#second candle

10) Harmony 

Qui-Gon awoke with a groan and a slightly aching back. It took him a moment to realize whys that was the fact, but then he remembered the previous evening that he had spent in company of his Padawan. They had played a few board games, a luxury they did not have often. Obi-Wan had won most of the time, even without Qui-Gon’s help in that direction.

Another groan escaped the older Jedi. He just wished that he had not fallen asleep on the ground, where they had played. His poor back, he was too old to sleep on the ground for long. It was already bad enough during missions, he didn’t need that unpleasantness at home as well.

Something shifted slightly on top of him and that something murmured incoherent things. Slowly, Qui-Gon blinked his eyes open, only to be greeted by the sight of his sleeping Padawan. At least one of them was comfortable.

The long haired Jedi Master was just contemplating if he should move and risk waking Obi-Wan, when the boy began to stir all on his own. Fondly watched the older Jedi as his charge cuddled closer to him, before opening his blue-green eyes with a huge yawn.

“Good morning, Obi-Wan,” he greeted the sleepy boy gently.

“Morning,” mumbled the Padawan, his voice heavy with accent.”Just five more minutes… please?” he asked.

“By all means, Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon chuckled and watched how the younger male actually closed his eyes again.

“I’ve just got one question, Master… why are you in my bed… not that I mind?” the last part was hastily added.

“I didn’t know that you made it a habit to sleep on the floor, sleepy Padawan of mine.”

“Floor?” Obi-Wan’s brows furrowed and he reopened his eyes once more, only to push himself up this time. His confusion soon turned to understanding. It was amusing to watch freckled cheeks redden in embarrassment.

The older male quickly changed the topic to spare his charge from further embarrassment. “If I remember correctly, then today is a special day…” Obi-Wan tilted his head in confusion. “I think it has something to do with lighting up two candles.”

A grin appeared on the boy’s features. He jumped up from his position on the floor and ran right into the kitchen, where a certain advent wreath was sitting on the table. One of the four red candles was smaller than the rest. And now that the second candle would be lit, it was a clear sign that Christmas was quickly approaching.

“Master?” sounded Obi-Wan’s voice from the kitchen. “Where have you put the matches?”

“Have you looked into the cupboard over the fridge?” Qui-Gon called right back.

The sound of a chair scraping on the floor could be heard, followed by someone rummaging through said cupboard. “Found them!”