Chapter Text
Late afternoon sun spills into the cozy living room on the west side of the cottage nestled between old growth forest and a meandering set of small lakes.
The couch underneath Obi-Wan is soft and sags a little in the middle. The teal fabric is worn by generations of Naberrie children who bounced and wriggled as they watched holovids and defended their home from swamp monsters or droid invaders. A bucket of dusty toys waits for their latest member, who squirms in his arms, her five fingers tightly coiled around his one in triumph.
She is so small. Obi-Wan can hardly believe this tiny package contains so much human.
Was he ever that small? So concerned with food and sleeping and the next pair of bright eyes?
The tap tap tap of Qui-Gon cutting summer squash in the kitchen across the hall interrupts his thoughts. Qui-Gon is humming softly, some melody Obi-Wan can't quite make out.
He looks down at his little charge, a corner of his mouth tugging him towards a smile. She stares at him for a long moment, as if deciding something important. Then she open her mouth and wails.
The hair on the back of his neck stands up as all of his muscles clench. His spine stiffens. His eyes find the door.
It doesn't matter that Leia's piercing cry is nothing like the screech of clankers or blare of sirens. His left arm tightens around her and his right claws at his belt for a saber that languishes in his room.
"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon's voice is low. He has dropped to one knee in front of him, the caff table pushed aside.
Qui-Gon's eyes are grey in the afternoon light. His arm on Obi-Wan's shoulder is firm and steady.
They breathe together. In and Out.
The couch dips under Qui-Gon's weight. He's so close their thighs and shoulders press together. Obi-Wan swallows and closes his eyes. He cannot look at her as he hands her to Qui-Gon. Heat flares through him and then he sinks, down into the couch, into his robes, sliding until Qui-Gon's hand takes his.
"The war is over," Obi-Wan grinds out, pulling his hand away.
Qui-Gon exhales and Obi-Wan can feel his shoulders drop a fraction before he hoists Leia higher. She has settled now, safe in familiar arms.
"Shhh," Qui-Gon murmurs.
Obi-Wan wills himself upright and still. He squeezes his eyes shut.
Gentle fingers brush his hair as Qui-Gon steps away.