Summary: Still lying about in bed, Obi-Wan pampers his
master...and Qui-Gon has a revelation.
Notes: Last one in this series...I think. Partly inspired by
some recent chat over on the "bguy" list
Disclaimer: all I own is my overstressed brain
"Padawan..."
"Yes, Master?"
"What are you doing?"
"Braiding your hair."
"Why?"
"I was curious to see how it would look."
"Do you intend to braid all of it?"
"Perhaps."
"That could take some time."
"I'm in no hurry. And you need the rest."
"I'm feeling perfectly fine now. Our last three rounds of
'therapy' have been quite beneficial to my well- being, I can
assure you."
"Nevertheless, there's no reason to rush you out of bed.
Wouldn't want you to have a relapse."
"But it's nearly sundown."
"Mmm hmm. So you see, with most of the day gone already, what
reason is there to get up?"
"Food, for one."
"You're getting hungry. That's a good sign. It's almost dinner
time. I'll go down to the meal hall and bring us back something
to eat in a little while."
"If that is what you want to do."
"It is."
"Though, really, it seems rather unbecoming of a Jedi Master to
be pampered all day by his padawan, over something so trivial
as an allergic reaction."
"True. But it's the first excuse I've had to pamper you,
and I intend to take full advantage of it." Obi- Wan paused,
running his hands in a very soothing fashion through Qui-Gon's
hair. "I'm always the one who hurts himself in a training
exercise. Or gets sick or into trouble on a mission and ends up
in bed for days on end while you fret over me. For once the
boot is on the other foot, and I feel like returning the favor.
Besides, when was the last time we did absolutely
nothing, for an entire day, except spend time together?
No missions, no lessons, no training...nothing."
"I can't recall."
"I can. We haven't. So today, that's what we're going to
do. Absolutely nothing."
"Ah, but you see, that is a lesson, Obi-Wan. A lesson in
learning to slow down, and appreciate the people, and things,
we normally take for granted."
"Oh. Damn. So there's no such thing as a day without a lesson
with you, is there?"
"No. Although today I think you are the one who is
teaching me. A lesson that I had forgotten, perhaps."
"Fair enough." Obi-Wan selected another section of hair, and
started braiding it carefully.
"Mmm."
"Yes?"
"I see why you enjoy it when I braid your hair. It's a pleasant
sensation. Relaxing."
"Then you'll have to let me do this more often."
"And what will the others say when I go outside with a head
full of braids?"
"They'll say you must have a padawan who loves you very much,
to spend all this time fussing over your hair."
"More likely they'll say I indulge my silly padawan's whims far
too often."
"Me? Silly? I'm not the one having dreams about being pregnant.
That is what I would call silly, Master."
"I've been thinking about that some more."
"Oh, no..."
"Yes. And I think I understand the dream now. It wasn't really
about having a child. It was about my desire to create
something else between us...something even more binding."
The hands paused on his hair. "A life bond, do you mean?"
"Yes. ...Obi-Wan?"
"I'm sorry, you simply surprised me, Master. I didn't think..."
"We haven't discussed it, because I didn't want to put you
under any pressure to make a choice. There is not a more
serious decision a Jedi can make." He took one of Obi-Wan's
hands and stroked it gently. "And there are things which worry
me."
"What things, Master?"
"I know you deny it matters, but the fact is, I am much
older than you, Padawan. Now it may not seem so important, but
in the future? Or if anything should happen to me--"
"No, foolish talk."
"No, it isn't, Obi-Wan. Listen to me. Sometimes the life bond
is so strong, when one partner dies, the other can no longer
survive alone. The shock is too great, the disorientation of in
effect living only a half-life...I would not want you to--"
Obi-Wan put his hand to his master's lips. "Foolish talk,
Master," he insisted. "You are the one who always tells
me not to dwell on the future, to live in the moment instead.
And I want to live this moment with you...for however long it
lasts."
Qui-Gon sighed. "Headstrong padawan."
"Equally stubborn master."
"We'll have to ask for the Council's permission, particularly
as you are still my padawan. They might ask us to wait until
after you pass the trials..."
"Waiting will not be a problem. Not really. Simply knowing you
want this is enough for now." Obi-Wan smiled. "More than
enough."
After a long kiss, which lead to another round of
"therapy":
"I suppose I should go find us some dinner, then."
"An excellent idea, Padawan."
Obi-Wan stretched lazily, then flipped out of bed with a showy
leap, grinning back at his master.
"Now who is glowing?" Qui-Gon observed wryly.
"I won't be long," Obi-Wan said, finding his scattered clothes
and throwing them on in a rush.
"I know."
Obi-Wan searched about for his boots, then stepped over to the
bed for one more kiss. "I love you."
"Go," Qui-Gon ordered, "before your poor bed-ridden master dies
of hunger."
Obi-Wan shot him a look most inappropriate for a padawan to
give his master, then hurried for the door.
Qui-Gon smiled to himself and settled back into bed.
Yes, this was a moment he hoped would last for a very long
time.
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