Yeah, it's a shorter chapter. I know. Don't. Don't say anything about that. I'll tell you how I feel about getting comments like that sometime. ANYWAY! This chapter actually came from a comment over on ao3! They wanted the Force to have Obi-Wan fall asleep during a council meeting and I delivered. So! Here you go!
moollii - I do love writing wholesome chapters in between those bits of angst. If you want it, then you shall have it.
Obi-Wan radiated two different emotions in the council chamber that morning.
The first was happiness.
He was finally cleared to sit through more meetings. Granted, they still weren't allowed to cause stress on his still healing (would he ever truly heal?) mind and body. It was a comfort to him to be around those that he had gotten to know more. It was wonderful to listen in on debriefs and to offer his insight. He was happy to be there.
Plo could feel his happiness from where he was sitting. He was sure that all the council members could feel it in the Force (seeing hidden smiles on the faces of those in the chambers clued him in on that observation).
The second was exasperation.
There was a whisper in Obi-Wan's ear. It was warm and beautiful. It was soft and caring. It was all the things Obi-Wan wanted and needed. However, he didn't want or need that right now.
The Force continued to whisper in his ear. He tried to brush it off, but it was to no avail.
Sleep. Rest your eyes. You need it. You deserve some respite.
Obi-Wan shook his head and fought off the urge to close his eyes. It was tempting and oh so difficult to ignore. His head tilted forward, but he jerked it up quickly before it could meet his chest.
Plo could see the other members watching fondly with hidden smirks and laughter. This was not a new feeling from Obi-Wan. The feeling flowed through the Force often when Obi-Wan was near his former Padawan (though whether the feeling was playful or serious, Plo would never truly know).
Plo knew Obi-Wan was feeling exasperated. He did not know the exact reason for it. It could be because his body was yelling at him to sleep, which would explain why he tried to fight it off. Or it could be-
"Obi-Wan?" Mace's voice brought Plo out of his musings as he focused on the mentioned Jedi.
There, with his head tilted down and his eyes shut was Obi-Wan Kenobi. The soft snuffles and snores that escaped him answered Plo's questions.
He'd fallen asleep.
In his chair.
During a Council meeting.
Plo glanced around the room at the other members. They all shared looks of fondness and amusement at the sight.
Mace rose from his chair and made his way to Obi-Wan. He kneeled in front of the sleeping Jedi and eyed him carefully. He reached a hand up and towards Obi-Wan's shoulder-
LET HIM SLEEP!
Mace recoiled, along with the other Councilors, at the sudden exclamation from the Force.
Mace and Plo looked at each other whilst Adi turned to Depa with a smile.
I suppose that answers that question. Plo thinks as he smiles behind his mask.
Obi-Wan wasn't fighting his body. He was fighting the Force's suggestion to sleep.
"He doesn't look comfortable." Adi examined from her seat. "But, if we're to let him sleep, do we just leave him there?" The room sat in silence for a few moments. The Force swirled about them as if thinking of an answer.
The intense feeling of LET HIM SLEEP faded to a softer move him, give him comfort. The Jedi in the room relaxed just a bit at the allowance.
Mace shifted forward, but Plo rose to stop him.
The Kel Dor Master made his way to the snoozing copper-haired Master and nodded at Mace. The silent exchange ended with Mace rising and moving away from Obi-Wan.
It took some maneuvering, but Plo was able to situate Obi-Wan in his arms. He lowered his head in a bow at Yoda who nodded back. With the dismissal clear, Plo made his way out of the chambers and to his quarters.
Whether by the will of the Force or something else, he was not stopped on the way to his destination.
The door opened softly, and Plo made his way to the bed Obi-Wan had been using during his stay. As gently as he could (though, he knew Obi-Wan would not wake), he placed the tired Master on the bed with the covers over his body. He brushed a few wayward strands of hair from his forehead, then rose and left him to his rest.
Keep an eye out for the AU ending of this fic. It's called Goodbye To All My Darkness (There's Nothing Here But Light) or just the first half if there's title length restrictions. I can't remember.
