AnakinSimp

Hawkins looked different at night, emptier, quieter, almost gentle in a way that felt like a lie. You stood in Steve Harrington’s driveway with your bag slung over your shoulder, the chill of the Indiana air settling onto your skin as the streetlights hummed overhead. Everything felt suspended, like the whole world was holding its breath, waiting to see if you’d actually do it, if you’d really leave. Steve stood beside his car, keys twisting nervously in his fingers, hair a little messier than usual, eyes flicking between you and the dark stretch of road ahead. “You’re really sure about this?” he asked, voice low, like he didn’t trust the night not to swallow his words. But the question wasn’t about the plan. It was about him. About trusting him enough to run, to leave everything behind with nothing but the clothes in your bag and the boy with soft eyes and shaking hands.

You didn’t answer right away. Instead, you stepped closer, twisting your fingers into the fabric of his jacket, breathing in the faint smell of cologne and laundry detergent and something so distinctly Steve it hurt. “I’m sure,” you whispered, and you watched the tension in his shoulders melt just enough for him to breathe again. He opened the passenger door for you like it was the most natural thing in the world, even now, even in this moment that felt like the beginning of something dangerous and beautiful and irreversible.

The engine sputtered to life, the radio crackling before settling into the soft hum of some half-static 80s ballad. Hawkins blurred past the windows, empty storefronts, the dark shadow of the school, the flickering sign outside the gas station. Every landmark felt like a goodbye you weren’t sure how to say. Steve kept one hand on the wheel, the other drifting toward yours on the seat between you, his thumb brushing your knuckles like he needed the reassurance that you were really there. “You know,” he said after a while, eyes fixed on the road, “I never thought I’d leave this place.” His voice was soft, almost embarrassed. “But then…you asked.”

The highway stretched ahead of you, endless and dark and full of possibilities you weren’t brave enough to imagine until now. Wind rushed in through the cracked window, pulling strands of your hair across your face. Steve reached over without thinking, gently tucking them behind your ear, his fingers lingering just long enough to make your chest tighten. “Whatever happens,” he murmured, “we’ll figure it out. Together.” And it wasn’t a promise thrown into the wind. It was something solid. Something he meant.

You glanced at him then, the soft slope of his jaw, the determined set of his mouth, the way the streetlights carved gold across his cheekbones. You realized, suddenly and overwhelmingly, that this wasn’t an escape from Hawkins. It was an escape with him. With the boy who always stayed behind to protect everyone but himself. With the boy who was finally choosing something for his own heart.

Miles passed in silence, but it wasn’t empty. It was warm and comfortable. Full of hope in a way that made your chest ache. Steve reached over again, not tentative this time, and intertwined his fingers with yours, his palm warm and sure. “Hey,” he said quietly, almost nervously, “where do you want to go first?” You squeezed his hand, smiling into the darkness. “Anywhere,” you whispered. “As long as it’s not here.”

He laughed, and the sound filled the car, filling you too. He rolled the windows all the way down, turned the radio up, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the world didn’t feel small. It felt wide. It felt new. And you felt free.

the cool breeze of the holidays blew through your hair as you walked into town.

last minute christmas decorations were being set up by the busy townspeople—the ones you grew up knowing all your life—but they still stopped to greet you when you passed by with wide grins across their face. flecks of snow gracefully fell from the sky above, sending shivers down your spine from the cold.

slipping off your leather gloves and the scarf wrapped around your neck, you enter the town’s local coffee shop. approaching the register, a relieved smile curls up your lips when you see your favorite barista working the counter.

“surprised you haven’t been fired yet,” you tease, taking an open seat on one of the barstools, “coffee please!”

“this addiction you have isn’t healthy anymore,” he pours a steaming pot into a mug he’s prepared in advanced—already knowing that you’d come in to bother him, “i don’t wanna become a liability if caffeine sends you into an early death.”

“funny,” as you playfully roll your eyes at him, he sneakily slips you a free pastry across the counter, “oh, so you’re bribing me now?” right as he was about to quip back with a witty response, his head shoots up towards the door where a bell announced a customers arrival.

“hayden?”

freezing in your seat mid laugh, your mind goes still as you hesitantly turn around… you haven’t heard that name in eight years. it was now a loss memory, one that you had buried deep in your mind, one that had occurred in your adolescence.

memories of secondary school scored itself as one of the greatest experiences of your life, but also one of the worst. it was where you first met him, the boy who had flipped your whole world right side up then upside down… hayden christensen.

he was a pillar of strength and a shoulder to lean on throughout the four wonderful years spent together during high school, but some things were never meant to last forever. just like you, he had dreamt big and embraced his aspirations in life.

the spotlight was where is longed to be.

hayden was the school’s theatre heartthrob, winning the lead male role in every drama production from how good he was. you were aware that he did commercials and played small parts growing up—his mother showing them to you when he first brought you home; and as a result, you knew he’d be offered roles from well known casting directors… you just didn’t expect that he’d get a call right after graduating.

of course you were immensely proud of your boyfriend when he got the role of scott barringer on higher ground, ecstatic even, but you both worried about busy schedules and long distance. he was off to go film in vancouver while you stayed back in your small town located in ontario to attend college. it was tough at first, not knowing if he wasn’t called onto set yet or when you weren’t in the middle of class.

but the two of you were able to make it work and by the next summer season, you and hayden were blessed to spend the violence of the dog days together. it was the rainbow after the storm. he finally had you back in his arms, cherishing every second he had with you under the golden sun and the ocean waves of summer.

and as much as you loved him, you knew you had to leave him soon to allow yourselves to grow without each other…

the fall of your relationship happened after you confessed that you accepted an offer to study abroad for the following school year, sending you across the world and further away from him. hayden had first revealed that he booked star wars and was off to go film in a few weeks, wishing that you could come and accompany him on his first hollywood role.

when everything was just seeming to fall into place, here was fate drawing you both away from each other once again… and you knew you had to end it now to minimize the ache you’d feel in your heart. not because he was going to be across the world in a different time zone; no, far from that… it was because you two were following different paths in life.

even ‘til this moment, the night of the break up is fresh in your mind, wondering if you made the right decision eight years ago as you’re here face to face with the path you chose to not follow.

hayden’s jaw slightly falters at the sight of you, his breath being taken away by your beauty even after all this time. the—now—man had always thought you were the prettiest girl in the universe, but time certainly brought out the best in you because you were absolutely enchanting.

your name falls from his lips when he greets you for the first time in years, an arrow shooting through your heart when his voice cracks after he mustered all his courage to say it. “hayden, hi,” gazing into his eyes felt like torture; he looked good—mature even—but hurt… and you knew it was your fault.

“i think i’ll leave you two be, duty calls,” your friend motions to the line of waiting customers and rushes behind the counter before his boss scolds him for being distracted on the job.

“so,” hayden’s voice trails off, not knowing how to make small talk with his ex, “how’ve you been?”

“all right.” that was such a blatant lie, you thought to yourself. clearing your throat to wash yourself of sin, a strained grin replaces the slight frown just seconds ago, “you?”

“yeah, all right—finally made it into the hollywood world,” the corner of his lips tug into a smile, attempting to sound humble about his newfound popularity amongst the film critics. “so i’ve heard,” sipping on the your mug full of coffee, you hummed nonchalantly, “i do have to admit, you played a real good anakin skywalker.”

“you watched?” the man seemed almost surprised about you supporting his work post-breakup. “i keep my promises, hayden.”

gazing into your eyes for any sense of deception, he finds that he’s still haunted by the look in your eye that revealed that you would’ve loved him for a lifetime.

he never actually took the time to realize just how much he’s missed you—but once he did, hayden knew he was so far gone. the man wanted to relearn every little thing about you.

“do you happen to be free this afternoon?” he asks, making you slightly chuckle at his sudden shyness. “it depends, why?”

“well,” hayden sucks in a breath, “i was hoping i could take you out—just for old times sake of course.”

“ah,” you begin to snigger, “dangerous game you’re playing.”

“worth it though.”

for the weekend, you and hayden found yourselves sleeping in half the day and riding around untaken roads—memories of your old high school love swirling into the present.

passing by the methodist church and the school across from it, the echoes of your guys’ giggles and calling each other “babe” lingers in the frigid air.

hayden sat shotgun, watching as you focused on the road. he had his fingers intertwined with yours, placing soft kisses from time to time as you drove through the town.

the domesticity of it all felt natural, but it was only a reminder for what he couldn’t have forever. he knew he’d have to go back to los angeles, film his lineup of movies, and forget about everything you both shared this holiday season… yet, he couldn’t help but quietly hope that you’d say something to halt his plans.

the man just wanted you—not the fame, not the fans, you… but of course, his mouth moves faster than his brain.

“i still love you.”

those four words ruined the whirlwind romantic rendezvous you both were addicted to.

your truck rolls to a stop in the middle of the road and you lean over to face him for the first time since you’ve entered the driver’s seat. “hayden, no. you don’t mean that.”

“but i do,” he cups your face in his hand, caressing your cheek with such grace, “i love you. i knew it from the day i first met you in school. i’ll drop everything for you, just say the word.”

“i can’t just snatch the life you’ve wanted since we were teenagers,” a sigh escapes your lips and you rest your forehead against his, “i cant, hayden. my conscience can’t carry that weight of a burden.”

“the life i want now is with you.”

“i love you too, hayden… but i want you to achieve those dreams,” a sorrow smile curls up your lips, “even if it means letting you go a second time.”

starting the car once again, you both ride in silence with nothing else left to say because…

in twenty-four hours, he will board a plane bound for LAX—his heart breaking when leaving the warmest bed he’s ever known.

in twenty-four hours, you’d go back to your simplistic life in your small canadian town—wondering about the only soul who knew which smiles you’re faking.

in twenty-four hours, you’ll no longer be each others for the weekend.

‘tis the damn season.

@cosmials

You’re on the floor of your room, old newspapers spread under a pair of jeans, paint everywhere. The window’s open, a late night breeze sneaking in and messing with the corners of the paper. Sam’s cross-legged across from you, sleeves rolled up, tongue pressed to the corner of his mouth as he drags a messy lightning bolt down one leg of his jeans.

“Ew, you’re literally painting a superhero costume,” you say, squinting at his work.

He glances up. “At least I’m not painting an actual superhero…what kinda nerd paints their hoco jeans superman?”

“Um, a cultured one-” You dab at a superman logo near the thigh. “Some of us actually have a vision.”

“Yeah, okay, geek.”

You flick a little paint at him. It lands on his cheek. “Oops.”

He stares at you for a beat, then dips his brush in blue and flicks it back. You squeal, ducking behind your hands. He laughs—full, easy, real—and for a second it feels like the world is only this: paint, laughter, and the smell of detergent.

Then you ruin it without meaning to.

“So, Ethan said if I wanted to hang in the library tomorrow…so I might not be there for lunch.”

The brush freezes in his hand. “Yeah, cool- I don’t care.”

He goes back to painting, but the strokes come out sharper, heavier. You don’t notice. You're humming again, focused on a panel of superman. He looks at you once, his jaw tight, and doesn’t say another word.

The next morning, the silence in the car ride to school is almost suffocating. You try to lift the mood with a joke or two but his smile is quick to fade. After you two part ways to class, you can’t help but think something was off with him. It was like that the whole day, him staring off into space as you talked, eventually just choosing to stay quiet. The car ride home was no better either, you let the radio fill the heavy silence the whole way home.

Monday [6:05PM]

You: hey do yk what ur gonna wear tmrw 4 bikers vs surfers??

You: sammy?

Read 6:09 PM

You frowned at that, you didn’t know why he was being so distant all of the sudden. Was he using again? No, he’d tell you if he was. Right?

You decided to just lay out your outfit for tomorrow, it could help take your mind off of things. You were gonna be a surfer until you spotted a leather jacket in your closet– his –and if you knew Sam, which you did, he wasn’t gonna miss the opportunity to dress closer to his own style if he could.

“Hey, I see we had the same idea-” you giggled as you slid into the car.

“Yea- guess so. Or I just wore what I always wear.” he said flatly before he began to drive.

Yikes. Whatever was going on yesterday seemed to be continuing today. It seemed like no matter what you talked about, sam was just looking through you, not paying attention to anything.

“Hey- whats up with you lately?” you nudged his shoulder as you guys sat together in physics.

“Hm? Nothing- I’m just…not in a mood for school spirit” he said as he drifted back to reality.

“Okay. You’d tell me if it was something else, right?” your brow furrowed as you tried to look for a hint of what was really going on in his face. Nothing. Just that same clench of his jaw and distant look in his eyes.

“Yea, right.”

Tuesday [8:37PM]

Sam: hey, srry for being weird earlier. 

[8:45]

You: no prob, js glad ur not icing me out anymore lol

Sam: i could never.

You reacted with heart

Wednesday felt lighter than the last few days. You were both in your neon shirts for spirit day as you headed towards lunch. 

“Is it just me, or is this spirit week kinda lame?”

“I think you’re just lame, you didn’t even dress up for bikers vs surfers day.” you playfully hit him as you guys entered the lunch room.

“I did too- I was a biker ‘member?” he said through his usual smirk. There he was.

“Wearing the clothes you wear on a daily basis, so doesn’t count”

“Yea, the school paper thought so- I ended up on the front cover for a reason.”

“I was right there with you, don’t even-” you said as you guys sat down at your usual spot.

After a few more teasing remarks, you guys started to make your plans for homecoming with Corey and Nat. The plan was simple, you and Nat get ready together while Sam and Corey did the same, they go pick you guys up, make fun of the decorations–maybe dance a little– bam, school dance over. But you wanted something more. You wanted to go to a dance like in the movies. For a guy to nervously ask you out while you said yes with the same nerves. But you’d settle for this, it was nice too.

Wednesday [6:54PM]

Sam: wyd

You: nothing

         just got out the shower y

Sam: need the notes from last physics class

[7:04PM]

You: [ 3 attachments]

Sam: ?

         think u sent one of those on accident…

You: shit srry

         ignore that

Sam: why’d u screenshot a text from ethan?

You: needed nats help

         yk

         shes good with that type of stuff

Sam: oh

The next day you guys were sitting at lunch, your painted superman logo glimmering with hope. You’re mid-laugh when Sam glances around at all the couples excited for the dance.

“I bet you half of these homecoming dates won’t make it past next week, they just want someone to show off that night.”

You poke at your lunch, smile flickering. “Yea, totally.”

He tries to laugh it off, spinning his fork. “I mean, at least we’ve got the friend group thing, right?”

“Right.” you half heartedly smile, though it doesn’t sound convincing. He took a moment to look at you before poking at his lunch tray.

Later that day during 8th period, Ethan caught you by your locker after class. His cheeks were red, his words tripping up as his friends waited in the background for morale.

“So, uh—homecoming. You uh, have any plans?” he managed to get out without stuttering. It was sweet, the way he got flustered around you.

“Uh, nothing big, just with some friends-”

“Do you wanna go? With me, I mean?”

You blink. You weren’t expecting anything so soon, especially not a dance. 

“Yea, sure. I’d like that.” you smiled softly as you felt your own cheeks begin to warm.

You find Sam near the exit. He’s leaning against the wall, phone in hand, pretending to scroll.

“Hey,” you start. “I’m sorry, I know we were gonna go as a group, but get this– ethan just asked me out.” your heart was still stammering from the moment. He could see the pure happiness on your face. He knew this was what you wanted, what you’d never admit you dreamed of. Hopeless romantics, am I right?

“Don’t worry about it, geek,” he cuts in, forcing a grin. “I’ll still have Corey and Nat. You, go to the dance with Ethan."

You laugh awkwardly. “You sure?”

“Positive.”

You hug him before you turned to the door. “You coming?”

“Yea I’ll be there in a sec. Just gotta grab something from my locker”

You nodded before you walked out the door. His smile drops from his face the second you turn. He couldn’t stand the thought of another guy being the one to make your wish come true, but he knew it meant a lot to you, so he’d take it if it meant he could see you smile.

It’s saturday evening, the big day. You’re in front of the mirror with Nat, curling the last strand of your hair. The air is thick with the smell of hairspray and victoria's secret perfume.

“Omg babes, you look so good right now” she says. “Ethan’s totally gonna get a hard on when he sees you.”

You laugh, but it sounds shaky. “Ew Nat, you’re so gross-”

“Grossly right- come on, I told you he was gonna ask. No one uses that many emojis ever unless they’ve gotta thing for you.”

“I was getting scared he wasn’t gonna ask-” you said as you brushed the last of your curls out.

“Well he did- now you won’t be stuck pretending like you wouldn’t rather be slow dancing to a song while you were with us” she teases.

“Don’t say that- I would’ve been happy either way.”

Meanwhile, across town, Sam’s tugging at his tie in Corey’s room.

“Dude, you’re gonna strangle yourself,” Corey says as he fixes his own.

“I’m fine, but even if I did- would that be so bad? Don’t even wanna go to this stupid dance.” If he was trying to act like he was unbothered, he was doing a really bad job at it right now.

“You can’t be mad at Ethan cause he had the balls to do what you couldn’t…” Corey said as he dabbed his cologne on.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Sam snapped back.

“Nothing man, nothing.”

After they were done, they drove over to pick up Nat. You were already outside with Ethan and a corsage around your wrist by the time they pulled up. The second the car stopped, Sam’s eyes found you. The porch light was hitting your hair perfectly, illuminating the soft frame around your face it created, and his throat went dry.

Ethan grins at him. “Nice jacket, man.”

“Yeah. You too.”

That’s it. That’s the whole exchange. But Sam feels the words stick in his chest like needles.

The gym looked different with all the fairy lights and hand-painted banners hanging around it. You could feel the bass of the music through your chest. Ethan went to go grab you two some punch as you waited by the bleachers. You thought you’d be more excited than this. You were trying to enjoy the night, but couldn’t understand why you felt kinda, empty. Ethan’s nice—safe—but it doesn’t feel like how the movies show it. Not even close.

Across the room, Sam’s with Corey, laughing too loud, trying to look unbothered as he glances over at you and your date. Failing to hide the clench of his jaw.

Then a slow song starts.

Ethan holds out his hand. “Care to dance, milady?”

You let out an awkward laugh and nod. He pulls you in close, hand on your waist, other holding your hand to guide you. The world softens, just a little, but it’s not what you thought it would be. His hand is warm, sure, but it doesn’t send that spark everyone talks about. You should feel the butterflies by now, but you don’t. Is something wrong with you? Why don’t you feel anything?

Your gaze starts to drift.

Sam’s standing by the doors, hands in his pockets, eyes locked on you. The second you met his stare, your heart stuttered and everything seemed as if it was moving in slow mo.

That’s it. That's the feeling. The one you’ve been waiting for.

He’s the first to look away before you see him back out through the doors.

After the dance, Ethan drops you off at your house. You could hear the faint buzz of the porch light as he brought you up the stairs. You smiled, told him you had fun. It’s almost true. He asks for a kiss goodnight, and you agree. It was sweet, simple. Kind of like those old school movies, only without the feelings.

Inside, you’re taking down your hair, heart still racing—but not for the reason you think.

Somewhere across town, Sam’s sitting on the hood of Corey’s car, staring at nothing. He exhales slowly, pretending that the burn in his chest was just from the smoke. But it’s not, and he knows that.

~

The temple is quiet, golden rays of the evening Coruscant sunset pouring through large hallway windows. After finishing a deep meditation session, you walk towards the hangar bay. Maybe in hopes to encounter your astromech droid and get to work on some after-hours repairs, but truthfully, your meditation session has you feeling too contemplative to focus on such a menial task. The war has been weighing on you, your purpose among the Jedi coming into your own question. Is this where you're meant to be? 

Just then, you're knocked out of deep thought by running into a familiar face. Anakin.

Anakin tilts his head slightly, a half-smile tugging at his lips as his blue eyes meet yours. "Hey, (y/n), where have you been lately?" His arms cross and his weight shifts in a failed attempt to seem casual, hiding the warmth behind his words. 

For a moment you're too caught-off-guard to speak, trying to collect yourself you ramble out a quick, "oh- I- y'know- missions." You look down and rub the back of your neck, clearly embarrassed by your inattention. 

"Yeah?" He chuckles, "I can tell. You have that same tired look in your eyes that I get after too many missions. What's weighing on you?"

You smile at him, almost automatically. "That obvious, huh?"

He chuckles, lightheartedly, there's warmth in his tone, "C'mon, you know I can feel it. You try to hide behind that bright smile of yours, but I know you better than that."

"Always trying to use your Jedi intuition to get in my head, huh, Anakin?" You say with a teasing laugh, smiling up at him.

He smirks, a low chuckle slipping out as he straightens his posture slightly, his arms still crossed, "Maybe I am," his tone is playful, and there's that unmistakable glint in his eyes, half challenge and half amusement, "but you make it pretty easy y'know, you wear your thoughts like a holovid."

You laugh softly, shaking your head at him. 

"Besides, it's not the Force giving you away," he grins, softer now, but with that same steady confidence in his voice, "I've just learned how to read you."

You smile at him with a small sigh of what almost seems like defeat.

Letting your facade fall, you speak softly, "I don't know. I feel somewhat lost amongst all this chaos lately- I dont think I need advice or help or anything like that right now-," you pause for a moment, breathing deeply, before continuing, "but maybe a distraction would be nice?" 

You look up at him again, your eyes and voice full of earnestness and honesty, “What’re you doing right now?”

Anakin glances towards the hangar bay where the faint hum of starfighters echoes in the distance, “I was just working on my ship- again.” He chuckles lightly, “Can’t seem to leave her alone. There’s always some tuning to do, some adjustments to make.”

His gaze flicks back to you, “But if you need a distraction…” the mischief that always gleams in his expression returning, “...I could use some company. You know your way around a hydrospanner?”

Your face lights up with a smile, “I’m not much of an engineer but I’m always down to hangout with you in the bay.” 

His grin widens, “That’s what I like to hear.” And you both start towards the hangar. 

Anakin gestures for you to follow him to his starfighter, the steel hull gleaming under the soft bay lights. You lean against the hull as he begins rummaging through tools and parts before starting on his ship. He crouches beside the ship, opening a panel. His eyes narrow with focus and purpose, the way they always do when he’s building or tinkering with things. 

“You need help?” You offer tentatively.

“Nah, you just being here makes it better.” He glances back at you for a moment, tools in hand, “Besides, I like the quiet company. It’s…” he turns back to the panel, “...different when you’re around. Calmer.”

He pauses, a faint smudge of grease streaking his cheek as he looks up at you again, “You ever notice how the hangar feels almost alive at night? The hum, the echoes—it’s like the whole place is breathing. Makes it easier to forget the rest of the galaxy for a while.”

You chuckle, “I don’t think anything on Coruscant truly ever sleeps...” you pause looking out towards the evening skyline, “...makes the rest of the galaxy seem so quiet.”

“You’re right,” he straightens, wiping grease onto his gloves before leaning back beside you on the hull, “this planet never stops moving- ships taking off, people shouting orders, droids whirring around. It’s like the whole place runs on restlessness.” Anakin lets out a low laugh, almost under his breath. 

Your gaze doesn't break from the skyline past the hangar bay doors, “Sometimes I envy the quiet out there. The way the stars just… hang, untouched. No noise, no orders, no one trying to tell you what you’re supposed to be. Just you, and the silence.”

You look back towards him, meeting his eyes when he speaks softly, “I get that.” Anakin’s expression softens, his usual edge melting away as he looks at you. For a moment, the constant hum of the hangar seems to fade into the background. “But then again… maybe the noise isn’t so bad, as long as you’ve got someone to share it with.” 

“Thanks for distracting me, Anakin, it’s really helping my head.” you confess, breaking eye contact for a moment. 

“Hey… that means more than you know.” He gives you a small, almost shy smile- rare for him. “I don’t always feel like I do much good outside of a cockpit or a fight. So if just talking helps you, even a little… then I’m glad.”

He studies you for a moment, his voice gentler now, “You’ve got this light about you. Even when you don’t see it yourself, it’s there. Kind of makes it easier for me to breathe, too.” Then he chuckles, nudging you to lighten the moment. “Guess that makes us even then- helping each other’s brains out.”

Your cheeks warm with a soft pink blush and you giggle back at him. Anakin notices this, his grin deepening with that mischievous spark returning to his eyes. “What?” He laughs, tilting his head slightly, “Did I catch you off guard?” 

You smile at him, “I never know what to expect with you, Anakin.”

He leans a little closer, lowering his voice teasingly. “You know, it’s kind of nice seeing you smile like that. The galaxy doesn’t give us many reasons to, lately.” His gaze lingers for a heartbeat too long before he looks away, moving to busy himself with a tool from the workbench.

“Anyway…” He clears his throat, trying to sound casual again, “…if you’re going to hang around, I might just have to show you how to actually use one of these hydrospanners. Think you can handle that?” 

“Sure, why not?” you laugh, “I manage to keep up with most everything else you throw at me.”

Anakin laughs quietly, that warm, low sound that always carries a bit of disbelief and admiration. “Oh, I don’t doubt that for a second.” He steps closer, handing you the hydrospanner, his fingers brushing yours for just a moment. 

“Alright, see this connector here?” He points toward a cluster of wires inside the open panel, “Just tighten it until you feel it catch—don’t force it. The ship’s temperamental, like her pilot.” He glances up at you, smirking.

You roll your eyes teasingly, before tightening the connector with a confident click from the part. You look back up at him, searching for approval in his expression.

He smiles, “You make it look easy. Maybe I should start worrying you'll replace me in the next flight rotation.” 

You chuckle, standing before him, “Gods- you know I prefer it on the ground.” then grin cockily at him with a bold wink, “That doesn’t mean I couldn't though.”

Anakin laughs, the sound slipping out before he can stop himself. He shakes his head, a crooked grin spreading across his face as he leans an elbow on the ship’s hull. He chuckles softly, eyes glinting with playful challenge. “You’d fit right in with the pilots if you ever decided to change your mind. Maybe even give me a run for my credits.”

He steps a little closer, lowering his voice as though he’s sharing a secret, “But honestly? I kind of like that you’d rather stay grounded. There’s something… steady about you.”

You try to look away towards the skyline again, in hopes of hiding another deep blush. But the energy between you two is so captivating, you can barely break the eye contact.

He smirks again, trying to lighten the air before it gets too heavy. “Still, if you ever do decide to take the controls, I’ll be the first one in the co-pilot’s seat- just to make sure you don’t show me up too badly.”

You laugh heartily, rolling your eyes again, the teasing tone returning despite how flustered he made you just a moment prior. “How could I show up Thee Anakin Skywalker?” 

Anakin puts a hand dramatically over his heart, pretending to look wounded. “Thee Anakin Skywalker, huh? Now that’s a title I could get used to.” He grins, but there’s a warmth behind the teasing- like he’s savoring the banter, just as you are.

He leans back against the starfighter, crossing his arms with that easy confidence of his, “Careful, though. Keep talking like that and people are gonna start thinking you actually like having me around.” He tilts his head, eyes catching yours with a playful spark.

“Hey, I do like having you around!” You say with a smile and a gentle nudge to his arm, almost hurt by the accusation that you wouldn’t. “I don't care what anyone says, you’re one of my favorite friends, just don't tell Ashoka…” You continue to beam at the thought of his Padawan, one of your dearest and closest friends. Anakin laughs softly when you nudge him, the sound genuine, almost boyish, “Oh, I’m definitely telling Ahsoka now.” He smirks, but the teasing doesn’t quite hide the warmth in his voice. “Though… I think she’d be glad to hear it. She’s always saying I need more friends who can tolerate me for more than five minutes.”

“And…” he bumps your shoulder lightly, “you’re one of my favorites too.”

“Besides,” he moves back to his toolbench, “if Ahsoka asks, I’ll just tell her we were- uh- discussing hydrospanner calibration techniques. Very serious Jedi business.”

You straighten your posture with a mocking salute, “Ah, yes- very serious Jedi business with General Skywalker, ofcourse.” 

 Anakin can’t help but laugh- a real, bright laugh that echoes off the steel bay walls. He mock-sighs, shaking his head as he watches your overly serious salute. “At ease, soldier.” He says it with a grin, “You’re going to make me sound like I actually know what I’m doing.”

You laugh, and step closer to him, “Are you busy the rest of the night?”

He glances toward the far end of the hangar, where the shadows stretch long across the floor. A few droids hum in the distance, but most of the base has quieted down. He shakes his head, turning back to you with a small grin, “Not unless you count pretending to do maintenance while avoiding my reports as ‘busy’.”