Anakin was cold.

Of all the changes that had swept across his life in so short a time, the one he couldn't get over was that he was cold. Tatooine's heat, his mother's hug, her unconditional love, all had kept him warm. And now he didn't have any of that. And he was cold.

Master Qui-Gon had seemed kind, like he had actually cared about him, but Master Qui-Gon was dead. Master Obi-Wan was nice enough, Anakin supposed. He was better than most of the people he had known on Tatooine. But he didn't truly seem to care like Master Qui-Gon had, like his mother did.

Anakin didn't really understand it. He knew that Obi-Wan was only training him because he'd promised Master Qui-Gon he would. He hoped that he could do something to spark that warmth in his eyes he'd seen in his mother's, something to earn a hug or a "Well done," something to make Obi-Wan want him, care about him. But Obi-Wan was just going through the motions every day. And Anakin hated it.

He curled up on his bed under the covers, shivering slightly. It was the middle of the night, and still, he hadn't managed to go to sleep.

Maybe Obi-Wan was sleeping peacefully, not worrying about the child he had promised to care for.

"No!" echoed through the small apartment. Anakin bolted to his feet and flung himself across his bedroom and the living room into Obi-Wan's room.

Obi-Wan was lying in his bed, his blankets twisted around him. He was squeezing the blankets hard in his fists. He turned his head fitfully back and forth. "No, please. Don't leave me, Master." His next words came in a whisper. "I'm not ready."

Anakin's heart broke. Had this happened before? Did he sleep through it? He had forgotten Obi-Wan had known Master Qui-Gon much longer than he had. It had to hurt Obi-Wan to lose him really bad.

He straightened out the blankets and pulled them up to Obi-Wan's chin. He could see a tear tracking its way down Obi-Wan's face. He jumped back as Obi-Wan whispered again, "Please don't leave me."

Anakin climbed into Obi-Wan's bed and wrapped his arms around Obi-Wan. "It's okay," he said. "You've got me." Obi-Wan stirred under his hug. Anakin just tightened his grip. His mother said that the worst thing in this world was that no one helped each other. Well, Anakin was feeling awful and horrible, but Obi-Wan was so sad he was sad in his sleep, so Anakin was going to hug the sadness away until Obi-Wan could be happy again. That's what his mom would do, and Anakin wanted to be just like his mom when he grew up. "We can be sad together, Master Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan shifted and placed a hand on Anakin's head. Anakin tensed, waiting to be told to go back to bed.

Instead, Obi-Wan shuddered, and the room filled with the sound of sobs. "What am I going to do without him?" The question came out sad and broken.

Anakin shrugged. What was he going to do without his mother? This was the prime moment to press on Obi-Wan what he'd been wanting since he'd been declared his Padawan. "At least we've got each other."

Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around Anakin and sobbed. Anakin tried to radiate love and support for his new master. He didn't know if it was working, but soon, Obi-Wan fell silent and stilled, sleeping peacefully.

Anakin wanted to get back to his own bed, but he was trapped by Obi-Wan's hug. Oh, well. At least he'd gotten the hug he'd wanted. He snuggled up to Obi-Wan and fell asleep, barely noticing that he finally felt warm.