[It seems like appreciation and acknowledgement are all the rage on Ezra’s birthday, and Qui-Gon wouldn’t have it any other way. Sure, he was being honest when he said that he wouldn’t be offended if Ezra decided against wearing a bead that didn’t come from his master—it was the boy’s right, after all—but the way his face and the flowers curling around his feet practically glow says it all: he’s overjoyed with Ezra’s decision.]
[Ezra hesitates, wanting to say that he doesn't need help, because really, he's been braiding his Padawan braid for a year now, it's not that difficult, but...
But this is new territory. So he's a little unsure.]
[Qui-Gon chuckles. It's low and gentle, completely devoid of any condescending undertones.]
Yes and no.
[Such a 'Jedi' answer...]
It should be kept neat, but there isn't a particular style you need to adopt.
I used to have Obi-Wan thread his hair a number of times around a bead to ensure it stayed in place. My own Master would have me utilize small, matching colored bands for the same effect.
[Dooku had always preferred the practical to the sentimental.]
[If he's got leeway, then he's confident that he can make something work, and since this is a mark of the milestone of adulthood, it feels like he should do it himself.
But he doesn't want Qui-Gon to feel snubbed either, so he smiles again, bright and proud.]
Thank you, Master Jinn.
[A tug frees his hair from his braid, though he doesn't unravel it all the way. He just needs to work it into the end.]
I wish... [His smile fades into something wistful.] I wish Kanan could be here for this.
[The way Ezra wilts chips away at Qui-Gon’s heart, and he reaches out to place a large hand on the boy’s shoulder.]
I do, too.
[Ezra deserves to have his Master here with him, celebrating a momentous occasion not with explosive fanfare, but with the quiet warmth that only that unique connection can provide.]
Keep this memory in your heart, Ezra. I’m sure he’ll appreciate hearing about it when the time comes.
[There's no hesitation when Ezra nods at the suggestion, as though he'd already planned to remember this forever.]
If he ever comes here again, I'll share it with him.
[No doubt Kanan would ask about the bead anyway.
Still, for a moment, he lets himself just appreciate the warmth of Qui-Gon's hand on his shoulder. As much as he misses Kanan, misses all his family, it still means so much to him to have Qui-Gon here.]
So... That cake in the kitchen... Since I'm an adult now, am I allowed to spoil my dinner?
[The question draws a wry smile to Qui-Gon's face.]
[Ezra's stubborn enough to get what he wants when he wants it. That being said, he's also grown a healthy respect when it comes to listening to his elders.]
[In fact, he's grown a lot.]
[So even as the grip on Ezra's shoulder turns into a gentle pat to shoo him towards the kitchen, Qui-Gon's smile grows a little more... wistful. Ezra's no longer the young boy with a hot temper teetering precariously between the light and the dark, yet in so many ways he still is. There's still that youthful spark and excitement for the future, but it's steadied by a maturity that Qui-Gon can only take the smallest amount of credit for.]
[It isn't that he's done well, or even that Kanan has done well (even though he's had his own, much larger, part to play)... it's that Ezra has done well. And that's the realization that makes pride swell in Qui-Gon's chest.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-01-23 08:08 pm (UTC)Do you need help?
no subject
Date: 2019-02-04 11:40 pm (UTC)But this is new territory. So he's a little unsure.]
Is there a way I'm supposed to wear it?
no subject
Date: 2019-02-06 12:12 am (UTC)Yes and no.
[Such a 'Jedi' answer...]
It should be kept neat, but there isn't a particular style you need to adopt.
I used to have Obi-Wan thread his hair a number of times around a bead to ensure it stayed in place. My own Master would have me utilize small, matching colored bands for the same effect.
[Dooku had always preferred the practical to the sentimental.]
no subject
Date: 2019-02-11 01:11 am (UTC)[If he's got leeway, then he's confident that he can make something work, and since this is a mark of the milestone of adulthood, it feels like he should do it himself.
But he doesn't want Qui-Gon to feel snubbed either, so he smiles again, bright and proud.]
Thank you, Master Jinn.
[A tug frees his hair from his braid, though he doesn't unravel it all the way. He just needs to work it into the end.]
I wish... [His smile fades into something wistful.] I wish Kanan could be here for this.
no subject
Date: 2019-02-11 04:16 pm (UTC)I do, too.
[Ezra deserves to have his Master here with him, celebrating a momentous occasion not with explosive fanfare, but with the quiet warmth that only that unique connection can provide.]
Keep this memory in your heart, Ezra. I’m sure he’ll appreciate hearing about it when the time comes.
no subject
Date: 2019-02-14 11:22 pm (UTC)If he ever comes here again, I'll share it with him.
[No doubt Kanan would ask about the bead anyway.
Still, for a moment, he lets himself just appreciate the warmth of Qui-Gon's hand on his shoulder. As much as he misses Kanan, misses all his family, it still means so much to him to have Qui-Gon here.]
So... That cake in the kitchen... Since I'm an adult now, am I allowed to spoil my dinner?
no subject
Date: 2019-02-16 07:38 pm (UTC)[Ezra's stubborn enough to get what he wants when he wants it. That being said, he's also grown a healthy respect when it comes to listening to his elders.]
[In fact, he's grown a lot.]
[So even as the grip on Ezra's shoulder turns into a gentle pat to shoo him towards the kitchen, Qui-Gon's smile grows a little more... wistful. Ezra's no longer the young boy with a hot temper teetering precariously between the light and the dark, yet in so many ways he still is. There's still that youthful spark and excitement for the future, but it's steadied by a maturity that Qui-Gon can only take the smallest amount of credit for.]
[It isn't that he's done well, or even that Kanan has done well (even though he's had his own, much larger, part to play)... it's that Ezra has done well. And that's the realization that makes pride swell in Qui-Gon's chest.]
As if I could stop you.