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The hospital ward is quiet. A small window on the side displays a view of the glittering lights of Coronet City, painting the still-dark sky. It's still early in the morning, so the quiet brings no surprise. In any other situation, he might welcome it, but now it only serves as a reminder of this situation.
Obi-Wan glances at the hospital cot next to his armchair. Under a thin blanket lies his padawan, skin pale, eyes closed in sleep while his body fights off the lingering effects of an illness.
The diplomatic mission they were here for was successful, but it mattered not with Anakin terribly ill with a virus that could be deadly as it affects the blood vessels and drains the platelets. They have been here for eight days -- three of which Anakin spent in a more intensive unit which was proof enough of the 'deadly' aspect.
The memories of it are still near and fresh in Obi-Wan's mind, even though they are blurry at best.
The feeling of helplessness is what stands out the most. He couldn't do anything when Anakin's condition took a sharp turn for the worst. While Anakin's fever broke, his temperature continued to drop, leaving his padawan trembling and his skin clammy with cold sweat. Anakin could barely keep food or water down, his stomach rebelling hard against him. His skin was paper white, making the blood dripping from his nose a stark red.
What scared him the most was the lack of response on Anakin's part. He was only half-conscious on the cot, barely reacting as the nurses tried to stabilize him. Obi-Wan could barely keep up with their rapid strings of words, but the term "shock" was enough to send a chill down his spine.
The nurses worked fast, and soon he found himself following them as they wheeled Anakin's bed to intensive care. After that was another round of blurred movements. He remembers gently taking Anakin's hand in his own once things calmed down, his chest squeezing uncomfortably when he felt how limp and cold it was.
Anakin was hooked up to a heart monitor, and an oxygen mask was securely placed over his mouth and nose. A small flexible tube came out from his wrist -- for continuous monitoring of his blood pressure and blood sampling, according to one of the nurses -- and another monitor was clipped to his middle finger. Two IV tubes were inserted into the crook of his arm.
Anakin looked at him through glazed and half-lidded eyes, his presence radiating pain and discomfort in the Force. "Mas...ter..."
"I'm here, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, and he couldn't quite keep the sadness and concern from his face. "What is it?"
"Don't feel good, Mas'r." Anakin's voice quivered, tears started to stream down where they pooled on top of the breathing mask. "I wanna... go home..."
"Oh, Anakin..." He wiped the tears with his thumb, his heart breaking. "Hang in there, all right? I'm here. Rest now, my dear padawan." Obi-Wan continued to whisper soothing nothings into Anakin's ear until his padawan finally gave in to the calling of sleep. The next two days were spent like that -- Obi-Wan offering comfort when it all became too much for his ten-year-old padawan.
When Anakin was deemed stable by his healthcare providers on the third day, they let him out of the ICU and moved him to a private ward in the hospital.
That was two days ago. Though Anakin is out of immediate danger, he is still weak in energy. Obi-Wan is reassured that this is normal, even so, he can't help but worry -- especially after witnessing the pain and discomfort Anakin has gone through.
A fearful moan suddenly reaches his ears, cutting through the thick silence of the room and his thoughts.
It's a small, fragile sound, but it's more than enough to send Obi-Wan into a panic.
Obi-Wan's gaze is immediately set on Anakin's sleeping form. His ten-year-old padawan is still asleep, but instead of calm, Anakin's features are scrunched up in discomfort. The Force around him echoes his muffled distress. Obi-Wan's heart grows tight in his chest.
Another weak groan leaves Anakin's dry lips, his head shifting slightly. Obi-Wan leans forward and lowers the rails on the side of the bed. He moves his hand to rest on his padawan's head. Anakin starts to fuss under his palm, whimpering.
"Anakin," he whispers, smoothing out Anakin's brow with his thumb. "You're all right." He places his free hand on Anakin's bandaged wrist.
Anakin calms after that, and Obi-Wan sighs softly in relief, though the worry still lingers. He strokes Anakin's Force presence one last time, sending comfort and reassurance he hopes Anakin can feel even in slumber.
He hears steps coming nearer, along with it, a serene presence in the Force.
The medical curtain is drawn back a moment later. He straightens as Anakin's attending pediatrician steps into their part of the hospital ward.
"Ah, good morning, Master Jedi," Dr. Kreelia Trvana greets, a gentle smile gracing her face. She turns to draw the curtain back close, her long white coat swaying delicately as she moves. "How are you this morning?"
"I'm quite all right, thank you," Obi-Wan answers with a polite smile.
"I'm glad." The Twi'lek nod. She moves closer to the cot, taking a thermometer from her pocket. "Now, let's see about the little one. Did he voice any discomfort throughout the night? Any trouble sleeping?" she asks as she gently sticks the end of the thermometer into Anakin's ear.
"No, he slept through the night as far as I'm aware," Obi-Wan replies. "He had a nightmare a few minutes ago. Fortunately, it didn't wake him up."
"Oh, you poor thing," the doctor coos at the sleeping boy. The thermometer beeps, and Dr. Kreelia pulls it back. "His temperature has returned to normal," she announces.
Obi-Wan sighs in relief.
Dr. Kreelia continues with her assessment. She uncoils the stethoscope from around her neck, placing the two earpieces in her ears. Slowly, she rolls Anakin's pajama shirt up. The ten-year-old stirs at the movement, but she shushes him gently. Though when the stethoscope touches Anakin's chest, a small groan leaves his lips. His eyes squeeze shut before they blink open, revealing bleary blue eyes.
"Good morning, Anakin," Dr. Kreelia greets with a smile. "I'm sorry to have woken you." She proceeds to check Anakin's heartbeat and breathing.
Anakin hums in place of an answer. He closes and opens his eyes before scanning the room as if searching for something -- or rather someone. "Mas'r?" Anakin calls, his voice no louder than a scratchy whisper as if he hasn't spoken in days.
"He's right here, little one." The doctor points out where Obi-Wan sits slightly behind her near the cot's headboard.
"Hello, Padawan," Obi-Wan says, offering a soft smile of his own. He reaches over from his seat to caress his padawan's hair. Anakin immediately relaxes under the touch.
"Anakin, can you take a deep breath for me," Dr. Kreelia requests. Anakin does as he's told, earning an approving nod from the pediatrician. "Thank you, dear."
She pulls back her stethoscope after a few more seconds, placing it in its original position around her neck. "Everything sounds good. Now, since you're awake..." She pulls a penlight from her other pocket, then clicks it on, "Open up, little one."
Anakin opens his mouth, and she peers inside. She clicks the penlight off a moment later and continues on with a few more tests. She has a look of satisfaction once she's finished. "All right, we're finished. You've done very well, Anakin."
A weak smile forms on Anakin's lips at the small praise. "Thank you," he manages to say, his voice cracking slightly. The sight makes Obi-Wan's heart clench and soften at the same time.
"It's my pleasure," Dr. Kreelia says. "Now, tell me, how are you feeling today, Anakin? Any discomfort?"
Anakin shakes his head, making his blond hair even more rumpled. "No, just... tired..."
Dr. Kreelia offers a comforting smile. She pats Anakin's blanket-covered leg and says, "Then I'll leave you to get some more rest." She looks up to meet Obi-Wan's eyes. "He's recovering well -- certainly much faster than I thought. You have one strong child, Master Jedi. I'll have a nurse come in for a blood test after this. Should everything go smoothly, I believe I might let him go sometime tomorrow or the day after."
Obi-Wan dips his head. "Thank you, doctor."
The Twi'lek pediatrician excuses herself after that and exits through the blue medical curtain.
Obi-Wan turns his gaze at Anakin, eyes softening when he realizes the padawan is already looking at him.
Anakin grins tiredly. "Hi, Master."
"Hello to you too, dear one," the older Jedi chuckles. "Do you want anything, Anakin?"
"'m thirsty."
Obi-Wan hums. He reaches the small table beside him, grabbing Anakin's water canteen. He moves to sit by the bed to help Anakin sit up.
His padawan immediately lets himself lean on Obi-Wan's shoulder. The older Jedi frowns. "Dizzy?" he asks, circling his arm around Anakin's shoulder. In the past week, Anakin would get bad headaches, and even sitting up was a painful ordeal.
He feels Anakin shaking his head. "You're warm..." he mumbles sleepily.
A chuckle lets itself loose from Obi-Wan's mouth. He opens the cap from the canteen before handing it to Anakin. "Here, drink."
Anakin drinks slowly, and after a few sips, he returns the canteen to Obi-Wan.
"Do you want to lie back down now, dear one? Or would you rather sit up?" he asks after placing the canteen back on the side table.
"Mmm... sit up," Anakin mumbles.
"All right. Just a moment." Obi-Wan extends his free arm behind him to reach for the controls. He presses a button, and the head of the bed starts to rise. After changing the pillow's position, Obi-Wan carefully helps Anakin lean back.
"Comfortable?" he asks while he pulls the blanket to Anakin's chest.
Anakin nods as he burrows himself deeper into the soft sheet as if he wants it to swallow him in its warmth. "Thanks, Master."
Obi-Wan taps the boy's nose playfully. "Of course, little one."
The giggle he gets as a response -- as airy and weak as it is -- is a delightful sound to his ears.
Just then, the medical curtain shifts. The blue fabric parts to the side, and a nurse pushing a cart enters the room. She's wearing teal-colored scrubs underneath a vest filled with colorful doodles of characters from children's shows, her hair tied up in a tidy bun. A kind smile lifts the corners of her lips.
"Good morning! I'm here for the blood test," she says.
Obi-Wan nods. "Yes, of course."
"Hi," Anakin pipes up.
"My, such good manners," the nurse chuckles. "Hello, dear." She walks forward until she is beside Anakin's torso and continues the casual conversation as she prepares.
Something soft and warm suddenly touches his, sudden yet hesitant. Obi-Wan looks down to see Anakin's smaller fingers curled around his own. He doesn't hesitate to reciprocate the gesture, knowing that even though this isn't Anakin's first blood test, the whole process still has the ten-year-old on edge with nervousness. He makes sure to radiate warmth and calmness into their bond.
The test lasts only a couple of seconds. The nurse works swiftly -- taking Anakin's hand gently, wiping his middle finger with an antiseptic wipe before pricking it with a small needle.
Anakin winces when the needle punctures his skin, grasping Obi-Wan's hand.
Obi-Wan runs his thumb along Anakin's knuckles in response, and his eyes soften when he sees Anakin settles once more.
"All right. We're all done," the nurse declares. The older Jedi watches as the nurse transfers the blood sample into a datapad, reading the results on the screen. A smile lifts the corners of her lips. "His platelet count is still rising, Master Jedi. I have little doubt it will continue to do so."
Obi-Wan nods, relief blooming in his chest. "Thank you."
The nurse offers him a smile. "Bye, Anakin. Rest well."
Anakin gives her a wave in reply.
Obi-Wan turns his attention back to Anakin once the curtain closes. He smiles when he sees Anakin stifling a yawn, his eyes drooping as if losing a battle with gravity. Between the still early hours of the morning and all his energy focused on fighting off the virus, it's no wonder Anakin is exhausted.
Anakin yawns again.
Pushing away Anakin's hair from his forehead, he says, "Go back to sleep, Ani. I'll wake you when it's time for breakfast."
Anakin doesn't need to be told twice. He hums and sinks deeper into his pillow, closing his eyes.
Only when Anakin's breaths have evened out that Obi-Wan realizes Anakin is still holding his hand. He gives it one more affectionate squeeze before gently placing it under the blanket. With a kiss to Anakin's hair, he whispers, "Get better quickly, Padawan-mine."