Warning: this short fiction contains hints of a m/m
relationship. If this scares you, press 'delete' or 'back'. If
you are of legal age, that is, 18 years old, continue!
Disclaimer: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan belong to the mightly
Lucasworld. This short fiction is not for profit.
Archive: MA archive (?), personal homepage
Fandom: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Pairing: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan
Category: slight angst, h/c, slight humour
Rating: PG (kinda ...NC-17 leanings again!)
Summary: A short short pic to the 'Illumination' series which
has ended with 'The Passion of The Fire'. Story takes place
during mid-autumn festival celebrations on the planet Huo.
Allusions to a Chinese festival called the Mid-autumn festival
where children carry paper lanterns, eat pastries called
mooncakes and moon worship. Fic takes place a year after 'The
Passion of the Fire'.
The festival scene was overwhelming in all senses of the word.
Bright golden and red lanterns swayed gently in the breeze,
each glowing like jewels in the dark. They lit up the entire
courtyard, adding an atmosphere of joy. The sizzle of frying
pastries could be heard, accompanied by the fragrance of
toasted pastry skin and mashed bean paste. There was a
sweetness in the air, not cloying but surprisingly delicious to
the olfactory senses.
Children darted about everywhere, weaving in and out of the
throng of the Huo inhabitants out for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
And there was music. The haunting stringed instrument the Huo
people called the p'ippa.
Obi-Wan Kenobi soaked everything in. Huo was known to be exotic
but the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations blew him away with the
different textures of colors and scents.
Nearby, Qui-Gon Jinn leaned against a marble pillar carved in
the shape of a eight-legged dragon. He was feeling, for some
strange reason, his age. The walk from the Huo Diplomatic
Palace to the Main Courtyard was exhausting.
"Obi-Wan, do you mind if you walk a little slower?"
His apprentice and Bonded mate wheeled around. At least,
Obi-Wan had the grace to look embarrassed.
"I have to apologise," the young man said softly. He let a
group of young children run past him. They were all carrying
simple paper lanterns: white orbs and candles. Obi-Wan smiled,
gathered his Jedi robes and strode to his Master.
"Youth!" Qui-Gon murmured.
Obi-Wan placed a hand on the broad shoulder. It was a soothing
touch, a reassuring touch. "Well, you have the experience,
Qui-Gon."
"Impertinent."
They both watched the fireworks display now brightening the
night sky. Blossoms of vivid colors burst in unison, sounding
like explosions. There were faint shouts of admiration , and
cries of 'ahhs' and 'ohhs'. The fireworks were so bright that
they almost masked the full moon, a large greyish-white sphere.
Obi-Wan heard Qui-Gon sigh softly and instinctively drew closer
to the older man. Qui-Gon's long hair shimmered, taking on a
life of its own as the fireworks cast a reddish-gold cast
everywhere. Earlier that day, Obi-Wan was shocked to see more
white hairs as he brushed his Master's hair.
Shocked ... and saddened.
He shrugged off the sadness quickly. Well, they were on the Huo
planet to enjoy themselves. Obi-Wan Kenobi was determined to
make their Huo trip a memorable one. Pleasant, yes. No
obstacles.
"I think the lanterns are beautiful," Qui-Gon said, his eyes
twinkling.
"Master, what are you planning again?"
"I wonder how you would look with a lantern in your hands ..."
Obi-Wan's blue eyes flashed. "I am not a child, Qui-Gon." His
retort was a little harsh and he regretted it immediately. He
softened it with a warm smile.
"You look nice when you are angry, Padawan." Qui-Gon's chuckle
unsettled the youth.
"My thanks."
"There you go again. Looking all glum and serious."
"We are Jedi. We are supposed to be serious."
"Nonsense. We are supposed to be serious when we are on
official business. We are supposed to be less serious and more
happy when we are off-duty."
"You argue your case pretty well, Master Qui-Gon."
"I see you are conceding defeat, Padawan Obi-Wan."
Qui-Gon stroked the soft cheeks with his right palm, savoring
the smooth texture quietly. There Obi-Wan stood, the epitome of
youth and strength. The blue eyes were glowing, not only with
the fireworks display, but also love and adoration. Ah, the
Bond had deepened over the year. Became stronger.
It would be a difficult day when he ---
"Master, you are thinking sad thought again ..." Obi-Wan broke
into his reverie and the youth held Qui-Gon's hand tightly.
Qui-Gon looked at the strong fingers before him. Yes, Obi-Wan
had grown. He was once a child. But he had grown. The hand was
the hand of an adult man. Strong, full of purpose.
"Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said softly. "I am always here for you."
Then he straightened up. "I will go and buy some refreshments
for us both. Admiring the moon can be quite tiring."
A quick smile on the serious face and Obi-Wan walked away,
swallowed by the crowd of Huo inhabitants.
Qui-Gon Jinn stared after the figure of his Padawan and Bonded.
He heaved a sigh, stretched and leaned back against the pillar
again. He inhaled the aroma of baking beanpate pastry and the
light scent of Huo flower tea. The fireworks display had
stopped, the booming sounds stilled and the crowd noise was
back, tenfold. The groups of children were back, carrying their
lanterns. Tiny dots of gold moved in the darkness and he
listened to the laughter with a smile on his face.
Much earlier in the day, the Huo diplomat T'ien had given him a
paper lantern as a souvenir. It was crafted in the shape of a
moon lotus flower, common on Huo. The lantern was made of thin
paper; it was rather fragile to the touch. Even the
candle-holder in the centre of the moon lotus lantern looked
light, insubstantial.
Obi-Wan had steadfastly refused to carry the lantern, stating
that he was a Jedi. His face was so solemn, so grave that
Qui-Gon burst out laughing.
There was a child's scream, followed by crying. Qui-Gon could
see a little girl, dressed in Huo embroidered garments, sobbing
her eyes out.
Her lantern had fallen onto the grass. Fire was eating away the
paper, the rickety frames. The child was still crying even as
her mother comforted her.
Qui-Gon felt a chill wind whisper its way down his back.
The fire was so beautiful to look at. Glowing. Lovely. But what
had it done to the lantern? It had consumed it. Burnt it to a
crisp.
He shuddered, turning away from the darkened pieces that was
once a lantern.
Obi-Wan ...
"Master, what's wrong?" Like blessed Force, the young man had
appeared, carrying bundles in his arms.
"Nothing. I am fine."
"Its getting cold. We should hurry back to the Palace. I am
going to make us both hot tea."
Qui-Gon nodded, at once thankful for Obi-Wan's practical
nature. "Hot tea will be fine. And it will do nicely if you
practise your massaging skills ..."
Obi-Wan chuckled softly. He pulled at Qui-Gon's robes. "Come
on, old man. We are going."
"Impertinent!"
Qui-Gon laughed but he was still inexplicably chilled at the
sight of the lantern burning. It was an omen surely.
He moved resolutely ahead, ignoring the pile of burnt paper and
sticks.
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