#anakin: i am your FATHER and you will ADDRESS ME AS SUCH

[antianakin]

If Anakin tries to somehow convince Leia that he is her father post-ROTJ, I would like Leia to start citing Alderaani sperm donor law at him that states he is explicitly not her father.

[queenie-official]

Chapter Two: ‘From Kingdom To Kingdom’ Bridgerton Au!Anakin

part 1

a/n: this one might be a little long 😀 but if we like the length let me know, anyway the palace/castle on the left is the kingdom of Tatooine and the castle on the right is Alderaan at least that’s how i picture it, thought y’all might want a visual 🫶🏼

a warm breeze swirled through the room, the faint smell of floral from the spring air providing a calming effect as you looked over the papers on your desk. for as long as you’d been doing so you truly didn’t have much to show for it. your mind to busy wandering back to the conversation with Barclay in the dinning room earlier.

that was when you heard it. two servants gossiping in the hallway clearly not knowing you where in your fathers study- well technically your study. “i heard there having a meeting right now” one of the servants said, piquing your interest. who where they talking about… “i don’t think her majesty even knows” oh no.

you where quick to stand up, the chair scratching against the floor alerting the two on the other side of the cracked door. making haste you push open the door making direct eye contact with two maids. “what do you know that i don’t?”

the sound of your heels clicking against the castle ground rung in your ears as it bounced off the walls. you could see the looks of confusion on the face of each guard and servant you passed but you paid no mind, continuing to speed down the halls. as soon as you approached the door to the meeting room you could hear voices, your stomach sank as you realized what the maids had told you was true.

a wave of anger flashed through you, giving you the confidence to slam open the two doors that separated you from the problem. “what’s going on here?” you demand whilst looking over each member of the royal council who sat at the table in front of you. once you found Barclay more anger ran through you and before you knew it you where marching down over to him. “what part of tell no one yet did you not understand Barclay.” you watch as he swallows nervously, before he answers but what he had to say was not at all what you’d expected nor was it what you asked.

“we’ve found you a suitor” he says cutting straight to the chase. “excuse me?” you say in absolute shock and confusion, it hadn’t even been more then 4 hours since you’d last spoken. he continued to say nothing unsure how to go on. “we were supposed to discuss this more later!” you can’t help but shout, feeling as if you wouldn’t be heard else wise. “i just figured i would help make your job easier-“ he begins but you quickly interject, “that is not your decision to make.” unbelievable this cannot be happening right now, just how far along had they gotten in this meeting before you arrived.

“i mean no disrespect your majesty-“ you scoff “i hear you say that more and more, yet i am increasingly failing to find truth in the statement” turning quick on your heel and moving to the head of the table where your seat is you attempt to address them all head on.

“you must at least see that i have the kingdoms best interests in mind” Barclay tries to reason his actions but you’re quick to shoot him down. “oh and i don’t? Barclay you repeatedly undermine my authority, i have half a mind to have you removed” you say with your voice still raised as you look him in the eye. to your surprise he doesn’t back down, the contrary actually. A firm look on his face as he puffs his chest up slightly “Need i remind you as of right now you do not have the authority.” you feel your face flush slightly at his reminder but your quick to push it down. taking a deep breath you clench your fist to redirect your embarrassment back to anger. “but i will and then what” you counter.

“your majesty, this is the best shot you’ll get. another opportunity will not fall so easily into your lap” the Lord high Chancellor pipes up, pulling your attention to him and away from Barclay. “what are you talking about?”

“we found the perfect kingdom that could be pressured into silence” The chancellor speaks again rather smugly.

“explain yourself Chancellor Valorum” you command. “well we need this whole ordeal to be kept secret do we not?” you resist the urge to roll your eyes at him “get to the point” you say curtly. the chancellor doesn’t seem effected by your attitude and continues like you hadn’t said anything to begin with. “im sure you’ve heard of the kingdom of Tatooine.”

you raise a brow “that kingdom? isnt it high in crime and poverty?” you had meant it to be a statement but both responses came off more as questions once they left your mouth. “yes- well i’m sure you can see where i’m going with this now” he gives a you a crooked smile.

“this is wrong” you state plainly not liking the way this was going at all. it wasn’t about the kingdom of tatooine and its many negative attributes, it was the fact the only reason the council wanted to try this with that kingdom was because they thought it insignificant enough to squash if needed. it was a disgusting way of thinking that you did not want you or Alderaan associated with.

“think of it as you helping a falling kingdom. you marry one of the sons for your kingdom to be happy and in turn they get our aid. their people can eat and the crime rate will go down in due time it’s a win, win” The more the Chancellor explained the worst the idea was in your mind. “it’s manipulative” you say with disgust, the entire council was corrupt if they thought this a good idea. you looked around the room again scanning their faces hoping for someone to agree with you, not one person- are these the people who are to aid you while you lead. you felt sick.

“have you any better ideas?” you wanted to scream how could he say that with a straight face. how did your father put up with these people, he was a good man and if something like this was suggested to him it would of been shut down immediately. “unlike you guys i’m smart enough to know this is not the way to do this. the idea of it makes my stomach twist! We are to drop this whole thing, it is not right and i will not tarnish the reputation of our kingdom”

“well… about that” Barclay began and you felt your heart drop. “what did you do?” you ask silently praying to anyone who would listen that whatever it was could be undone. “well me and the rest of the council here” he gestured around to the people around you both with his hand “decided it in your best interest to proceed without your approval. a letter has already been sent.” a deadly silence filled the air as you stared at them all, your mouth opening and closing unsure what to say.

not only had they gone behind your back to discuss such a matter but the proceeded without a care in the world as if nothing would happen if any of this got out and you wouldn’t be the one the people blamed. you where the head, the leader, the future queen. everything wrong is pointed to you and this would be no exception. even if they did find out the royal council did this the first conclusion they’d draw would be you being incompetent enough to let this happen without your knowledge. or that it was your fault for the councils corruption since nothing like this had happened before. “you what..” you finally spoke, hoping you heard Barclay wrong.

Chancellor Valorum piped up once more “your majesty you may concern yourself with your own personal worries but we on the other hand must place are worries with that of the people” you wanted to punch him, was he so deluded that he truly thought he was doing good with this. and to act like you don’t care for your people…it hurt, how could you be a good queen when you aren’t even being given the chance. you take a deep breath glaring at Valorum as you respond “so you go behind my back and practically blackmail a kingdom into handing over a prince for me to marry?” you try putting it into the same perspective the people will. “it’s a scandal” you add, pressing further into how bad their decision was.

“it’s only a scandal if people know, and those who do are not in the position to speak up” he quips, the way he can claim he cares for the people and then treat something like this as some kind of joke- i mean this whole situation was practically treason.

“this is so irresponsible, and wrong. honestly do any of you even have half a brain and are you sure what’s there is working properly” that statement seemed to irk them, good. what they’d done was stupid.

“it’s not about what’s right, it’s about what’s good for the people. And as the future Queen you have better start thinking in such a way or consequences are to come” oh so that’s how this was going to be, in that moment you swore as soon as your coronation happened you would call for the removal of the council members and replace them all. “you think i do not care for my people? you play a dangerous game Valorum. all of you do.” you say and make eye contact with each man seated at the table letting the hidden threat hang thickly in the air.

“your majesty” Barclay speaks up clearly wanting to defend himself for his actions. “Barclay this is low even for you” you say sternly.

“enough of this, what’s done is done” Chancellor Valorum says ending the whole argument. you stand up in an instant and storm out of the room, the weight of what just happened pulling you down the further you got.

you paced the entirety of your room, having just finished ranting to Eleanora about what just happened. she was one of your most trusted ladies-in-waiting which is why she stayed at the castle with you and aided in your daily routine. “i can’t believe they actually did this, i feel nauseous” you began again.

“should i get you some water your majesty?” Eleanora offered trying her best to help and offer you comfort. “no, no that’s alright. i don’t think i could drink or eat anything in all honesty” you say while taking a seat on the chair in front of your vanity, feeling dizzy.

“understandable, but your majesty you didn’t have breakfast i’m beginning to worry” you look up at the poor girl, she was right you needed to eat something maybe it would help. But truthfully the idea of eating anything felt repulsive at the moment, and you where sure anything you forced down would come right back up. she seemed to take your silence as an answer. “why not try to think about the positives from this.” she tried.

positives, where there even any positives? if everything went through you would be marrying a man you didn’t know. and then there was what got him to marry you- the letter what did they even write in that letter.

“god only knows what the letter contained…”you voice your thoughts aloud to Eleanora not wanting to keep her in silence. “and they had to of stamped it with the royal seal- oh i’m going to be sick” you place your head in your palms letting out a groan. “deep breaths” she says and gently rubs your back in a soothing motion. “this is so bad and the more i think about it i can only find it to be even worse.”

“it’ll be okay your majesty” she doesn’t sound to sure of herself as she says that though, so the reassurance falls flat. “that’s the thing it won’t be okay, not really anyway.” you groan again, dragging your hands down your face as you look up staring at yourself in the mirror. you looked a mess, the stress of the day clearly having got to you. ‘i need to speak with someone whos not afraid to speak there mind to me’ you think to yourself turning to look behind you at Eleanora. “can you send for Lady Padme?”

“yes of course your majesty”

as soon as Padme entered the tea room you quickly stood to greet her. Now Padme was your most trusted Lady-in-waiting overall, you both grew up together. she didn’t stay at the castle with you simply because she asked. she would rather be in her own manner with her husband and children, and you saw no problem in giving her what she wanted.

Padme’s smile warmed you and she quickly pulled you into a hug once you made it over to her. “is everything alright? you never send for me with such short notice unless it’s an emergency” she asks quickly, pulling away as she looks into your eyes searching for an answer. “it’s horrible Padme, i dont even know where to begin.” you sigh heavily, walking over to the tea table and taking your seat. Padme joins you sitting next to you rather then across. “what’s happened?” she asks as two servants pour you both a cup of tea before leaving the room to give you privacy.

“the entire royal council has gone behind my back” you begin, causing her brows to knit together in concern. the more you explain the more annoyed and disgusted she grows along with you. Padme was always politically head strong even though it was highly encouraged for most Ladies-in-waiting to stay out of politics. that’s one of the things you liked about her and one of the reasons you knew she’d be the best person to talk to about this.

“that’s horrible” she said as you finished telling her about everything that had happened so far that day, from the horrible conversation with Barclay first thing in the morning to you storming out of the council meeting room.

“i know, and i haven’t a clue what to do about it” you say frustratedly, neither one of you had touched your tea cups. the tea probably cold now but your throat felt impossibly dry so you forced yourself to take a sip as you waited for Padme to voice her opinion. “as much as i hate to say it Chancellor Valorum is right about one thing. what’s done is done” you practically choke on the tea you where sipping, which shockingly was still partially warm.

“so what i’m supposed to just sit here and let it all play out?” you ask her shocked that she of all People would suggest such a thing, it just wasn’t like her. “unfortunately, i think our best bet in all honesty is to hope the plans go through” she adds only furthering your confusion. “what?” you ask needing her to elaborate more and confirm what you where hearing. “as much as it is disgusting what’s been done, and i’m never one for doing what’s easy over what’s right but the worst outcome in this case would be Tatooine’s rulers declining.” you where speechless, having half expected Padme to suggest you hunt down the mail carrier and stop the letter from reaching the other kingdom before she ever agree with what Chancellor Valorum said. “i don’t understand.” was all you could say.

“the alternative of them declining means they’d lose more then if one of the princes married you. Alderaan is Well off y/n.” she says as if you should get what she’s saying already before continuing. “having an alliance to support them in need is one thing but an alliance built on marriage secures them even in the future. it’d be silly of them to decline” she finally finishes.

“that doesn’t make it okay” you counter, looking at her in disbelief. it’s not like what she said was crazy but more the fact that it was her that was saying it and not anyone else. “you’re right it doesn’t. but we’ll get nothing out of worrying over something we cannot change” she says and although what she’s saying is technically true you can’t shake that pit of a feeling in your stomach.

“i can’t help but think about it, it’s going to haunt me.” you say with a sigh, turning away from her as you continue “a decision that wasn’t even mine.” your eyes focus on the mostly full tea cup in front of you.

“we can worry more once we cross that bridge. but for now we have to wait it out” Padme says to you and she gently places her hand on your shoulder, pulling your attention away from the tea back to her face.

this wasn’t the outcome you where expecting from this conversation but Padme was correct and unfortunately so was Valorum there was not much else to say or do for that matter.

you tried to relax and enjoy the rest of your tea with Padme, not ready to face any more responsibilities for the day.

it had been days and your anxiety only worsened. pacing the length of your fathers old study as you tried to focus on the work you needed to get done, rereading the same pages of documents you had for the last hour. it was becoming increasingly difficult for you to get anything done.

"your majesty" Barclay barged into the study startling you enough to drop the papers in your hands. he looked apologetic and was about to speak when you cut him off. "I'm truly not in the mood to speak with you Barclay" you say still very rightfully mad at him for what he'd done. you reach down to pick up the papers you'd dropped when Barclay spoke again causing you to freeze.

"it's about the kingdom of Tatooine" he said quickly, hoping you would pay attention to what he had to say. you snapped up straight looking over his face trying to gauge wether he was being truthful or not.

"what" you ask but it was definitely more of a command for him to tell you what he knew.

"they've responded, their in agreement" he said quickly, lifting his arm up to show a a few letters in his hand. “you are to marry the second son Prince Anakin.” he finished and all you could do was stare blankly at him, frozen in place. this was really happening.

part 3

guys remember when i said Anakin would be introduced in this chapter 😀 SORRY LMAAOO, but hey at least we got padmé😋 i promise he will definitely be in the third chapter tho 💪 cuz i’ve set it up to lead into that- anyway that being said when he is introduced would you guys like if i did bonus chapters of his point of view? like this would be in the future of course but i want to know now so i could at the very least write them now and post em later 😗 so let me know huns 💋💋 hope you enjoyed Xx<3

tag list: @luvvfromme

[palfriendpatine66]

WIP Wednesday - Nanny Au

Read under the cut for a snippet from the barely started Nanny Au,(second place in last week’s lesser known wips poll) as I continue to try to get back into the writing groove and eventually return to my active wips awaiting updates

“So I’m wondering if you and your husband could let me know more about what you’re looking for out of—”

“Ex-husband,” Padmé interrupted with a light smile to show there were no hard feelings. “Recently divorced.”

“Oh,” Obi-Wan outwardly cringed at his faux paux. “I’m so sorry-”

“Yeah me too,” Anakin muttered darkly.

“Ani!”

“Well I am,” Anakin shrugged and flashed a not very apologetic smile. “Things would be a lot easier if —you know what? Never mind,” he wisely cut himself off as brown eyes flashed a hard warning his way.

“Scheduling can be delicate,” Padmé offered diplomatically as she addressed Obi-Wan once more. “We both work demanding jobs with long hours.”

“Of course,” Obi-Wan agreed quickly, just as Anakin scowled and was about to interject once more. “What might that schedule look like, in terms of the position?”

Padmé clearly appreciated the redirection to the task at hand. “You will have weekends off: I will have the children from Friday to Monday mornings.”

“My hours are erratic,” Anakin added. “My commitments vary, and I do a lot of work remotely.”

“But we,” Padmé began, and it was very clear that in this instance we referred to herself only, “think it best to maintain a consistent routine regardless. We ask that you establish a consistent Monday-Thursday schedule, and keep a routine with the children whether Anakin is home or not.”

“I am not going to ignore my kids,” Anakin insisted as though defending against an accusation, leaning forward in his chair to glare at Obi-Wan while he gripped the table.

“Of course not,” Obi-Wan soothed. “Routines are important. They provide a sense of stability.” He could hardly argue otherwise, creature of habit that he was.

“Exactly,” Padmé approved. But not everyone felt the same.

“Do you think my children don’t feel safe?” The arctic tone emanating from the stone faced father sent a shiver down Obi-WAN’s spine. “You think they’re insecure because apparently wanting stability isn’t a good enough reason to stay married—"

“No, of course—”

“Anakin, this is hardly the time,” Padmé chastised firmly.

“No, actually, this is exactly the time. If he’s going to spend as much time with my children as me, their father, it seems pretty important to understand his view on this one. Wouldn’t you say?”

Obi-Wan cleared his throat before they traded any further remarks, two pairs of glinting daggers turning to meet his own steady gaze. “What I meant was that having a consistent daily routine with predictable caregivers is important at this stage in their development. If they know what to expect they can spend their energy deciphering other patterns and exploring the world around them,” he easily called to mind a conclusion from one of the texts he’d spent reading and rereading as he transformed it from a dry conglomeration of research into something more engaging. “Learning,” he clarified, ignoring Anakin’s lip as it curled into a sneer and offering the middle ground between both parents his most charming smile.

The father’s face smoothed out once more, and the mother beamed. “Fantastic. Let’s talk logistics,” Padmé continued on with unshakable determination.

[mydarllinglover]

Stars Collided || Twenty

Previous

Lovisa, dressed in a new and clean pale pink dress, with a skirt that was puffy, but still kept her frame visible, it had no sleeves, and so she had paired it with a pair of matching gloves. She wore her hair in a half up, half down, braided bun, style, with two small braids flowing down it, leaving the rest of her curls to air dry, a tiara sat on top of her hair, for the first time in a week.

"I'll make sure to speak to Obi-Wan, soon enough, Snips" Lovisa told Ahsoka, as she stared into her mirror, running her hands down her dress.

"Lovey, there is no need to, I will stay here, as your handmaiden, and then we do not have to be separated from one another."

"Nonsense, you are to be a Jedi, you have the gift, there is no use of it here, or at least, untrained." She took her friends hands in hers. "Ahsoka, you have so much potential, and I believe in you, I will miss you terribly, but knowing what I know about you, and holding you back from it, I would hate myself, and I care more about you and what you can offer the universe, than what you can offer my image."

"Lovey." Ahsoka groaned, wrapping her arms around the Princess's neck, hugging her tightly, and Lovisa followed suit, hugging the girl back, tightly.

Eventually, Lovisa and Ahsoka had made it down to the lunch room, with Threepio walking alongside them both, where everyone had been waiting for her, including Obi-Wan, and Anakin.

"Lovisa, are you done throwing your tantrum?" Her mother asked, linking her fingers together, and resting her chin on them. “There are also to be no dogs, in the dining room.”

"Jobal, my love." Ruwee sighed.

Lovisa didn't reply, as she headed towards her seat, choosing the one next to Anakin.

He got up quickly, to pull it out for her, just as Colo had stepped forward.

But Anakin had been quicker, with a little help from the force, due to only having one arm, but he made sure to look smugly, at the Palace guard, as he pushed her chair back in.

"Thank you, Ani." Lovisa smiled kindly, at the boy, as he sat back down, Threepio had decided to lay down, underneath his owners chair, taking a nap, during their meal.

"Well, it is divine, to have our family united, again, and with two special guests, who helped save my daughter." Ruwee raised his glass, at the two Jedi, and Lovisa's brows had deepened.

"Thank you, your highness, but I fear I could not take any credit, on that, as it was the Princess, who fought bravely, in the arena, and took a stand, during the battle, for she had bested us all, with her skill, and even helped Miss Tano, from danger."

"Ahsoka, is this true?" Jobal faced the handmaiden, that was stationed to the wall, with the two others, waiting to be needed.

"It is, your majesty, if it weren't for Lovisa, I fear I would have been turned into beast chow." Ahsoka bowed her head, taking a step back, after addressing the queen.

"That is wonderful news, Lovey!" Ruwee applauded.

"That was very brave of you, my darling, and I am proud of you, I hope you know that." Jobal told her, earnestly. 

Lovisa ignored both her parents, choosing to look away, her arms folded over her chest.

"Master Kenobi, I was hoping to speak to you about a matter of importance, when you have a moment." Lovisa turned to the man.

"Uhm... of course, your highness, perhaps after lunch?" He offered.

"Yes, that will work."

"What's this about, Lovey?" Ruwee asked.

"Hm? Oh, nothing, don't you worry about it, maybe I'll let it slip in the future, but for now, I'd rather keep it from you." She took a sip from her glass.

"Lovisa, you are acting ridiculously childish, there was no ill intention, when we kept Padme and Senator Clovis's blossoming relationship, from you. You're dramatic, you get it from your father, but, being queen won't be awful, I do it, and you don't see me complaining, you will do a wonderful job."

"Except for the small fact, that my parents and sister lied to me! I am not dramatic, and I don't want to be queen!"

"Honey, we're not going anywhere, you won't be queen for a long time, and by then, you may be married, and have your own family, you'll grow mature, and things will change."

"Eurgh, poke my eye out with a fork." Lovisa rolled her eyes, taking another sip from her glass. "Padme, where is your drab of a fiancé?"

"If you must know, he's gone back home, to tell his own family the good news." Padme tried to keep her positive attitude, in front of the guests, instead of snapping at her younger sister, like she wished to.

"What, that they're finally becoming relevant." Lovisa scoffed.

"That's enough." Jobal told her.

"Finally, the food." Ruwee clapped his hands together, as the kitchen staff walked around the table, loading up their plates.

Anakin held his knife in his hand, attempting to cut up his food, with just the one utensil, but had ran into some trouble, though he tried to do it without anyone seeing or noticing.

But of course, Lovisa did.

"Here, let me." She said, in a soft voice, compared to how she had been speaking to her family, since she'd seen them.

"Thank you, Princess." He smiled, as she began to cut up his food.

She smiled back at him, and just the sight of him, seemed to calm down her terrible mood, as she refused to break contact with his eyes, the eyes she could get lost in, for all eternity.

When she had stabbed a piece of steak, he tilted his head, as she fed him, never once looking away from each other.

"The boy can feed himself." Ruwee told his daughter, breaking their silence.

Lovisa dropped her fork, and they both looked away from each other.

The door opened and one of the messengers stormed in.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your lunch, your majesty's." He bowed. "But I was told to bring this to you, as soon as it came."

"Oh, good, bring them here." Jobal, gestured for him to come over, with a hand full of envelopes.

"Whats that, Mother?" Padme asked.

"Just some RSVP's that have been returned, seems it'll be quite the turnout." Jobal said, giddily.

"You're throwing a ball, Jo..." Ruwee asked. "This isn't exactly a time to be throwing a ball, we're in the beginning of a war."

"It's not for a ball, that'll be in a few months, when we announce Lovey as the next heir-"

"Hold on, what?" Lovisa looked back up.

"I'll talk about it, later, when a certain someone, isn't around" She nodded at the obvious.

"I'll figure it out, soon enough." Lovisa raised a brow, poking her food.

After the terrible lunch had finally come to an end, Lovisa had asked Obi-Wan to accompany her on a walk, around the palace gardens.

"What was it that you wanted to discuss, Princess?" Obi-Wan asked, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Well, Master Kenobi, during my "travels" I made a discovery, and I would like to remind you, that one day, I will be your queen, so please keep that in mind, for what I'm about to ask you."

"Will do" He chuckled.

"Uhm... So, I know, typically the Jedi do not recruit anyone over the age of four, in most cases, obviously, Anakin Skywalker was a very different situation. But I have reason to believe that my handmaiden, Ahsoka Tano is strong with the force, and Ani-Anakin supported my claims."

"Hmm, that is curious." He stroked his beard.

"Yes. And I strongly encourage that you take her on, to join the Jedi, or at the very least, train her in the ways, she has all the potential, and I would hate to see it go to waste."

"You care a lot about, Lady Tano, Don't you?"

"I do, Master Kenobi, she's the longest friend I’ve had, and I feel the guilt of her being my handmaiden, a lot, so please."

"I will do what I can, to persuade the council, I promise, your highness" Obi-Wan nodded to her. "Even though you disagree, so openly, I know in time, you will make a wonderful Queen, and leader, I sense it, in the force."

"Just like Anakin is supposed to bring balance to the force." Lovisa joked, side eying him.

"That's what the prophecy says." He sighed, sounding as though he didn't believe it, all too much.

Next

[rose-sophia-isabella-rogers]

Written in the Stars: Chapter V - You and Him

Chapter Summary: You and Anakin try to make your relationship work. You find a way to be closer to him and you're both the happiest you ever have been. But all good things come to an end. You're separated again. And then, you're kidnapped once again. Will Anakin find you in time? And how will that change your relationship?

Pairing: Anakin Skywalker/Reader

Characters: Anakin Skywalker, Reader, C-3PO, Padmé Amidala, Ahsoka Tano, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Mace Windu, Fives, Rex, Jesse, R2-D2

Word Count: 9219

A/N: Inspired by prompt: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389090692116/ This chapter contains smut. If you don't like this or are underage, you can skip this scene. It starts with: "You take his hand and start walking backwards." and ends with: "When he's done, he falls on you, both of you breathing heavily.". The gif is not mine. Enjoy!

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added or removed):

@intothesoul

@mizelophsun11

@pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy

@zeeader

@marrymonrich

@wonderland2425

@chelseyyouraverageluigi

@thehufflepuffavenger1

@drinix

@astro-kitty-launch

@nikiloveshayden

Anakin leaves the Jedi Temple with relief. He's been waiting forever for the meeting to end. But now he can fulfill your request. And you've asked him to go to an address you've sent him. A person in the apartment is to fill him in. He's intrigued by this request. He hopes it's nothing serious.

The address turns out to be an apartment on a luxurious street. He gets inside the building without a problem and hurries through the corridor. He's almost at the proper door when he sees two familiar faces that cause him to stop dead in his tracks with wide eyes – Lanash and you.

'Fancy meeting you here, General Skywalker,' your maid says with a teasing smile. He barely registers it, though, focused completely on your eyes shining with happiness.

'I could say the same,' he says and chuckles. 'That… is quite a surprise.'

'Good, that was the plan,' you laugh. You can't take your eyes from him either. Lanash rolls hers.

'How about we take it inside?' she suggests and ushers you two into a very grand suite. 'I'll be back later with something to eat for you two.'

The moment she closes the door, Anakin cups your face and kisses you like a starved man. You gasp and quickly respond with the same passion.

'I missed you,' he murmurs and joins your lips again. 'So much.'

'Me too,' you whisper and tangle your hands in his hair. He groans and pulls you closer to himself. Only after a few minutes you pull away for breath.

'You have no idea how happy I am that you're here,' he says, caressing your cheek, and you grin. 'But… why are you here?'

'Senator Berugha has stepped down from his position,' you explain, your good mood disappearing. Skywalker frowns.

'I heard some rumors but I thought they are just that,' he says. You shake your head and lead him to sit on the couch.

'Unfortunately, they're not,' you deny and look to the side, falling silent for a moment. 'His wife is ill. The doctors fear the worst.'

'I'm so sorry,' the Jedi says, stunned. You nod.

'He wants to be by her side until she gets better or… until the end,' you go on. 'He has resigned from his position officially. But my father hasn't accepted it yet.'

'Why not?' Anakin asks.

'Oh, you know,' you say with fake nonchalance. 'He has just so many documents to sign, it simply has to wait. And since he has a tremendous number of free days to take, he's on vacation now. But that means we don't have a representative in the Senate. We can't pick one until my father actually signs the note.'

'Why is he doing that?' Skywalker asks, confused.

'Because my father is an optimist. He believes Lady Berugha will get better. And her husband is the best senator we've had in many years. Picking another one will also take some time. And there's no guarantee he won't get quickly corrupted.'

'But now you have no one in the Senate, like you said.'

'That's why I'm here. According to our laws, until the senator returns from his vacation or a temporary one is appointed in his stead, a member of the royal family can take his place in the Senate, representing our planet and business there.'

Anakin stares at you, stunned. You beam at him.

'But… but you hate the Senate,' he reminds you. You sigh.

'Trust me, I'm not happy I'll have to deal with it,' you say and groan. 'I imagine a lot of headaches in my future. And yes, my family was surprised as well when I volunteered for it. Judging by my father's face when he was telling us about his idea, he was ready to beg me to agree to take on this role.'

'You volunteered?' Skywalker asks, his eyes wide. 'But why?'

You smile and cup his cheek. He leans into your touch.

'Because you're on Coruscant more often than on Luth,' you answer and he freezes. 'That's the real reason. I told my parents that I agree with father's opinion about Senator Berugha and I'll somehow manage to navigate the senators and the Chancellor, just so he could come back.'

'I love you,' Anakin says and leans in for another kiss. You giggle and quickly respond.

'Does that mean that I can come here anytime when I'm free and want to see you?' he asks, grinning.

'Well, unless I'm in the Senate,' you answer and think. 'But you are allowed to barge in and demand my presence, saying there's an emergency. I'll gladly be rescued from these meetings.'

He laughs and shakes his head. He pulls you in for another kiss.

'You have no idea how happy this makes me,' he says. You grin.

'Yeah?' you ask and he nods. 'I had some second thoughts on this. I mean, it's going to be harder to hide our relationship here. And… I wasn't sure if you'd like that I did that. Without consulting you first. But I just wanted to surprise you so much…'

'I love it,' he assures you and silences more of doubts with yet another kiss. When Lanash comes in half an hour later, she finds you cuddling on the couch. You move away at once, tense. She shakes her head.

'You're lucky I'm on your side,' she says. 'You don't hear anyone approaching you. I'm going to be your lookout along with C-3PO and R2-D2.'

'Artoo is on it, too?' you ask, surprised.

'Not yet, but while Threepio promised not to tell anyone, I'm sure he won't be able to be quiet to his best friend,' your maid explains, shrugging. 'But it's fine. He's been shipping you two as well.'

'Shipping…' you start, stunned.

'… us?' Anakin asks, equally stunned.

'If you ask me, I'm sure the Clones are shipping you, too,' Lanash says and winks at you. 'All right, enjoy your meal. I'll warn you if someone comes.'

She turns on her heel and walks away, humming. You and Skywalker look at each other and burst out laughing.

'Sometimes I wonder if she's truly your maid,' he says, shaking your head. 'She's terribly cheeky.'

'Oh, she's a wonderful maid, I wouldn't trade her for a world. 'But yes, she is. That's why we're so close. We've been together since we were kids.'

'She was already your maid, then?' he asks, frowning. You shake your head.

'Her mother was my governess,' you explain. 'Lanash was coming with her, as her father is dead and… neither grandparent approved of that marriage. She was too little to stay at home alone and my parents had no issue with her studying with me.'

'Your parents are really amazing people,' he says quietly. You smile and squeeze his hand.

'Your mother is wonderful as well,' you say and hesitate. 'I was thinking… If you ever want her to come here and visit… just let me know. I'll arrange it.'

In response, Anakin takes your lips with his. You melt into the kiss.

'Mistress Padmé!' C-3PO's voice startles you both. 'What a nice surprise!'

You and Skywalker quickly move to the opposite sides of the couch. You try to make yourself look presentable, as you hear Amidala's voice getting closer.

The door opens slowly to reveal C-3PO. Seeing you two are not going to compromise yourself, he opens it wider and allows smiling senator from Naboo to come in. Her face quickly turns to the look of surprise once she notices who's with you.

'Anakin- I mean, General Skywalker, I didn't expect to meet you here,' she says and forces a smile again. It puzzles you but you smile yourself.

'Looks like news travel fast,' you chuckle. 'I see you also heard about my arrival. And in good moment. Just in time for dinner. Threepio, bring a plate for the Senator as well.'

'Yes, the Senate is already gossiping about it,' your friend says and slowly joins you. 'I came as soon as I heard it. How… did you find out about it, General?'

'I had some business in the area, Senator,' Anakin lies. 'I heard someone talking about arrival of a princess of Luth. I got the details and here I am.'

'We're all friends here, so why are you so formal with each other?' you ask, blinking. Your friends look at each other and then attempt to relax. But fail. It's odd. You will have to dig details about it from Skywalker. Padmé will insist everything is fine.

'So, tell me,' you say, turning to Amidala. 'What can I expect when I enter the Senate tomorrow?'

'Lots of arguing,' your friend sighs. 'The new bill is causing quite an uproar.'

The more she talks, the more your face falls. But whenever you're very grim, you glance at the Jedi. Seeing his discreet smile, raises your spirits at once. Yes. It was a good call to come here. If only to see that smile.

*

Anakin is still surprised how easily he can get to your suite. No one pays him any attention. And there aren't any rumors. And he's pretty sure he's coming here way too often. For other people's liking. In his opinion not often enough.

'Why, hello there, General Skywalker,' Lanash says after she opens the for him. 'Princess [Y/N] is very grateful you've agreed to come and meet her.'

'I'm happy to assist the Princess with any problem she may have,' the Jedi says seriously. Your maid invites him in and closes the door behind him. She points him to your office.

'I'll bring you two some refreshments later,' she promises and disappears. He quickly hurries to your room. He finds you sitting behind a desk, writing something furiously. He smirks and sneaks out behind you. He feels you jumping when he starts giving you a massage.

'So, for whom is this angry message?' he asks. You smile hearing his voice.

'Anakin,' you say and turn your head to look at him. 'You scared me.'

'You don't mind,' he says cheekily. You laugh.

'Not at all,' you admit, shaking your head, and sigh. 'And answering your question, Chancellor Palpatine is going to receive this.'

He tenses. Chancellor is his friends and your clear resentment for him makes him feel uneasy. He'd love for both of you two get along.

'Let's not talk about it,' you say, knowing it makes him feel uncomfortable.

'No, tell me,' he insists. 'Maybe it's something I can help you with.'

'I don't think so, but thank you,' you say and sigh again. 'He keeps treating me so condescendingly. I can see it in his smile and eyes. He doesn't take me seriously. Every solution to some problem I have, he shuts it down without even considering it. I don't know if it's because I'm a princess or… I don't know. I'm just so tired.'

'Well, I have an idea what can help you take your mind off it and relax,' Skywalker says after a moment. He lets go of your shoulders and turns your chair so you'd face him. You can't even open your mouth to ask a question when his lips are on yours.

'Is it working?' he asks after a moment.

'Yes, so don't stop,' you answer. He chuckles and kisses you again, this time longer. At some point you stand up and he starts walking backward. But before his back can hit the wall, he turns, so you it's your back against the wall instead.

'Tell me what you want,' he whispers.

'I want your lips on my neck,' you murmur. 'And what do you want?'

'Your hands in my hair,' he answers and starts kissing your neck. You sigh and oblige to his request. He groans and becomes rougher.

'Anakin… ah! Oh…' you gasp, your eyes wide. You tug on his hair and his hips buckle against yours.

'I missed you,' he murmurs, gently caressing your hips. 'So much. Every minute without you is torture. I… I need-'

He is interrupted by his communicator going off. You both freeze. He sighs and very reluctantly lets you go. He walks away to answer the call. You hear Obi-Wan's voice.

A moment later Skywalker returns. He looks at you with anguish. Your shoulders slump.

'I have a mission,' he declares. You smile sadly at him and nod. Just at that moment Lanash peeks in. She freezes seeing your expressions.

'I was expecting more kissing, you know,' she says but frowns when none of you responds. 'What happened?'

'I have new orders,' Anakin answers. 'I'm afraid I won't be able to drink that refreshment.'

'Don't worry, it won't go to waste,' she informs him and looks at him with worry. 'Be careful out there, General.'

'I will,' he promises and glances at you. 'And you look after her.'

'Oh, no doubt about that,' she swears. 'I'll leave you alone.'

She walks out of the room. Skywalker turns to you, looking at you with despair. You put your arms around him and you hug.

'Always remember, my heart holds you when my arms cannot,' you say softly. He smiles and presses a kiss to your temple.

'I love you,' he says. 'I'll carry you with my heart wherever I go.'

You smile and this time you're the one to initiate the kiss. You pull away reluctantly.

'Please, be careful,' you beg. 'I can't live without you.'

'I promise I will,' he swears and kisses your knuckles. 'I'll call tonight.'

You nod. He lets you go and turns to leave.

'Anakin!' you call and he looks over his shoulder at you. 'I love you, too. May the Force be with you.'

He smiles at you and nods. A moment later he's gone. When C-3PO comes a moment later with your drink, he finds you sitting by your desk, your face in your hands.

Not long later you're standing on your balcony. You look at the sky and thanks to that you see the moment Skywalker's cruiser goes up. You look at it, sending a prayer to your gods.

On the cruiser, Anakin is standing by a window. He's checked from which side the part of city you're in and tries to find your apartment. He thinks he sees a lonely figure on the balcony. He smiles. His heart tells you that it is you.

'May the Force be with you,' he whispers.

'Did you say something, Master?' Ahsoka asks, walking to him. He shakes his head and walks away from the window.

'Nothing, Snips,' he denies. 'Nothing at all.'

Weeks pass before he returns. He's anxious when they land. They have to make sure everything is fine, give orders about the ship, then go to the Temple, give report to the Council… it will be ages before he's going to see you.

But to his surprise, when he gets off the ship, there you are, standing together with Padmé, Obi-Wan and Master Yoda. You're barely able to stop the grin and the look of love. And he barely resists running to you and taking you in his arms.

'That's quite a welcome comity,' Ahsoka jokes.

'Well, it was quite impressive what you pulled off,' Kenobi says with a smile.

'Are you all right?' Amidala asks, worried.

'There were serious casualties,' Anakin reports grimly. 'But we're not worse for the wear.'

'Impressed with how you dealt with the crisis, the Council is,' Yoda surprises him. 'Proud you can be, Skywalker.'

'Thank you, Master Yoda,' your beloved says, touched. You beam at him, happy he gets the recognition he deserves.

'Oh, you should have seen him out there!' Tano says, excited. 'I've never seen him fight like that. And the way he gave orders…'

She gives you a full reconstruction of the events. Her master is actually embarrassed. He doesn't feel like he did something amazing. Nor something more than usual. But maybe he didn't just realize that. He remembers, though, what was on his mind during that battle. That he must give his best and return to Coruscant. To you.

He looks at you and sees your eyes are already on him. You share a secret smile.

'Anakin, give orders of the repairs,' Obi-Wan says, breaking the spell. 'Then we will drive to the Temple.'

'With us to come, would you like?' Yoda asks you and Padmé, as Skywalker walks to give orders. He strains to hear the answers.

'Yes, I'd like to hear more about the battle,' the Senator answers.

'I'm afraid I have a meeting soon,' you respond to your beloved's dismay. 'I just wanted to welcome our heroes home. Anakin, do come by when you have the time. Maybe I'll get to hear your perspective on the matter. You've been unusually quiet.'

'I just don't think there's anything to brag about,' he says, happy with your suggestion, turning to face you. You smirk.

'Liar,' you say and look at your companions to say your goodbye. Skywalker walks away with a spring in his step, glad he gets to see you later, privately.

He gets there in the end later than he wanted. He knocks on the door and C-3PO lets him in. He finds you in your bedroom, wearing your nightgown already. You're sitting on your bed and reading a book.

'Forgive me, my star,' he says and falls on his knees before you. He presses his head to your stomach and sighs with content. You caress his hair gently.

'It's all right,' you assure him. 'Did the meeting with Council dragged out?'

'No,' he answers after a moment, a bit tense. You frown.

'What happened?' you ask but he doesn't respond. 'Anakin, tell me. Please. You're worrying me.'

'I was with Padmé,' he finally admits reluctantly. Your hand freezes.

'Oh,' it's all you manage to say. 'Well, she did wait for you after the meeting of the Council. But why didn't you-'

He pulls away suddenly, causing you to cut yourself off. He looks at you with guilt. Your heart starts beating faster a beat.

'When we… weren't talking to each other,' he starts slowly, 'there was this time where Padmé was in danger. I was rescuing her. We got into a situation and we… we thought we're not going to make it. She… confessed she has feelings for me… and then we kissed.'

'Oh,' you say again. You look away, not sure what to feel. You're jealous. But you weren't together then. You have no right to be.

'After it was over and the emotions cooled down, I talked with her,' he continues. 'I told her that we can't be together. Jedi Code, blah blah blah… That this kiss was a spur of the moment. And that I… I'm not sure about my feelings for her. That I thought there's something but I changed since that time. She accepted it, of course, but… it's been awkward ever since between us two.'

'Like that time when she showed up when I arrived here,' you remember. He nods.

'She… tried to fix things today,' he explains. 'I hated things being like they were, so I agreed for a talk and a walk. Things are better now, but… I think she still has feelings for me. And hopes I can have for her. If she tries to persuade me again, I'll be clear on my feelings. For her! Not you. She can't know, I know. I just-'

You silence him with a kiss. He sighs and puts his hands on your waist. Just like that his worries melt away. You're truly magical.

'I trust you,' you say after pulling away. 'Always remember that.'

He smiles at you. You sigh and caress his hair again.

'You're taking it much better than I would,' he confesses. 'If I knew someone wants you, I… I wanted to kill that prince for trying to have you. The way he spoke that day… I almost…'

You cup his face. You peck his nose, surprising him.

'I am jealous,' you admit. 'I want to march to Padmé and inform her you're taken. And… maybe… hit her… with something heavy… But that's wrong. Like killing. So, I focus on something else. Like the knowledge you're mine and she can't take you away from me. And no one can take me from you.'

He smiles and stands up, pulling you up with him. He pulls you close and kisses you deep. You sigh and respond.

'Stay with me tonight?' you ask and become nervous. 'No, forget I said that. I didn't mean-'

'Shh…' he silences you with a finger on your lips and chuckles. 'I know. It's too soon. But I want to hold you in my arms all night.'

You smile at him. He goes to take a shower. He's very surprised to find his sleeping robes waiting for him. Turns out, R2-D2, now aware of your relationship, figured out his master is going to stay the night and sneaked into the Temple, gathers some of Anakin's things and passed them to C-3PO. You're blushing terribly when explaining that to him.

'Are we really that obvious?' he asks, shaking his head.

'Not too terribly, otherwise Astrariel would be teasing me about it,' you sigh. 'And I'm pretty sure other Jedi would have something to say.'

'Yeah, that's true,' he murmurs and climbs next to you under the covers. He pulls you to himself. In a moment you feel safe. You close your eyes and sigh, putting your hands on his chest.

'Sleep, my star,' he says, kissing the top of your head. 'I'll be here when you wake up.'

'I'm really happy with that,' you whisper and kiss his chest. 'Goodnight, my love.'

'Goodnight,' he says, 'my universe…'

*

For the next months, Anakin comes off and back to Coruscant. The returns are always welcomed more, because he can rush to your apartment and have you in his arms again. You love those moments as well, immediately smiling when he walks in. Then, you spend every moment you can together. But all that's good must end eventually.

One day Anakin finds you on the balcony. You're sitting by a small table, drinking tea and staring at the setting sun over the city. Something's troubling you, he can sense it.

'My star?' he asks. You jerk, startled. You look at him and smile.

'Anakin,' you say and extend your hand to him. 'Come.'

He takes your hand and allows you to pull him to you. He sits on a chair opposite to you. He drinks your figure with his eyes. As usual, you look lavishing in your dress, and your posture, so elegant and refined, invites him to kiss you senseless. But the look on your face stops him.

'I have good news and bad news,' you say after a moment of silence.

'I want to hear-' he starts but you put a finger on his lips. He frowns.

'You don't get to choose,' you inform him. 'There's an order, otherwise it won't make sense. So, the good news first. Senator Benthura's wife is getting better. The doctors are sure she's going to make a full recovery.'

'That's great!' Skywalker says, beaming, but then his face falls. 'But that means…'

'That's the bad news,' you say, giving him a sad look. 'He's coming back within a week. I may stay a few days longer to bring him up to speed but after that… I must return to Luth.'

Your beloved looks at you with anguish. He's got used to this. Seeing you when he's here. It's not that often with the Clone Wars demanding his presence, but it was still more often than when you are on a planet he visits once in a while.

'I know I can't keep you here,' he says. 'But it breaks my heart.'

'I feel the same,' you say, reaching for his hand with a pained expression. 'I'm so relieved Hestia is going to be all right, I really am. But it's going to be a torture to seeing you less often. But we… I'm sure we can think of something. And we're going to call each other every night, like we already do when you're away.'

He nods but doesn't look convinced. It hurts you to see him like that. You stand up and sit on his lap. He looks at you with surprise. You lean down and cup his face. You join your lips and he melts into it gladly. You know you're playing a dangerous game. But every kiss with him is worth every consequence.

A few days later it's time for you to leave. You pulled it off for as long as you could, waiting for Anakin to come back from another mission. You spend the afternoon with him, trying not to think about tomorrow.

'Come to my apartments tonight,' you whisper when you're saying goodbye for the evening. He looks at you with surprise but agrees. He's strangely nervous when he knocks on your door a few hours later. Lanash lets him in and he enters your living room.

'You made it,' you say with a smile. He doesn't answer. He stares at your nightgown that is anything but modest. He sees your curves perfectly. He loves it. But he wants to so much to tear it off you.

'Lanash has prepared you a bath,' you say. He goes to the bathroom, his thoughts running. When he leaves the bathtub, you're not where he left you.

'[Y/N]?' he calls.

'In here,' he hears your voice from the bedroom. He gulps and enters it. He stands frozen. The room is lit with candles and you're standing by the window. You turn your head and he can't look away from your eyes.

'I'm going home tomorrow,' you say, slowly walking to him. 'I don't know when we're going to see each other again. I want to become one with you before that happens.'

'[Y/N]…' he says, stunned. 'I don't… We don't have to…'

'Do you want this?' you ask, stopping in front of him. He stares into your eyes, his heart beating like crazy. He gulps.

'Yes,' he whispers. 'I want it so much. But I can't… It's a serious decision and you-'

'I love you,' you interrupt him. 'With my whole body. I want to show you how much. I want to be fully yours and you to be fully mine. I'm ready. I want this. I want us to take this next step. But only if you want the same.'

He answers you by pulling you to himself by your hips harshly and pressing his lips to yours hard. You sigh and respond, putting your hands around his neck. The kiss is hungry, needy, passionate. He knows you two won't be able to stop now.

'Lanash-' he stars.

'Won't come until I call her,' you interrupt him. 'And she is not to let anyone in under any circumstances. Relax. Take me and let me take you.'

'I'm yours,' he whispers, staring at you, transfixed. You take his hand and start walking backwards. You stop when you hit the bed. You let go of Anakin and take off his sleeping robes. Then, you guide his hands to your nightgown. He slowly takes it off and stares at your naked body while you admire his.

'You're beautiful,' he whispers in awe. You chuckle, embarrassed, and touch his chest.

'And you're mesmerizing,' you say and kiss his jaw. 'Come on…'

You climb on the bed and lay down. Slowly, he climbs on top of you. You stare at each other for a moment, nervous and excited. Then, he starts kissing and caressing your body. You gasp and tangle your hands in his hair. You tug and he groans. He goes lower and starts sucking on your nipple. You moan.

'Anakin…' you whisper and start touching his body. You touch each other's body and exchange kisses. At one point he goes down and starts pleasuring your womanhood with his fingers and mouth, while you gently stroke his member. You're both moaning and panting.

Finally, he pulls away. He stares at you with eyes dark with lust. You give him the same look.

'Are you sure?' he asks. You spread your legs.

'Yes,' you declare. He slowly enters you, careful so not to hurt you. You whimper when he pierces your little barrier but after a moment you give him a green light. He starts moving in you, kissing you, gently touching your breasts.

'[Y/N]…' he groans. 'My [Y/N]…'

'Yours…' you pant. 'Only yours. Forever. Please. More.'

He goes faster and harder, but still minding your limits. But the moans you make for him show him you love this. It spurs him on. He wants to please you. To give you pleasure. The same amount you're giving him and you're giving him a lot.

'Are you close?' he asks some time later, his voice strained.

'Yes… you?' you ask. He nods and kisses you hard. He rubs your rosebud and you cry out. You press him closer to you. He groans and goes faster.

'Anakin!' you shout when your reach your peak, your body shaking. Feeling you clenching around him causes him to finish as well.

'[Y/N]!' he cries out, spilling inside you. When he's done, he falls on you, both of you breathing heavily.

'So worth… breaking… the Code,' he pants a moment later. You laugh. He lifts his head and sees your beautiful smile and eyes shining. He falls in love with you all over again.

'Let's just hope no one finds out anyway,' you say.

'Yeah, better not,' he agrees and gently pulls out of you. You shiver, feeling empty and incomplete. Judging by his grimace, he feels the same. He sighs heavily and collapses next to you.

'I'm not sure that was a good idea,' he says, opening his arms for you. You immediately turn and snuggle into him.

'How so?' you ask, worried. He looks at you with love.

'Now I'll just miss you more,' he explains. You smack him on the chest for scaring you like that. He laughs and kisses the top of your head.

'It was amazing,' he says. 'Every second of it. Thank you.'

'I agree,' you whisper and look up at him. 'And thank you as well.'

He can't resist. He leans down and kisses you. You sigh and respond. A long moment passes before you pull away. You stifle back a yawn.

'Sleep,' he says. 'You must be tired after such day.'

'Just a moment longer,' you say, shaking your head. 'I want to have as much time with you as I can. Tomorrow, I leave and… who knows when we'll see each other in person again.'

'I'll do everything I can for it to be soon, my star,' he promises and squeezes your hand. 'I swear. But now you must rest.'

You want to protest more. But in the end, the sleep takes you and your breathing evens out. Anakin stares at you for a moment longer with a soft smile, before he's asleep as well.

Next day, you're saying your goodbyes. You hug Ahsoka and Padmé for a long time, a few Clones as well. Obi-Wan and Jar Jar get a hug. But the last one is the most painful.

'Call me as soon as you land,' Skywalker murmurs into your ear, not wanting to let go of you.

'I will,' you promise and reluctantly pull away. You share one last sad smile and you turn to leave. You bow your head respectfully to Masters Yoda and Windu, who have come to see you off as well. They nod back and you pray they don't feel what you share with your beloved.

'Your Highness,' your personal guard, Clint Hawk, calls. You follow C-3PO and Lanash onto your ship. Onboard, you turn your head and meet Anakin's eyes. You see an anguish in them and you're sure he can see it in yours as well. From the window, you watch him until he's just a little dot. And just like that you're separated again.

*

One day, Yoda and Mace Windu are strolling through the Temple, discussing their next move in the Clone Wars. Suddenly, they see someone hurrying their way. They're surprised to see it is the King of Luth. When he's closer, they're even more stunned to see his clothes are wrinkled and hair in disarray.

'Your Majesty, unexpected, your visit is,' the Grand Master say. 'But a welcome one. What here brings you, hm?'

'I'm afraid I once again must ask Jedi for help, Master Yoda,' Andrrei says, stopping.

'We promise to do everything we can,' Windu says. 'What ails you, our friend?'

'The Separatists… they have taken my daughter,' the King says, looking at them with despair. The Jedi give him a shocked look.

'In private discuss it, we will,' Yoda decides and the three men go to one of the rooms. They sit on cushions and Andrrei starts his story:

'A week or so ago, my daughters went for a ride and picnic. But the dusk came and they didn't return. I took some men and we followed their trail. We found the horses tied to a tree. Not far was a picnic blanket. There was a mess on it. Like… there was some kind of fight. We started an investigation at once. But no one saw anything and my daughters weren't back.'

'You said one of your daughters was taken,' Windu reminds him.

'That's because a few days later one of the guards have brought Astrariel to the palace,' the King explains. 'She was in disguise, dirty, scared and exhausted, but she was fine. The guard told us she arrived on a cruiser prom from Abelor. After she rested, she told us what happened.'

'Hm… not so long ago a battle not far from Abelor there was,' Yoda says. 'Continue, please.'

'My daughters have been trained in fight,' Andrrei continues. 'Astrariel told us they fought back when the men that came out of nowhere attacked them. But they were quickly overwhelmed and knocked out. They woke up in a cell on a ship. But they're not damsels in distress and the guards didn't consider them a threat. So, they managed to free themselves from the cell. Recognizing the ship from her studies, [Y/N] has managed to lead them to escape pods. The moment Astrariel got inside one, they were discovered. [Y/N] quickly ejected her sister, allowing her to escape. Last thing Astrariel saw, was her older sister engaging in a battle with droids to draw away the attention of the escape pod. The pod landed on Abelor. Astrariel managed to reach the nearest city, got some clothes as a disguise and bought herself a ticked to our planet.'

'And the rest we know,' Mace says. 'The only thing pointing at the Separatists are the droids?'

'Ah, no,' the King denies. 'On their way to the escape pods my daughters overheard the conversation between two droids. They were talking about a soon arrival of… Whorm Loathsom.'

'That is troubling,' Windu admits and thinks. 'Abelor… When were they there?'

'A few days ago,' Andrrei answers. 'We gathered out forces and set after them at once. But after they entered the active warzone… we couldn't follow. I didn't have enough men.'

'Help you, we will,' Yoda promises after a moment.

'If they travel as slowly as you say, they must have a reason for it,' Mace says.

'My guess is they hope someone will engage them and start a battle,' the King says. 'If my daughter was to die on that ship during the attack…'

'The consequences severe, would be,' Yoda agrees. 'Hm… maybe so. Everything you found out, send us. Decide what to do next, we will.'

'Thank you,' Andrrei says, relieved. He says his goodbyes and leaves. Soon after two Jedi receive all information they need and start their own investigation.

'If we are right… Skywalker is the closest to them right now,' Windu says.

'The princess' best hope he is,' Yoda says and calls Anakin. A moment later the Knight's hologram shows up in the room.

'A new mission for you we have,' the Grand Master says before the young Jedi can speak up. 'No need for you there, there is. Someone else your attention requires.'

'Master?' Skywalker asks, frowning.

'Princess [Y/N] of Luth is a hostage of Separatists,' Mace starts. 'We believe the ship she's on is nearby your location. We'll send you everything we know about the situation. Be careful. The ship is travelling suspiciously slowly. We don't know what their real goal is. It may be a trap.'

'Understood, Masters,' Anakin responds. 'I will bring the princess home safely.'

The Jedi send him every information he needs, telling him what they can. During their conversation, Skywalker gives the co-ordinates to Rex. Soon after the holograms disappear from the ship.

Ahsoka and the Clones that are present look with worry at their general. He has his fists and jaw clenched. Tano decides to take a step forward.

'Master?' she asks hesitantly. He turns on his heel.

'Prepare for battle ahead,' he orders, his voice emotionless, and marches out of the room. Others exchange a look.

Outside, Anakin tries hard not to panic. You're in danger. Again. Kidnapped. Again. He can only hope to get to you in time. He can't lose you. He just can't.

He stops. He swears and punches the wall. It doesn't help. But he doesn't hit it again. His face hardens in determination. He will find you. He must.

And he does. An hour or so later they're in the middle of the battle. It was a trap, obviously. But that doesn't stop anyone. Especially not Skywalker, who runs through the ship and slices any droid that stands in his way.

Finally, he turns yet another corner. A person in front of him turns around wildly, pointing a blaster at him. He immediately stops and raises his hands up.

'It's me,' he says, staring into your eyes calmly. You lower the blaster with shaking hands.

'Anakin,' you gasp. 'Oh, thank the gods…'

You drop the blaster and run into his arms. He catches you quickly, though he's surprised by such a public display of affection. But when he feels your body shaking and hears your sobs, he realizes how scared you are and what a relief it must be to see him.

'It's all right,' he murmurs into your ear, holding you close. 'I'm here. We're getting you out of here. You'll be safe in a moment.'

You just sob and cling to him harder. The battle rages on but it doesn't matter to him. Comforting you takes priority. So, he doesn't pull away even when Ahsoka and a few of his troopers show up. He doesn't seem to notice the exchange of a look between them.

'Sir-' Fives starts but Rex silences him with a raised fist. A moment later you pull away. Anakin cups your face gently and takes a good look at you. His heart breaks.

Your hair is in disarray and your face is dirty. There are a few burns on your arms. Your clothes are torn. But more importantly, there's a deep fear in your eyes.

'Can you walk?' he asks softly. You nod and pull away. You grab the dropped blaster and join others.

'Let's get out of here,' you say, somehow managing to keep your voice from shaking. Others nod and lead you out.

'How did you even find yourself on this corridor?' Skywalker asks. You smile.

'When you attacked, a couple of droids were ordered to bring me on the bridge,' you explain. 'Clearly, they haven't heard that I almost escaped with my sister already and underestimated me. The blaster belonged to one of them.'

'Resourceful and clever as always,' Rex chuckles. You send him a grin. But it quickly falters as you encounter more droids.

It seems hours pass before you find yourself on your rescuers ship. The moment you enter the hyperspace, your legs give out and your beloved barely manages to catch you before you hit the floor.

'I'll take her to a medical bay,' Jesse offers.

'I got this,' Skywalker says and picks you up bridal style. He walks away with you and his companions once again exchange a look.

'In moments like this I'm glad I'm not a Jedi,' Fives sighs.

'In moments like this I wonder how the Jedi Council can be so blind,' Rex grunts.

'Because they only seem to be on their best behavior around them,' Ahsoka murmurs, smiling slightly. 'And we're not going to inform them, are we?'

'Absolutely not,' the Clones answer. Tano snorts and heads to give the Jedi Council a report.

In the meantime, Anakin watches how the medic droid checks you over. He's relieved to hear that you've sustained no serious injuries. Once he's alone with you, he allows himself to grab your hand and squeeze it gently.

'I'm sorry I let it happen,' he says quietly, regret and sorrow in his voice. In your sleep, you squeeze his hand back, as if telling him it's not his fault. He smiles and brings your hand to his lips to press a kiss to it.

'Rest, my star,' he murmurs. 'You're safe now.'

*

You allow Anakin to support you when you come down the ramp. You spot your family immediately. Astrariel and your mother stay together, while your father is a bit closer than them. All of them watch you anxiously.

You let go of Skywalker once you're on your planet. You walk fast to the King and he hugs you tightly. You inhale his scent, feeling finally at home.

'My brave girl,' he murmurs, his voice breaking a bit. 'I'm so proud of you. But I'm sorry you had to go through that. Words cannot express how relieved and glad I am you're safe and sound. My precious little girl.'

'Dad…' you whisper, on the verge of tears. He pulls away and cups your face. He smiles, his eyes shining. You return the smile and close your eyes, bowing your head a bit. Your father mirrors the move and your foreheads touch.

'Go, your mother and sister can't wait to greet you as well,' he says. You nod and take a step back. Then, you walk around him and hurry to Astrariel and the Queen. They don't hold back and cry as they hug you.

Anakin watches the reunion with a smile. But he straightens up when Andrrei walks to him. He starts bowing but the King grabs his arms and smiles.

'General Skywalker, I can't tell you how grateful I am you brought my daughter home,' he says. The Jedi smiles.

'I'm glad I wasn't too late, Your Majesty,' he says.

'As am I,' your father sighs. The men look at you. They see your mother caressing your cheek and urging you inside. You turn your head and your eyes land on your beloved. A minute pass before you turn your head back. Neither of you is aware that the King is watching you closely.

'You must be tired,' he says and turns to the people on the ship. 'Come down, we have prepared food and baths for you!'

The Clones and Ahsoka cheer. They're not sure what excites them more. They rush down and pass their general, eager to properly rest. Only Tano stops and looks at her master.

'Walk with me,' Andrrei says, clapping the older Jedi's shoulder.

'Go ahead, Snips,' Anakin says to his padawan. She shrugs and hurries after her friends, shouting at them to wait for her. Skywalker and the King head the other way. The Jedi hopes whatever it is will be quick, because he hopes for a bath as well.

'How has having a padawan been for you?' your father asks once they reach his chambers.

'It's… definitely a challenge,' the Jedi admits. 'But a rewarding one for sure. Ahsoka is a great Jedi. And helps me in more ways than I have expected.'

'That's good to hear,' the King says and pours them some wine. 'To be honest, I was relieved when I heard you two were given the mission to rescue [Y/N].'

'How so?' Anakin asks, frowning.

'Because I was sure you'd rescue her. No one cares about my daughter the way you do. Outside my family, of course.'

'I… I'm sure that's not true, Your Majesty.'

'No? Are you not her best friend?'

'Y-yes, of course, I am.'

They sip the wine in silence for a moment. Skywalker finds a portrait of a royal family on a wall and smiles softly when he looks at your likeness. The King watches him with a soft smile of his own.

'You're in love with her, aren't you?' he asks. The Jedi looks at him, startled. He quickly starts to deny it but Andrrei silences him with a hand.

'Anakin, I'm not blind,' he chuckles. 'I've watched you two for years. I saw how your friendship blossoms into love. I see the way you look at each other. The look [Y/N] gives you is the same Lyra gives me. And I'm sure the look you give her is the same I give to my wife.'

Skywalker looks down, ashamed. Your father claps his shoulder.

'I am not angry with you and I'm not going to demand that you stop this,' he assures him. The Jedi looks at him with surprise. The King lets him go and walks to the window. He stares at the setting sun.

'In our culture, the most important thing in our life… is love,' he says. 'That's why my daughters and wife protested so much against the marriage with Prince Jordari. Marrying someone you don't love is hard to understand for us. Especially, when your heart already belongs to someone else.'

He gives Anakin a knowing look. The young man looks down bashfully. Andrrei chuckles.

'That's also why [Y/N] couldn't understand why Jedi can't love,' he says. 'She was asking me about it a lot when she was younger. I'm sure she asked you about it, too.'

'Yes, she did,' Skywalker confirms, remembering the conversation you two had about it.

'Love is sacred for us,' your father says. 'Love between two people even more so. So, I can't forbid you to stop seeing my daughter. Even though my common sense tells me you should. I understand the dangers that come with a love for a Jedi. But a broken heart can bring even more. However, there is one thing.'

'Your Majesty?' Anakin asks, worried.

'We love deeply. Unconditionally. When we give our hearts to someone, we don't ever ask back for it. So, I'm afraid that my daughter will never love anyone else. And since she's the heir to the throne of Luth and you are a Jedi… it is troublesome.'

'I… I understand, Your Majesty.'

'… No, I don't think you do. Do you love her?'

'With all my heart. She's… There's no one like her. I know she's the one for me. Only with her I feel free and… as myself. Just seeing her face brings a smile to my face. When I'm not with her, I keep wondering when I'll hear her voice again. Her laugh… is the most beautiful sound in the world.'

The King smiles. He sees in Skywalker's eyes he's telling the truth.

'Then I give you my blessing to ask her to marry you,' he says. The Jedi looks at him with wide eyes. Your father laughs.

'Don't give me that look,' he says. 'Surely, you thought about it if you say she's the one.'

'Yes, but… I didn't think I would marry her soon,' Anakin says, blushing. 'I mean… I want to. I know that. But I don't think she'd agree while I'm in the Jedi Order.'

'Are you planning to leave it?' Andrrei asks, interested.

'I consider it,' Skywalker answers after a pause. 'I'd love if we could be together in the open, her the crown princess and me the Jedi Knight… or Master. That's why I want to be granted the rank of the Master. Maybe I could change things then. But I'm also aware it may fail. But also, that one day [Y/N] is going to become a queen. And as her husband I'd have to take a place beside her as a king.'

'There are still years before that happens hopefully. I am in a very good health after all. But let me tell you something. Being married while sitting on thrones is something completely different than when being simple people. Or even a princess and a Jedi.'

'I know… But we don't need to get married.'

'Do you really think so? People say there's not much difference before and after marriage. Maybe that's true, but for some there is something different. Also, there is something comforting in wearing bands. "This person is mine and I'm theirs. No one can tear us apart, for we are joined, we are one." It's reassuring. Even if other people can't know that's true.'

Anakin thinks hard about it. He's still conflicted. Your father puts a hand on his shoulder with a kind smile.

'Think about it,' he encourages him. 'And talk about it with [Y/N].'

'I'm not sure if she's going to be keen on that idea. She was against a relationship with me at first.'

'I think you will find her more into that idea than you think. She has her mother's spirit. She, too, was against marrying me at first. She didn't want to be a queen at first. But then, I almost died in an ambush. The possibility of losing me made her change her mind.'

Anakin frowns. He looks down, thinking about it.

'Talk with her,' Andrrei encourages him. 'But whatever you two will decide, you have my blessing.'

An hour later Skywalker finds himself knocking on your door. C-3PO opens it.

'Oh, Master Anakin!' he says happily. 'How good it is to see you. We're all very happy you brought Princess [Y/N].'

'No one more than me, Threepio,' the Jedi assures him with a smile and walks in. The droid quickly puts himself on guard, while Skywalker walks into your drawing room. He finds you standing in the threshold of the balcony, staring outside, your arms around yourself.

'Something interesting out there?' he asks, walking to you. He puts his arms around you. His heart skips a beat when he feels you relaxing and leaning into him.

'People want to celebrate my return,' you explain. 'They're so happy I'm back and all right. I think they're considering building you a monument, since you've helped us so many times. Lanash says it's an excellent idea. I think it would just make your ego grow.'

'You're both right,' he responds and you laugh.

'I've heard my father talked with you in private,' you say slowly. 'What did he want?'

'He gave me his blessing to marry you,' he answers after a beat. He expects surprise, maybe a bit of fear. But you don't even budge.

'Ah,' you say instead. 'I wondered if he knows about us. What did you say to him?'

'That I want to marry you,' he answers. 'But I'm not sure if the time is right.'

'Will it ever be?' you ask. He looks at you with surprise. Also, with fear and hope.

'What do you mean?' he asks.

'A week ago, I'd probably say it's not a good decision for now,' you answer.

'But now?' he asks, his heart beating fast. You turn in his arms and face him. Your eyes meet.

'Now I've been kidnapped by Separatists and all I could think about when I would see you again,' you say and cup his cheek. 'I was afraid it would be never. And when I saw you… nothing else mattered. I didn't care who sees us and what they think. I was ready to shout to the world how much I love you.'

He looks at you, stunned. Hopes shines in his eyes.

'Hypothetically, if I were to propose to you… you'd say yes?' he asks. You smile.

'I would,' you confirm and a grin starts forming on his face. 'But you must be aware first that we don't have a thing like engagement. The couple decides they want to get married? They do it in the span of the next few days. And since I'm a princess, our wedding has to be public. Everyone will know. And since your troops and padawan are here… they will have to know as well.'

He frowns, worried. Just then Lanash looks into the room. Obviously, she heard at least the last part.

'Pardon me, but they already suspect there's something between the two of you,' she reveals. You look at her with surprise and fright.

'How do you know?' Anakin asks.

'I heard Rex and Jesse talking about it,' she explains. 'Mind you, they should have kept their voices down. Anyway, they said something about what a cute couple you two are.'

You and Skywalker blush. Your maid must control herself not to giggle.

'So, I think they won't tell anyone,' she says. 'They're loyal to you, General Skywalker. Same as Ahsoka.'

You and your beloved share a look. You smile. He grins and drops on one knee, ignoring Lanash's presence, who quickly calls C-3PO and R2-D2.

'[Y/N] [L/N], Princess of Luth, will you make me the happiest man alive and become my wife?' Anakin asks. You squeeze his hands, beaming.

'Becoming your wife will make me the happiest woman alive,' you say and chuckle. 'Of course, I will marry you.'

He grins and stands up. He takes you in his arms and kisses you passionately. Behind him, your friends cheer.

'Pardon me,' your maid says a moment later, pushing her way next to you. You watch her, puzzled, as she walks onto the balcony. She grabs the railing and leans over it.

'SHE SAID "YES"!' she yells at the top of her lungs. You and your fiancé stare at her, horrified. But then you jump, startled, when you hear cheerful screams. Lanash turns to you.

'Apparently, as your mother has made me aware today, everyone in the capital knew you two have a thing, just no one spoke about it,' she explains. 'After seeing you come down the ramp, holding to him, they were sure you're going to get married, as they all remember why your mother finally said "yes" to your father. So, they're not preparing for a celebration of your return. They're preparing for a celebration of your wedding.'

You and Anakin look at each other, bewildered. He shakes his head.

'Is there anyone who doesn't know?' he asks. R2-D2 beeps.

'Oh, only people here know,' C-3PO translates. 'Apparently, you just control yourself around people you know could break you apart.'

You can't help it and start laughing. Skywalker looks at you, stunned, but then he starts laughing as well. He takes you in his arms and grins. In a few days his dream is about to come true. He'll be your husband and you'll be his wife.

Thank you for reading! Let me know your thoughts! Reblog, like and comment if you could. Every comment makes my day!

This can also be found on Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/60214684/chapters/154512862

[emeraldvsociety]

Hey y’all, I wanted to address a pet peeve of mine when it comes to the Korkie Kenobi theory discourse. Now, first off, I want to say that I legitimately do not care if you hate it or love it. I understand that this is a very polarizing theory in the Obitine and in the SW community as a whole. It definitely has serious implications on Satine’s, Obi-Wan’s, and Bo’s characters, and even on Mandalorian culture as a whole. There are valid reasons to like it. There are valid reasons to hate it. There are valid reasons to only think it’s a mildly funny animation bit. 

I am not trying to patronize anyone in this post because this information is not likely common knowledge... but I need to talk about it because it drives me CRAZY whenever people argue against the theory by saying: 

“Korkie having red hair is not proof that Obi-Wan is his father. Bo-Katan [his aunt] has red hair, so red hair just runs in the Kryze family.” 

Now, before I really start ranting, I would like to say that I am NOT a geneticist in the slightest, and if a geneticist or someone with a stronger biology background wants to correct me on anything, go ahead. 

Red hair is the product of a mutated recessive variant of the MC1R gene. 

Quick genetic breakdown of hair color: hair color is determined by the abundance (or lack) of melanin. Hair has two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. An abundance of eumelanin causes darker hair and a lack of results in lighter (more blond) hair. Pheomelanin is red/pink, and the more you have, the redder your hair will be.  

Red hair is a recessive trait. This is why red hair is so rare. In order for the gene to be expressed, no dominant gene MC1R can be inherited. If you are a redhead and your partner is a redhead, there is a 100%* guarantee that your children will also have red hair. Red hair can also be CARRIED. If you are a redhead and your partner is a carrier, there is a 50%* chance your child will be a redhead. If you are BOTH carriers, there is a 25%* chance of your child will be a redhead.

Here is a Punnett square for visual reference:

We do not have any canon images of the Kryze sisters’ parents, but given Bo-Katan and Satine’s hair, we know that they were either: 

Rr & Rr - resulting in an rr offspring (Bo) and an RR or Rr offspring (Satine) 

Rr & rr - resulting in an rr offspring (Bo) and an Rr offspring (Satine) 

Even in the instance where both parents are carriers, Satine still has a 50% of being a carrier as opposed to the 25% chance of not. (If Bo and Satine have a sibling, and they aren't a redhead, they'd share the same odds as Satine).

Red hair is absolutely a Kryze trait, whether the allele is carried or expressed. I understand why people make the false assumption that Bo-Katan's red hair proves that Kryze's just *have* red hair sometimes. In most cases, that's sometimes how genetics work! Sometimes one side of the genes, maternal or paternal, has more influence on the offspring. You can see this in Luke and Leia. Leia got Padmé's brown and curly hair, and Luke was born with blond hair and blue eyes like Anakin.

But this is not the case with Korkie or ANYONE with red hair. A half of the genes (maternal or paternal) CANNOT be solely responsible for a child’s red hair. BOTH parents must carry or express the variant of MC1R. 

Meaning, Korkie’s parents would HAVE to be either Rr/Rr, Rr/rr, or rr/rr. We know what Obi-Wan is, and we know what Satine (likely) is… 

Now, does this prove the Korkie Kenobi theory? No. But, please, I beg you, stop implying that Bo-Katan’s red hair “disproves” the theory. If anything, it enhances it. If Obi-Wan had a child with someone who has RR hair there would be a ZERO percent chance of that child having red hair. Now, if he had a child with a carrier (which Satine likely is due to her sister having red hair), there would be a FIFTY percent chance that child would be a redhead. 

I understand some people think that Bo and Satine are half-siblings, but in the grand scheme of things, this doesn’t matter in this argument. Bo is still Korkie’s aunt (or half-aunt), and they are still both rr, meaning that they (likely) share the common ancestor that was Rr or rr. 

If I’ve gotten something astronomically & seriously wrong, please feel free to reblog with the correct information. It’s never my intention to spread misinformation. 

Also sorry if someone has made a post like this in the past. I’m new around these parts. 

*In rare cases, even if someone has inherited two variants of MC1R, they will not have red hair.

[fancy-a-dance-brigadier]

🌿how does creating make you feel? and 💌share something with us about an up-and-coming work (WIP) that has you excited!

🌿how does creating make you feel?

I answered this question here!

💌share something with us about an up-and-coming work (WIP) that has you excited!

Ok you are going to regret asking this because there’s a Star Wars fic I’m working on at the moment that has been living rent free in my brain for several months now, and given the opportunity I will yell about it in great detail to anyone who asks. Only @nebulouscoffee can attest to how insane I am about this WIP (and shout out to them for helping me flesh out this AU, and for coming up with so many great ideas for it!!! Bugs bunny *our* self-indulgent Star Wars AU etc etc)

Basically, it’s a fic/fic series that’s set in an AU where Padmé is force sensitive and Anakin isn’t, and I’m planning on retelling the entire story of the Star Wars based on that premise (well, the first six movies + The Clone Wars, at least. But I am eyeing the sequel trilogy like a vulture let me tell you because I’m desperate to give those films the AU treatment). It also ends up as a role swap for Luke and Leia as well, with Leia being raised on Tatooine and Luke on Alderaan (Leia gets to be a Jedi too, basically). But other than those role swap changes, I’m also going to address a bunch of things I wish the films had explored more/done better. So, rather than writing paragraph after paragraph elaborating on these changes, I will now present you with a bullet point list of “Things about the Jedi Padmé AU that make Fancy go insane”

Excessive Padmé character analysis

Explorations of the ethical issues of Clone rights (feat. A Clone OC that I’m incredibly attached to, his name is Tatao and I’m love him)

Said Clone OC is GNC af and is kind of punk rock about it

Slavery on Tatooine is kind of a much bigger deal

Maybe Naboo’s political system is kind of messed up??? Did you ever think about that George?????

Padmé’s handmaidens are important now!!! Because my favourite hobby is plucking female characters with no lines out of sci-fi properties and giving them ✨Depth✨

The destruction of Alderaan has much more weight than in the films

Han Solo cringefail compilation

Anakin still has no father, he just has two lesbian mums now (one of whom is trans 🏳️‍⚧️)

Obi-Wan actually facing the consequences of his actions for once

Luke dressing like David Bowie, Prince, Freddy Mercury, Elton John, and all the members of ABBA combined. Think disco Mark Hamill on German television

Explorations of whether the Jedi Order is actually a corrupt organisation (spoiler alert, it kind of is)

Obi-Wan getting to raise chaotic bantha child Leia

Skysolo for real ☀️

Ahsoka getting to be the cool Aunty to the twins like she always deserved

Trauma and violence and blood and killing and darkness and torment and hatred and guilt and improvised surgery on your boyfriend

The power of a childhood lullaby is something that can be so crucial to saving the galaxy, actually

And, just for good measure, here’s a preview of the very first chapter (which I will put under a ‘read more’ because this post is long enough as it is):

She had first felt it long ago, in the dark, in the nighttime, when she had woken from a nightmare to the sense of a soothing energy coursing through the air and stroking her cheek and drying her infantile tears. Good - it was always supposed to be good, pleasant and oh so very helpful, to reach out and make itself known to the little girl who lived so lonely with only her ambitions to guide her. Secret, a lovely secret, all to herself. If she shared it, it might leave her, and so she hid it in her heart night after night and day after day, even as she felt it in her blood and her bones and in all the little cracks and crevices of her thoughts.

Everywhere. The feeling is everywhere. And it is yours to treasure.

There were people out there in this wide world who shared her secret, or so she learned as she grew. The stories said that they were brave and strong and kind, good people with good powers and she could share her secret with them if she wished. So many times she had been tempted, to call upon the knights with their flashing swords and words of wisdom, to seek them out from their hiding place. Hiding place.

People suffered. People passed away. People rotted. People wept. So where were those knights with their flashing swords and their words of wisdom and their beautiful little secret now?

Nowhere. They will not come to aid you. Aid yourself, you do not need them.

Secret. A good secret. To keep it or not to keep it - yes, she would hide it. She learned that if she shared her secret the stagnant knights would find her, and now nothing could be worse than being drawn into their web of passivity. Yes, she would hide it. Keep it to herself. Grow her power inside of herself, practice and practice when no one was around to see her, in all the dark places that nobody would think to look.

Elsewhere. Find your power elsewhere. With me, my dear, plant the wretched seed and let it grow.

Someday soon, a beloved voice will call her name, and her secret will destroy the love and the life in him and return him to dust. Someday soon, a shattered heart will cry out vengeance and use her undead name as a battle cry for his own death wish. Someday soon, a girl of the sands will see the history inside her eyes and resurrect her withered and atrophied compassion.

All that would come to pass would be hers to create. But as that little girl settled back into sleep with a secret to keep her safe, all of it was a dream to her.

[mayxthexforce]

1-5, 21-26

⊱asks for muns with a multimuse or more than one muse⊰

1. is there a muse that you wish gets more attention?

The ones I don't have threads with yet. So: Nuru, Agen, Ailyn, Irek, Arn, Kelleran, etc.

2. if you HAD to choose, who’s your favorite muse?

Bossk. He's just really fun to write, I love the big carnivorous lizard who eats people but has a soft spot for his rude, mammal son.

3. which muse is the trickiest to get into character for?

Obi-Wan, mostly because I don't agree with so many of the things he did and how he handled some stuff. Like raising Anakin, everything Mustafar. Also Sabé, she's so emotionally detached and has the complete opposite reaction I do when faced with conflict.

4. is there a muse that not a lot of people roleplay with?

A few, but I'm happy with the stuff I've got going on for them. (That said, I'll never reject more stuff if I like the idea)

5. if you HAD to choose, who’s your least favorite muse?

🤔🤔🤔 I love them all but if I have to choose I'll say Kelleran, cause I haven't gotten to write or plot anything with him yet.

21. which muse is the most problematic towards other muses?

Bossk. He literally eats people. He canonically ate his own father cause the guy pissed him off too much.

22. which muse is most likely to make new friends?

Raj. He's very easy to get along with because he's a social chameleon and adapts to whatever group or person he's with. He's not going to pretend to have the same views or opinions, but he lets people go off.

23. which muses’ fandom do you like the best?

The Legends/EU ones. I just think those allow for a lot more stuff to happen and be addressed.

24. is there someone playing the same muse/s as you and you really look up to them?

I don't know about looking up to someone else's portrayal because those who know me already know I am set in my ways when it comes to portrayals, I play my muses a certain way and stick to it. But I love your Obi-Wan, Tanya 💕

25. which muse do people send the most asks for?

Obi-Wan, Sabé, Bossk, Ferus. In that order.

26. which muse is most likely to have kids?

The Mandos (Kad, Myles, Goran and Medrit) and Leia (she has a total of 4 kids spread around canon).

[youmeandourdragonseeds]

Mr. Skywalker,

Hi. This is going to sound… very strange, I am so sorry for what comes next on this page.

I have been having dreams of you, every other day, since I was sixteen. I call you Ani, you tell me of your mother and Tatooine, of your men and your battles, of school and Obi-Wan. I tell you about art school and my store and my best friend Aiden. I live just two blocks from the Temple, less than a five minute walk.

I am writing to you… because the war is finally over. I have spent so long convincing myself I just made you up. That it came with growing up so close to the Temple, everyone wanted a Jedi friend. But I just can’t deny it anymore.

During one of our nights, after Umbara, you and I laid together. The results of that… was my son Luca. Our son, maybe.

I denied it for so long, but he has your nose. He has your mouth and the dimples when you smile. And your curls. He looks so much like you it’s impossible to deny it.

I’ve included several photos of him and one of the both of us so you can maybe see I’m not lying, if you have been having these dreams too.

If not, please ignore literally all of this, I am so sorry.

Wishing you the best,

Lili

I seal up the letter with the photos in it and walk it to the Temple mailbox myself so I can save on postage before heading home for the day.

Anakin receives the letter just a day later, along with a pile of other mail addressed to him from fans around the galaxy. Just as he always does, he opens every single one. Sometimes little kids send him drawings- and he keeps every picture. Every note. It means something to him, whether people realize it or not.

When he reaches your letter, he notes the pretty handwriting on the envelop before carefully opening it and sliding out the paper inside.

"Mr. Skywalker," he breathes a laugh, smiling softly. It's always funny when people call him Mister. Why? He wouldn't even know.

He starts to read through the letter, blinking when he comes upon very personal information. Very personal information... that only the girl in his dreams would know...

"Oh my gods," he murmurs to himself, reading further. It can't be- how is this possible? How are you real-

His breath hitches in his throat at the news of a child. His... child?

He quickly sets the letter down and grabs the photos from the envelope, his eyes widening as he studies the one of you and Luca together.

He's a father. The child in this photo- it might as well be him when he was little, mixed with your features as well.

Anakin gets up from his seat, grabbing the letter now too before starting to pace around the room as he reads the rest of what you wrote.

Even though his legs are weak. Even though he feels like throwing up or dancing around the room or crying or maybe all three.

"O-Our... our son," he whispers, his thumb brushing over Luca's face. "Luca..."

He moves to the balcony for some fresh air, gulping down several breaths worth of the chilly air before moving back inside to his office space.

Once he sets up at his desk, he grabs a fresh piece of paper, addressing an envelope to you before writing a letter in return.

Lili,

I have been having those dreams too. For years. They... were the only things that truly kept me sane during the war, if I may admit. You've become one of my closest friends, and I wasn't even sure if you were real.

I can't believe you are. And I really can't believe we have a son. I have a son. A baby. A gorgeous baby boy. I'm sorry that I didn't know before. I'm sorry you've had to do this on your own. I would have helped. I really would have. Please know that.

Thank you for the photos of him- I've already decided to hang them up in my room, as a reminder of what I have. What I've been blessed with. I love children, I've wanted one since I was basically a child myself.

Would you be willing to meet me somewhere? Please? I can't believe we get to see each other in person, with actual surroundings, and not some... pitch black room (don't get me wrong, I like the quiet calm of that room). I'd love to meet you in this very real life of ours and also meet my son. Luca. What a perfect name, by the way. It reminds me of a name on Tatooine, Lukka, which means free-born. It brings me endless joy to know that my first child is born free, a freedom I didn't get to have.

If you'd like to meet me, please text me. I've included my number at the end of this letter. I would love to see you and our son. Thank you so much for writing to me. This made my day- probably even my year.

It's relieving to know that all along you were real, and all along you were having the same dreams too. I feel even closer to you now.

-A.S.

Anakin seals the envelope and sprints down to the mail room, sending the letter just an hour after he started writing it in the first place.

[thevibraniumveterans]

All this is classic Star Wars “misdirection”.

In A New Hope, near the beginning, Obi-Wan speaks with Luke.

Kenobi: I was once a Jedi Knight the same as your father.

Luke: I wish I’d known him.

Kenobi: He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior. […] Your father wanted you to have [his lightsaber] when you were old enough. […]

Luke: How did my father die?

Kenobi: A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father.

We know that that’s not true… well at least it is, depending on how you choose to see and tell events, according to Obi-Wan’a Force ghost in ROTJ.

Luke: Obi-Wan! Why didn't you tell me? You told me Vader betrayed and murdered my father.

Kenobi: You father was seduced by the dark side of the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man who was your father was destroyed. So what I have told you was true... from a certain point of view.

Luke: A certain point of view?!

Kenobi: Luke, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.

Characters not telling the truth from the beginning is literally BAKED into Star Wars from the very beginning. Imagine if Old Ben told Luke that Anakin was his dad and became Vader in Ep4, we’d never get the “No, I am your father” revelation in ESB.

Which brings me to my next point.

The Star Wars branch of The Direct recently put out this article:

In it, the article highlights past interview talking points, the first of which was made by Dave Filoni five years ago on StarWars.com’s Rebels Recon #4.8: Inside “A Fools Hope” and “Family Reunion - and Farewell” on YouTube.

Filoni had said, of the relationship dynamic between Ezra and Sabine:

“It’s been a varied thing and I think everybody’s knee-jerk reaction is to ship the two. You know, to think that, because the two are similar in age, that there’s some type of gravity between them romantically. […] And I think it’s very strong at this point to show boys and girls being friends in supportive of one another. Everybody has their different relationships and it’s just not something that had to be romantically dimensional.”

So okay, Filoni definitely had Ezra start off crushing on Sabine but then he matures and still likes her. Fair enough, because by S4, they’re not kids anymore. They’re not dependent on each other but they rely on each other, and grow with each other. But that they should be, and definitely are, very close friends with each other.

I mean, remember in Rebels S4E1 when the Ghost crew is helping to save Sabine’s dad? He asks Ezra, “Are you with Sabine?” (Meaning, he wants to know if Ezra is part of the group his daughter is with.) And Ezra hilariously replies, “Yeah, I'm with her. I mean, not with her, with her. I'm just friends... With her.” (I mean, sure, it would be way past awkward for Ezra to say that he’s with Sabine, but by fumbling his response, not only do we know the extent of his feelings for her (he actually likes her, go figure 😂), he’s telling a half truth. Because, he is friends with Sabine! It’s true! He just doesn’t want her dad to get the wrong idea! 🤣)

According to Carrie Beck (producer of Rebels) in that same Rebels Recon interview, she said:

“I think the really incredible thing about watching the two of them grow up together as young people lost in a really big galaxy is understanding that one of the strengths of their relationship is actually how they’ve grown and they’ve been able to see each other through. […] And I think, very much, both taking their lessons from Kanan and Hera, I think, has shaped them into the people that they are. You may not be able to control the world around you but you can control how you treat other people and how you work with them. And I think their bond is so strong that there’s nobody else that he could rely on quite like her.”

Beck literally says, there’s two kids who looked at their role models (and team “captains”) who are in love, and took notes.

So it totally squares with Ezra not being 100% truthful in his message for Sabine. Because when he’s telling her something, he wants her to know something. He’s got unresolved feelings for her, so he told her in a way that he hopes she understands. Because it’s never been about him. And even though it’s not 100% truthful, she understands that he cares for and about her. What was at stake was the galaxy, not what they had between them. She knows how he feels. And I think he knows that she’s got feelings for him too. So he phrased his “I’ve got feelings for you” message in such a way that he’s telling her how much she means to him.

So yeah, it would be very very weird of Filoni to have two teenagers somewhat get together, leave us hanging on their story for half a decade in our time, and not resolve it. Filoni knows what he’s doing. He wrote the damn thing after all, he knows what’s going on.

me: i'm tired of seeing the sabezra fandom go to the ends of the world to explain the sister line. i mean, i ship them too, but it'll be canon or it won't and it's useless (although fascinating) to delve into the gestures and psychology of it.

also me: "wow my writing prof really just explained exactly all of the literary character writing conventions that could be at play and i should share it on tumblr dot com"

[phoenixyfriend]

Anakin and the Jedi Babies: A Child's Ink

Context: Anakin and the Jedi Babies, chrono

WARNINGS: underage characters get tattoos/piercings

Word Count: 5680 Rating: T Ships: primarily Gen (Disaster Lineage + Shmi), offscreen JangoShmi, past Obitine, past Anidala ----

Ylliben Skywalker is known as a preternaturally calm and quiet child, serious and pensive.

He jokes. He roughhouses. He is as responsive to tickle attacks and shoulder rides and warm hugs as any other child.

But he is Jetii'Manda, not just Mando'ade, and that fact is impossible to forget.

This is a child that can read before he can speak, a child who can talk at length about 'grassroots antiestablishment propaganda and its influence on rural sociological development' before he can say the words without a lisp. This is a child who looks a man in the eye and tells him to check over his blaster one last time, or it will explode in his hand only minutes into the next engagement. This is a child who is not only willing, but capable of discussing the plausible ramifications of Duke Adonai Kryze's latest decrees with Jaster Mereel himself, while still in possession of all his baby teeth.

(His father is not worried by this. Upset, sometimes, pained and tired, but not worried.)

(His sister only laughs.)

It is, as a result, not as surprising as it could be, when a six-year-old wanders his way into Na-Tsuyon's parlor and asks her what the risks of getting a tattoo at his age are.

"I'm not having that conversation with you unless your parent is here," she says. A few of the other artists crane their heads in her direction, but she waves them off.

"I'm not trying to get it right this moment," Ben protests. "I'm just gathering information. He said that was fine."

"Still need your parent here here," she tells him.

He leaves for about ten minutes, and then comes back with a tall, gangling figure in tow.

"I hear this isn't the place for unaccompanied minors," Knight Skywalker jokes.

(She has heard him called a General. She does not know which war he fought. Nobody does.)

(They no longer ask.)

"Well, he is young," she says, brushing her tentacles back over a shoulder. "I don't let anyone under human-fourteen get tattooed without a parent on hand, and giving preliminary information to anyone under twelve is... generally not worth it, shall we say."

Skywalker smiles, oddly amused in the way he always is when someone points out his children need supervision. "Glad to hear it. Are you the Na-Tsuyon whose name is on the door?"

"I am," she says. "And you're Knight Skywalker."

He's pleased at that. She can feel it in the chemical receptors of her head tails, and wonders. "Yep. So, do we jump right into the discussion or do you need me to sign something, or..."

"No, it's enough that you're here," she assures him. "Now, the main reasons we discourage tattoos for younger sentients is the distortion factor. While the level of pain is much lower than it would have been several millennia ago, and we have the technology to remove ink from below the skin, a tattoo before your body stops growing will distort as you grow and your skin stretches. You would need to come in yearly for touch-ups, to remove the sections that have moved out of place, and fill in where the ink is no longer settled."

"That makes sense," Ylliben says. He looks up at his father, and then back to her. "You'd be able to tell me if any of my choices would be... bad for a Mandalorian, yes?"

"I would," she confirms. She glances up at Knight Skywalker. "I don't suppose you have any history of getting tattoos?"

"No," he says. "I'm from Tatooine, so..."

Different connotations to the very act of it, for him.

She ducks her head in a nod. "I understand. Generally it's easier if the parent has experience in the process, but it's far from mandatory. You're willing to work with the distortion maintenance?"

"Yes'm," Ylliben says, and his father shrugs and gestures, as if the word of a six-year-old is thus law.

"I'll walk you through the details of the process, including the care, relevant allergies, and so on. I don't suppose you have anything in mind already?" she asks.

"I do," he says. He doesn't tell her what it is, yet.

Anakin Skywalker stays there the entire time, and they make an appointment for later in the week.

----

"My buir isn't my only father," Ylliben says quietly, when it comes time to get details on what he's getting tattooed. "I had another father before him. A Jedi. He died, to protect me, and a lot of other people. So, um..."

He shoves a picture to her, the symbol of the Jedi, plain and simple. She looks at him.

"In red," he says, shifting on his feet, looking up at his father and then back down at the page. "For, um, to honor a parent."

"Your first father was a Jedi?" she asks, gentle as she can.

"Mm-hm," Ylliben says. "He died, um... he saved buir from slavery, too, a long time ago. Both my dads were Jedi, and I'm going to be one, too, and so is Sokanth. It's--it's about where I come from, and--"

"You don't have to justify it if you don't want to," Na-Tsuyon tells him, reaching out to place one hand on his. It's very warm and dry, in her opinion, but she finds that most humans are. Mandalorians are some 80% human, or near human.

Nautolan Mandalorians aren't unheard of, but she's a rare one.

Ben sucks in a breath, and says, "I want it up here, on my right shoulder, like a pauldron."

Na-Tsuyon nods, and looks up to Skywalker. "You'll have to sign some papers to approve it, Master Jedi. You approve of the design?"

Skywalker hesitates, and then goes to one knee in front of his son, and speaks so quietly she can only hear "--remind you of the generator complex?"

Whatever Ben's answer is, it's too quiet for her to catch. It satisfies Skywalker, though, and he stands. "Alright, let's see this paperwork."

----

When Ylliben comes in again, a year later to get his slightly-twisting tattoo fixed, it's with Miss Shmi in tow. Na-Tsuyon greets the middle Skywalker, for all that she's still not entirely sure how to address the girl. "I heard you've been attending the university at Sundari. Some kind of engineering?"

"Mechanical, yes," Shmi says, oddly soft. "I'm going to spend another year to specialize in vehicular engineering. I'd like to design starships, since I already know how to fix them."

"A worthy goal," Na-Tsuyon says, as she leads them over to one of the stations and starts sanitizing Ylliben's inked shoulder. She doesn't entirely see why a university education is needed for something that, in her opinion, an apprenticeship could more thoroughly cover. It certainly worked well enough Na-Tsuyon herself. "You're on vacation, then?"

"I am," Shmi confirms. "It's... unfortunate that Anakin couldn't be here a the same time, but we'll see each other in a few days."

Ylliben fidgets for a bit as his jedi symbol is fixed, and then finally asks, "Ori'vod can approve new tattoos, right?"

"Sokanth, no. Shmi..." Na-Tsuyon looks up at her. "I have no idea if you're listed as his legal guardian anywhere, and I'd need proof of that."

"Secondary to Anakin," Shmi confirms. "Ben would like this to be a surprise for Ani."

Ben pulls out a sheet, with a careful design on it, and presses it into Na-Tsuyon's lap when she lifts the tattoo gun and he's not at risk of ruining his own ink. It's simpler than the Jedi symbol, though it's two colors instead of one.

"It's the Open Circle Fleet," Ben says, shy in a way she's given to understand he usually isn't. She thinks his shyer moments may be connected to admitting to emotion, something that he's tying quite closely to his choice of Tattoos. "I thought, um, since I'm already--already honoring one buir, then, er..."

"The Open Circle Fleet was under the command of my brother's Jedi Master," Shmi explains, one hand on Ben's. "And I am given to understand that the symbol was designed as a subtle nod, of sorts, to the two of them as a team. Ben's looking to honor Anakin as he has his first father."

Ben looks down at his lap, and doesn't meet Na-Tsuyon's eyes.

"Bring me proof of guardianship," she tells them. "And I'll make sure you get it finished early enough that the bacta comes off before Knight Skywalker makes it home."

She holds true to her word, and talks her way into being there to see the reunion and reveal.

The emotions that cross Skywalker's face are complicated and unexpected in ways that she can't identify.

Then it's all too simple, because he starts crying on little Ylliben in the middle of the hangar.

----

It doesn't take a full year for Ylliben to come in for another set. It's only five months, maybe six. He has a sketch again, a geometric design of something she doesn't recognize, but still pings as familiar for some reason.

"It needs to be the right shade of blue," he tells her, serious as anything. Knight Skwyalker is right next to him, smiling all soft and indulgent, and maybe a little sad. "It's for Soka."

Oh. This is based on her facial markings, then. Or... what they will be, maybe. This doesn't look quite like what she's seen on the girl, but everyone knows little Ben is more touched by visions than his father and sister.

Na-Tsuyon thinks she knows where this is going. "The same blue as her montrals and lekku?"

Ben shakes his head. "No, 501st blue."

Or not.

"It's close, but a little darker and more saturated," Skywalker offers, and shrugs when she looks his way. "It's a long story, but the 501st was the legion I led before I arrived at Mandalore. It had a specific shade of blue assigned for armor paint, so legions could easily identify each other in the field."

That's... odd. She doesn't ask for more detail, though. It's not her business. "Where do you want this one?"

Ben shows her his left forearm and frames a section about two-thirds the length of it, along the outer side. Like a vambrace.

She has a feeling all these symbols will be on his armor, once he's old enough for it.

"Let's go through my inks and see which one will work best," she says, and does not comment on the rest.

----

When Ylliben comes in again, a few months before his next touch-up appointment, he doesn't have an image on hand. His father is trailing him again, and Na-Tsuyon has a guess.

"Time for Shmi?" she asks.

Ben ducks his head, flushing and not meeting Na-Tsuyon's eyes. "Yes'm."

"I thought as much," she says, and smiles at Skywalker. "General."

"Don't start."

"There have been oh so many rumors flying since the last Jedi run-in, you know."

"I don't care," he grouses, dropping into a seat. "Hells, a man takes emergency command for one battle, and it's all anyone can talk about."

"You ended a civil war, sir."

Ben giggles into his hands as Skywalker groans and slaps a hand over his eyes.

"No respect," the man complains. "Ben, be nice to me, I'm your dad."

"Nuh-uh," Ben says. "I know all the most embarrassing secrets."

"A cruel child," Skywalker accuses. "Ruthless."

"You're the one raising me," Ben says, swinging his legs back and forth. He's got plastoid training vambraces, now, and greaves that clink against the legs of the chair.

"Somehow, yes." Skywalker sighs, with great drama and all such things. He drags himself up to sitting. "Anyway. Moving on."

"Do you have something in mind already?" Na-Tsuyon asks.

"Binary suns," Ben says. "Just two overlapping circles, coin-sized, one bigger than the other, in sunset colors. In a gradient, with a sort of... flare to it? Halo? The... oh! The stellar corona. Buir knows the colors better."

"I want to see what you have to work with before I sketch out the design," Skywalker says. "But yeah, sort of pink and yellow and peachy."

"I can do almost any color," Na-Tsuyon promises. "Especially on fair human skin like Ylliben's. I won't have a problem getting those to show up the way I would on myself."

Na-Tsuyon is a color most would call 'aquamarine.' She's a light shade between blue and green, and much as she likes her skin, it's an absolute pain to make red and orange show up.

She can do it.

It's just annoying.

Ben asks for this one to be on the inside of the left forearm, high and opposite to the widest point of the mark for Sokanth.

----

"Can I see your fonts?"

Ben's alone, for the moment, but Na-Tsuyon knows that when he makes his decision, his father or Shmi will approve it without question. It's no harm to let him browse.

"Basic, Mando'a, or Huttese alphabet?" she asks. "Or something more esoteric?"

"Mando'a, please."

He's eight years old, now. He's still far younger than most of her clients, but she's long gotten used to him. Even when he's acting like a child, there's something to it that doesn't quite sit right. 'Born middle-aged,' a few of the other civilians on base had joked.

She wasn't sure if she thought it was just a joke, these days.

Na-Tsuyon passes her fonts book to the boy, and settles back in her chair for a long afternoon of running numbers. He, meanwhile, goes to sit in the lobby, legs still not long enough to reach the floor, paging through with unwavering, unsettling gravitas.

Half an hour, and then Ben returns.

He points to a font. "This one."

"What's it going to say?"

"Vode An," he tells her, as serious as can be. "In black, over my heart. It's important."

"It's a fairly common phrase," she notes idly. "Should be quick."

She doesn't expect much of a response, and certainly not the one she gets.

"It was different for them," Ben mutters, not looking at her. She sees him twisting the toes of one shoe into the floor. "It was... it was different. I can't talk about it. They were brothers, actually brothers, and they had--they had nothing, they were basically slaves, but--"

"You don't have to talk about it," Na-Tsuyon assures him, a hand on his. "You don't have to explain it to me. If it means something to you, that's all that matters. I just need you to be sure."

"And buir to sign the paperwork," Ben quips, smiling at her. She notices that several teeth are missing. It's cute. "You need that too."

"That too," she agrees.

When Skywalker shows up, he hears what it is that Ben would like, and makes a few suggestions for a border--a gear that sounded too much like the Republic's symbol for a Mando'a phrase, a building on stilts from a city she's never heard of on a planet that rings no bells, a human genetic strand for reasons she can't imagine--most of which are soundly ignored, until Skywalker sketched out a stylized ship of... some sort.

"Venator," Skywalker says, and taps the image. "Nobody will know it except us, but it'll mean something to you, for them."

Ben looks at it for a long moment, and then takes the scrap of flimsi with Mando'a on it and lays it overtop the center of the sketch.

He stares at it for a few long moments, and then nods sharply and pushes it to Na-Tsuyon. "This, please."

He's such a polite child.

It makes it easier to ignore the more confusing parts of his presence in her parlor.

----

"Hi!"

Sokanth Skywalker is in her shop.

That's new.

"Hello," Na-Tsuyon says. "I didn't know you were thinking of getting ink."

"I'm not," she says, hopping up on a stool across the counter. She holds out a hand, and Na-Tsuyon clasps it with bemusement. "But you guys do piercings too, right?"

"We do," she confirms. "You're... ten?"

"Yep!" Sokanth chirps, kicking her legs back and forth. "Is that old enough to get these without permission, or should I ask my dad to come by?"

"At least twelve for piercings without in-person, signed approval from a parent or guardian," Na-Tsuyon says. "Though if you're anything like your brother, I don't imagine that'll be a problem for you."

Sokanth grins at her, bright and a little wild. "Nose, bottom lip, eyebrow. I don't know the actual terms, but I know what I want. Which do you suggest getting first?"

"I'd say nostril," Na-Tsuyon tells her. Most species even vaguely humanoid kick off with the ears, but that's not exactly an option for a togruta. "Let me get a chart and you can figure out what type of piercing you want, and what kind of hoop or stud. I don't actually do the piercings myself, though. Comm the General if you want this done today, though."

"Thank you~!"

----

Nostril, labret, and a horizontal brow, the piercer notes down at the end of the latest Skywalker visit. Na-Tsuyon wonders if the brow piercing will look strange with Soka's markings, and then doesn't think on it further.

----

Ylliben, almost nine, is silent as he gets the touch-up.

His father isn't here. Neither is Shmi. It's pre-approved, signed permission and all, but it's still odd that neither of Ben's adults is here.

Sokanth is, but she's almost as quiet as Ben is.

Na-Tsuyon has heard the rumors, but she's not going to say anything. She's not. It's not her business.

"Ben," Soka speaks up, towards the end of the appointment. "Ask her the thing."

Ben shakes his head. "No way."

"She knows more about tattoos and how important they are than anyone!" Soka urges. "Ask her!"

"Do you want to wait for your father?" Na-Tsuyon suggests.

"No!" both immediately yelp.

She pauses, glad the needle hadn't been to skin, and levels a look at Ben. He flushes and settles down, mumbling an apology for jerking as he had. She goes back to fixing the stretch of the binary suns tattoo.

Soka shifts in her seat, watching them intently.

"Shmi's upset with buir," Ben suddenly says. He doesn't meet Na-Tsuyon's eyes. "I'm... I don't know if you heard what's going on."

"I do my best to avoid rumors," she says, keeping her voice as neutral as she can. "I did hear that the Mand'alor is about to have a grandchild, and something about an upcoming wedding. That much has been announced officially."

"Dad freaked out," Soka says, legs kicking back and forth. "He's happy for her, and he's fine with Jango being the other parent, but it kicked off a... philosophical crisis? Ben, what do you think?"

"Metaphysical, maybe," Ben mumbles. "Definitely existential."

"And he told Shmi some stuff and now she's hurt that he didn't tell her before and it's all a mess," Soka finishes. "So, uh, we don't... want either of them involved. Until. Um. Until that's settled."

Na-Tsuyon bites back any deeper questions she might have. "Alright. I won't pry. What did you want to know from me?"

"I had a plan for what I was going to get next," Ben says, staring at the fold of fabric over his sister's knees in lieu of something more pertinent. "A peace lily, on the inside of my wrist, for..."

"You don't have to tell me," she reminds him.

Ben bites his lip, and closes his eyes, and breathes in deep. Neither of the girls comment.

"She was important," Ben finally says. "In the big memories. But she doesn't... she's not... she isn't here. And Jango is. And he's marrying Shmi, and they're having a baby, so I should put a mark down for him first, right?"

"He's gonna be Mand'alor, too," Soka adds.

"He is," Na-Tsuyon says, as neutral as she can.

"He's joining the family," Ben says, his gaze fixed on the floor in front of him. "And there's going to be a baby, and that's. That's important."

"There's no order that you have to get things in," Na-Tsuyon assures him, squeezing his shoulder in a light gesture of support. "You've prioritized family so far, so I think it would make sense to get a mark for the coming cousin, at least. Unless... is the lily for your birth mother?"

Ben's face twists, uncomfortable for some reason she can't begin to guess at.

"No," Ben says.

"Skyguy's Jedi Master did almost marry her when they were younger," Soka explains. She glances at Na-Tsuyon and then away and at the wall. "They had a whole dramatic 'forbidden romance' thing going on, 'cause Jedi aren't supposed to get married. She died before Ben came into the picture, though."

It's a neat enough explanation.

It feels fake, but much of what the Skywalkers say about their pasts does.

She's sure it's true in some way. In some perspective. From... from a certain point of view, maybe.

"Alright, then," Na-Tsuyon dismisses. "All things aside, I would suggest adjusting your order of tattoo acquisition, but there's no particular requirement by Mandalorian standards. Your choices are rarely anything that intersects with set traditions, nor do you have a historic clan or house that comes with mandates of the sort. It seems that you're leaning towards prioritizing something for the new additions to your family, though; you've made it clear that these things are important to you, and I think you should pursue it if you're comfortable with it."

Ben nods, eyes somewhere far off.

"It'll make him flustered," Soka pushes, kicking lightly at her brother's ankle. "Jan-Jan's still worried you don't like him anymore."

"He is not," Ben huffs. "He's just scared of buir."

"Nah, your opinion matters too," Soka argues. "And you've been avoiding everyone 'cuz Skyguy freaked out and Shmi's upset, so Jango's worried you're mad at him about the baby happening. If you get a tattoo about him, he might actually cry."

"Is that why you want me to take that route?"

"Not the only one," Soka says, utterly guileless. She blinks at him, bright and innocent. "But I definitely do want to see the future Mand'alor crying because you made it obvious he's family now. It'll be funny."

Ben sighs, very clearly being dramatic about it. "Soka, I'm not going to pick a tattoo based on what you think will be funny."

"Imagine his face, though."

Na-Tsuyon doesn't comment at the expressions Ben makes as he very clearly does exactly that.

"Well, kriff," Ben sighs, and Soka giggles at the swear. "I'll have to get a tattoo for Jango, then."

----

Ben is already nine by the time he comes in with his father to actually get the tattoo for Jango's addition to the family. The choice he makes isn't particularly imaginative, but it'll suit well enough. A mythosaur skull, the symbol of the Haat Mando'ade, in a grey the same shade as beskar.

There actually are traditions to this one, specific adjustments to the framing and stylization meant to indicate how one fits into the faction, but also how one is associated with the Mand'alor. Ben is family, and close family, but not related by blood, nor adopted directly by the Mand'alor, rather a relative through the riduur be alor.

Na-Tsuyon explains each element and adjustment in detail, lets them process and agree, until she's taking a needle to Ben's skin once more.

"Will you be getting one for the coming child as well?" Na-Tsuyon asks while shading in a curve of bone.

"Not yet," Ben tells her, quiet and oddly contemplating. "I need to meet them, first. Figure out who they are."

"Sensible," she agrees. There's the usual oddity in his phrasing, and she ignores it as ever. "Did you tell Fett that you were getting this?"

"No, it's intended as a surprise," Ben says, watching her work.

She can almost feel the coming question.

It does not come from the human she expects.

"Do you know any Mando tattoo artists in Little Keldabe?" the General asks, voice low.

She finishes the line she's on, lifts the needle away from skin, and turns to him. "You're leaving for Coruscant?"

"Not yet," Skywalker says. He meets her eyes evenly. "But... soon. The time's coming. A year, maybe two. The Force will let us know when the time is right."

"Uh-huh," Na-Tsuyon acknowledges this. She does not comment further. The Force is not her wheelhouse. If they think it wants them back on Coruscant, with the Temple, then that's what they believe.

"These are Mando work," Skywalker continues, almost painfully earnest, "and I'd like to ensure whoever maintains them until Ben stops growing knows the right way to handle Mando art."

It's really not that different from a standard tattoo artist, but she's a little charmed anyway. Enchanted, almost. The man really does care.

"I can get you some names and addresses next time you stop by," she promises him. "It's been a few years since I checked in on their work, and I'll need to look them over before I make any recommendations."

He smiles at her, relieved in a manner she finds appallingly open for a Jedi like himself.

Ben mimics his father.

----

She gets to attend the wedding, months later.

The food is very, very good.

(Ben waits until the reception to show off his new tattoo, and the future Mand'alor does, in fact, cry.)

(So does Shmi.)

(So does their eight-week-old daughter, but that's probably unrelated to the tattoo.)

----

"Do you think getting a belly button ring would be good?"

Na-Tsuyon doesn't lift her head from her paperwork when Sokanth poses the question to the piercer. She's in for the horizontal brow bar, this time, and the labret is going to be somewhere a few months down the line.

"That's really up to you," the piercer says. His name is Hujnak, and he's a Devaronian that's been working here since Na-Tsuyon opened up the place. She loves him dearly, but he stole the last piece of cake and for that he will have no help with difficult customers for the next fortnight.

Or until she gets bored.

"I'm leaning towards 'no,' but I'm not sure," Soka muses. "I like the idea of it, but I feel like it might get snagged on things more easily. Plus, it's going to be a point of higher damage and pressure if I get a gut punch. It's one of the parts of my body I'm never really going to armor up, you know?"

They do know. There have been screaming matches about all the Jedi's refusal to wear enough armor on many occasions. The Jedi prioritize their agility to such a degree that armorweave is more reasonable than actual armor, in their opinion. This is an opinion that Fett and Mereel both take issue with.

At great volume.

(Shmi has vambraces, a gorget, and greaves, Na-Tsuyon knows. Some of it was exchanged at the wedding. Shmi doesn't wear much armor, certainly less than even the children. Shmi, crucially, isn't a warrior or otherwise planning to see battle.)

"Then I would say it may be best to hold off."

"Phooey," Soka says, though she doesn't seem particularly upset. "Ben's gonna be cooler than me forever, then."

"You think tattoos are cooler than piercings?" Hujnak challenges. "I'm offended."

"He can just get more," Soka protests. "Without it looking weird or getting dangerous, I mean."

Hujnak hums, noncommittal. "And you're worried about being cooler than the younger brother you have told me is, and I quote, the biggest nerd ever?"

"Well, yeah," Sokanth scoffs. "He's gonna start acting older than me as soon as he thinks he can get away with it. I gotta have something to hold over his head, you know?"

"Seeing as you are the older sibling..."

"Ehhhh..."

Nope.

Not paying attention.

----

"These are House Kryze colors."

Ylliben's breath hitches.

He is ten. He doesn't seem ready to provide answers. She turns to the father instead.

"Will that be a problem?" the general asks, calm and even.

"Yes," she says, and Ben slumps. She continues, because this is her job, and for a reason. "Unless you have a ready justification for when House Kryze asks, yes, it will be a problem. If it were a landscape or an animal, it wouldn't matter, but the pairing of the colors and the peace lily is an explicit statement of loyalty to Adonai and his heir, Satine. Unless you've suddenly decided to adjust your political stance to total pacifism instead of your Jedi approach, or have another reason to take on House Kryze colors, I'd warn against it at all, and would refuse to perform the work myself."

Ylliben's eyes are fixed somewhere behind her, and shining wetly.

"Okay," the general says. "Ben, do you have any other pallettes in mind?

"These were her colors," Ben whispers, and then he swallows thickly. "I just..."

"Simplify," Skywalker suggests. He fiddles with a necklace half-hidden in his Jedi layers; the japor one is visible, but a dull gold glint is all Na-Tsuyon can see of the other before it's tucked away again. "She'd understand, yeah? There's political ramifications. Dangerous ones, especially to you."

Interesting thing to say about a woman who, by Soka's earlier statements, died well before Ben was born.

They could at least try to stop dropping hints about their oddities. She doesn't want to know more.

"Lilac," Ben finally decides. "And... pale silver. With a filigree pattern in the shading?"

"I can do that," Na-Tsuyon promises.

She does not ask further.

----

"We're moving to Coruscant in a month."

Na-Tsuyon's head snaps up, head tails jolting almost painfully with the movement.

Sokanth is getting her labret, finally. She's gossiping as Hujnak prepares the tools, as usual, and Na-Tsuyon tries to ignore it when they Skywalkers do that, she does, but...

"You're leaving," she repeats, feeling oddly blank.

"Um... yeah?" Soka answers. She scratches at one stubby montral. "We've talked about it before. I thought you knew."

"I didn't realize it was so soon," Na-Tsuyon defends. She's more upset than she should be. "I thought you'd be waiting until the little princess was older."

Sokanth blinks at her, slow and... not judging, no. Evaluating, maybe.

"I'm almost thirteen," she says, slow and deliberate and heavy. "And Ben's eleven. There's no hard age limit for becoming a padawan, but I'm getting into the peak years for getting chosen, and I've been living here instead of in the Temple. I haven't had years to impress a potential Master like the others. That might not matter; sometimes a Master sees their future student and just knows, but... I need to have other Jedi to spar with, not just Skyguy and Ben. And Ben's visions are getting stronger, and Dad was never that good with his own in the first place, so he's worried about being able to help at all. We could stay longer, but..."

She trails off, and shrugs, and the weighted air disappears. "It's not the same thing as a verd'goten, at all, but it's about the same age, you know? I should be in the Temple for it."

"What would a verd'goten equivalent be?" Hujnak prompts, when Na-Tsuyon fails to find her words. "Being an adult and equal member and all such things?"

"Knighthood," Soka answers immediately. "Dad got knighted when he was twenty, but that's really young, usually. His master was knighted at twenty-five, which was a bit late, but apparently there was a whole dramatic thing going on there that Dad never got all the details about."

"Becoming a Padawan is a sign that your teachers see you as someone that is ready to take on the responsibilities of a Jedi, yes?" Hujnak asks. "That you may not be ready to go out on your own, but that you're old enough to understand your oaths and choose how to follow them, and to protect others?"

Sokanth considers this, and then nods. "Yeah, I guess it's similar to using the verd'goten to gauge if someone's ready to swear the Resol'nare, that way. Still not moving out, and just about entering an apprenticeship, but enough of an adult to make the choice of how to change the world."

"I think most cultures have something like that around the same age," Hujnak comments. "Some do it a bit later in the teens, but it's usually around your age that most... well, most cultures who age at the 'human standard' rate--"

Na-Tsuyon can't help the reflexive snort of derision. Neither can Soka. Hujnak, the closest to human in the room and yet still very much not, smiles like this is exactly what he intended.

"--most who age at that rate do have it somewhere in that eleven-to-seventeen range, I'd think."

Soka shrugs. "Yeah, well. Still gotta go to the Temple for it, you know?"

"Are you going to take the verd'goten at all?" Na-Tsuyon asks, suddenly a little desperate to keep the Skywalkers here, with Mandalore and all its people, just a fraction of a moment longer.

"I don't think so," Soka muses. "I've been thinking about it, but I should probably talk about it with Jango, yeah?"

"Yeah," Na-Tsuyon says, and feels like she's swallowing down around rocks.

----

As it turns out, the timing is very deliberate. Three weeks later, Jaster transfers the title of Mand'alor to his son.

(Though Na-Tsuyon does not know this, twenty-six is older than Jango was when he lost the title, once upon another life.)

There is a week of festivity. There is food, and drink, and dancing. Some people get married. Some people make announcements of impending births. Some people reveal songs they composed in preparation for this very day.

For a week, Mandalore celebrates a new king.

Then, the Jedi and his children leave.

(Ben gives Na-Tsuyon a hug before he goes.)

(She tries to understand why she feels like she's losing something when he does.)

[milfmisspiggy]

i wonder what it was like processing all of this shit in force ghost therapy for anakin and obi-wan. yes you're my father yes you're my brother yes i love you forever yes i hate (hated?) you yes i broke open the earth to throw you into the ground yes when i saw you unfiltered with my own eyes, crying, apologizing, it was supposed to be everything i ever wanted yes i am not your failure yes i thought of you every day yes i blamed you for everything yes it was really my fault yes we definitely still need to go through the 14 years we were family day by day to address each moment of pain and joy yes you are definitely a bastard yes that only makes all of this worse yes occasionally i would stare out at space and remember when you taught me to fight and to swim and first braided my hair yes i could never let you go yes that was a weakness yes it could also be called a strength yes you kept my son and daughter safe for the last 20 years of your life yes that makes me feel too many different things yes i am what you made me and yes. maybe im happy with that now

[nevertheless-moving]

Invisible Hand Chaos AU x 2

Star Wars Time Travel AU #31

Continuation from HERE

Anakin whirled to face his Master, “Did you know Yoda had a baby?” he asked incredulous and slightly betrayed.

“What? No. Also he could just be another of Yoda’s species. Obviously.” Internally Obi-Wan thought about the still unnamed larva in a hidden aquatic creche, but the Mandalorian’s associate even called him Baby Yoda...

“Unbelievable,” Dooku muttered. “That little green hypocrite.”

“Did you know about this?” Anakin asked the Sith Lord, temporarily forgetting about the fight in favor of the revelation that Yoda might also have a secret family.

“Of course not, the troll never tells anyone anything,” Dooku ranted, deliberately setting aside the fight in favor of unloading decades of suppressed irritation with his former Master.

“I feel we might be jumping to conclusions here-” Obi-Wan offered weakly. 

Anakin scoffed. “He literally just called him Baby Yoda,”

“Loathe as I am to admit it, your apprentice is correct. It would seem the Grandmaster of the order has been keeping some secrets.”

“This is absurd!” Obi-Wan protested as the small child on the balcony above tilted his head curiously, watching the conversation below with interest from the safety of his Buir’s arms. 

“I agree.” Anakin said self-righteously. “If Yoda can have a baby then- then everyone in the order should be allowed a family.”

“Anakin...”

“Anakin, as interesting is this all is, I’m still in somewhat of a bind over here,” the Chancellor called across the hall, irritated and somewhat alarmed by the sudden outbreak of peace in the room.

“We’ll be right with you Chancellor, don’t worry!” Obi-Wan called back. 

“We just need a minute to figure some Jedi business out!” Anakin added. 

“You there- Mandalorian” Dooku called up sharply. 

“...Yeah?” the Besker-clad warrior answered uncertainly.

“What is the parentage of the child in your arms? How did you come to possess him?” The count's question cut through everything else in the room, and the two Jedi held their breath as they waited for the answer.

The Mandalorian pulled Grogu in closer, “He is a foundling. I know his name as my child.”

“Mandalorians,” Obi-Wan and Dooku muttered, Obi-Wan fondly, Dooku with exasperation.

“What?” Anakin asked bewildered.

“The Mandalorian adopted him- hold on a second, I’m going to try something.” Obi-Wan said.

“Mando! Forgive me- Have you already attempted to return your foundling to his people and been denied? If not, we can show you where to find an elder of his kind.”

The Mandalorian stiffened. “I already found one of his people. It took a great deal of time; neither of us knew there were any others left in the galaxy. By the time I met Luke...the child was mine and we would not be parted long. The three of us began traveling together. He acted as mentor to Grogu, though he is too young to be considered the boy’s senior. In time...we decided it would be simpler to raise him as a warrior together. We are one.”

“Oh. How wonderful.” Obi-Wan said weakly. 

Anakin’s brow furrowed furiously and he lowered his voice “Master did I get that right? This guy is really good friend’s with one of Yoda’s people but the friend is not the Child’s biological father and they don’t know anyone else from the species?”

“He actually said he was married to one of one of Yoda’s people but other than that your conclusions are correct. Very good Padawan.” Obi-Wan nodded, attempting to wrap his head around the various implications.

Dooku made a triumphant hum, “Then, by simple inductive reasoning, and in the absence of an alternative candidate, we can assume that the Child is, in-fact, Yoda’s offspring.”

“Exactly!” Anakin agreed with Dooku excitedly. 

“Interesting that he would give the spawn to a Mandalorian, rather than the creche. Embarrassment, perhaps.” the Count mused. 

“Unbelievable.” Anakin agreed indignantly. 

“Ok, now hold on. Foundling is pretty literal most of the time-” Obi-Wan interrupted. “Mando- was the child entrusted to you or did was there a rescuing involved?”

“...I was assigned to find him as part of a bounty, but found the imps who I was supposed to give him to...unpleasant.”

“Imps?” Anakin asked. 

“There you go!” Obi-Wan said, with just a tinge of hysteria. “Yoda didn’t abandon the child- not that it necessarily is Yoda’s child- he was kidnapped.”

Anakin gasped, “Master! We have to save him!”

“Hold on now, Anakin- He seems perfectly safe at this point and we were here for the Chancellor remember?”

“You won’t be leaving here with the Chancellor or the child.” Dooku sneered. “I can sense the force potential- and I am in want of a new apprentice.”

“Over my dead body,” Anakin snarled.

“That can be arranged.”

“Hey Luke-” the Mandalorian said into the comm as the three swordsman began circling one another “-it looks like two of the Jedi are attacking the other- do you want me to get involved?”

“...Din, by any chance, are any of the laser swords red?”

“Yeah, the fanciest dressed one has a red lightsaber, the other guys are blue. Does it matter?”

“...Red lightsaber means not Jedi. I- hold on, I think I see you!”

The three combatants jumped apart again, looking up at the slight comm echo to the sound of footsteps and the absolutely blinding force presence of the approaching Jedi. 

Had he never learned shielding? Obi-Wan thought hysterically. “Or was he just so powerful that he never bothered restraining himself?”

He tried to exchange a glance with Anakin, but his padawan was too focused on straining to see the incoming Master force user of some kind- light, but not necessarily Jedi. He instead looked over at Dooku, shrugging in confusion. Dooku grimaced back at him in solidarity.

The being finally entered. He was- significantly taller and less green than Obi-Wan was expecting, but still probably shorter than anyone else in the room.

“Din- are you two alright?” The soft-faced man asked in a remarkably gently voice, appearance somewhat at odds with the overbearing power he exuded.

“We’re fine, Luke but look! More Jedi!” He gestured below. 

Luke peered over the balcony, eyes growing wide as they passed over the faces of everyone below. “hoLY KRIFF!” He shouted.

The ship shuddered and Obi-Wan glanced nervously out the view ports, suddenly remembered that the damaged ship only had so long before it fell out of orbit.

“Do you know them?” Din asked. 

“Do I- for fuck’s sake Din, I love you but I have literally shown you holopics of my father before.” Luke whispered furiously. The room unfortunately was utterly quiet and remarkably acoustic, meaning his words carried easily to the listeners below.

“FATHER!” Anakin yelled, causing Luke to wince, slapping a gloved hand to his face.

“FATHER!” He repeated loudly, head ping-ponging between Obi-Wan and Dooku as if trying to find a resemblance, before gasping to stare at the Chancellor, before gasping again to squint at Obi-Wan. 

“DOES EVERYONE HAVE A SECRET FAMILY!” He shouted, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

“Oh for force sake- I do not have a secret son. Honestly, Anakin, he’s clearly in his 20s, be reasonable. His birth would however fit into the timeline of Dooku’s withdraw from the order.” Obi-Wan said, raising a brow.

Dooku puffed out his chest, “I did not fail to meet the Code, like so many of the pathetic masses. Before I left the Order I followed the rules precisely. When my disagreements grew too great, and my attempt for structured reform were repeatedly rejected, I left for ethical reasons, not personal ones. I looked at the code and decided it was failing the Jedi.”

He smirked and lifted his chin at the chancellor, who was watching the proceedings with an inscrutable expression, “My, my Chancellor, this is an interesting surprise.”

Anakin rolled his eyes. “We’re not idiots, Dooku. Obviously the boy’s parents were force sensitive, look at him.” 

Dooku’s smirk grew wider.

“This is absurd! Again!” Obi-Wan threw up his arms and lifted his head to address the dark-robed young human, “Hello there, Luke, was it?” 

“Uh, yes. I’m Luke.” The powerhouse responded nervously. 

“My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi-”

“Yes, I know who you are.” Luke responded drily.

Anakin gasped. 

“He is not my son.” Obi-Wan muttered.

“I’m not Obi-Wan’s son.” Luke called down cheerfully.

“Oh.” Anakin slouched, oddly disappointed. He liked this guy for some reason, felt- connected to him. Maybe it was the dark robes, or the force signature that nearly rivaled his own (though it was somewhat lighter), or even the gloved hand that he suspected was mechanical. If he was Obi-Wan’s son than that would make him practically his brother! The Chancellor might be neat but Dooku...ugh.

“Would you be so kind as to tell us whose son you are? I realize its none of my business but you’ve peaked our curiosity. And then afterwards, regardless of your parentage, we would not mind help in rescuing the Chancellor of the Republic from this slowly crashing ship.”

“Right. Right.” Luke nodded. “Would you give me a second?”

He pressed his head to the side of Din’s helmet and started whispering rapidly, to quiet for anyone else to hear. 

The group below exchanged glances, beginning to tense up again. After a few seconds, the Mandalorian nodded and spoke, “Let’s do it. I trust your judgement.” Luke grinned and returned to the edge of the balcony. 

“Ok, I can help with the first, but not the second.”

“Perfectly understandable.” Obi-Wan replied.

Anakin bristled. “So Dooku is your father.”

Luke smiled at Anakin. “No. You are my father.”

Anakin blinked as Obi-Wan’s face twisted in confusion. “No...” he said slowly. “No, that’s not true. That’s impossible.”

Luke’s smile grew wider, “Search your feelings,” he said urgently, with the full weight of his force presence screaming honesty with every word, “You know it to be true.”

Anakin gasped as he reached out into the force to find...his son. Impossible, but true. The ground trembled, either with the immensity of the realization, or catastrophic engine failure.

“No.” Obi-Wan said clearly to Luke on the balcony.

“No.” He repeated firmly, snapping a finger in Anakin’s face to try and break him out of the trance he seemed to be in. “It’s not true.” He said to the room in general, incredulous it even needed to be said.

Dooku began slowly backing away. The confrontation was rapidly spinning out of his or his Master’s control; he had only stayed this long to indulge vain curiosity. Regardless if the boy was insane, lying, or a time-traveler, he was clearly powerful. The ship’s orbit was gradually decaying and with any luck he could use his dead man’s switch to speed up the crash as he departed, neatly killing everyone who could stand against him in one stroke.

“Anakin,” the lunatic on the balcony continued, “You can destroy the emperor. He has forseen this. It is your destiny! Join me, and together-”

Din cleared his throat.

Luke stopped and smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Sorry! Sorry. Got a little...carried away there.” He coughed awkwardly into his fist.

“Anyway- yeah. I’m Luke Skywalker. I’m from the future, I guess we... time-traveled accidentally somehow? I uh- was kind-of quoting something you said to me once and you kept going along with it and... yeah, definitely got carried away. Sorry, I really don’t know how we got here but, weird stuff happens around me- one time I was on Yavin IV and these ghosts started- anyway. Long story. Surprise!”

Obi-Wan took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Ok...I might believe you’re Anakin’s son.”

Dooku had nearly reached a side door when his treacherous Master called out- “Anakin! Master Kenobi! Dooku- he’s getting away.”

Skywalker’s- Anakin Skywalker’s- attention snapped over to the Count and with a outstretched arm, he crumpled the steel door, throwing a beam across it for good measure. The ship moaned alarmingly and several more red lights began blinking at the navigation panel, unnoticed by anyone.

“Luke- son- I don’t know what Emperor you’re talking about, but help us defeat Count Dooku and save Chancellor Palpatine! After that- after that I’m happy to, um, join you? And meet your... husband? And padawan? Sorry, we were kind-of in the middle of something...” 

“Wow. Ok. I’m not sure if-” Luke started to respond before being interrupted by the Mandalorian.

“Wait, Dooku! I know that name!” Din said suddenly. “The covert hated him! He was the evil Sif Emperor you defeated, right?”

“...Sith Emperor. Din, darling and light of my life, as always, your grasp of history and recent current events never fails to amaze me.” Luke sighed.

“You must stop him, before he becomes Emperor,” Palpatine shouted desperately. 

Luke sighed again, more heavily. “Fine. FINE! Kriff the timeline, I didn’t ask to be born anyway. Din- go help capture...Emperor Dooku. Grogu- Pod. I’ll go- free the Chancellor.” The floor beneath them gave a lurch. “Before this ship breaks apart. Go!” 

Luke and Din jumped off the balcony as a shiny metal pod with a transparisteel view screen closed around Grogu, hovering between them, well off easy reach of the ground.

Din landed between Obi-Wan and Anakin, helmet turning to face each of them in turn, “...I’ll follow your lead.” He finally said, arming his weapons.

Obi-Wan grinned fiercely, “Excellent, Anakin, stay with me.”

“I was just about to say the same thing.”

“Mando, you- Is that the DARKSABER- ARE Yoouu- ugh you know what, I will ask after the fight. I will ask after the fight. How did the Mand'alor- NEVERMIND. Let’s just- FORCE I have so many questions-” 

“No time, Master!”

And the battle began. 

[i-dreamed-i-had-a-son]

Hello~ how are you doing? I really like your meta posts about star wars they all cause me emotional damage but also thoughtful.

First I want to say that I'm relatively new to SW fandom and universe. I watched the trilogy a long time ago, but just now that I decided to know more. I watched the movies and series (currently watching tcw animation), besides of what is Disney canon I only have some informations of what happens in the Legends.

Anyway, I said this all because I have this doubt in my mind since I watched the prequels, and this only got stronger when I re-watch the saga. Was Anakin destiny to fall?

And this lead to another doubt, because I don't really know what is determined by the Force or is free choice.

I'm not Anakin apologist. I just fail to recognize a path where he fulfilled the prophecy without falling in the dark side. Tbh, I feel like he always was one step to the dark side, always in the limit... I don't think I'm reading correctly, because in the end, he chose it. Just like Reva chose to not kill Luke.

Anakin chose to follow the dark side over and over. And yet, I still wonder if he really had a choice? Am I being coherent here? Probably not :')

You're definitely being coherent haha! And thank you for this question--I was literally just talking to my friend about this the other day, so I'm glad to have a chance to flesh out my thoughts :)

The whole point of Anakin is that he loves so deeply it's unhealthy and it burns him up from the inside out. He ties himself so deeply to those he loves that he struggles to handle things involving their relationships with him in a reasonable way. These issues stem from his childhood, and they're never adequately addressed; it's likely he never even consciously recognized how dangerously deep his attachments to others ran. This makes him vulnerable to manipulation, which is exactly what Palpatine takes advantage of.

Anakin did make a very distinct choice: he is accountable for his actions and in the end he did know what he was doing. But I don't think that, at least at first, he realized what the root cause of his actions truly was. When he first turns to the Dark Side he's not consciously doing it for selfish reasons--deep down, it is a selfish desire for control and ultimately for power, but in his mind he's doing it because he has to: he is trying to save Padmé's life and overthrow what he views as a corrupt regime.

This persepctive is a direct result of Palpatine's influence. Palpatine groomed Anakin from the time he was a vulnerable and traumatized child through his adulthood. He leveraged his access to Anakin to put himself in a fatherly role in Anakin's life-- someone who he trusts and who seems to be the only one who fully trusts him and his judgement is naturally going to be more appealing to an immature and desperate young man than the often-restrictive Jedi order and the expectations he can never seem to live up to.

Palpatine very intentionally plays into Anakin's heightened impression of his own responsibility and power (caused by his awareness of his status as the Chosen One), and Anakin's simultaneous sense of utter powerlessness and loss (caused by his childhood as a slave, the suddenness of his departure from Tatooine, and the death of his mother) by making it out to be that Anakin, and only Anakin, has the ability and the right to determine how things should be. Not only that, he removes the only support system Anakin has by sending Obi-Wan to Geonosis and framing Padmé as a victim--as Anakin's victim--if Anakin doesn't use his power to save her.

To his credit, Anakin initially resists. He's opposed to Palpatine at first, so Palpatine pulls on Anakin's attachment to him as a father-figure (despite what Anakin had just witnessed) to goad him into killing Mace Windu.

As the lightning arcs across the room, connecting the two men in front of him in a violent and burning display, Anakin watches, his own battle raging inside him. He knows what is right, and in truth he knows he is powerful enough to stop Palpatine. He is the Chosen One. He is fated to bring balance to the Force. He could choose that fate: he could save Mace and stop Palpatine. But Anakin allows what Palpatine offers, and what Anakin himself feels, to blind him to the truth he had just recognized. Choosing the right is choosing to sacrifice what he wants, what he loves, and he will never do that. That scene is a representation of Anakin's internal decision as much as his physical one: in the moment he kills Mace Windu, he chooses to attack the good in himself instead of the evil, and commits himself to the Dark Side.

The tragedy of Anakin's fall is that it could have been prevented, in some other life. If he was protected from Palpatine's influence; if he had been able to see his mother before her death; if he had been shown how his attachment was unhealthy and why, and taught how to love people without making them his entire universe; if he had talked about these things and listened to the counsel he received; then it would have been different. But it would have been different because he would have been different. He was shaped by what happened to him and those around him, and changing those things would have made him into someone who would never have chosen to fall. Who would never have felt like he needed to. Who, perhaps, would never have wanted to. But as it was, he had a furnace in him, and others saw that and stoked the flame, and Anakin chose to let it consume him.

So in the end, it's a both-and situation: what happened to Anakin was both fully Anakin's choice and never only his choice. The circumstances and plans of other people intersected perfectly with the kind of person Anakin was naturally, which was shaped by his childhood experiences, which was shaped in part by the Jedi and in part by simple chance, and Anakin's own determination of the person he wanted to become. Ultimately the final decision was made by him--he recognizes himself that he killed Anakin Skywalker--but it's impossible to assign sole blame to any one party for all the decisions and factors that led him there. That's just how life works: nothing happens in a vacuum, and it's impossible to tell what the tipping point is, because everything is entangled in ways we can't describe. And in that way, I suppose you could call it fate.

But fate is never stronger than will. The true tragedy is that even after all of this, Anakin was presented a way out, through Obi-wan, and he chose not to take it. Who can truly know why we cling to what destroys us? But he did, as so many of us do. He chose a path of suffering and cruelty and death, and he walked that path for many years.

But in the end, he chose to turn around--and so can we. No one is ever truly beyond the point of saving. We always have a choice. And that is what I think is most important of all: no matter why we fall, we can always rise again.

[luna-writes-stuff]

CHAPTER II

A Kili X OC fic

Previous chapter // Next chapter

Tw: Use of daggers (not against a person), Thorin being a bitch, none other?

——————————————————————————

Where two people meet, who hate each other more than Anakin hates sand.

"Those are my... Excuse me, not my wine!" Bilbo spoke, trying to stop the dwarves from plundering his pantry. Raewyn had resided in the corner of the room, just in front of the hall, where the dwarves had settled Bilbo's dining table. She gave the hobbit a questioning glance, but he just shook his head at her and resumed talking - nay - yelling at the dwarves.

"Put that back. Put that back! Not the jam, please. Excuse me!" He grabbed multiple condiments, and he stuffed them back in the pantry. Just then, the biggest dwarf walked out, carrying various blocks of cheese.

"Ex-Excuse me..." Bilbo began, not even knowing how to correctly speak to him. "A tad excessive, isn't it? Have you got a cheese knife?"

A second dwarf walked up and smiled at the hobbit. "A cheese knife? He eats it by the block."

"You are not a dwarf." Someone spoke to Raewyn, causing her attention to divert from the still struggling hobbit. In front of her stood a dwarf with white hair, holding a plate of, what appeared to be, tea. She raised her eyebrows and nodded at him.

"Keen observation." She spoke sarcastically, forcing kindness out of her throat.

"What are you then?" The dwarf did not sound rude, even though Raewyn had expected him to. He sounded genuinely interested and confused about her build. As a joke, the woman looked down, as if inspecting her own body, before looking back up and shrugging. "A woman."

"From the race of men?" The dwarf questioned, not catching her joke. Raewyn's lips formed in a thin line as she shook her head. "Sure."

"So, I should just call you lady, then?" The dwarf resumed, making the young woman to widen her eyes and lightly shake her head. "No. Not a lady."

"How do I refer to you then?" He continued, trying to address Raewyn. "Preferably not," she muttered under her breath, but when she noticed Gandalf's glance, she picked up her speech, "but if you must, you can call me Tolmiró."

The dwarf smiled at her and nodded. "Well, my name is Dori."

The woman smiled back at him and gave a nod of her head in recognition to him. "Would you like a nice cup of chamomile tea, Tolmiró?" Dori asked, offering her a cup.

"I just had my fill." She answered, rejecting his offer. When she saw his face fall, she looked back at Gandalf, who was now smiling at the other dwarves who were decking the table.

"Gandalf might want one, though." She spoke, causing Dori's face to light up and walk towards the tall wizard. Raewyn watched as the dwarf walked away, still surprised by his kindness.

"You are not from the race of men." The tall dwarf that arrived earliest noticed. "But you are not dwarven either."

"That is correct." She assured, giving him a questioning glance.

"Your feet tell me you are no hobbit and you are too short to be an elf....what are you?" He now asked, almost suspiciously. She hesitated over what to say, but she shot him a small smile, not trying to draw too much attention.

"I'm just a simple ranger trying to make my way in the wild. Like my father before me." She clarified, not revealing more and not revealing less. The dwarf, Dwalin, was about to ask more of her when Gandalf interrupted. Raewyn let out a quiet sigh, which went unnoticed by both of them.

"There you are. I was beginning to wonder on whether you had left or not." The wizard spoke. The woman send a nod in his direction.

"I didn't. This kind sir," she began, nudging her head towards Dwalin, "has eaten my meal for this evening, so I'm afraid I am still counting on our host's offer for some nice food."

The grey wizard chuckled at her reply, but got halted halfway. A dwarf with an axe in his head signed to Gandalf, mumbling Khuzdul words in between that even Raewyn couldn't hear. She didn't have to wonder for long, because Gandalf quickly answered his apparent question.

"Yes, you are quite correct, Bifur." The wizard spoke, looking around at the swarming creatures. "We appear to be one dwarf short."

"He is late, is all." Dwalin said, causing all three heads to turn to him. "He travelled north to a meeting of our kin. He will come." Raewyn rolled her eyes at his statement. Without any form of comment, she walked into the hall, trying to make her way through the chairs.

"I'll bring a chair up for you, lass." One dwarf spoke. He had a full red beard with many beads. The woman looked at him, before declining his offer.

"I got feet. I can stand."

The dwarf chuckled at her speech, but shook his head. "Nonsense. A lady shouldn't stand at dinner."

"Oh no, I'm not a-" but the dwarf had already disappeared. She sighed and looked at the table. Many condiments had decorated the furniture now. A large plate of ham was placed right in the middle with multiple small dishes surrounding it. The utensils were arranged neatly in front of the chairs, each one of them having their indicidual place.

More dwarves started entering the hall, talking merrily while finding their seats. One of them started walking on the table, carrying multiple cups filled with beer. She recognised him as Fili, who had introduced himself to her earlier at the door.

"Who wants an ale?" He asked, reaching them out to his kin.

"Over here, brother." Raewyn heard, looking at the dwarf who called him. Kili, evidently- his brother.

Dwalin, who had now been seated across from the woman, dumped his drink in a trumpet, causing him to laugh out loud. "Here you go, lass." The dwarf from earlier spoke, shoving a chair her way. She silently thanked him and sat down, shoving her seat towards the table.

"Ale on the count of three." A voice announced, silencing all dwarves. "One, two, up!" And then they all began to chuck, spilling beer all over their beards. Raewyn winced uncomfortably and grabbed a generous slice of ham. When she returned to her plate, one of the dwarves began burping loudly, making her stop in her tracks. When a second one was followed, she closed her eyes for a few seconds before walking back to her seat.

It was going to be a rough dinner.

——

"There are times I wish I was you." Raewyn began, now seated outside of the hobbit hole. The dwarves were talking and laughing, but only small echoes ran across the gardens. Farris, her owl, was seated on her arm, enjoying the attention it was getting from her owner.

"These dwarves are so rude, yet respectful. It's unbelievable." She spoke, softly petting the owl's feathers. The creature let out a small noice and nudged into Raewyn's palm. The woman chuckled at this action and leaned back again the fence.

Her head shot up when she suddenly heard stomping from the hobbit hole. She furrowed her eyebrows and stood up. Farris remained seated on her owner's arm, but her head was now turned towards the green door.

Carefully walking up to the house, Raewyn opened the round door, entering the hall again. She was quick to notice Bilbo's frustrated look as plates were thrown around. A beat of sympathy ran through her.

"Blunt the knives, bend the forks." Kili suddenly sang. Offering the hobbit a comforting look, the Asha wandered further in the hall.

"Smash the bottles and burn the corks." Fili resumed, throwing plates at his brother.

"Chip the glasses and crack the plates. That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!" All dwarves joined in, smiling together, as one of them picked up his flute.

"Cut the cloth and tread on the fat. Leave the bones on the bedroom-mat, pour the milk on the pantry-floor, splash the wine on every door." Now cutlery has joined the flying, which made Raewyn decide to drag Bilbo back a few steps - just for his safety. She knew interrupting now would be folly.

"Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl, pound them up with a thumping pole. When you've finished, if any are whole, send them down the hall to roll!" The young woman could see Gandalf laughing at the dwarves, making Raewyn frown at him, even though he couldn't see. Bilbo now noticed the owl on the woman's arm and was about to question it when he noticed more plates flying towards his kitchen. Grunting in anger, he left the ranger's side, following the flying cutlery.

"That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!" The dwarves finished, laughing at Bilbo's surprised face when he noticed everything cleaned and neatly stocked up. Many dwarves were still drinking their ale, but Raewyn ignored them, joining Bilbo's side. As she was about to speak, there were knocks heard throughout the house, silencing everyone.

"He is here."

Gandalf walked towards the door, ignoring the hobbit's protests, and seemingly avoiding Raewyn's gaze. When he reached the door, the wizard seemed to halt, but opened it after a short second's thought.

"Gandalf. I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice." A deep voice was heard, causing a sudden angry feeling to rush through the woman. A figure walked into the hall. All at once, it took everything in the her will to not run at him and attack him right where he stood.

"I would have not found it all, had it not been for that mark at the door." The dwarf spoke, shedding his cloak and handing it to Kili.

"Mark? There's no mark on that door, it was painted a week ago!" Bilbo protested, walking up to the dwarf. Gandalf closed the door behind them and objected. "There is a mark, I've put it there myself."

As Gandalf was shortly distracted, the new dwarf's eyes found Raewyn's. His attitude immediately turned, causing the woman to let Farris rest on a wooden structure before subtly reaching for her dagger.

"Asha." He spoke darkly, acknowledging her presence, though not quite merrily. Many dwarves now gasped quietly, some in realisation, others in recognition.

"Oakenshield." The woman responded in the same tone. The tension in the air had become almost insufferable and every dwarf could feel it. The only one who didn't notice it was Bilbo. And how could he? He had never heard stories beyond the Shire that weren't fairy tales.

Raewyn's hand rested on the holster of one of her daggers, but she did not intent to draw it. Not yet, at least.

"You're still standing." She quietly spoke, harsh and venomously. It took Gandalf by surprise to hear her speak this way.

"I regret nothing." The dark haired dwarf returned, making a pang of pain and hurt flush through Raewyn's chest, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

Gandalf coughed awkwardly, before addressing the hobbit. "Bilbo Baggins," he began, causing Thorin's attention to shift to Gandalf, but the woman's eyes never left the dwarves body. Her hand was still beside her dagger and she intended on keeping it their for as long as he was around. Perhaps it was out of protection, perhaps it was out of revenge - she hadn't decided yet. All that she knew, was that she could not be safe around him. Not now, while the dwarves knew about her identity. She knew they would die for their king in a heartbeat, but they would not attack her lest they had good reason to. As long as she remained calm and made no rash decisions, she would be safe for as long as the night should last.

"Allow me to introduce the leader of our company; Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf finished.

"So," Thorin spoke, now much less hostile, but not yet kind, "this is the hobbit. Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?" The dwarf questioned, confusing Bilbo.

"Pardon me?" The hobbit asked, turning as Thorin circled around him.

"Axe or sword, what's your weapon of choice?" The dwarf clarified, now offering the small creature a choice.

"Well, I do have some skill at conkers, if you must know. But I fail to see why that's relevant...." Bilbo spoke hesitantly. Thorin smiled sarcastically at the hobbit, looking at Gandalf.

"I thought as much. He looks more like a grocer than a burglar." As the dwarf spoke this, the others started laughing.

Dwalin lead Thorin towards the hall they previously vacated for dinner. While the others followed him, Gandalf looked at the young woman disapprovingly.

"What did you do, Raewyn?" He asked, not really expecting an answer. She knew he did not ask why she behaved this way, but rather about her earlier statement.

You're still standing.

The wizard did not know what it meant, but he was aware of the impulsive actions Raewyn could make. When the woman did not answer, he frowned at her and followed the dwarves, signaling for Bilbo to follow him.

When she was sure everyone had left, Raewyn let out a frustrated sigh and threw her dagger into the door, startling Farris. Instead of walking towards it and peeling it off, she threw her second, followed by a third. A frustrated cry almost left her throat, but she knew how to contain it.

I regret nothing.

He said it so cold. So emotionless. It should not have bothered her, but it did. And she hated that it did. There were moments she had dreamt of the day where he would come to her in need of aid so she could refuse, but now the time has come, she was incapable of rejecting. She would not be joining for him, yet she would be helping him. And he did not feel remorse one bit. Not for what he did and not for what he said. The times she had thought about forgiving him had all disappeared in just a few seconds.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she looked up and forced them back, already yanking a fourth dagger out. With more anger than before, she launched it at the door, wedging it right in the middle of it, buried more deeply than the other three. She inhaled sharply and wiped her eyes. Even though no tears had fallen, she did not want her watery eyes to be shown to the rest of the company.

"Come on, Farris." She spoke, her voice now smaller. The owl looked up as if understanding her owner.

"Time to have some discussion about this quest of ours."

——

Taglist: @m-sterboggins @errruvande

[tatooines-ghosts]

Ah! I am so obsessed with your No Jedi Allowed AU. Would literally squeal if you posted another drabble. *fingers crossed*

Oh Anon, thank you! I'm so glad you like the AU. I am sad to say it has been kinda shoved to the back burner and I haven't been able to give it the attention I would like over the last couple years. The next chapter has been like, half-finished for a very long time, and I work on it very sporadically.

That being said!

Ask for a drabble and you shall receive! Have a little bit more than a drabble (a good 2k words), featuring a Certain Scene from AOTC.

✨✨✨✨✨

Jango gave the Starfighter on the landing an appreciative inspection. It was a brand-new model, beautiful, compact, fast, powerful. He would have loved to give a ship like this a spin. Anakin too would probably turn this ship into a delightfully lethal weapon. He took a scan of the ship and collected its specs for her perusal later, and it would be a good test for Boba. He noted the droid, more suited for navigation and maneuverability than weapons, which was an unusual choice. The way this ship’s guns were mounted, it would be easy for a pilot to take off their own nose if they didn’t properly calibrate the guns before firing. Said calibration would be done best by a droid, or an extremely skilled pilot and marksman – someone like him.

But Jango knew this wasn’t another bounty hunter’s ship. This was something potentially much worse. A Jedi.

He hurried back inside setting off quickly for his home.

Anakin was pacing anxiously around the living room with Lykan in her arms. “Who was it? A bounty hunter? Are they here for me?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Jango said calmly. “Looks like a jetii, must be here to inspect the army.”

“You’re sure?”

No. Jango couldn’t be certain until the jetii left planet without sticking his nose into his allit’s business. It was entirely possible this was an imposter who had caught Anakin’s scent. Or perhaps this was the same jetii who had seen him on Coruscant. He may be here on a manhunt, but not for Anakin.

If he was here for a troop inspection, it was entirely likely that he would ask to meet Jango. Would he be better served having them all bug out before the jetii showed up?

No, there was sense in running and acting guilty if this happened to be a coincidence. No need to run from an opponent he knew nothing about. And if it came down to a fight, he could handle himself against a lone jetii.

“Jango, what do we do?” Anakin asked in a tight voice. Lykan began to cry and fuss in her arms – hungry little complaints.

“Nothing, act natural. I’m going to shower. If he shows up, I trust your judgement about letting him in. The jetii should have no reason to hurt or bother you.

Obi-Wan's mind was spinning as he followed in the wake of the Kaminoan's long strides. It made no sense that Master Sifo-Dyas would have commissioned a clone army without the Council knowing about it, or the Senate. And yet, here were millions of soldiers engineered to fight a war on behalf of the Republic. Who had paid for them? He hoped that the man used as template for the clone army would have some answers.

He perked up as the Force stirred around him, warm, comfortable, safe. A little vortex of happiness in the otherwise pretty inert facility. Curious. His escort, Taun We, stopped outside a door and pressed her finger to the panel. A soft chime sounded before the door slid open. A young boy stood there, looking at Obi-Wan with some skepticism. He doubted they had many visitors out here. That must be the unaltered clone Jango took as part of his payment, his son.

Taun We addressed the boy. "Boba, is your father in?”

“Yep.”

“May we come in?"

The boy looked over his shoulder. "Sure." He stepped aside to let them into the apartment and called out, “Ani, Taun We’s here for Dad.”

The warm contentment concentrated inside the apartment, permeating like the scent of a lit candle. Cozy, peaceful, Obi-Wan felt drawn to relax – this was a safe place.

A short entrance hall led them into a main living room. There was art plastered all across the austere white walls; messy, unpracticed scribbles in a riot of colors. There was a scattering of toys across the floor, not the boy’s, Obi-Wan assumed. He stepped fully into the apartment and found the course of the colorful chaos. At the dining table, a young girl was scribbling across a sheet of paper with a blue crayon. She looked up and beamed at the Kaminoan, "Hello Taun We!"

“Hello, Shila.” The Kaminoan nodded to the little girl before turning to a corner Obi-Wan couldn't quite see. “Hello, Anakin. Is this a bad time?”

“Not at all,” a woman’s voice replied.

Obi-Wan took another step forward and saw a young woman in a rocking chair, cradling a nursing baby to her breast. She was rather young, maybe twenty, Obi-Wan guessed, with blonde hair and sharp blue eyes. And very obviously the Force Sensitive who was creating the comfortable vortex.

"Hello," her eyes slid over Obi-Wan. "Who are you?" The Force curdled slightly with caution, and he caught a current of worry twined in with the warm comfort.

"This is Master Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi," Taun We introduced. Obi-Wan bowed respectfully to her.

"I apologize for intruding. I was hoping to speak with Jango Fett." He was rapidly filing away new information. Two more children, a wife or girlfriend, who happened to be incredibly Force Sensitive. How many other surprises were hiding on Kamino?

"He'll be out in a bit." She held his gaze, her intense blue eyes locking onto his. He could feel her brushing against his shields, probing for ill intent. Her attempts were clumsy, almost brutish in the way a self-taught Force user would be. Obi-Wan let her see enough that he meant no harm. He was simply here for information. She relaxed, but only a little.

"I'm Anakin Skywalker."

"Pleasure to meet you."

Her eyes moved past him to Boba and she instructed in Mando'a, "Go tell your father we have a visitor."

The boy disappeared down another hallway and returned a minute later to report, "He'll be out in a few minutes."

Anakin looked back to Obi-Wan with an apologetic smile, "You showed up just after he stepped into the shower."

Obi-Wan smiled back, neutral, polite. "I always did have poor timing."

The baby finished nursing, and fussed quietly until Anakin placed him gently over her shoulder. Obi-Wan politely averted his eyes while she adjusted her shirt to cover herself. He found his attention drawn by the little girl who was showing Taun We her drawings. The little girl was clearly related to Anakin, though her dark hair suggested she picked that up from her father. He kept his frown off his face as he did a little mental math. Anakin couldn't be much older than twenty, and her daughter had to be at least four years old… she would have been fifteen or sixteen when the girl was born. He stepped aside automatically to let Anakin pass on her way around the apartment. When Taun We asked to hold the baby, Anakin passed him over comfortably. She moved to the open kitchen and flicked the power switch on an electric kettle.

“Do Jedi take tea?” Anakin asked over her shoulder, watching him warily.

“Yes, thank you.” Obi-Wan nodded graciously to her, though he doubted he would be here long enough to have a cup.

She turned her back on him again and busied herself with pulling out cups and a pot.

Obi-Wan could still sense her caution, but it was the kind anyone reserved for strangers with unclear intentions. A door opened down the hallway, and Obi-Wan caught the faint scent of soap and steam as the man he wanted to see stepped out. His short hair was still damp, he was freshly shaven, and his clothes were clean. Taun We made introductions again.

"How do you find your army?" Fett’s words were neutral enough, as if eventually he expected a Jedi to arrive on his doorstep.

"They're very impressive. You must be proud."

Jango shrugged, taking the baby from Taun We when he began to fuss. "I'm just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe. As you can see, I've got plenty of mouths to feed." He easily placed the baby over his shoulder, and almost instantly, the fussing stopped.

Obi-Wan was acutely aware that every eye was on them, even the little girl had gone quiet to watch. "Ever make your way so far as Coruscant."

"Once or twice."

"Recently?"

"Perhaps."

The man was purposefully resisting his attempts at probing his mind, purposeful in a way that had to be trained. There were few cultures who knew how to train mental resistance to Force influence. Add to that, Anakin's casual use of Mando'a, Obi-Wan was fairly confident Jango Fett was the bounty hunter he had tracked from Coruscant.

“Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas.”

“Can’t say I do.”

“Really? He didn’t recruit you?”

“I was recruited by a man called Tyrannus on a moon of Bogdon.”

“Curious…”

Jango’s replies were too easy to be lies, too natural to be rehearsed, and he sensed no guile from any of the others in the apartment. The children might not know, but his wife would know the truth of Jango’s recruitment, and she projected so clearly into the Force, he would have felt the lies through her. Obi-Wan threw her a glance, she had crossed her arms and was studying Obi-Wan with unconcealed suspicion. She didn’t trust him, but not because he was poking into Jango’s business.

“Do you like your army?” Jango asked, drawing his attention back.

“I look forward to seeing them in action.”

“They’ll do their job well. I guarantee it.”

Obi-Wan knew it was time to duck out gracefully. He would get no more information from the bounty hunter. He bowed to the room. "I apologize again for intruding. Thank you for taking the time to see me."

“Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi.” Jango smiled blandly and saw them to the door, still holding the baby.

When they were heading down the hallway, the jetii under the watchful eye of Taun We, Jango turned to the apartment. The kettle was boiling, but Anakin hadn't moved to turn it off.

"Was he here for me?"

"No, jetii don't work for Hutts."

Her shoulder's slumped in relief and she turned off the kettle. "What did he want?"

"Must've tracked me from this last job. Things went sour and I know he saw me." He passed the baby back. "We need to go. Pack your things."

XXX

Obi-Wan finished his call to the Jedi Council and was happy to get out of the driving rain. He had reported his identification of the bounty hunter, the surprise army meant for Republic use, and then mentioned the Force Sensitive woman. She was interesting, but she was not a concern right now. With a baby that young to care for, she couldn't have been involved in Jango's attempt on Padmé's life.

He walked back through the cloning complex alone this time, hoping to sneak up on Fett. He wasn't entirely unsurprised to find the apartment empty, a few items haphazardly tossed aside in a hurry to pack and leave. The daughter's drawings were left scattered across the table with the crayons, the kettle was still hot. He wasn't far behind them.

He caught up on the landing pad. Boba saw him first. Anakin hurried the children up into the ship while Jango, dressed again in his armor, attacked.

He was a skilled fighter, clearly trained in the Mandalorian tradition of counter-Jedi martial arts. Obi-Wan knew this would be a difficult fight, he was at a disadvantage with the rain driving straight into his face, but he wasn't expecting Jango to have back up.

He barely deflected the blaster bolt sent from the side and turned to see Anakin standing on the cargo ramp of the ship with a blaster trained on Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan couldn't retaliate, he wasn't going to risk hurting the baby in a carrier on Anakin's chest. She knew exactly what she was doing. Jango was able to get the better of him, sending Obi-Wan tumbling off the edge of the rain-slick walkway, in attempts to dodge Anakin's shots and Jango's. Obi-Wan was able to catch himself, and climb back onto the landing pad, but he was too late. The ship was already taking off. He grabbed a magnetic tracker from his belt and managed to land it on the hull.

Obi-Wan turned back to return to his own ship. Wherever Fett went, Obi-Wan would follow. That Anakin was going to be a problem, he had a bad feeling about her.