He hadn't seen his love since they had admitted their feelings a month before. At this rate he was beginning to think conversations through their link and the occasional holographic meeting was all they'd ever have. And most of the time he told himself he was fine with that. But today....

He wasn't sure if Qui-Gon even knew today was N'atal. Few cultures celebrated the ancient holiday--in fact, he hadn't celebrated it properly since he was twelve. He'd spent the years since then at Qui-Gon's side, their duties as Jedi taking them all over the galaxy and leaving little time to do things like celebrate a forgotten holiday.

For some reason it had never bothered him until this year. Maybe it was because he was on a planet that actually celebrated the day. He'd seen the people shopping for gifts and making plans. He'd even seen a few happy reunions in the hangar when he'd arrived. The Force was full of a happiness that just *felt* like N'atal.

He'd been shielding himself from Qui-Gon most of the day--ostensibly because he would be busy working on the mission scheduled to start the following day, but really more because he didn't want Qui-Gon to sense his mood. It wasn't his former master's fault they were apart. They'd chosen their lives, just as they'd chosen each other--with their eyes wide open. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

Not that that kept him from wanting the other man with him, especially on a holiday that meant family and home. He'd gone home to be with his parents and brothers nearly every N'atal as a child, but when he'd been taken as Qui-Gon's apprentice he'd been too busy. And he'd been content just to be around his Master, even if they didn't celebrate.

Somewhere along the line, Qui-Gon had come to be more his home and family than any place or anyone he shared blood with. Not having him around today of all days was...difficult.

He felt a tugging from the other end of their bond, and steeled himself to be cheery as he let down his shields. //Looking for me?//

//How are the preparations going for your mission?//

//Fine.//

He felt a slight hesitation on Qui-Gon's part before the next question. //Am I bothering you?//

//Of course not.// Apparently he wasn't cheery enough. Or perhaps Qui-Gon knew him too well. //I'm sorry, I'm still a bit distracted from my reading.// Not the truth, but then if he'd wanted to tell the truth, he wouldn't have spent most of the day hiding.

//Ah, is that it? I thought it might be because you were alone on N'atal.//

For a moment, Obi-Wan was stunned into silence. //You knew?// he asked finally.

//Did you think I was that unobservant?// The tone was amused, with no hint of annoyance. //I wasn't sure if you wanted to deal with it on your own, so I left it alone.//

//Then why did you even mention it?//

//Because you didn't seem to be dealing with it at all.//

Obi-Wan shrugged, even though his former Master couldn't see him. //There's nothing to deal with. You couldn't be here. I couldn't be there. If we can't get used to that, we might as well turn in our lightsabers now. So how's Anakin?//

//He's fine, and you're changing the subject.//

//I'm fine, Qui-Gon. Stop being such a...Master.//

//I will always be your Master.// He caught the feelings along the bond before Obi-Wan had time to form the words. //I am all those other things as well,// he added, his tone deepening.

Obi-Wan smiled. //Ah, but you can't be some of them from a distance.//

//Can't I?// Obi-Wan gasped as he felt a phantom hand surrounding his erection. //Many things are possible through the Force, Padawan.//

//Ma--Qui-Gon!//

//Yes, love?// The hand began stroking up and down, setting a demanding pace.

//How--// he gasped for air as the hand sped up, //how...I don't understand....//

//Do you really want an in-depth explanation now, love?//

//No! Just please don't stop!// Obi-Wan's hips rose completely off the chair as the phantom grip tightened further. His pleasure rose higher until he could no longer contain it, and he came with a force that startled him.

After a few moments of silence, Qui-Gon reached out. //Obi-Wan?//

//Here,// was the weak reply. //Didn't know *that* was possible....//

Qui-Gon laughed. //Did it help?//

//Still wish you were here,// Obi-Wan replied, then he grinned. //But it certainly didn't hurt.//

//I should hope not,// Qui-Gon said with another laugh.

As he calmed further, Obi-Wan could sense his love's tiredness through their link. //I truly am fine, Qui-Gon. You need rest. Go to sleep.//

//You're sure you're feeling better?//

//I'm as good as I'm going to get without you beside me.//

He felt a wave of affection across their link. //I do love you, Obi-Wan.//

//And I love you, Qui-Gon. Now go to sleep.//

//Yes, sir.// He felt more than heard his love's sigh. //Happy N'atal, Obi-Wan.//

//Happy N'atal,// Obi-Wan returned softly. He waited until he felt Qui-Gon drift off into sleep before climbing into his lonely bed. Although it didn't seem quite as lonely as before he received his impromptu N'atal present.

His last thought as he fell asleep was that he had to get his former Master to teach him that trick. After all, it was only right to return the favor. That's what the spirit of giving was all about.

--
End

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