Title: The First Day We Spent Together
Author: Sabey
Rating: PG
Disclaimers: I don't own them and I never will, sadly. They all belong to Mr. Lucas :-(
Summary: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker spend their first day together as master and apprentice after Qui-Gon's death.
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Obi-Wan Kenobi sat on the window sill the quarters provided by Queen Amidala for him and Anakin. He couldn't stop thinking about it. The lightsaber, Qui-Gon's grunt, his cry, and the evil grin the Sith gave him. He shut his eyes in an attempt to chase the vision away, but nothing worked, until a certain someone came in and stared shyly.
"Obi-Wan?" a small voice said.
"Yes, Anakin?" Obi-Wan returned, looking at nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker, standing there in his pajamas and a blanket wrapped tightly around his small frame. He caught the shiver that wracked the boy's body.
"It's cold in my room. Can I stay with you?" Anakin asked quietly. Obi-Wan thought he was a brave soul for asking that question. If it were him, he would wait about a year before saying that because he was so shy when he was younger. He gave Anakin a sad smile and opened his arms. The boy climbed into his lap and Obi-Wan readjusted him and the blanket so that Anakin was sitting with his side against Obi-Wan's front. The man wrapped his arms around his little charge and sent warmth into him through the Force.
"Is that better?" he asked. Anakin nodded.
"Yes. Thank you," Anakin replied.
"No problem, Shorty." Anakin giggled at that and Obi-Wan soon joined in. When they quieted down, Anakin turned his head up and looked at Obi-Wan's beautiful eyes.
"Obi-Wan?"
"Hmm?"
"Could you call me Ani? Momma and Qui-Gon did."
"Only if you call me Obi, but just when we're with friends or omething. The council would think it disrespectful if you didn't call me 'Master' in their presence."
"Okay, Obi." The man chuckled and Anakin smiled. Then he was embraced in large, strong arms and Anakin tensed for a moment, but relaxed into the warmth and security they held. He felt a gentle kiss pressed to the top of his head before he was gently pushed away and settled on the floor with the blanket still around him. Obi-Wan leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and smiled.
"Go in my room and get in bed. You'll be warmer in there," he said ruffling the boy's hair.
"What about you?"
"I'll be in there in a minute. Now, go on. Get in there, you little imp," Obi-Wan told him playfully and lightly whacked him on the bottom, giving him a little push towards the door. Anakin squeaked and ran, laughing and jumping onto the bed and under the covers. Obi-Wan leaned back to look through the doorway and saw that Anakin's eyes were open.
"I don't know how you expect to get any sleep with your eyes open, Ani." He heard the boy giggle and saw him shut his eyes, but noticed that he had one eyes cracked open slightly. He smiled and shook his head, looking back at the waterfall through the window. He sat there for quite a while, thinking back on the things he and Qui-Gon had done over the years. He could remember back to when Qui-Gon first met him. That's how special the man was to him. He was brought out of his reverie by a sniffle coming from Anakin.
He walked into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, noticing tear streaks on Anakin's face. He knew what was wrong. He missed his mother and Qui-Gon. Oh, how the boy must feel now. First, being taken away from his mother and then being taken away from the one that truly wanted him in the beginning. Obi-Wan remembered how harsh he had acted towards the boy during their time with Qui-Gon, ignoring him and giving him a cold shoulder. Now he regretted all that and sought to comfort the boy./
"Ani, look at me," he said gently and smiled when Anakin complied, "I miss him, too, and I didn't know your mother, but I know what it's like being taken away so suddenly from the one you have a connection with so deeply that you think nothing can separate you. You know how I know?"
"Uh-uh."
"I was once a slave on Tatooine. My mother, father, brother, and I all belonged to the Hutts. It was amazing that I got away. I was four at the time and can remember my mother like I saw her yesterday."
"Will you tell me? About your mother?"
"If you tell me about yours." They exchanged a smile and Obi-Wan wiped Anakin's tears away before once again pulling him onto his lap. They listened intently to the other's story and smiled at the coincidences of their families. The bond between them was slowly growing, just like the brotherly friendship between the two Jedi. The first day they spent together was indeed a good one.
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THE END