Notes: We're getting close to the end, and this next event is one of my favorites: AU Archery (a story of at least 100 words set in an alternate universe). Now, technically, all of these stories are already set in an AU – but in a world where time travel is possible, AUs of AUs aren't really much of a stretch, so that's exactly what this is going to be.
This ficlet takes place in what I currently refer to as the "pen pals AU". It's one where Festus – or Dorian, as he's known here – was never captured by the Sith. He and Allana grew up in separate Jedi enclaves, but they managed to keep in touch during that time, (as much as was possible, given the need for secrecy,) and they became very close friends. I would love to explore this version of events more someday, but for now, here's a very small glimpse at what might have been…
(Once again, the title comes from "Happens All the Time" by Cold.)
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IX. "Where You're Still in Love with Me" | 51 ABY | AU Archery
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Allana watches the ramp lower, bouncing up onto her toes as she waits for some sign of him. Finally, after all these years, after hundreds of messages and thousands of words and feeling like a part of her has been missing, her best friend is here.
He emerges from the ship without fanfare, eyes slowly roaming the hangar as he reaches the bottom of the ramp. Force, he looks so much older – hardly anything like the boy she knew. She doesn't realize she's been holding her breath until she opens her mouth to call out to him.
"Dorian!"
His eyes lock on her, then – so intensely blue, maybe more than she even remembered – and he smiles. Stars, she's not sure a smile has ever made her feel this way, like she could just float away and not even care about coming back down. She runs forward, then stops just beyond arm's reach, suddenly aware of the fact that they've never hugged or touched or anything, really; and she's not sure why that matters, but it stops her all the same.
"Hey," he says in a quiet voice, much deeper than she expected, and she feels silly for not anticipating all the ways he would have changed.
"Hey," she replies, and then her hesitance melts away as she all but leaps into his arms.
He catches her and leans back, lifting her off the ground. "You didn't miss me, did you?" he whispers in her ear as his hold on her tightens.
She laughs, and for one wild instant she has the urge to kiss him on the cheek. That thought sends a rush of warmth through her, from her stomach to the center of her chest, where she can feel her heart beating faster. He's here. He's here, and she never, ever wants to let him go.