#obi-wan doesn’t need a boyfriend what he needs is to hug his son

[spock-smokes-weed]

Fandom’s focus on ships, and people’s inability to take their shipping goggles off, really sucks when your favorite relationship from a thing is platonic

Often times you’ll have to fight off shipping content with a sharp stick and fire like it’s a fucking wrath

Stories are more than just shipping. I beg of y’all to realize that.

[vagrantblvrd]

anakin doesn't fall to the dark side - meet the parents dinluke?

Yesssss.

Because all the AUs where Skywalker family drama is due to Anakin causing a diplomatic incident at a Fancy Dinner when he accidentally mortally offends someone who asks his opinion about sand, and not you know, the whole Darth Vader thing.

Also, the Jedi Order looking long and hard about that stance on attachment and other things because wow, okay, wow.

(But also, I must Drama a teensy bit, because yes.)

Obi-Wan enjoying the grandparent benefit of getting the joy of having Luke and Leia? But also watching Anakin deal with these little terrors of his and feels it’s payback for what he went through with just one of Anakin.

Leia who may have followed Padme into politics but everyone knows she takes after Anakin in temperament. Luke’s the one to follow Anakin in becoming a Jedi, but he’s more like his mother in temperament.

Ahsoka adores the twins, and is in fact one of their favorite partners in crime, and Anakin is like, pls, pls, stop turning my children against me,pls.

Also? Padme is kind of the worst because she’s taught them everything she knows about political maneuvering and the whatnot.

Anakin is convinced they’ll have the entire galaxy on its knees before them one day soon.

Anyway.

Luke who goes gallivanting about for reasons and after one gallivanting about trip he comes back all :DDDDDDDDDDDDD and *___________________________* and Anakin has no idea what happened other than Luke’s X-wing being shot down and him being stranded on some backwater planet somewhere for ages before the search party found him?

But when they found him he was just. Like That, and also holding this little metal ball in his hand, rolling it back and forth like it was a calming thing, little smile on his face.

Also, he went to Coruscant to speak to Yoda and only the two of them know what was said? But Yoda’s been even more insufferable than usual, livelier? Something.

(It’s a Thing known among Jedi that Master Yoda was changed when a youngling went missing years ago, kidnapped or something. Some say Yoda feels it was his fault, that the guilt still weighs heavy on him, but it’s hearsay and rumor.)

Anyway.

A few months after Luke’s rescue from that backwater planet Luke goes and gets in trouble. (He doesn’t know if the fact Leia is with him makes the whole thing better or worse? Between the two of them there’s hardly need for a rescue at all, but also the thing where they might finally take over the galaxy if left to their own devices so.)

Rescuing his kid(s).

Again.

Obi-Wan is suitably worried, but also amused as hell and really, Obi-Wan, Anakin was never that bad. Was he? Obi-Wan? Are you choking? You don’t sound well.)

Anakin and the others headed off to rescue Luke, and it turns into them going from place to place, chasing rumors and gossip and one one of these planets they run into this Mandalorian.

Flys an old gunship that looks like it’s on its last legs and wears beskar and also -

“Oh my,” Obi-Wan says, when they see the kid riding along in a bag the Mandalorian carries.

Anakin thinks it’s just the thing where the kid is clearly one of Yoda’s species, but Obi-Wan’s reaction is a little too much for somthing so simple, obvious.

Anyway, the Mandalorian tells them he can help them find Luke and Leia, and at first Anakin isn’t that thrilled about adding him to the rescue party?

But then the kid pulls out this little...trinket, charm, something Anakin and Padme gifted Luke as a child that he carries - carried - around as a good luck token, or at least that’s what he always says. (Ducks his head, sheepish little smile and Anakin and Padme like, aw, our kid is a dork like us,)

Point is, Anakins recognizes it, and the comes in like, my dude, connect the fucking dots, you’re killing me.

Which is how Anakin meets Luke’s ~sekrit boyfriend and his kid.

(Only not so much ~sekrit as Luke had plans to introduce Din to his parents and such, but the whole surprise!Dangerous Adventure thing happened first.)

Anakin being like >:( because protective parent and all?

But as they search for clues as to Luke and Leia’s whereabouts he gets to see just how concerned for Luke Din is, and how much he loves his tiny green gremlin kid, and Din’s overall skill and competence? Also, though, also. He’s smart, not just a blunt weapon, and he’s like oh, no, because he knows his son? But it’s not a bad feeling when he thinks it, just.

A little sad, wistful, what with Luke not being a kid anymore - he’s known that for a while now, but this cements the reality and all.

It’s not the surprise he thought it was when Anakin realizes he likes Din as a person, although it’s not like he’s going to say it, you know?

(I mean, he does because he’s not a complete bastard, but that’s not the point.)

They catch a break, catch up to Luke and Leia and Anakin discovers he really, really likes the way Din just absolutely destroys any baddies stupid enough to get between him and Luke, matches Anakin’s protectiveness and he’s like -

“Hey, once this is over we’re going to talk.” Smiles with perhaps too many teeth showing at Din’s confusion. “About you and my kid.

He can’t see Din’s reaction to that, because armor? But he feels this flare of !!! through the Force before it gets shoved aside in favor or getting to Luke, panic later?

And then!

Dramatic rescues and Anakin and Din decimating the baddies by themselves - Obi-Wan’s dealing with things like anti-air batteries and shield generators. Ahsoka’s making sure no one sneaks up behind Anakin and Din, but she honestly doesn’t have much to do in that regard.

And then!

Anakin is like, aw, man, I’m right here, when there’s the moment Luke and Din are ~reunited and Din is like, gos so, so still and Luke’s the one to press his forehead against Din’s because hey, hey, hes fine, he’s right here, and also hi, i missed you with them being separated even before Luke and Leia’s latest Adventure.

Still, Anakin lets them have their moment and goes to check on Leia, who gives them a look like took your time, didn’t you? But there’s relief in her eyes and she doesn’t say anything as he wraps her in a hug, calls her the nickname he gave her when she was  kid and she laughs because it’s a dumb nickname dad, but it’s kind of their joke, and anyway, she had everything in hand, didn’t she? He’s just here for the cleanup.

And then! Some more!

It turns out Luke and Leia got wrapped up in some conspiracy nonsense, Palpatine’s followers who have been hiding in the shadows all this time and opportunity for revenge against the ~great Anakin SKywaler by targeting his kids.

Only the baddies miscalculated because they went after his and Padme’s kids, and everyone knows they’re complete terrors, you know? The worst.

After everything’s dealt with and they head home, Anakin is almost as amused as Leia and Obi-Wan at the way Din is all but glued to Luke’s side, that tiny green gremlin kid of his just as bad.

Anakin’s heart grows three sizes when he watches the Very Solemn exchange of the little metal ball Luke brought back with him that one time and the trinket/chram/good luck token Grogu’s been holding on to.

Valuable treasures trusted on one another’s safekeeping until they saw one another again, and Din is like. Freaking hearteyes over the two of them, because his family, and Anakin just sighs

Obi-Wan totally not laughing at him now that Anakin has no right to play the overprotetcive, disapproving father card on Din after everything he’s seen of the man and how he feels about Luke.

“Disappointed?” Obi-Wan asks, and he’s smirking as he does.

Anakin doesn’t bother with an answer because Obi-Wan knows the answer.

Something along the lines of no, and you know better, Obi-Wan, with a oh, Padme’s going to love him,because of course she is. He makes her son very, very happy, after all.

(Best, best thing, however, is Padme meeting Din, when they arrive home. Din nervous and worried because Luke’s told him about his mother, how terrifying she can be, a force of nature, and clear he adores her.

And Padme looking between Din and his son holding Grogu with this radiant smile. So in love, and easy enough to see his love returned, and everything she could have asked for for her son.)

[elionwriter]

MY FAV STAR WARS COUPLE DYNAMICS:

(for the sake of this post let's all just pretend no one dies, ok?)

Anakin - Padme: their relationship started with pure drama and really bad, corny pick up lines and it just goes on that way. Even when they are happily exiled on Naboo with their children and everyone knows about them, whenever they talk about their love or tell the story to Luke and Leia it's always with the tones of a 'larger than life situation'. Obviously Anakin is the drama queen who really pushes it (and is still salty he had to give up his title as Jedi Master) but Padme fell for him when he did the whole whiny speech about sand and married him, she secretly supports this s***t! 😝

Han - Leia: bickering is their love language. Screaming to impose supremacy is their flirting. The thing is, they never bicker for serious stuff, because they actually agree on what matters and get along as a couple, it's the principle of things! Sometimes a friend of Ben overhears them and goes 😱 "I'm really sorry for intruding on this, pal. Will your parents be alright?" And Ben with the calmest expression will answer "They literally do this all the time". It's the silence that's worriesome. When Leia is just too tired to keep fighting after hours of doing so with politicians, when Han doesn't bother to stay to face the argument and just hops on the Falcon again, THAT'S when they realise they are falling out. So they push duty and lust for adventure aside to go back spending quality time together and patching things up. Sure enough, the bickering starts again and Ben is like "😌 aaah everything is fine again".

Din - Luke: they are the picture perfect couple. They literally never argue, at best they poke eachother when one of the two does something the other doesn't entirely agree on. They have each other's back in any instance, support every choice and are there for backup when others want a fight or have something to say either on Din's leadership or Luke's approach to the Jedi code and teachings. It took them forever to actually get together because they acted like shy teenagers on their first crush and Leia, Han and Cara had to practically push them into each other's arms, but once they got there they were solid a couple as a rock. Others look at them and think they are either disgustingly mushy or still in a 'honeymoon face', because NO ONE has such a stress-free marriage. Din and Luke truly don't get what the fuss and all the drama's about. So even though they end up practically parenting the space version of the kids from 'Cheaper by the dozen' they act like parental figures to their friends as well. Life as Manda'lor and the Reviver of the Jedi order can be hell, but together they are just balanced like that and can face everything! They even create a new co-op fighting style for Jedi/Mandalorians that becomes the terror and amazement of the Galaxy for centuries to come!😌😏💪

Kannan - Hera: very similar to Dinluke except they do at times have some small moments of tension because Hera is a fighter to the core and Kannan can't help but wonder if the battle will ever truly end. But his queen's passion and resolve is so bright and steeled that he can't help but fall in love a little more every time and follow, knowing it's the right thing to do. They have an example to set for their son, after all. Kannan will absolutely love Jacen and will introduce Ezra to his son (once Sabine and Ashoka bring him back) as his older brother. Much like when he trained Ezra or faced Sabine, Kannan will sometimes doubt himself and wonder if he's acting like a good parent to Jacen. Hera will smile and reassure him, describing to him the bright and happy smile on their son's face or how Jecen's nose scrunches and his long, greenish ears wiggle in delight whenever Kannan plays with him or cuddles him. As Hera says so, Kannan holds her and feels like he can actually see it too.

Sabine - Ezra: After Ezra is brought back to his family from wherever or whatever happened to him after facing Thrawn, both of them will just indulge in sudden hugs or touches to make sure the other is actually there. Of course, they first think of their bond as a solid friendship and camaraderie, because that's what it was when they left off. The extra touching is just the response to being apart for so long and being worried for each other. But then Sabine notices that Ezra actually looks really good with long hair and the scruffy beard he grew out. She catches herself thinking of how warm and safe if feels in his arms and mentally kicks herself because she's a Mandalorian, all she should need is a loaded blaster to feel safe. Ezra, on the other hand, starts playing with Sabine's hair when complimenting her new dye and suddenly finds himself cupping her face like it's the most natural thing in the world. Long story short, they fall for eachother hard and become the prototype of the couple "my boyfriend/girlfriend is my best friend". When they are comfortable with their new status, Ezra goes back flirting dorkishly with her like he did all those years back when they first met and Sabine will tease him by shooting his advances down.

Ashoka - Bo Katan: joke's on Bo-katan for cringing back in the day at her sister's relationship with a Jedi. She thought destiny or the force or whatever was really messing with her when she realized that her rival and pupil, Din Djarin, the new leader of Mandalorians was also falling helplessly in love with a Jedi (Obi-Wan's student nonetheless). When she hears Sabine Wren and her Jedi boy also got together she stops questioning it. The thing is that she herself has been inexplicably, undeniably charmed and hooked to a Jedi for years now. The very same Jedi she had teased didn't have enough booty, what felt like a lifetime prior. But she's Bo-Katan, she can be in angry denial about anything. Ashoka, on the other hand, has seen and has been conditioned too much on what attachment does to a Jedi, even if she doesn't consider herself one anymore. So, even if the chemistry between them and the long lingering stares are real, their love is always kept a quiet, unspoken thing. Whenever they call eachother "my old friend" they know they actually mean more, but leave it at that. Everyone around them can't help wondering 'are they a thing or...?!' but they never feed the theories and gossip. They know what they are and mean for each other when they are alone in the same room, talking about the past or what must be done in the future and Ashoka's mere presence is enough to cool down the ever-present burning rage inside of Bo. Meanwhile, the other can't help but admire how single minded and devoted to her people and culture the Mandalorian princess is, how she never gave up on them, despite everything. They smile softly at each other, then one of them breaks the spell by leaving. They go back to their own business and life untill destiny or the force or whatever brings them back into eachother's orbit.

Revan - Carth: normally they act very much like Leia and Han with the bickering and teasing bit but then Revan has one of her memories returning or is haunted by how she basically condemned her lifelong best friend Malak to a terrible death and Carth instantly does a 180° shift becoming the most caring, comforting and tender partner. She'll hide into his chest until the crisis in over. Sometimes it can go on for days and Revan is oh, so grateful of how patient and good Carth is to her. Then, at times, Carth is the one burying his head in her chest and she's the one doing the tender, hair strokes. Carth needs a lot of reassuring and might get upset and fret over even what appears to be a trivial thing. He's trying to heal and get better but the long, long years of solitude, hurt and paranoia are hard to iron down. Expecially when Carth seems to have an instinct that puts a Jedi to shame, foreseeing a crisis neither she nor Bastila had picked up. But he is making an effort to improve and she's proud of him, even as he tries very clumsily to patch things up with his son Dustil. She doesn't really step in that matter more than she has to, since Dustil is clearly not happy nor comfortable with the idea of them being together yet. Carth will sometimes open his heart to her and say something deeply meaningful on how he wants her to stay ( when she looks particularly haunted and about to leave without a work of warning) and be happy but does so with such awkward word choices that Revan just cannot refrain from laughing at his face and making puns. It's at this point that the back and forth teasing resumes. There is no denying they are still deeply wounded individuals and they are at their best when their friends are there to lighten the mood and show love to the both of them. Because they could easily go down the path of drama like Anakin and Padme but they choose the Ebon Hawk crew shenanigans instead.

Obi Wan - Satine: their love is stored in the memory of that glorious time they spent together in their youth. A moment in which no responsibility or sense of honor could keep them from giving in to that feeling of want and need for each other. It's a love that never truly went away, never left space for anyone else, but it never fully grew and bloomed either. So years down the line, that's what it is for Obi-Wan, a pleasant memory. He would never change how things went afterwards, but he wouldn't give up those memories and feelings for anything in the world. Satine feels the same, mostly. There are nights that she falls asleep wondering what could have been if only she had talked up at the decisive moment and dreams of a life spent together with Obi-Wan. But when she wakes up, she sobers up and goes back to her things. It's when she looks at her Korkie smile and notices how resembling to his secret father he is that she is truly at peace. She managed to keep a peace of Obi-Wan in her life.

Cal - Merrin: I have no idea for this one, but just stop and consider the possible 'nightsisters babies' though! Wouldn't they be the cutest things ever?! 😀

Sorry Cara Dune, you just haven't met the woman of your life yet. 😔

Also, I kinda like Zeb and Callus too but I don't really ship them enough to add them here, you know? Anyway I'm sure they make a lovely couple.

[fialleril]

*bounces* it's my birthday on the 20th, any chance of a snippet? I could go for anything, I just looove your aus

Hi anon, and sorry for replying late! I hope you’ll still enjoy this snippet, and that your birthday was a good one!

I’m rapidly running out of Anabasis snippets I can share without completely spoiling everything, so here instead is another snippet from the Jedi Reformation AU. In which Padmé gets the full Tatooine wedding experience.

This is actually set during AOTC, but various elements of the AU have resulted in changes that mean Shmi, Kitster, and Padmé’s entire family are staying with Padmé and Anakin at Varykino. It’s a good time.

Also, because this is my AU and I can, I’m running with the idea that Beru Whitesun is Shmi’s adopted daughter. Owen is her boyfriend. Cliegg Lars does not exist.

Shmi gets a comcall from Beru that afternoon. The wholething is very mysterious to Padmé: apparently Beru wants to know where Shmi is,because she needs to tell her something, but whatever it is can’t be sharedover comlink, even in code. The reactions of the three Skywalkers only deepenthe mystery: Shmi is positively beaming as she tells Padmé about the message,and Kitster and Anakin are smirking and elbowing one another in the ribs.“Called it!” Kitster says in a sing-song voice.

“Can we bring them here?” Anakin asks, turning that boyish,nakedly hopeful look on Padmé. “We could send someone to pick them up, so westay secure.”

That probably wouldn’t meet the Jedi Council’s definition ofsecurity, but then, neither would the presence of Padmé’s family, let aloneShmi and Kitster. Besides, it would be nice to see Beru again, and Padmé canadmit that she’s desperately curious about this whole situation. So she says,“I don’t see why not.”

Anakin’s face lights up like there’s a sun inside of him,and Padmé looks away, momentarily blinded.

Kitster and Paddy Accu go to meet Beru and Owen, and theyreturn to Varykino by a remarkably and, in Padmé’s opinion, unnecessarilycomplicated route. Anakin is waiting eagerly by the dock. He’s heard a greatdeal about the woman his mother names her daughter, but he’s never actually mether before. Padmé watches him with a soft smile; he reminds her oddly of Aloo,that first time they talked on a vid link.

But Beru doesn’t seem to notice Anakin, Padmé, or anyoneelse. She steps off the hoverboat, Owen’s hand clasped in her own, and hurriesstraight to Shmi, her face alight with joy.

Anakin doesn’t seem affronted – he and Kitster are stillgrinning and elbowing one another, and Shmi is still beaming. There’s obviouslysome context here that’s lost on Padmé.

“Amu,” Beru says, “ek tipalu lukkakina ema nalua.”

“Oh!” Shmi says, laughing and crying at once as sheenvelopes both Beru and Owen in a crushing hug.

Padmé turns to Anakin as surreptitiously as possible andwhispers, “What’s happening?”

Anakin leans down slightly to match her whisper. “Kitsterwas right,” he says. “They got married.”

Padmé blinks in surprise. She’d been sure Kitster wasjoking. “What, without telling anyone?”

Anakin cocks his head to one side and gives her a bemusedgrin. It’s strangely endearing, but she’s not going to think about that rightnow.

“Of course they didn’t tell anyone,” he says. “That wouldbreak the luck.”

Clearly she’s still missing something, some cultural markerprobably, but she’ll have to wait to ask. Shmi has finally released herdaughter and the man who is apparently her new son-in-law, and now it’s timefor introductions.

“Ani, this is my daughter Beru Whitesun, and her husbandOwen Lars,” Shmi says, taking each of their hands in one of hers. “Beru, Owen, thisis my child Anakin Skywalker.”

“It’s good to finally meet you,” Anakin says, offering hishand first to Beru. “I’ve heard quite a lot about you. And Mom says you savedher on that last run.” His smile slips and his voice goes soft and earnest ashe says, “Thank you.”

Beru’s smile is equally serious. “I’ve heard a lot aboutyou, too,” she says. Then something in her eyes turns sly and she says, “And Ihave you to thank for my Republic citizenship.”

Anakin grins. “I remember. That was the one Master Obi-Wanalmost caught me working on. I had to tell him it was a bit of research on thehistory of Republic identification documents. I’m still amazed he believed me.”

Beru laughs, and Anakin moves to shake Owen’s hand, too.Padmé thinks Owen looks just a little nervous, and she can practically see himthinking the word “Jedi,” but he grips Anakin’s hand firmly and offers atentative smile.

“Have you arranged for your kuunaka yet?” Anakin asks themboth, a bit shyly. “If you haven’t, I’d be happy to carve them for you. If youwant.”

Owen nods, his smile more certain now, and Beru grinswidely. “Oh, thank you!” she says. “That would be wonderful.”

Shmi asks if they can use Varykino’s kitchen and Padmé,who’s beginning to despair of ever understanding what’s going on, agrees with ashrug. Shmi leads them all inside, shows Beru and Owen the kitchen, and takes apacket of tzai spices from the pouch at her waist and hands them to Beru withsome ceremony. Then she promptly shoos everyone but the new couple out of thekitchen, following behind to make sure they’ve all left.

Padmé looks at the three Skywalkers gathered in the dininghall and crosses her arms with a huff. “All right,” she says. “Who’s going totell me what’s going on?”

They all laugh. “Beru is teaching Owen her tzai recipe,”Shmi says. “It binds them together as family, and it’s not a secret that can bewitnessed by anyone else.”

“Or it will break the luck?” Padmé asks.

“Something like that,” Anakin says. “The secret isimportant.”

All the most important things on Tatooine are a secret, hetells her. Padmé knows this already, knows about the secret language and thesecret stories and the secrets of the freedom trail. Now she learns thatmarriage, too, is a sacred secret.

Slaves aren’t allowed to marry, of course. Anakin says thismatter-of-factly. It’s just a reality of life. But Padmé can’t help but thinkthat Jedi aren’t allowed to marry, either. It’s completely different, ofcourse, just as the word “master” is completely different. Just as the reasonsfor forbidding contact with family are different. She wonders how often he hasto tell himself that.

On Tatooine, slaves who wish to marry slip away in secret,telling no one of their plans. Marriage vows are spoken between partners andheard only by Ar-Amu and by the desert. They are never shared with anyone. Thenthe newlyweds teach one another their tzai recipes, and create a new blenduniquely their own, a secret that sustains. And, if it’s safe, they inform theGrandmother of the Quarters of their union.

“And then there’s the party!” Kitster says, grinning. “It’snot always safe to have one, but when it is…”

“And what about the – what did you call it, Ani?” Padméasks. “The thing you offered to carve?”

“The kuunaka,” he says. “They’re a pair of japor snippets,to mark the promise. Something small that can be kept in a pouch, that theMasters won’t think has any value. If you get sold apart, you’ll carry thepromise with you, even if you never see each other again.”

“Oh,” says Padmé. He talks about it so easily.

Owen and Beru emerge from the kitchen, carrying a tray withseveral mugs of tzai. They all drink and offer congratulations. It does tastedifferent than the tzai Anakin and Shmi make, though Padmé can’t pinpointexactly what the difference is.

The newlyweds want to hold their celebration in LittleTatooine, but they want Anakin and Padmé to be there, as well. Padmé watchesthe conflict in Anakin’s face as he debates between what he clearly wants and whathe knows to be his assignment. It’s an interesting moment of realization:apparently he’s not quite as glib about his orders as he sometimes pretends tobe.

But Padmé knows what she wants, and she knows what he wants,too, and so she feels no remorse as she takes the decision – and, hopefully,the blame from the Council – out of his hands. “Of course we’ll come,” shesays.

Anakin looks at her sharply. “I’m not supposed to – ” hebegins, but Padmé cheerfully interrupts him.

“I’m going to this wedding, Ani,” she says. “If you want toprotect me you’ll have to come along.”

He hesitates just a moment longer, and then he throws hishead back and laughs.

*

Tatooine weddings, as it turns out, are raucous affairs.There must be hundreds of people here, gathered in Shmi’s house, spilling outinto her backyard and into the street on all sides. Someone has strung lightsin all the trees, an impromptu band has set up in the yard, and there arepeople talking and laughing and dancing everywhere. There’s more food thanPadmé thinks she’s ever seen in one place, not even at the numerous royal andsenatorial events she’s attended.

She’s borrowed a set of clothes from Beru for the event, atBeru’s insistence – and Anakin’s. And now that she’s here, she can understandwhy. Dressed like everyone else, she blends into the crowd, and it’s much lesslikely that any potential assassin would recognize her. And if she’s completelyhonest, it’s actually pretty nice not to be immediately noticeable. It’s been along time since she went to a party just to have fun.

And then there’s Anakin, who hasn’t been to what he calls areal party since he left Tatooine ten years ago. “The rich people parties inthe Senate don’t count,” he tells her, laughing. “Nobody there knows how to really dance.”

“And you do?” Padmé asks him archly. She’s seen his attemptsat a waltz, and they’re not pretty.

But Anakin only grins. “Who do you think taught yoursister?” he asks before spinning away into the crowd in a flash of blue andtrailing laughter.

He’s borrowed his clothes from Kitster, and Padmé has spentmost of the evening trying not to stare. It’s just because he looks sodifferent, she tells herself. She’s used to always seeing him in Jedi robes,and even the disguise he wore on the transport from Coruscant to Naboo didn’tlook terribly different. This is the first time she’s seen him wear anythingthat’s not in shades of brown. His long tunic is a deep, rich blue, worked withdark red embroidery in geometric patterns at the sleeves and hem. Sherecognizes some of the symbols – lukka,the sign for free, and ebra, laughter– but many of them are unfamiliar. And he’s wrapped his padawan braid up andaround the short tail of hair at the back of his head, so it’s unnoticeableunless you know to look for it. That’s something he didn’t even do in disguiseon the transport, and Padmé wonders what it means. Maybe he just wants to blendin. Or maybe it’s something else entirely.

Anakin doesn’t look much like a Jedi tonight, but he doeslook happy – probably happier than she’s ever seen him. That thought bringswith it a tangle of emotions, none of which Padmé really wants to ponder toodeeply.

A cheer goes up as Beru and Owen emerge from the house, bothdressed in blue, their hands clasped together and beaming smiles lighting theirfaces. All the dancing and chatter stops, and a strange anticipatory silencefalls. Padmé looks to Anakin, hoping for some clue, but he only winks at her ashe pulls away from Kitster and the other dancers and makes his way to thenewlyweds.

But when he holds his hands out to Beru and Owen, a snippetof japor resting on each open palm, Padmé understands.

He’s been working on the carvings all day, secluded in hisroom at Varykino, the faint sounds of his off-key humming occasionally emergingfrom behind the closed door. Shmi told her that, like everything else importantin Tatooine culture, the kuunaka have to be made in secret. The songs are partof the blessing, and it’s very important that no one else see the carvingsbefore they’re given to the newlyweds. They’re almost always carved by asibling, Shmi told her, and Padmé understood why Anakin had seemed so excitedwhen Beru accepted his offer.

Now he looks at Beru and her chosen husband with a grin thatthreatens to split his face. “You have spoken secret vows and Ar-Amu has heardthem,” he says. “Receive now the sign of those vows, a secret that death cannotsever and no master can tear asunder.”

Owen and Beru each take a japor snippet. They close theireyes and press the wood to their brows in silence, and then, just as silently,they exchange snippets.

Then Shmi steps forward, her face startlingly serious,bearing a shallow earthen bowl filled with water. She holds it out, and Beruand Owen bend to drink together from it.

Shmi draws back, raises the bowl to the heavens, and says,“May you be found together when the rain comes.” Then she casts the bowl downand it shatters at her feet.

“Chukata lav!” everyone shouts as Beru grabs Owen by the lapelsand kisses him thoroughly. A riot of laughter and cheers surround them, andjust like that, the party has started again.

Padmé loses Anakin in the crowd for a while, but she findsSabé and Yané, who greet her with excited cries and pull her into a fast-movingNaboo circle dance which, somehow, doesn’t feel at all out of place at aTatooine wedding. They spin faster and faster until they all fall down in alaughing heap, and then Sabé springs up again, hauling Padmé and Yané with her,and makes for one of the buffet tables with purpose.

“Sabé, really,” Yané mutters, rolling her eyes.

“Don’t give me that,” Sabé says. “I just saw Imer bring outanother pot of Shmi’s tarmish, and I intend to get some before Ani eats itall.”

Yané rolls her eyes again, but Padmé picks up her pace. “No,that’s actually a valid concern,” she says, as Yané groans in despair.

Padmé can feel the smile nearly splitting her face. She hadn’trealized just how much she’s missed this.

As it turns out, Sabé’s fears were justified: they findKitster and Anakin both camped out next to the tarmish pot, along with astriking woman Padmé recognizes from Kitster’s holos. Ani has a large bowl fullof tarmish, and he’s inhaling it at an impressive rate.

Sabé elbows Anakin bodily aside and practically pounces onthe pot of tarmish. Yané lets out another groan, but she’s right behind Sabé inline all the same. Padmé laughs at them both, but she can’t really blame them.Shmi’s tarmish is legendary.

After everyone has been guaranteed a bowl, Anakin nods at herand says, his mouth full of dumpling, “Padmé, this is Imer Moonspinner, freedomrunner and most likely the love of my brother’s life.”

Kitster squawks indignantly, and Imer snickers at him.Anakin only raises a brow over his now nearly-empty bowl and says, “What? Younever mentioned her even once in your letters, which can only mean one thing.”He turns to Imer and nods very seriously. “I hope you’re prepared to deal withhis drama for the rest of your lives.”

“My drama?”Kitster mutters, glaring pointedly at Anakin. But Imer is smiling softly.

“I think I could manage that,” she says, giving Kitster afond look.

His eyes widen, just for a moment, and then he coughs anddoes his best to hide a rather besotted grin. “Well,” he says. “Yes. In thatcase I guess I won’t be murdering Anakin tonight.”

Anakin scoffs loudly. “Please. As if you even could. Whatare you planning to do, read poetry at me?”

“Nah,” says Kitster easily. “We both know you’d enjoy that.Just like we both know I could destroy you on the dance floor any time, Jedi.”

Anakin slurps up his last dumpling and sets his bowl downwith finality. “Let’s find out,” he says.

Padmé, Sabé, and Yané exchange a puzzled glance. Ani andKitster both sound perfectly serious, but their grins belie their words. Imer,too, is smirking, and as Kitster and Anakin step back from the table, shebegins stomping her feet in a loud, rhythmic beat designed to echo.

Silence falls as those standing nearby turn to look, andthen the stomping is taken up in earnest by a crowd of people who form a ringaround Anakin and Kitster, who are now circling each other in an over-dramaticparody of two fighters. The effect is further ruined by their inability tocontain their gleeful laughter.

The crowd parts briefly to allow Shmi, Beru, and Owen toslip to the fore. Shmi comes to stand beside Padmé, shaking her head fondly.“This should be interesting,” she says.

“Is this another wedding tradition?” Padmé asks her.

“Well, not necessarily,” Shmi says with a laugh. “This isnimdara.” At Padmé’s puzzled look, she adds, “Ani tells me that your sisterAloo and her friend Ahsoka demonstrated nimdara the other day, though theyprobably don’t know it’s called that.”

“Tatooine dancing,” that’s what Aloo had called it. Padméhad been impressed with the grace and artfulness of her sister’s dance, and theway she and Ahsoka seemed to move easily with and around one another.

Now, though, she can see that Aloo wasn’t just being modestwhen she said she was still learning the dance.

Anakin moves first, darting towards Kitster in a smoothlunge so breathtakingly fast that Padmé thinks he must be using the Force –until Kitster moves at the same speed, stepping just slightly to the side atthe last second and then spinning to put Anakin on the defensive. They twistand leap, dip and kick and fall back, their movements almost too fast tofollow, and all the time the stomping and clapping of the gathered crowdincreases in tempo, driving the dancers to ever more frenzied speeds.

Padmé’s genuinely not certain if they’re actually aiming toconnect their attacks and each is just that good at dodging, or if the wholething is choreographed like a fight scene from a holofilm. It’s pretty amazingeither way.

“Wow,” she says, and isn’t even embarrassed when the wordslips out aloud.

Beside her, Shmi chuckles. “Ani’s been practicing,” shesays. “That’s good.” Then she turns to Padmé and gives her a smile edged withsteel. “Nimdara is a form of self-defense, though we call it a dance. TheMasters don’t see any threat in dancing. It’s just one of those quaint,primitive things slaves do.”

And Ani’s been teaching that dance to the younglings, thechildren, in the Jedi Temple.

Caught up in her thoughts, Padmé misses the moment when ithappens, but she comes back with a start when the sound of stomping feet fallsinto sudden silence. And then a great roar goes up, and Padmé sees thatAnakin’s lying on his back on the ground, still looking startled but alreadybeginning to laugh, and Kitster is standing over him with a positively wickedgrin, offering a hand up.

“Did I forget to tell you that I officially reached dragonrank last week?” he asks without even attempting to sound innocent.

Anakin ignores his brother’s hand and flops fully on hisback with a groan. Kitster snickers at him.

“You did forget to mention that, yes,” Anakin grumblesgood-naturedly. “But I don’t mind losing to a dragon. It’s an honor.”

Kitster grins, waggling his hand in Anakin’s face untilAnakin sits up with another groan, takes the hand, and allows himself to bedragged to his feet.

“And I beat a Jedi,” Kitster says, his smug smile not quitehiding the wonder in his eyes. “I am never letting that go.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Anakin says, waving him off. “We both knowyou’ve always been better than me. But thanks. It’s been a while since I had areal challenge. And since I practiced empty-handed.”

Kitster looks momentarily puzzled, and then his eyes widenin glee. “Nimdara with a lightsaber?”

Anakin grins. “Nimdara with a lightsaber.”

“I hope you’re planning to demonstrate,” Kitster saysseverely. “You’ve been holding out on us.”

“Oh sure, I’ve beenholding out, Mr. Dragon Ranking,” Anakin laughs. “But if you want ademonstration, you’ll get one. Not here, though. Too many people here.”

“Tomorrow, then,” says Kitster, shaking hisfinger in Anakin’s face. “I’m holding you to that.”

[aparoxysm]

☼☼☼☼ i don't even know how many i pasted but GIMME

this is literally going to be so long i talk so much YOURE GONNA REGRET THIS

☼ KYLE & DEANNA ☼

who would be the one to randomly adopt a puppy without consultation

WELL, i think this would be kyle tbh. like no okay, he’s usually a responsible guy but hes SOOO easily manipulated and pressured into things ok??? the puppy would just have to look @ him and he’d just be like “no buddy im sorry i can’t………………… alright fine jump in the backpack ill be your obi wan we’re outta here”

who would force the other to take aesthetic pictures of them

deanna 10000000%

who would do stuff they think is stupid just to make the other one happy

i actually feel like both? i feel like kyle is usually the instigator but since being around him all the time, deanna’s really going to get to embrace a dorkier side of herself. he likes making people laugh and she likes him making her laugh so basically he is gonna make her come to the dork side sooner or later~

who picks out the horror movies to watch just so the other will cling to them

HAHA probably kyle.

who is constantly studying and who is constantly trying to distract them

SO i have finally decided that kyle is really interested in history and archeology. i think hes gonna really commit to college this time around soon and deannas gonna be pouty when he cant shower her in attention lolololol. so definitely her distracting and succeeding.

who initiates the facetime calls whenever they’re separated

both!!

who is more likely to storm out after a fight and who is more likely to cry when they do

i don’t know if deanna really has a temper but given that she’s got italian blood in her, i’d say genetics prove that she’d be the one to walk out. kyle would 10/10 be upset if she did.

who stays up way too late binge-watching their favorite shows

kyle. netflix nerd.

who bites the other’s ear when they’re feeling frisky

deanna.

who sprays the other with water when they’re washing the car

both. 10/10.

who has more fun decorating the house during holidays

kyle LOL hes such a dweeb. there’s him in an ugly christmas sweater and antlers.

who is more likely to give the silent treatment when they’re mad at the other

…..deanna? maybe? im not really sure, again, i dont know what her temper is like. i don’t know if shes a need space person or not yet, but kyle wouldn’t be able to stand ignoring her.

who plays with the others’ hair more

i definitely see deanna playing with kyles hair on the reg.

who is more likely to climb all over the other one when they’re bored

i think deanna’s already proved this one LOLOLOLL and i love it so much, its such a normal organic thing in relationships to hang off each other and i definitely see that being her thing. 

who tries to kiss the other as often as they can

deanna. i think kyle’s more of a hugger, he always likes to just have an arm around her somehow. shes the kisser.

who pouts when the other one tells them to shut the fuck up

WELL kyle would never @ her like that but LOLOLOL i bet once the novelty of his blabbing has worn off and theyre an old married couple deanna might sometimes just be like stooooop

who initiates the sex and who walks away when the other is riled up  

deanna is for sure the instigator, as if that isnt 100% obvious by now hahahha and god yes sometimes kyle will be like NO OMG MY MOM IS IN THE OTHER ROOM or I HAv E TO GO TO cLASS so yep he gonna have to walk away and its gonna kill him 100 times over probably.

who always forgets the umbrella and who holds it when they actually have one

kyle forgets it but also has to hold it because hes such a tall freak, hed be like good ol’ hunchback notre dame with deanna holding it LOL. but he’d also just like, get wet if it meant keeping her dry and warm cause hes a ~gentleman

who demands showering first in the mornings

hmmmmmmmmmmmm i feel like deanna. unless shes a night shower-er. in which case, shes a freak and kyle owns the morning.

who sneaks into the shower with the other one in the mornings

well this has deanna written all over it so.

who prefers riding the roller coasters and who prefers playing the games

kyle’s a wimp, he’ll win her a goldfish and not throw up (y)

who will text the other one thirty times in a row until they respond

deanna. kyle probably fell asleep LOL

who always forgets to charge their phone overnight 

hmhmhmhmhmhmhmh deanna??? maybe??? i mean maybe not always but i just see her being more connected to her phone than kyle, like surfing social media etc. and like i bet hes an iPad guy. so like maybe he steals the wall socket a lot and shes like k remind me to steal ur charger before we go to bed and hes like k *forgets immediately*

who comes up behind the other and slide their hands into their back pockets

both? but i feel like mostly deanna. always givin’ him the heckin spooks because hes dumb .

who tries to get hugs from the other as often as they can 

both.

who is louder and who constantly has the tell the other to be quiet

deanna feels more rambunctious tbh.

☼ EMILY & MILES ☼

who would be the one to randomly adopt a puppy without consultation

WELL IF THERE’S ANYTHING MORE SOLID ABOUT EMILY AS A CHARACTER ITS THAT SHE HAS A N UNHEALTHY OBSESSION WITH DOGS. she is every dog lover tumblr post ever. barney, her UNNECESSARILY HUMONGOUS bernese mountain dog is her pride and son.

who would force the other to take aesthetic pictures of them

maybe miles but like more as a joke because like emily adores photography, she used to do a lot of it when she was a teenager for school because her dad was really interested in vintage cameras (see also: her box brownie collection she considered selling) and so thats a nice part of im to hold onto for her. he gave her a polaroid camera which she broke in one of her first big mental break downs. then some years later, a boyfriend at the time bought her a new one which she used a lot for a while. then they broke up and she hasn’t really touched photography since. anyway basically i think miles would probably know most of this (all her polaroids are probably still packed up in a box) so he’d pick up her camra sometimes like “photograph me like one of ur french women~” and shed be like omg stop ur being a silly goose ily.

who would do stuff they think is stupid just to make the other one happy

miles @ emily. sometimes shes such a sad rain cloud and so i think he would resort to any small stupid thing just to make her smile.

who picks out the horror movies to watch just so the other will cling to them

emily would rather die than watch a horror movie i think LOL. 2 spooky.

who is constantly studying and who is constantly trying to distract them

i think miles respects emily too much to bother her when shes working, knowing she takes it all very seriously. but likeeeee, at the same time, maybe if he noticed she was already distracted he would try to egg it on cause maybe he’d think like why miss the opportunity to do something together instead if shes not gonna be busy??? idk. thats a real stab in the dark, i hope all my assuming isnt way off LOL

who initiates the facetime calls whenever they’re separated

emily. worried mama bear.

who is more likely to storm out after a fight and who is more likely to cry when they do

miles is the stormer, emily is the cryer. 100%

who stays up way too late binge-watching their favorite shows

emily. she doesn’t sleep very well anyway so she’ll read or watch obscure film/tv.

who bites the other’s ear when they’re feeling frisky

miles?????????????? probably??? emily is such a shy little squirt when it comes to sex, i think shes very happy to recieve whatever he’s willing to give her but as for her own actions shes too scared to be very adventurous.

who sprays the other with water when they’re washing the car

miles. if only they could afford a car… /sheds tear/

who has more fun decorating the house during holidays

emily !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! shes the person people hate at christmas time. but see also australia has like no game when it comes to inter/national holidays. our chrismas is in the summer so like reindeers and snow and hot cocoa and fireplaces and shit doesnt make sense. its an entirely different culture. same with halloween, its in the spring, there’s no fall colours, orange pumpkins, etc. having these holidays to REALLY celebrate into overkill in the states is probably her favourite thing about living there.

who is more likely to give the silent treatment when they’re mad at the other

miles feels like the angry silent type. emily is the non-confrontational silent type. so both, depending what the argument was about.

who plays with the others’ hair more

i kind of see miles, like if theyre on the couch watching tv or whatever, his arm slung round her and distractedly playing with a lock.

who is more likely to climb all over the other one when they’re bored

hmmm, neither.

who tries to kiss the other as often as they can

when emily is a happy clam, shes very loving. her mood really changes her physical interactions. when shes sad or distracted or stressed or focused, she is very recluse and really just likes to be left alone. but when shes feeling inspired and happy, she’s all for hugs and kisses and touching.

who pouts when the other one tells them to shut the fuck up

miles? LOLOL if emily would EVER tell him to be quiet. a highly unlikely scenario though.

who initiates the sex and who walks away when the other is riled up  

i think that miles is mostly the one to always start it, but never with an expectation that she’ll want to? because he knows how much of an awko taco she is about it? its kind of like a very hesitant, curious sus of the situation~ and if shes down then cool if shes not well then theres always next week maybe LOL. but real talk, i think its really special when emily initiates. its very like Big Moment™ and a real surprise and relief to miles’ stress levels cause otherwise he’s always feeling pushed out ja feel? so i think that the simple answer is miles and hes used to her shutting it down if shes not in the mood. but like everything about them its complicated LOL.

who always forgets the umbrella and who holds it when they actually have one

miles forgets and emily brings like 5. i feel like shes the cutie who holds it and he keeps an arm/jacket around her to keep her from freezing to death bc old married couple :’)

who demands showering first in the mornings

i mean emily likes routine but i feel like miles is the early riser for work and is always gne by the time she gets up probably.

who sneaks into the shower with the other one in the mornings

either or neither, depending on the night before :P 

who prefers riding the roller coasters and who prefers playing the games

emily is also a wimp and i dont imagine she likes heights very much. miles strikes me as the “big panda winner” type.

who will text the other one thirty times in a row until they respond

emily if shes either a) worried or b) unsure and keeps tacking on after thoughts.

who always forgets to charge their phone overnight

ehhhhh, neither? i expect they both rely heavily on them for work so no point with a dead phone.

who comes up behind the other and slide their hands into their back pockets

miles.

who tries to get hugs from the other as often as they can

emily.

who is louder and who constantly has the tell the other to be quiet

neither? i mean emily is basically a mouse but yeah. neither.

☼ ADAM & JULIE ☼

who would be the one to randomly adopt a puppy without consultation

adam. 200%. he has no impulse control.

who would force the other to take aesthetic pictures of them

adam AHAHAHA, i bet he would take photos of himself on her phone a lot. as if he’s doing her some public service. change his name to “hot adam” in her phone and take a snapchat filter photo of him with some dumb sunglasses on or something. use one of those dumb filters that put your face on the body of some dancing thing and set it as her wallpaper. basically he is so vain.

who would do stuff they think is stupid just to make the other one happy

adam. he doesnt get embarrassed easily and one day hes gonna like julie a lot and notice theres a dark raincloud in there somewhere he needs to chase away. so might as well do that with laughter.

who picks out the horror movies to watch just so the other will cling to them

adam but he’d want her to cling to him so it would be this whole elaborate plan. like “here let me set up the situation this is how its gonna go its gonna be great” and julie is gonna be like omfg stop and then hes gonna finish the movie wanting to vomit like “well that was not fun at all why did you talk me into this ur a bad friend”

who is constantly studying and who is constantly trying to distract them

julie strikes me as the hardworking type. adam is 100% the literal child wanting her attention.

who initiates the facetime calls whenever they’re separated

adam ofc. but then it could be cute, like julie could start seeing dumb shit and text him like “i saw a guy who got thrown out of walmart today bc he tried to steal a the simpsons on dvd” and he’ll immediately laugh and call her like “WAS IT THE BEST THING? TELL ME EVERYTHING” bc his job is a lot of boring sitting around most of the time. he’ll learn when her lunch breaks are and call her to annoy her but also bc lonely.

who is more likely to storm out after a fight and who is more likely to cry when they do

adam would storm. idk if julie would cry?

who stays up way too late binge-watching their favorite shows

hmmmmmmmmm, maybe julie? if its something shes really into or is anxious and cant sleep? bc adam is 100% that guy whos like “pf what no ill be up for HOURS” zonks out @ 9pm

who bites the other’s ear when they’re feeling frisky

adam, hes a kinky shit. but HEY maybe she is 2. we might never kno  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

who sprays the other with water when they’re washing the car

adam. literal child.

who has more fun decorating the house during holidays

i feel like julie has WICKED eye for interior? maybe she doesn’t, but her pinterest board lead me to believe shes stylish af. so i feel like she’d have a good time decorating. unless shes got deep family / body issues rooted to holidays which i could also see being a thing. people stareotypically eat a lot at christmas and thanksgiving omfg, so maybe she hates holidays. IDK. IDK THE ANSWER TO THIS ONE but im also pretty sure adam would dress as a sexy santa like u wouldnt even have to ask he’d be so down. i mean this is probably his favourite christmas related thing tbh (NSFW). im also aware that still doesnt answer the question.

who is more likely to give the silent treatment when they’re mad at the other

adam. bye falicia~

who plays with the others’ hair more

adam but in an annoying way LOL

who is more likely to climb all over the other one when they’re bored

the image of adam climbing all over julie is weird af LOL. so like. maybe neither, idk?

who tries to kiss the other as often as they can

adam. hes so convinced he’ll get her to give in one day. ONE DAYYY.

who pouts when the other one tells them to shut the fuck up

adam.

who initiates the sex and who walks away when the other is riled up  

adam sTILL. hes so annoying hahaha.

who always forgets the umbrella and who holds it when they actually have one

adam forgets, julie holds. mostly cause he probably gets them all wet cause hes an adhd kid half the time. 

who demands showering first in the mornings

hmmmm, maybe julie? adams probably a freak and showers at night.

who sneaks into the shower with the other one in the mornings

adam 200%

who prefers riding the roller coasters and who prefers playing the games

adam would LOVE rollercoasters. i dont know about julie?

who will text the other one thirty times in a row until they respond

have you met adam “pay attention to me” kane ???

who always forgets to charge their phone overnight

hmmm, if it had to be one of them, probably adam.

who comes up behind the other and slide their hands into their back pockets

adam. anything for the ass grab.

who tries to get hugs from the other as often as they can

i dont know this one tbh.

who is louder and who constantly has the tell the other to be quiet

adam. obnoxious piece of work.