qui-gon & obi-wan, drabble
Obi-Wan leans ever so slightly against his side, a silent plea for attention. Unusual, that. Qui-Gon spares him a glance. His padawan has been listless since their mission ended, quiet and sticking close to his master like a burr. There has been no time to tend to him. Soon, Qui-Gon hopes wearily, soon he will be allowed to prioritize his apprentice.
The mission comes first. Not the boy.
Soon enough, Qui-Gon will arrange for their departure, after handling the shaken ministers and organizing the rescue workers. As for the moment—
Obi-Wan’s face is flushed from the heat. He runs his fingers through the boy’s sweat-soaked hair, observing how it stands on end. The heat here exhausts him in a manner that concerns Qui-Gon.
“We will depart on the next tram,” Qui-Gon says lowly. He feels Obi-Wan nod slightly into his arm.
They wait, and wait. The tram does not come.
The others waiting for evacuation are growing restless. Some leave. Others mill around anxiously, while still others lean against the walls and settle on the floor to continue their wait. The minutes tick by. Qui-Gon choses an empty corner in the station, and guides his padawan towards it. He slides with his back against the wall to the floor, and pulls Obi-Wan down with him.
Obi-Wan slumps beside him, closer than usual. Qui-Gon puts his arm around the boy’s shoulders, maneuvering him down into a reclining position. Obi-Wan resists.
“I don’t want to miss anything,” he protests.
“I will let you know when the tram comes,” Qui-Gon assures him. “Lay your head down.” And finally the boy gives in, dropping his head on Qui-Gon’s lap.