Prompt from: bluedragoninamber: So Coruscant has a big fair/festival/amusement event for the younglings every year. Masters typically take their padawans (especially the young ones), and it's considered a day to indulge them and let them be children. Obi-Wan really wants to go, but Qui-Gon thinks it's frivolous. Really, he's resistant because Dooku always refused to take him to the festival because Dooku thought it was frivolous. But then, Dooku shows up hoping to take his grandpadawan, Obi-Wan, to the fair and enjoy a day of spoiling him like an indulgent grandfather. Whether Dooku is still in the Order or not is up to you. But anyway, Qui-Gon is jealous and pouting because his master would never take him and now wants to indulge his Obi-Wan. Dooku realizes he messed up, and he has to apologize to Qui-Gon (with feels and fluff and at least one heartfelt hug). Dooku ends up indulging both his son and grandson at the festival with lots of sweets (but please no stomach aches) and at least one massive stuffed creature for each of them, maybe took as or something? And when they're back in Qui-Gon's quarters afterward, he looks over his sleepy lineage and realizes that he has a family.

….

Mornings were usually a peaceful time of the today.

Master Jinn and Obi-Wan would wake up at around the same time, meditate for a time before having their morning meal.

Not this morning, however… this morning was widely different.

"Master! Master!"

Qui-Gon grunted as a small weight suddenly landed on his bed, startling him awake and causing him to shoot into a seated position. "Obi-Wan!" he scolded the teenager, "What are you doing? Why are you suddenly acting like an initiate?!"

Obi-Wan wasn't even phased by the scolding tone (which was unusual in itself), the beam on his face only growing as he practically quivered in excitement. "It's the Festival of Illumination!"

"What are you- "Qui-Gon stopped, groaning as it all came back to him.

Of course.

The Festival of Illumination. A time where Creche Masters' spoiled the initiates and Master spent whole days spoiling their Padawans.

Master Dooku used to hate it. It was seen as 'foolish' and 'childish', therefore they never went.

And he'd continued on the same way with his Padawans…. And it wasn't going to change with Obi-Wan.

"We're not going."

Obi-Wan seemed to deflate entirely, "What?"

"Almost everyone will be at the festival. It's the perfect time to try out some of the more advanced drills and exercises without having to book the dojo."

"Oh…." Obi-Wan looked like he was about to cry, "… I-I understand that but- "

"- but nothing little one. Now go and get changed, I will get breakfast ready."

When it looked like Obi-Wan was going to protest again, Qui-Gon held up his hand in a silent order for him to stop. "This conversation is over Obi-Wan. We're not going and that is final."

It was remarkable how a silent Obi-Wan was worse than a talkative one.

Qui-Gon refused to feel guilty.

Missing a childish festival was not going to do the child any harm.

"Make sure you finish it all Obi-Wan…" he scolded, noticing how the teen simply pushed his food around the plate, a dejected look on his face, "… Another good thing about this festival, is that we can get all your favourite food in the cafeteria if you want?"

Silence.

"Obi-Wan. I sincerely hope you're not going to be like this the entire day?"

More silence.

"Obi-Wan- "

/Count Dooku is at the door. \\ droned the door computer system, stopping Qui-Gon in his tracks and causing him to frown in confusion.

"Open."

As soon as the door slid open, Dooku practically glided in. He wasn't wearing his usual elegant clothing, which gave Qui-Gon some suspicion, especially when he saw the soft smile on the older man's face.

Dooku never smiled, not if he could help it.

"Master Dooku…" he began, pushing himself to his feet, "… what an unexpected surprise. How can we help you today?"

"It's the Festival of Illumination… I was hoping to take Obi-Wan out for the day. Grandmaster's prerogative and everything."

Obi-Wan immediately perked up at that, beaming as Dooku gave him a soft smile. Qui-Gon however, felt… well, he felt a little betrayed.

"You? You want to take him to the Festival of Illumination? You?"

"I would really get that hearing of yours seen to Qui-Gon…" Dooku teased (and who knew he could do that), "… it's important to catch it early. To answer your question, yes I intend to take Obi-Wan to the Festival, and you if you so wish."

"Oh, so now you decide to take me to the Festival?"

There was a brief moment of tense silence where Dooku and Qui-Gon stared each other down, and Obi-Wan nervously glanced between the pair of them.

"Obi-Wan…" Dooku finally spoke, "… go to your room and get some normal wear on. It's a little chilly, so you might need a traveling cloak."

Grateful for the excuse to leave, Obi-Wan shot away from the table and raced to his room, sending an apologetic wince towards his Master, before disappearing through the doorway.

"What's this all about Qui-Gon?" Dooku asked once he was sure that Obi-Wan was in his room and not eavesdropping.

Qui-Gon rolled his eyes, "Don't act like you don't see what's wrong here… not once, in all the years that I was your padawan, did you take me to the festival. You used to say it was frivolous, remember? We'd spend all day training in the rooms that were always booked any other day of the year. So, I was going to do the same with Obi-Wan… until you got his hopes up like that."

Silence.

"What's the matter, Master? Hard to hear the truth?"

Little did Qui-Gon know, his words had hit a nerve with his old Master.

/ "Master! It's the Festival of Illumination! Come on! We need to get there early!"

"We're not going Qui-Gon. A ridiculous tradition if you ask me. No, our day will be best spent going over some new katas and trying out the new training program."

"… Oh." \\

The look on Qui-Gon's face was very similar to the look Dooku had briefly seen on Obi-Wan's face... and it was a look Dooku saw until Qui-Gon was around 17… by that time he was used to it.

"You are right Qui-Gon."

At Qui-Gon's stunned expression, Dooku continued. "I wanted you to be the best, and I thought that could be done by ignoring events such as this… but I was wrong."

"Are you sure you're not saying that just because you want to take Obi-Wan out?"

"No…" Dooku chuckled, moving to sit by his ex-padawan, "… no, I'm not just saying it… although, I applaud your suspicion. I think it all started after I took you on as my padawan… after you won the dueling championship for your age group, remember?"

Nod.

"You were the best in your age group, and I was so proud to be your Master, so proud that I was going to be the one to lead you to greatness…. And I think I let it all go to my head. It became all about training and not about being a good Master… and I am sorry about that."

Qui-Gon was silent for a time, simply staring at his Master.

"Qui-Gon?"

Qui-Gon seemed to be startled out of his thoughts, turning to his Master with a soft smile on his face. "… You do realize that you owe me quite a few treats if we go out today?"

Unable to help the chuckle that bubbled up from his throat, Dooku reached over and pulled Qui-Gon closer in a one-armed hug. "I think I can manage that."

"Ummm…"

They both turned to Obi-Wan, who had re-joined them in the living room.

"… are we still going out?"

"Yes, little one…" Qui-Gon nodded, "… we're going out. Grab any credits you have and let's get going."

"Qui-Gon…" Dooku frowned, "…. I may not have taken you, but I remember how it used to work with Master Yoda. Today is my treat Obi-Wan, leave your credits here… Qui-Gon, you do the same."

"It will be expensive Master."

"And that's why being a Count is a benefit."

….

"He really didn't need that teddy…" Qui-Gon muttered, nibbling on a sugary snack as they wandered through the crowds, keeping a careful eye on Obi-Wan as he raced on ahead, "… I'm pretty sure teenagers aren't supposed to have teddy bears."

Dooku rolled his eyes, "If I remember correctly, you insisted on cuddling something soft up until you were actually knighted."

"… that wasn't a teddy."

"Then what was it?"

Recognising the dangerous tone for what it was, Qui-Gon winced, "A Loper…a young one."

"A loper… as in the rodent creatures that are carnivorous pack hunters, armed with teeth and claws, and a bone-plated barbed tail? That type of Loper?"

"…. Yes."

Dooku resisted the urge to tear at his hair, instead, taking a deep breath and exhaling. "Right… well, that's nice to know. Anything else you need to tell me?"

"No, no."

He was lying, but Dooku let it slide, especially as Obi-Wan doubled back to meet them, still clutching the teddy in his arms and a sweet treat in the other hand. "Can we please go on the Ferris Wheel?" he asked politely, glancing between Qui-Gon and Dooku, "I've already checked on the queue and it doesn't appear to be too long?"

"Of course…" Dooku answered before Qui-Gon could even think about it, "… that sounds like a perfect end to the day."

…..

It really was a perfect end.

Obi-Wan started to drift off as they made their way back to the Jedi Temple, stumbling slightly from side to side, prompting Qui-Gon to lift him in his arms and carry him the rest of the way… even though Qui-Gon looked like he was going to pass out himself.

"I can carry him if you want?" Dooku eventually asked fondly, as his ex-padawan yawned wearily, "I assume he's not too heavy?"

Qui-Gon yawned again, "Not really…. I've been trying to get him to eat more, he's like a twig."

"… hand him over Qui-Gon."

"Hmmm."

It was a clear sign Qui-Gon was too tired to even argue… Dooku had been prepared for something far worse. Slowly, Obi-Wan was transferred over and they continued on their way, with Qui-Gon starting to sway, his own weariness getting the better of him.

"Come on Qui-Gon… just a few more steps now." Shifting Obi-Wan into one arm, Dooku gently started to support Qui-Gon with the other one, taking on more and more of his weight, the closer they got to the pairs' rooms.

…..

Less than half an hour later, Dooku found himself pinned on the bed, unwilling to move too much as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan slept gently on top of him.

No… he wasn't entirely sure how he got into this position, but he wasn't complaining.

They were family after all.