I didn't know I'd love you so much...
"It's too late..."
"No...no..."
His master was going to die here. He tried to deny it, tried to force it out of his mind.
'it can't happen like this. You can't leave me! I'm not ready for you to go, I need you here still...I don't want you to go, and...'
The thought once again attacked his mind and heart, as it had many times before. The feeling had begun years before, but he had not noticed it until more recently. It was an inappropriate feeling, so he pushed it from his mind and forgot about it.
I didn't know I'd love you so much...
At times, sometimes Obi-Wan could swear he saw the feeling reflected in his Master's kind gaze, but it was gone a fraction of a second later, replaced by infinite wisdom and patience.
Recently, it had been harder to forget, especially with Qi-Gon becoming so interested in Anakin. The boy had potential, and Qui-Gon had been ready to defy the Council itself to see him trained. This meant that Obi-Wan would become a Knight so Qui-Gon could take Anakin as an apprentice. Obi-Wan was not ready for this.
He was certainly not ready for his Master to die.
'I need you here...I love you.'
I didn't know I'd love you so much...
Qui-Gon's time was limited. He was fading fast. The look was there again in his eyes, that feeling that Obi-Wan had so dearly hoped he was right about. Under other circumstances, it would have made his Padawan happy. Now, the urge to break down into hysterics only grew within him. Qui-Gon's glassed gaze locked onto Obi-Wan's, and his Master reached up to touch his face with a gentle hand. Obi-Wan lowered his head, but kept his gaze as his Master spoke.
"You must train the boy...He is the chosen one."
Obi-Wan dare not speak, he only nodded with a pained look in his eyes.
"He will...bring balance..."
Qui-Gon drew his hand away again to rest at his side as he gave his beloved Padawan a sad gaze and a brief, pained ghost of a smile.
'Go and change the world for me, Padawan...' His eyes said, before the look was gone. Now his eyes reflected the same thing Obi-Wan had never been quick enough to catch. And then he was still.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, pressing hopelessly against Qui-Gon's form, and began to cry.
...But I do.