Title: Day 1
Author: tarotgal
Fandom: Star Wars
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan
Disclaimer: Not my characters, not my 'verse. I don't get paid a cent to play. Please don't sue and make things worse.
Summary: Qui-Gon arrives home and attempts to find his padawan.
Note: Part of the 12 Ficlets in 12 Days project 2009-2010. Requested by ~A

The transport docked precisely on time. Qui-Gon knew that would make Obi-Wan happy; his padawan loved when things were on time. Except, Obi-Wan wasn't on the platform to welcome him home. Qui-Gon tried not to feel disappointed by this fact.

Tired and glad to be back on Coruscant, Qui-Gon headed to his quarters. “I'm home, Obi-Wan!” Qui-Gon called as soon as he arrived. Except Obi-Wan wasn't anywhere there. He checked the kitchen area and the 'fresher and both of the bedrooms. Obi-Wan's was immaculate, as always, but his was in shambles, with clothing everywhere and blankets askew; it was just as Qui-Gon had left it.

Qui-Gon tossed his bag onto the floor of his room and headed back out, determined to find Obi-Wan. There were a hundred possibilities, however. He tried the gardens, the dining hall, the sparring rooms, the classrooms, even the library. He felt a bit depressed when he couldn't find Obi-Wan anywhere. It was almost as if his padawan did not want to be found.

So Qui-Gon returned home to the couch in their common area. There was plenty of correspondence to catch up on. And, assuming Obi-Wan was not avoiding him, the young man would eventually have to return. All that he could do now was wait. However, before he could even pick up a data pad and get to work, the door opened.

“Master!” Obi-Wan rushed into his arms with such suddenness that Qui-Gon actually found himself surprised for a moment, before he wrapped his arms around the younger Jedi.

But then he savored the hug and the wonderful feeling of completeness that came with having his padawan learner and bondmate close again. “Padawan Mine. It is so good to be home.”

And then Obi-Wan did something that made his master shudder and go all hot at the same time: he sniffled wetly.

Qui-Gon trembled and wanted to push his padawan back to get a good look at him, but he also wanted to hold him closer at the same time. Another similar sniffle convinced him the latter was the right course of action. “My,” he whispered, “what a runny little nose you have today.”

Obi-Wan snuggled closer to his master, rubbing his nose against his master's soft robes. “I knew you would want something warm to eat when you got home. I picked up your favorite from the cafeteria because I didn't feel much like cooking. I hope you don't mind.”

“Of course I don't.” Qui-Gon rubbed his hand up and down Obi-Wan's warm back. Oh, it was so very good to be home again.

“I want to hear all about your mission,” Obi-Wan said. “It must have been so exciting to evaluate a new race wanting to join the Republic.”

“Mmm,” Qui-Gon replied, which was neither a yes nor a no. “It was wonderful meeting them, yes, learning of their culture and values. However, there was a definite language barrier for a while and of course I had to work with the representatives from the Senate as well, who were less than intrigued about certain cultural… Obi-Wan?”

It had been soft, almost silent, but Obi-Wan had taken an involuntary breath. As much as Qui-Gon hated to do it, he pushed Obi-Wan back just enough so he could see the man's face. His nose was a chapped rosy color and his eyes were a bit overbright. His nostrils flared, and his cheeks went red with an embarrassed flush. “ahh…”

“Yes, Obi-Wan?”

The flush in his cheeks darkened slightly and he looked away from his master's gaze shyly. “I ahhhh feel like—ahhhh… sn-sn-sneezing.”

“Oh dear.” There was amusement in Qui-Gon's voice.

And that amusement made Obi-Wan, who was feeling shy and frustrated by the sneeze, smile back. He relaxed back into Qui-Gon's arms and sneezed. “ahhh-Hshhhhhh!” He sniffled again. “I sniff, sniff, came down with a little cold sniff, sniff, sniiiiiiffffff, just in time to welcome you back.”

Qui-Gon nodded. “Have you been to—”

“I saw Tala a few hours ago. He gave me some tea. I can sniff! I can make a little and take a few sips if you like.”

It was Qui-Gon's turn to look embarrassed. He hugged his padawan closer so that the younger Jedi would not see. “Only a few sips? You know what happens if you do that.”

He nodded. “I'll sneeze nonstop… for you.”

Qui-Gon gave a nervous laugh. “This is a bit backwards, don't you think? You're the one ill. I should be taking care of you. Yet, here you are, bringing me food and tempting me with the most—”

“ahhh-ehhhhh… ehhh-AhShuhhhh!” This time, when he rubbed his nose, he did so against Qui-Gon's bare neck. The tiny bit of wetness brought out the reality more and made Qui-Gon shake with anticipation.

“Force, Padawan, you are too tempting like this.” With his padawan still in his warm embrace, they rose from the couch and headed to the kitchen.