Qui-Gon
stood in the doorway, not wanting to disturb his padawan learner just then. Obi-Wan
had a handkerchief in hand and was holding it up in
front of his face, albeit a few inches away. His eyes were closed but his mouth
hung open so wide that his tongue was practically falling out. His nostrils
were twitching and his chest heaving, and Knowing that
Obi-Wan had been having trouble drawing out his sneezes each time, Qui-Gon did
not dare interrupt. He watched as Obi-Wan took a few sharp gulps of air, then pitched forward with a sneeze. "heyyyashhuhhhhhh!" The blow he gave his nose a moment
later was moist and messy but lasted only a few moments.
But then
Obi-Wan lifted his head, blinked, and smiled to see his master. Duties had
required Qui-Gon's presence earlier, but he had hurried to their quarters
immediately following them.
Qui-Gon
smiled back at him and took a seat on the bed beside where Obi-Wan sat up
against the headboard and pillows. "I brought you some tea because it looked
like you could use some."
"I certaidly could!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, reaching out from the
blankets wrapped around him to take the mug of tea in both hands. He shivered
as he met its warmth first through touch then taste.
"You look
cold," Qui-Gon said, pulling off his cloak and draping it over Obi-Wan's front,
then pulling the blankets around the young man's shoulders to meet at his
chest.
Obi-Wan
nodded, clenching his teeth to keep them from chattering as he drank. And when
Qui-Gon put an arm around him, Obi-Wan rested his head on Qui-Gon's shoulder. "I'b glad you're back," said Obi-Wan with a sigh.
He took
another sip of the tea then abruptly handed it back to his master as he picked
up his hanky and held it up again. "hahh... hahhhh..." Qui-Gon squeezed Obi-Wan's
shoulders for reassurance, letting him know he did not mind being patient. "hahh-ahhh-AiiiYIHShhuhhhh!" But the moment the sneeze was out,
Obi-Wan's mouth pulled down into a frown again. "ehhh-IHHChhuhhhh!" He sneezed, bending forward at the
waist at the force of it. He sniffed liquidly and blew his nose more than once
as he sat up and leaned again into his master. Then he took back his tea with
another sigh. "I feel awful," he confessed, toning it down again so as not to
worry Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon
nodded in understanding and petted Obi-Wan's cheek and forehead as the young
man drank his tea. "You're ill and running a bit of a fever," he said, toning
it down again so as not to worry Obi-Wan.
He pressed
his cool palm against Obi-Wan's forehead and even though the padawan shivered,
he seemed glad for it. Obi-Wan smiled and closed his eyes. "Your touch bakes be
feel good."
"Good,"
Qui-Gon whispered, pressing a kiss into Obi-Wan's temple. "Because I have no intention of letting you go until you're well again." He
spoke the first completely accurate words between them since his return.