantom hand
surrounding his erection. //Many things are possible through
the Force, Padawan.//
//Ma--Qui-Gon!//
//Yes, love?// The hand began stroking up and down, setting a
demanding pace.
//How--// he gasped for air as the hand sped up, //how...I
don't understand....//
//Do you really want an in-depth explanation now, love?//
//No! Just please don't stop!// Obi-Wan's hips rose completely
off the chair as the phantom grip tightened further. His
pleasure rose higher until he could no longer contain it, and
he came with a force that startled him.
After a few moments of silence, Qui-Gon reached out.
//Obi-Wan?//
//Here,// was the weak reply. //Didn't know that was
possible....//
Qui-Gon laughed. //Did it help?//
//Still wish you were here,// Obi-Wan replied, then he grinned.
//But it certainly didn't hurt.//
//I should hope not,// Qui-Gon said with another laugh.
As he calmed further, Obi-Wan could sense his love's tiredness
through their link. //I truly am fine, Qui-Gon. You need rest.
Go to sleep.//
//You're sure you're feeling better?//
//I'm as good as I'm going to get without you beside me.//
He felt a wave of affection across their link. //I do love you,
Obi-Wan.//
//And I love you, Qui-Gon. Now go to sleep.//
//Yes, sir.// He felt more than heard his love's sigh. //Happy
N'atal, Obi-Wan.//
//Happy N'atal,// Obi-Wan returned softly. He waited until he
felt Qui-Gon drift off into sleep before climbing into his
lonely bed. Although it didn't seem quite as lonely as before
he received his impromptu N'atal present.
His last thought as he fell asleep was that he had to get his
former Master to teach him that trick. After all, it was only
right to return the favor. That's what the spirit of giving was
all about.
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