First came the cold. It came in flurries of snow and was nearly blinding except for red and blue lightsabers clashing to create violet light. The ground was falling beneath his feet, until next came the ashes. The infamous helmet of Darth Vader was bathed in the violet light, and he reached out for it, and put it on. Then he saw the face of his father pleading in the snow as he stabbed him through the middle with the rage customary for his brother. Then he felt sinkingly cold . . .

"NO!"

Anakin's eyes flew open. His shout caught the attention of a few locals and fellow tourists, but they then went back to their business. He sighed, leaning back more comfortably in his reclining chair.

"Another nightmare?"

It was a whisper barely spoken, probably aided by the Force, but Anakin heard it nonetheless. He turned his head to see his partner's large green eyes peering at him. He nodded, but only slightly.

"Same one?"

He nodded again, and sat up straighter, showing his slightly paler back to the mild sun of Deyer, propping his head up on his elbows, elbows on his knees. He'd had nightmares as long as he could remember. Rarely were Anakin's dreams pleasant. He was used to it.

What made these nightmares so horrible was the fact that it was unbearably true: his father was dead by Kylo Ren's hand. His brother had followed the path of Darth Vader. It was only a matter of time before Anakin was next.

Right?

He looked back to Tahiri, who was smiling sympathetically. By now she was used to his fidgets and cries and night terrors, as much as he regretted that. She didn't need to be so tied to someone so broken.

"Come on, let's go swim before you get sunburned as badly as you did on Jakku," she said, getting to her feet. Her skin was properly bronzed and freckled from that visit, unlike Anakin who was now slightly pink after recovering from an awful sunburn. He nodded, getting to his own feet, allowing himself to smile.

"Race you to the water?" he asked.

"It's a bet," she agreed, her green eyes gleaming excitedly.

"Ready, set, go!"

Anakin took off across the hot sand. He'd somewhat adjusted to it, but Tahiri was clearly better, practically flying across the sand, stepping just lightly enough that Anakin could imagine her flying off into sky and never coming back down.

She sprinted ahead, and slowed in the water, falling over as the waves crashed against the shore. She laughed, beckoning for Anakin to get in with her. He did, helping her to her feet. Then, they continued to wade deeper and deeper into the water. A perfect day, yet again. He mentally reminded himself to thank Leia again for sending him here after the last four missions.

While the Resistance did not yet know their names, several had heard of the Twin Suns Squadron. Especially now that they were responsible for recovering two-thirds of the map to Luke Skywalker, stealing the plans to Starkiller Base, and participating in the battle as a deterring force against the TIE-Fighters.

What the Resistance didn't know was that all that was left of the Twin Suns was one minor freighter, the Sunrider. They also certainly were unaware that the Twin Suns had always been consisted of Jedi.

Jedi were not in the best of light for the New Republic. Not since it was discovered that the last Jedi was the son of Darth Vader. Much like during the Empire, Jedi were to be feared. They were a threat to the safety of all with their magical powers. Kylo Ren's rise had only confirmed it.

It'll be worse, now that a Jedi killed General Solo, Anakin couldn't help but think. He tried to push the thoughts away, put them in an airless little locker where it could fade from existence altogether. Here and now was upon him. Days like these were becoming few and between.

Fake it till you make it.

He smiled and lightly splashed Tahiri, who laughed out loud, a beautiful sound as she sent a huge wave of freshwater in his face. He spluttered and coughed for a few seconds, and then regained his breath as he let himself float on the surface of the water. He then dove in, seeing all the beautiful colorful fish and vivid fronds. It was paradise, Deyer.

They only left the water a few times, mostly just to apply sunblock patches before diving right in. When they were finally ready to call it quits, the beach was mostly deserted except for the occasional bonfire parties beginning to dot the beach.

"I think I'd like to stay here for awhile," Tahiri mused as they hiked up to their deserted chairs and bags. "Just the sun, sea, sand, and us. No First Order, no Knights of Ren, no war."

"I'd like that too," Anakin admitted. "It was nice of the General to let us stay."

Tahiri smiled her saddest, most sympathetic smile.

"She probably just wants to give you some time to mourn," she said. "If you need to talk-"

"I'm fine," he lied abruptly.

"No, you're not, Anakin Bail Solo, and we both know it," she said firmly.

He remained silent.

"Well then, since you're not talking anymore," Tahiri began, "I think we should try eating at that beachside club not too far from here. I hear the sunset's amazing from there. I don't know about you, but I'm getting sick of eating protein rations. I don't care if Twin Suns rations are the best, they still are as flavorless as bantha chops. And we have the credits for it, so I don't want you to say a word about that."

They approached their bags and Anakin threw on a light shirt and sandals, while Tahiri pulled a light gray sundress over her bikini and ran a comb through her dripping blond curls. Anakin checked the bag, and yes, their weaponry was still there.

"Thanks, Riri," he said in a low voice.

"Always," she said brightly as picked up her sandals as gingerly as she would a womp rat. Perhaps more. Anakin had actually seen her cook a womp rat more eagerly than her picking up the shoes.

They weren't stalled long at the bar. It was some simple little meal, cooked aquilae fish and chips made from roasted fronds covered in all sorts of oil. Tahiri insisted on sitting outside, and kicked off her shoes the second she believed that the waiter wasn't looking. She then ordered a fruity little drink. As a tribute to his father, Anakin decided to try his first firewhisky.

"How does anyone drink this?" he moaned after three sips.

"Corellian stupidity and daring?" Tahiri suggested. "Corellians are really the ones to drink firewhisky."

"I guess I know where Aunt Mara came from, then," Anakin muttered.

"Your dad would be so proud of you," Tahiri said softly.

"Ben was always his favorite."

"Still."

He frowned. "Remember Takodona. He didn't even glance at me twice. Not a word. It was all about Ben."

"Well, to be fair, he did kidnap Finn's friend," Tahiri said as she twirled the straw with her nimble and worn fingers. "But he loved you. He would be proud. Maybe not of your inability to drink firewhisky, but proud all the same."

"I hope so," Anakin muttered and he braced himself for another sip.