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[He could play around and pretend he doesn’t know what Ezra is talking about... but seeing how much effort the teenager put into starting the day on an amazing note, Qui-Gon abstains. Instead, his voice remains low, gentle (although that could be at least partially attributed to the early morning), and cheerful.]

I appreiciate the thought. Thank you.

[He leans back in his chair, nice and relaxed. As much as Qui-Gon doesn’t like the idea of someone catering to him, he also knows this is important to Ezra, so he’ll allow it. Just for his birthday.]

[Don't worry, Qui-Gon. He won't do anything too extravagant for this. A few simple gestures won't hurt, though. He pours a cup of tea for himself before he sits down, too. It's not his favorite, but sharing company is as important as the tea for a day like today. More important, even.]

You're welcome.

[He blows on his cup, content to wait for a bit before he can take a drink. There's no hurry, as far as he knows, and Qui-Gon deserves the chance to take a moment to just enjoy his drink.]

So, um. What are you going to do today?

I didn't have any specific plans, to be honest.

[Not that Qui-Gon is the kind of person to plan anything, much rather preferring the Force guiding his every movement. If he's needed somewhere, then that's where he'll be (even if that means 'out of the way'). If it is meant for him to do nothing in particular, then that's fine, too. He needs to balance his busy days with those of leisure, and what better to trust with discerning the best way to go about that than the very source of balance itself.]

[He takes a thoughtful sip of his tea--nearly perfect in how it was brewed. Nice job, Ezra.]

To be frank, it wasn't until arriving here that my birthday meant much at all. At least, not since I was thirteen.

[So a bajillion years ago.]

[Considering Ezra's history with birthdays, being able to celebrate someone else's, even in a small way, is a step of growth and healing for him. Maybe that's why the Force has prompted Qui-Gon to be available today.]

Well, if you wanted to do something, I could go with you. I dunno what you think is fun, though.

[Qui-Gon doesn't seem like someone who has fun all that much. He simply enjoys what life gives him.]

[That earns a deep, rumbling chuckle.]

Anything can be fun when amongst good company.

[Also, he can't tell Ezra about the less-than-savory fun activities he may have partaken in during his younger years. That's for when he's older. Much older.]

Usually, I spend the day working or perusing the market and speaking with the locals.

[He sips at his tea and raises his eyebrow at Ezra.]

Which, from what I've heard, you've been doing quite often, yourself.

[Oh come on, he's seventeen! That's plenty old enough for bad examples.

Ezra's absolutely not expecting to have the conversation so suddenly turned around to focus on him, though.]

Wh-What- I mean, so? We go to the market all the time.

[Smooth, totally smooth. He's not being called out at all.]

[Not old enough!]

[Ezra's stammering earns a healthy display of Qui-Gon leaning back in his chair as he sips at his tea again.]

That we do.

And there is a particular stall you enjoy visiting. Especially when I am not there.

[Ezra's ears go a little bit pink, betraying his feelings here.]

I do a lot of stuff without you. It's not like we're joined at the hip. Besides, how would you know where I go when you're not there?

[Flustered? You bet he is. But that doesn't mean he's not still going to try to throw Qui-Gon off the conversation he thinks is coming here!]

[You can try, Ezra, but it’s not going to work. Not with this old Jedi and his decades of experience in dealing with you teenagers.]

I have eyes and ears everywhere, young Padawan.

[Well, Ezra could keep being embarrassed here, or...]

Wait, you're spying on me?

[Or he could go on the offense and turn this back around on Qui-Gon.]

Don't you have anything better to do?

‘Spying’ on you? Absolutely not.

[Qui-Gon says as he delicately—one may say deliberately—swirls his tea.]

I just listen to what the locals deem it necessary to tell me.

[Ezra crosses his arms.]

So you're spying on me.

[Not a question this time. He's not fooled!]

Unless you're gonna say you've just been flirting with the stall owner too?

[...maybe he shouldn't have phrased it like that.]

[Qui-Gon raises his eyebrows and gives his tea another sip.]

I would say that the stall owner's interpretation of our interactions is not my responsibility.

[...Typical!]

[Ezra huffs. He's not buying it.]

Like that makes it any better.

Look, it's not... we're not... Nothing's happened. We're not doing anything. Just talking.

[Okay, that's met with a chuckle.]

Don't worry, Ezra. I believe you.

If I thought anything was happening between the both of you, this would be a much different conversation.

[Enjoy that wide-eyed Padawan look, Qui-Gon.]

...different in what way?

Ah. I see.

[Qui-Gon's shoulders hunch over conspiratorily, his elbows leaning against the table as he gently places his tea back down.]

There comes a time in every young man's life when he starts to develop very special feelings...

[Oh no. No no no. Ezra's memories from a life that never existed may have faded over the past several months, but some horrors can never truly be forgotten. He doesn't need to remember the details to know that he Does Not Want to hear the rest of this.]

On second thought, let's wait until that actually comes up. I forgot I had something to do, big thing, important, I think something's burning, let's do something for your birthday later!

[How fast can a Padawan move when he's motivated?

Pretty damn fast. There's nothing in his wake but a cloud of dust and very mortified pink daisies.]

[As fast (blazing!) as Ezra runs out of there, it won't be fast enough to escape the deep sound of Qui-Gon's laughter, rare as it is. Sure, he loved teaching and passing down his wealth of knowledge to the next generation, but it's moments like these that made him miss having a Padawan.]

[Regardless, he sips his tea and glances out the window to their backyard, savoring the start of a very happy birthday, indeed.]

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