They woke the next morning at precisely the same instant, blue eyes opening to see blue eyes staring back, heads on the same pillow, nose tip to nose tip. Both a little embarrassed, both a little comforted not to wake up alone. Neither of them said a word.
Anakin followed Obi-Wan silently, like a little pup, mirroring Obi-Wan's actions as he washed and dressed. He even climbed onto the sink counter to watch, chin in hand, as Obi-Wan shaved. He did better with his tunic this morning, and Obi-Wan did not have to take it all apart again. Obi-Wan wove the bead into Anakin's braid, and when they were ready, they headed down to breakfast, Anakin hovering close to Obi-Wan's side. The persistent shadow annoyed Obi-Wan until he remembered that he had behaved the same way with Qui-Gon. It was the physical manifestation of the Master-Padawan team. He would never be without this shadow for the next fifteen or so years. The thought pleased him, and he favored Anakin with a little smile, answered by the boy's own shy grin.
Bail was not at the breakfast table. Radha explained that he had already left for the Senate office. Obi-Wan felt a twinge of guilt at that, but for the time being there was nothing he could do, so he set that worry aside.
Their day passed about the same as the previous one, only with fewer complaints from the padawan. Anakin's new found reticence, however, did not last long, and by mid-morning he was back to his typical barrage of questions. The difference was that today they weren't quite so testy. In truth he enjoyed the physical exercises, and Obi-Wan began to teach him the basic forms of the first kata.
It was such a beautiful day that they elected to eat their lunch outside, sitting companionably on the grass beneath a tree, close enough to the river that they could hear the water lapping at the dock. Anakin was quiet as he munched on a piece of fruit, staring at the river, a frown creasing his brow. Abruptly he said, "I don't have anything to give to Bail."
Obi-Wan blinked in confusion, not certain where this had come from. He swallowed the bite of melon he was eating. "I beg your pardon?"
"He gave me two presents, but I don't have anything to give him back."
"Oh, that's quite all right," Obi-Wan replied. "He just likes to give things to people. He doesn't expect anything in return."
Well, Anakin might not have much experience with gift-giving, but he knew enough that it ought to be reciprocated. He picked the pit out of his fruit and stared thoughtfully at it. Maybe he could make a pendant, as he had for Padme. He liked carving things, and even though he hadn't known she was a Queen at the time, she had still appreciated it. Maybe a Prince would, too. "I like Bail," he announced. "He reminds me of my friend, Kitster. He kinda looks like him, too." He wrinkled his nose in thought. "Maybe they're related."
"Who knows?" Obi-Wan offered, generously willing to let Anakin keep his odd perception of the size of the galaxy.
"I like having a big
brother," Anakin continued. And he had
two new parents. Even a new
master. He suppressed a grimace, though
he knew it wasn't the same thing, and in fact it was not too bad so far. He wondered if Jedi Masters tended to hit as
much as slave masters did. Perhaps
not. They certainly didn't yell as
often. In fact, Obi-Wan was quite nice
to him, all things considered. As
masters went, Obi-Wan was a real prize.
Still, it wasn't the same as if it had been Qui-Gon. The grief that Anakin had almost succeeded
in burying surged forth anew, and he stared out at the river. It should have been Qui-Gon showing him
these new things, teaching him, taking care of him. Qui-Gon would have been the perfect master, Anakin just knew
it. Before he realized what he was
saying, he began, "I miss –." He caught
himself just in time, praying desperately that Obi-Wan could not read his
hidden thoughts.
Apparently he couldn't. "Miss what?" he
asked idly, spitting seeds onto the grass.
Anakin watched him in fascination. Sleeves rolled up, juice from the slice of melon he was eating dripping down his forearms, long legs stretched out on the grass, casually spitting seeds. He might not be the perfect master, but he was pretty cool.
"Will you teach me how to swim today?" Anakin asked, hoping Obi-Wan wouldn't notice he had changed the subject.
He did notice, but he did not feel like forcing Anakin's confidence. Their relationship was still too new and fragile. Let the boy keep some thoughts to himself. Besides, there was much he wasn't ready to share, either. "We'll see," he answered evasively. "Maybe when the Prince gets back. He'll want to help teach you." He took another bite of melon and spat the seed. It went at least two meters.
"Rugged," Anakin murmured, rapt.