darththalia (darththalia) wrote in tpm_flashback, @ 2004-10-01 07:53:00 |
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Original poster: darththalia
glasshouseslive is out of action, so she asked me to post this for her--and I'm happy to, because it's one of my favorite stories, too.
Title: Waiting Place
Author: Rachael Sabotini
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Q/O
Warnings:No warnings.
Author's lj id: wickedwords
email: rachael@mediafans.org
website: http://mediafans.org/rachael/
Link to story:
http://www.masterapprentice.org/arc
Reasons for recommending: OMG! What an angst-fest. This is a true classic, from the heady days of December, 1999. If you missed it the first time, you must run, not walk to the link above.
The characterization is wonderful. The story takes its own time being told, and switches from present to *two* past story lines, in order to unravel the emotional state that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon must overcome. At stake is Obi-Wan's mental and physical well being, their Master/Apprentice bond, and Obi's Knighthood. Not to mention their True Love.
Because the story is from '99, she explores themes that have almost become cliche in the fandom. Obi's need to belong; Qui angsting over their bond. But this is no wimpy!Obi or Groveling!Qui. When you read the story, it's as if those common TPM elements were being invented for the first time. After all, there's only so many TPM topics to write about. The really good writers make them fresh each time.
Quote from story:
Obi-Wan stared at him, at the way his long hair spilled around him unconfined, his black tunic wrapped lightly, so that the scars could be seen. Compassion and vulnerability were written in his eyes and in the pulse of the Force around him; it was a heady feeling, like a drug.
"I cannot promise not to hurt you," Obi-Wan said softly.
Qui-Gon responded in kind. "All I ask is that you be open with me."
"I will." The words held the weight of a vow, and Obi-Wan knew the time had come. He pulled out the picture he'd drawn and laid it on the table. "Last night, when I was meditating, I saw this." He ran his finger over the paper, tracing the outline of the bird with his index finger. "Somehow, I knew that this was one of the scars he'd drawn on you. I remember seeing it happen."
He looked over at Qui-Gon, needing to know. "It's gone now, isn't it? You had it removed."
"Yes." No arguments, no distractions, just a simple statement of fact. "I didn't want to be marked as his property."
He'd thought the words would hold enough power that he could let this go, but it was as if his own skin held the memory of what had happened. Obi-Wan needed more than to know with his mind that it was gone; he needed to see it, feel it, know deep inside himself that it was gone. "Would you -- take off your clothes and let me see where it was?"
There was no hesitation in Qui-Gon's movements as he stood, unknotting his belt and setting it aside, but Obi-Wan couldn't stand to see him looking vulnerable again. "Let me help," he said, offering this time, not needing to be asked.