I know, I know - why am I updating at 9:47 PM? (At least, that's the time over here...) But hey, I used to update stories at like, midnight before. I just couldn't update this story beforehand because I was very, very busy. I'm surrounded by school notes - yes, I still have school-related things to do over break - but YAAAS, HOLIDAY BREAK IS HERE!

Happy reading!

Mistletoe

Anakin Skywalker supposed he couldn't blame his friends for not being too wildly keen on seeing mistletoe dangling from the halls. It was some Life Day or Christmas tradition – though why it was, Anakin had no idea…and he wasn't really sure if he wanted to meet the person.

But most people seemed to get a good laugh out of it, especially the clone troopers – anytime one of them would get underneath mistletoe, he would swoop the nearest person into a kiss. Anakin avoided getting underneath the mistletoe – he wasn't too keen of carrying out that tradition.

Until, that is, he was with Padmé.

And unfortunately, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. They were in the room, and they were all gathered out on the street. They weren't standing outside for any particular reason – more so that they were in dire need to get out of the stifling Senate Building for so long. (Though Anakin figured that Obi-Wan or Padmé wouldn't admit it.)

The group made the mistake of heading for the market area of the planet…and most of the shops happened to be selling mistletoe, even hanging it in front of their doors.

"Ugh," Ahsoka commented as they passed by another couple kissing under one of the plants. "Isn't there such thing as too much public affection?" Padmé merely shrugged in response, though Anakin knew that the senator was trying her best to avoid looking at him. "It's a tradition," Obi-Wan remarked. "A little laugh for everyone in the holidays – nothing too serious."

Ahsoka cringed. "I still don't understand it," she said defiantly.

"And no one told you to, Snips," Anakin replied over his shoulder. "Unless, of course, there is someone, which –"

"Ew. Skyguy, no." Ahsoka shuddered. "I've had enough of males for a lifetime." There was an awkward beat of silence and then, the Togruta added somewhat sheepishly, "No offense, Master Kenobi. I hope you know most of that was directed at Master Skywalker." There was a laugh from the older man. "None taken," Obi-Wan replied. "And to be honest, I don't blame you for saying such –"

"Anyways," Anakin interrupted, veering the conversation elsewhere. "Mistletoe. What a tradition, right?"

As soon as those words left his mouth, everyone lapsed back into silence. Anakin frowned and turned around to look at the rest of the group. "What?" he asked, bewildered. "Did something happen? Am I missing something?" Then, Ahsoka pointed wordlessly above Anakin.

Slowly, the Jedi lifted his head – and watched the white and green sprig of mistletoe sway gently above him. He sighed and turned to Ahsoka, who had a mix of horror and confusion on her face. She quickly stepped away from him, muttering something along the lines of, "Ew, ew, ew, ew…"

Anakin only rolled his eyes. "Don't get all excited," he said flatly to the stunned expressions present. "It's just a tradition. I can back out any time I want, right? Or at least, treat it like a joke?" Obi-Wan pressed his lips together. "That's the gist of it, yes," he replied. "And I suppose you could back –"

The rest of the man's words were drowned out as Padmé abruptly leaned towards Anakin, pressing a quick – yet soft – kiss against his lips. Anakin, though he was used to kisses from his wife, all the same stared, surprised. He wasn't the only one.

"Padmé?" Ahsoka squeaked, pointing at the senator. "Did you just – you just –" The young girl shook her head frantically, saying faintly, "I need to go re-think my life…" (Obi-Wan didn't say anything – whoops.) Padmé, however, was the only one who looked unruffled and undisturbed. Smoothing out her dress with her hands, the senator said simply, "It was just a joke, right? Besides, no one else was going to do it."

"But you just –"

"It was a joke, Ahsoka," Anakin managed to say. He forced on a smile and added, "Besides, Padmé, kissing me for real? What do you say these days – ew? Gross?" He flicked a quick glance at Padmé, who only shook her head. Anakin chuckled nervously, adding, "But hey! It was a joke!" Stepping out of the mistletoe, Anakin continued in a loud voice, "Anyone else want to go back inside? Me, too! Maybe play around with…something, right? Or meditate! Meditating sounds good! Everyone ready? Got it, let's go!"

As Anakin sped forward, he heard Ahsoka shout quizzically, "But you hate meditating!"

A/N - Unrealistic? Maybe. Hopefully funny? Dunno, that's for you to decide. I just couldn't resist. XD

Reviews are always great! Constructive criticism is welcome, but flames are not!