May the Force Be with You

*POP POP POP POP DING*

"Oooo hot hot hot," Peter exclaimed as he grabbed the cheddar cheese popcorn bag out of the microwave.

"Mmmm smells good, Tiger!" Mary Jane called out from the living room couch.

"Oh man. I'm so excited we're finally gonna do this!" Peter said as he mixed the cheddar corn with a previously popped caramel corn.

"You're excited? We've been trying to get this set up for like a month!"

"I uh sorry, MJ. I've just been busy," he sheepishly apologized plopping onto the couch with the bowl.

"Hey, no sweat! We're here now. That's all that matters," she smiled grabbing a handful of the sweet/savory snack.

One day at school, MJ insisted that she and Peter do something he would like. So far, their dynamic had been MJ would drag him somewhere to do something and Peter would just roll with it. There was the shopping trip all over Queens (though that netted him a really nice jacket). There was the Halloween carnival that got derailed by Electro. There were also many many many trips to the mall. Despite Peter's insistence that he really enjoyed spending time with her, she was adamant they he choose their next activity. The irony was not lost on Peter that they were still technically doing what she wanted to do.

"I've never seen Star Wars. I would assume we start with Episode One, right?" she asked excitedly.

"I mean well sorta. Just a warning though, if we do it that way, there may be a drop in production value when we get to Episode Four."

"Huh?"

"Ok so, Episodes Four, Five, and Six were actually made way back in the late 70's. So, the special effects won't be as good as the newer movies of One, Two and Three."

"Wait so what's One, Two, and Three."

"Those are what fans collectively call the Prequels. Because they tell the story of what happens before Episode Four which was the original Star Wars."

"Ohhh I see now."

"Yea so basically all of Star Wars right now is a story about the Skywalker family. The Prequels cover the father Anakin and the Original Trilogy covers his son, Luke. It's a really beautiful story about light and dark, but there are so many nuances that turn things a bit grey and…."

Mary Jane honestly could not stop staring in admiration. Here Peter was talking nonstop about something he really really liked. His eyes were twinkling. His smile was so bright. He looked so happy. She wondered if he looked like this whenever he talked about her. He looked so…hot. She kept her eyes trained on his flexing jawline as well as his hands that were making huge gestures to match his excitement. Unconsciously, her teeth sank into her lips as she remained mesmerized by an upbeat and passionate Peter Parker.

"MJ? MJ?"

"Huh?"

"Ah haha sorry for boring you. We should just start the movie. It'll all make sense."

"What? No no! You weren't boring! Honest. Far from it! It was just uhh a lot to take in as a newbie."

"Uhh ok. Shall we?"

"We shall. Full speed ahead, captain!"

EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE

"Wait, so why is the Trade Federation being jerks and blockading the planet?" she asked.

"Ok so, the Trade Federation is protesting the Republic for taxing major trade routes," Peter explained.

"Taxing trade routes? Didn't expect Star Wars to get so political."

"Yea. This movie doesn't really show it well, but potentially it could have been a really cool aspect to explore. Like the Jedi are supposed to be like peace keeping monks, but often times they act like soldiers of the Republic and then we get into debates of whether or not being sanctioned by the Republic is the ethically moral way to go about things and…."

"Tiger."

"Huh? Yea?"

"You're rambling."

"Ah heheh right right. On with the movie!"

Are you an angel?

"Awww look at him! He's so cute. He's practically smitten with Padme!" MJ squealed.

"Haha and there's our introduction to little Ani."

"That's Anakin Skywalker?!"

"Yup."

"Wait. This little munchkin turns into the most feared villain in the galaxy? How?"

"We'll get there. Promise."

Now this is podracing!

"Wait wait wait! They're just going to leave his mother there!? As a slave?!" MJ asked.

"Uhhhh yea…"

"Why? That's horrible?!"

"They don't really have any money to buy her freedom."

"But like can't they just go back for her? And aren't they Jedi? Wouldn't they be against slavery?!"

"Yea I I get it, MJ. This actually plays a lot into Anakin's downfall. Just trust me."

"Hnnn."

Let's try spinning! That's a neat trick!"

"….I'm really supposed to believe an eleven-year-old-kid can pilot a military star fighter that well?" MJ crossed her arms.

"Look, he's a really special kid…"

"Aight man."

Nooooooooooo

"Nooooo Qui-gon! Oh my god. Fuck you Darth Maul! GET HIS ASS OBI-WAN! GET. HIS. ASS!" MJ cried but switched to rage as Obi-wan dueled Darth Maul.

Promise me you will train the boy, Obi-wan…

"Oh my god, Qui-gon. He was such a gentle soul. Why did he have to dieeee?" MJ whined.

"He was too good for the Jedi. He was ahead of his time. He often fought against the council claiming that they can't continue as emotionless monks and claim to be compassionate. There's an argument to be made that if Qui-gon survived, Anakin might not have turned to the dark side."

"Really? Dang there's a lotta layers to this huh?"

"Oh yea. Lots to analyze."

"Ok I gotta admit, Peter, the start was kinda rocky. But that ending duel was soooo epic."

"For sure. One of the best fight sequences out there."

"Although, I'm not sure about Obi-wan training Anakin. He seems kind of reluctant about it. Does that come into play later, Peter?"

"…oh you have no idea."

EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES

"Another week, another Star Wars movie, eh Tiger?" Mary Jane asked as she jumped onto the couch.

"Yup yup! This time, there's a bit of a time skip since the first one. Ten years have passed."

"Roger Roger!"

Ani! You've grown up!

So have you. More beautiful I mean.

"Whoa…..Ani really did glow up," MJ commented.

"Yea haha. He's older and a bit cockier now."

"Oooo hot and COCKy. I like that in a man," she purred tracing her fingers up and down his forearm.

Goosebumps appeared out of nowhere on his arm and MJ rubbed it up and down. The hairs on his neck stood up at attention as she continued sensually touching him as such. Peter was absolutely losing his mind. Seeing that Peter had enough teasing for now, she booped him on the nose with her finger.

"Hehe you're too easy sometimes, Tiger," she giggled.

"Uhhh hehe r-right," he sheepishly laughed with her.

"Ok so, I have to ask. Padme was their queen in the last movie. Why is she just a senator now? Like do they elect their queens over on Naboo or something?"

"I uh….have no idea."

I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough. And it gets everywhere! Not like here. Here everything is soft….and smooth.

"…Oh God. Did that hurt me just as much as it hurt you?" MJ cringed.

"Honestly, I just close my eyes and hope this scene passes. However, that line about sand is LEGENDARY!"

"OH. MY. GOD. DID HE KISS HER AFTER THAT LINE?!"

"Yea yea I know. It's not great."

"Your idea of romance isn't like this, is it Peter?"

"What? No, of course not!"

"Hmmm, well then. What lines would you use to impress a lady, Tiger?"

Seizing his moment, Peter lunged forward at Mary Jane catching her off guard. She wasn't expecting that at all. Eyes wide open, she pulled back in shock. With lightning reflexes, he held the small of her back and caressed her face. She held her breath in agonizing anticipation. He was so close. She could smell the popcorn from his lips.

"Easy there. You wouldn't want to fall and hurt yourself, would you?" he whispered.

"I uh…"

"Your skin is really smooth. As expected of someone as beautiful as you."

"W-wow I…."

"What's the matter, Red? Tiger got your tongue?" he growled deeply.

With that last line, Peter leaned closer and closer towards her. Mary Jane's heart was beating a mile a minute. She lifted her chin up hoping to meet him halfway. Eyes closed, she waited for her Tiger to seal the deal and bring her the bliss she had dreamed about for so long.

*BONK*

…Instead, his dumbass decided to be cheeky and end the charade with a light headbutt.

"Hehe. Got you," he smirked.

"…Hnnnnn," she pouted, "Just keep going with the movie."

I….I killed them all. They're dead. Every single one of them. And not just the men. But the women…and children too.

"Is it weird that I am highly attracted to him right now?" MJ blurted out.

"What?!"

"Well not the whole genocidal killing part. But he just lost his mother. Like think about it. He's basically what eighteen or twenty here? Look at him. Anakin is practically crying out for help. He needs genuine emotional support and he's begging the woman he loves for it. He's just a little soft boi and I just want to give him a hug."

"Well, I mean, when you put it that way."

"Teehee. Don't worry, Tiger. You're still my favorite," she giggled hugging his torso tightly.

EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH

This is where the fun begins.

"Holy fuck Anakin got HOT," MJ exclaimed as they started the third (and arguably best) Prequel movie.

"…ok yea he does look really really good with the long hair and the scar."

"Absolutely. You ever think about growing your hair out a bit?"

"Uhh I don't know. I kinda like the shorter look. Less maintenance."

"Hmmm," she wondered.

Reaching up, she ran her fingers through his hair a bit. Smiling, she rested her head on his shoulders and relaxed against him.

"You're probably right. You look good as you are," she sighed, "….Though maybe a few bad boy scars wouldn't be sooo bad."

"Har har. I can counter that you'd look great with that double cinnamon bun hairstyle Padme and Leia have."

"Please, Tiger. I'd look fabulous. I can make a potato sack look gorgeous!"

He must stand trial.

He's too dangerous to be kept alive.

I need him!

"Nooooo Ani noooo," MJ shrieked covering her mouth, "How could you do this Ani?! How could you turn to the dark side?! Nooo don't do this."

"Sorry, MJ. No going back now."

"But but but it didn't have to come to this! Like I said last week, Anakin is a soft boi who's incredibly passionate and caring. He feels all these emotions like anger, love, confidence, and the stupid stupid Jedi keep telling him to suppress all that. They tell him not to love anyone and yet be compassionate. He needs to tell someone his wife is dying, and he can't tell a single soul. He has no outlet. No wonder he's so desperate that he'd rather follow Darth Sidious. Ugh oh my god this hurts so so much."

"Now you're getting it. The Skywalker tragedy."

"God for fuck's sake someone hug Anakin!"

It's over Anakin! I have the high ground!

You underestimate my power.

….Don't try it.

*SNIFFLE SNIFFLE SNIFFLE*

"Huh?"

*SNIFFLE SNIFFLE SNIFFLE*

"….MJ are you…..crying?"

"Yes ok! A lot of stuff just happened! The clones all turned on the Jedi. Anakin is so lost he choked out Padme. And now, now this. Obi-wan just sliced apart our little soft boi."

"Our little soft boi?"

"Yes! Our little soft boi! All of this could have been prevented if Yoda gave Anakin a goddamn hug. Ugh and now he's left to burn in the lava of Mustafar!"

"Yea. A lot of the Jedi's hypocrisy really became their downfall. They were supposed to be peacekeepers but engaged in a war. They told Anakin to suppress his emotions but then turned to him to be the hero for the Republic. He's confused because he was taught one way, asked to go another, and it just got all tipsy-turvy for him. It really is such a tragedy."

"Dammit Peter hold me!" she cried clutching his torso and burying her face in his chest.

"Uhhh," he froze unsure of how to react.

"I thought Star Wars was a buncha spaceships and laser swords."

"Oh it's so much more than that. There's a whole galaxy worth of stories. I haven't even shown you the Clone Wars series yet. It dives deeper into how the Jedi failed Anakin but also shows how badass he is!"

"Heheheh" she giggled.

"What?"

"If I'm being honest, Tiger. When we started this, I was kinda hoping to just bear with it because you put up with all my antics. I wanted to be a good friend and return the favor. But literally in three weeks, you've gotten me hooked so hard into this franchise."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"I-I mean you didn't have to do that. I don't put up with your antics or just trudge along with you. I do it because I like hanging out with you."

"Me, too, Tiger. I love being with you. But still, there should be some give and take. You love Star Wars and I can see why. Let me share the joy with you."

"Ok. But so long as you share your joys with me too."

"Deal. Actually, it's still pretty early. Can we start watching Clone Wars?"

"Yea! I'm game."

"Great! I need my fix of sexy badass Anakin."

"….Oy vey."

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

You would never make it as Obi-wan's padawan….but you just might make it as mine.

*CLICK*

"Peter? I'm so sorry I'm late. Work took a little longer than expected. But I brought home Chinese. I have a portion for MJ too if she's still here," May called out as she arrived home, "Peter? Are you still watching Star Wars?"

As she entered the living room, May noticed the credits rolling on the TV screen. She turned the corner and found just the most adorable sight on the couch. Peter at some point got very drowsy and laid his head atop the couch's arm rest. Mary Jane in turn fell right onto his chest and snoozed with him. Unconsciously they had both wrapped their arms around each other in pure bliss. Smiling, May grabbed a large blanket from the closet and draped it over the two of them. Before digging into the take-out Chinese, she took out her phone and snapped a few quick pictures of the cuties lying on the couch.

"Oh I wish you two would just hurry up and date already!"

AN: Haha so if you've read my other work, "How to Be Chalant", you may have noticed a bunch of Star Wars references. So I love Star Wars (and Peter Parker does too) so I thought this would be a fun chapter where he introduces MJ to Star Wars. I kept it to the Prequels cuz writing this actually took more time than anticipated so I'll save the Original Trilogy for another time. Also I have to give a shoutout to my friend on Twitter. A lot of MJ's reactions to the movies are based on how I think Emma would act. So I thought it'd be funny to roll with it. Hope yall enjoy! Till next time!