Welcome to a new chapter!
We continue our story, delving even deeper into the uncertain paths of destiny, where hope and tragedy intertwine.
Hunted, with no home to return to, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala flee from the collapse of the Republic and the Jedi extermination. Betrayal and the rise of the new order have reduced everything they knew to ashes, forcing them to seek refuge in the most forgotten corners of the galaxy.
Fate pulls them to the arid world of Tatooine, a desolate planet beyond the Republic's reach… but not beyond the power of the Force. Amid the scorching dunes and endless dust, they find an unexpected ally: a slave boy with an unbreakable spirit and a dream of freedom. Anakin Skywalker.
In the midst of chaos and despair, Padmé sees something in him beyond a mere child trapped in unjust circumstances. She sees a spark, a light in the darkness. Without realizing it, their destinies begin to intertwine in ways neither of them can imagine.
It is time to continue this story. Join me in this new chapter.
STARS DESTINIES - VOLUME 1
THE AWAKENING OF A HERO – CHAPTER 2
In her dreams, Padmé feels deep blue eyes roaming over her. Heat rises to her cheeks, a blush that catches her off guard, as if her body reacts before her mind can even comprehend what is happening. It is a strange, unfamiliar sensation that settles in her chest and spreads slowly, an imperceptible but undeniable tingling.
Is it because of that gaze? There is no doubt. The way his eyes linger on her, openly and without pretense, should make her uncomfortable, even annoyed. But it does not. There is no arrogance in his gaze, no insolence of someone who feels entitled to look, nor the boldness of someone seeking to provoke. It is something else. Something deeper.
It is fascination… but one so pure, so sincere, that it disarms her. As if he were seeing her for the first time in his life, and at the same time, as if he had always known her.
It is not just her dress, nor the way the light plays along her soft curves, nor the details of her appearance that captivate him. It is as if he sees her, beyond all that, as if in this precise moment, through his eyes, he is discovering something that even she did not know she had.
The way his gaze moves over her is unlike anything she has ever felt before. It is not a fleeting glance, nor a casual observation. It is a slow, deliberate journey, as if he wishes to engrave every detail into his memory. His eyes travel over her silhouette without hesitation, pausing on every curve with an intensity that should unsettle her, but instead, leaves her motionless, caught in a strange tide of emotions she does not know how to process.
His gaze lingers on the features that make her a woman, and though his expression is not that of a man seeking possession, it is that of someone who, in a single instant, has grasped the essence of who she is. It is pure astonishment, as if he cannot believe what he is seeing, as if she is more than he imagined, as if she is the confirmation of something he did not even know he was searching for.
There is no audacity in his gaze, no hidden intentions, and yet there is something about it that makes her more aware of her own body. As if, through his eyes, she suddenly takes on a new dimension. She is not just a young woman dressed in fine fabrics; in this moment, under his unwavering scrutiny, she is something more. Something that has left him breathless, something that has captivated him.
And the most unsettling part is that she has noticed it too. That the warmth of his gaze has left an echo on her skin. That, for a brief second, she wonders how he truly sees her. If he is merely a child who has found beauty where he did not expect it, or if, deep down, this connection is something more. Something that has yet to be named.
Fascinated by his gaze, she does not look away. She does not move. She does not break the moment. Something inside her wants to hold onto this connection, even if she does not understand why. And even though she should, even though it should be nothing more than a fleeting coincidence in the bustle of the marketplace… she cannot shake the feeling that this moment means something. That, in some way, what just happened has changed something within her.
As she relived that moment in her dreams, a light tingling began to form in her breasts. At first, it was just a whisper, an ethereal touch dancing over her body like a gentle breeze. But as the memory grew more vivid in her mind, that sensation intensified, turning into a persistent hum that traveled across her skin with unexpected warmth.
It was as if the echo of that contact, that first unbarred touch, still existed beyond the dream, demanding her attention. Slowly, the sensation became more real, more tangible, pulling her out of the dream world with a sweet insistence. Her breathing deepened, her body became more aware, until, with a slow blink, her eyes opened to reality, still wrapped in the lingering presence of that moment that refused to fade.
Her eyelashes fluttered before her eyes slowly opened, caught between sleep and wakefulness. The first thing she saw was the silhouette of Jar Jar, deeply asleep beside her. With each snore, his long tongue stretched and retracted, brushing against her breasts repeatedly, causing an involuntary tickling that now explained the reason for her awakening.
Padmé stifled a gasp of surprise and, with a deep blush rising to her face, instinctively pulled away from the uncomfortable closeness. But in her attempt to move away from the Gungan, her sudden motion caused her to bump into the figure sleeping on the other side.
She felt the solid presence of a body next to hers, and before she could react, Obi-Wan stirred slightly at the unexpected contact. His blue eyes, still heavy with sleep, slowly opened, settling on the young queen.
She, still feeling the warmth in her cheeks, quickly averted her gaze, unable to hide the mix of embarrassment and surprise washing over her.
"What is it, Padmé? Are you alright?" Obi-Wan murmured, his voice rough from sleep, still unaware of the situation.
Padmé hurried to sit up, trying to regain her composure as quickly as possible.
"Nothing, just… Jar Jar" she whispered, pointing at the Gungan, who continued snoring, oblivious to the chaos he had caused "I think… his snoring startled me."
"We all fell asleep here. We were exhausted and couldn't wait to get to our quarters" Obi-Wan commented as he stretched, easing the tension in his muscles.
Padmé gave a brief nod, though her mind was still caught in the embarrassment she felt. The sensation of the Gungan's tongue brushing against her skin sent an uncomfortable shiver through her, but there was something else that unsettled her. She had never in her life slept in the same room as a man… and now she had done so with two.
Nothing improper had happened, of course, but still, she could not help but feel strange about the situation. Her upbringing, her position as queen, and the strict etiquette that always surrounded her made waking up so close to two men, Obi-Wan and Jar Jar, even more out of place.
And… she still vividly remembered the dream that had accompanied her before waking. In it, her mind had taken her back to her first encounter with that slave boy.
The queen shook her head, trying to push those thoughts away.
"It looks like it's already morning" she said, glancing at the ship's windows, where light filtered through the cave's entrance "I'll go find something for breakfast."
"Did someone say food?" Jar Jar suddenly interrupted, waking up abruptly "I'm starving!"
Obi-Wan chuckled at the Gungan's reaction.
"We're all hungry, Jar Jar" he said with amusement.
Padmé, feeling the tension in her body finally ease, picked up a can of provisions and placed it in the opener.
"You'll love this, Jar Jar" she announced with a slight smile "Nuna dumplings in Naboo butter sauce."
The Gungan smacked his lips, licking them in anticipation.
"That sounds delicious!"
The atmosphere lightened quickly. The queen's embarrassment faded as they focused on the food. Despite being canned, the feeling of satisfying their hunger with something warm was comforting, and everyone ate eagerly.
Meanwhile, far away, in another corner of Tatooine, Anakin was waking up. His body felt heavy, as if he had been beaten… and in reality, he had. His face was swollen, a black eye made it hard for him to see, and a dull pain pounded in his head. But he had no time to complain or rest.
As a slave, he couldn't afford to miss work. He had no right to excuses, not even for his condition. No matter how bad he felt, he had to get up and face another day of labor. Because in his world, stopping was not an option.
But he felt so awful that fear started creeping into his chest. He knew that if he made a mistake today, Watto would show no mercy, and he would receive an even worse punishment. His head throbbed with sharp pain, everything around him seemed to spin, and it was hard to focus on anything other than his own discomfort.
"How are you feeling, my love?" his mother asked gently, sitting beside him.
Anakin forced himself to smile weakly. If he told her the truth, he would only worry her more… and that was the last thing he wanted.
"A little sore, but I'm better now" he lied, trying to sound convincing.
Shmi frowned, clearly not entirely believing him.
"What happened, Ani? Why did you fight yesterday?"
He lowered his gaze.
"It wasn't a fight, Mom… I tried to go through the underground tunnel, and there were some guys there who said they charged a fee to pass. I didn't want to pay them, so they beat me up."
Shmi closed her eyes in frustration and concern.
"Ani… You should have given them what you had. Please don't risk your life like that again."
There was something in her voice that made Anakin feel a knot in his stomach. It wasn't just worry, it was fear. He was all she had, and every time he got into trouble, every time he came back injured, it reminded her how little power she had to protect him in a world where slaves were worth nothing.
In silence, Shmi began serving breakfast. Meanwhile, Anakin went to take a cold-water bath, hoping to ease his discomfort. The icy water helped clear his mind a little, at least enough to stand up without feeling like he would collapse immediately. But it wasn't enough. The pain was still there, the fatigue weighed on his bones, and deep down, he knew that day would be hell.
But it didn't matter. He had no other choice.
As they ate breakfast, Shmi noticed that Anakin barely touched his food. His thoughts seemed elsewhere, and although the pain from the beating was still evident on his face, something else occupied his mind. She decided to distract him a little.
"Ani, yesterday you mentioned that you met someone special. Who was it?"
Anakin blinked, surprised by the question, and for a moment, his mind filled with the image of that girl with a serene gaze and a sweet voice. He shifted slightly in his seat, as if suddenly embarrassed to talk about her.
"I don't know" he admitted, playing with his spoon "She didn't tell me her name."
Shmi raised an eyebrow, amused by his reaction.
"But do you remember her well?"
Anakin nodded slowly, his thoughts already drifting to that elegant and ethereal figure who had appeared in his arid, dusty world.
"She was… beautiful. But not like the girls here. She had something different. Her skin was softer, more… radiant, like the sun hadn't punished her like it had us. And her eyes… they were big and warm, like they held so many secrets."
Shmi smiled, resting her face on her hand as she listened.
"She definitely doesn't sound like she's from here" she said gently "Do you think she's a traveler?"
"I'm sure of it" Anakin affirmed with conviction "No one in Tatooine looks like her. I bet she comes from a beautiful place, just like she is. Maybe a planet with great lakes and blue skies… I'm sure that where she lives, everything is green and bright, not like this desert."
Shmi noticed how her son's expression lit up as he described that imaginary world, as if speaking of her allowed him to escape from the sand and scorching heat of Tatooine.
"She must have really impressed you" she said warmly.
Anakin shrugged, but the blush on his cheeks betrayed him.
"I don't know… She's just… different. Like she doesn't belong here, like she's part of something bigger."
Shmi squeezed his hand, sensing the longing in his voice.
"Maybe she's not the only one destined for something greater."
Anakin looked at her curiously, not fully understanding her words. But deep down, part of him wanted to believe them.
"She's not like the other outsiders who come here" he added, resting his elbows on the table and intertwining his fingers under his chin "She's kind. She didn't look at me like the others do. Not with pity or contempt. She spoke to me as if I… as if I mattered."
Shmi felt a pang in her chest upon hearing that. She knew how hard it was for her son to grow up in a world where slaves were treated as nothing. If that girl had given him a moment of dignity, she understood why Anakin spoke of her with such emotion.
"That's something special, Ani. Maybe fate wanted your paths to cross."
Anakin smiled slightly, though his expression soon darkened.
"But she'll probably leave soon. They're only here to repair their ship."
Shmi watched him in silence. She knew her son dreamed of a world beyond Tatooine, of a future where he was free. And though she hated the thought of losing him, her heart told her that, one way or another, he was destined for great things.
"Sometimes, people come into our lives for just a moment, but they leave a mark that lasts forever" she said softly.
Anakin nodded, though deep inside, he wished that encounter wouldn't be just a fleeting moment.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan, Padmé, and Jar Jar walked through the dusty streets of Mos Espa, ready to face a new day in search of opportunities. They knew that if there was any place where they could find work, it would be here.
"And what kind of job are you looking for, Obi?" Jar Jar asked curiously.
The Jedi crossed his arms, thoughtful.
"In the Temple, we weren't just taught to use the Force" he replied "We were prepared for all kinds of missions. I have some knowledge of mechanics, though I'm not an expert."
Jar Jar nodded but then sighed.
"I don't really know what I'd be good at… Maybe lifting and carrying things. But I'm worried about my back."
"You could try helping at a market stall" Padmé suggested "I might be able to get something in sales. There are so many merchants here with different products that it could be an option, though honestly, I have no experience."
"We're all outside our areas of expertise" Obi-Wan commented with a slight smile "Starting over isn't easy."
"Maybe you could ask that kid we talked to yesterday for a few lessons" Jar Jar said "According to him, he could fix anything."
Obi-Wan nodded, recalling the confidence with which the boy had spoken about podracing.
"That's true, that kid seems very skilled."
"Yes" Padmé added, a special gleam in her eyes "Not only does he radiate kindness, but he also has an uncommon wisdom for his age."
Obi-Wan observed her with interest but made no comment.
"Well, where do we start?" Jar Jar asked.
"We should split up" Obi-Wan proposed "That way, we'll cover more ground. If any of us finds an opportunity that might suit another, we meet up and discuss it."
"But we don't have short-range radios" Padmé pointed out "How will we notify each other?"
"We can set a reasonable time and meet later at the entrance of the shop where the slave boy works" the Jedi said.
Padmé looked at him disapprovingly.
"His name is Anakin" she corrected "And he doesn't like being called a slave."
Obi-Wan nodded slightly.
"Alright. We'll meet outside the place where Anakin works."
"And how long until we meet up?" Jar Jar asked.
Padmé looked at the scorching sun above them and calculated.
"Maybe in three hours."
"Three hours sounds good" Obi-Wan agreed "Then, we'll meet there."
With a final nod, the group separated, each setting off on their own path through the bustling streets of Mos Espa in search of an opportunity.
Jar Jar decided to try his luck at the market's loading and unloading area. He saw a large Kerkoiden merchant shouting orders at his workers while crates of exotic fruits and droid parts piled up around him.
"Hey, you!" the merchant called out, eyeing the Gungan "Looking for work?"
Jar Jar straightened up excitedly.
"Yes, yes! Mesa looking for a job, good sir! Mesa can help!"
The Kerkoiden rubbed his hands together.
"Good, load those crates onto the speeder and make sure not to break anything."
Jar Jar nodded enthusiastically and picked up the first crate, but his clumsiness got the better of him. He tripped over his own feet, dropped the load, and several fruits smashed onto the ground.
"Ahh! Sorry, sorry!" he apologized, hastily picking up the remains.
The Kerkoiden frowned and growled.
"Get out of here, fool! Hiring a rancor would be cheaper than letting you move my goods!"
Jar Jar ran off before the merchant changed his mind and made him pay for the damages.
"Mesa no good at this" he murmured, crestfallen.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan had found a small droid repair shop where an old Ithorian worked. The Jedi looked around, disassembled parts, exposed circuits, and a half-repaired astromech droid.
"Looking for something?" the Ithorian asked in his resonant voice.
"A job" Obi-Wan replied calmly "I have basic knowledge of mechanics and droid assembly."
The Ithorian eyed him skeptically.
"Do you know how to repair a repulsorlift engine?"
Obi-Wan hesitated.
"No… but I can learn quickly."
The Ithorian grunted.
"Go learn somewhere else. I don't have time to train apprentices."
With no other option, Obi-Wan left, mentally noting that he would probably need Anakin's help if he wanted to land a job in mechanics.
Meanwhile, Padmé had tried looking for work at various market stalls but encountered something she hadn't expected.
"Do you have sales experience, sweetheart?" a Twi'lek vendor asked with a sly smile.
"Not much, but I learn quickly" she responded confidently.
The Twi'lek gave her a scrutinizing look.
"We might be able to work something out… if you agree to wear a more appealing outfit while working at my stall."
Padmé felt a chill of discomfort.
"No, thank you" she said firmly before walking away.
But that wasn't the only case. Another merchant, a middle-aged human, offered to pay her well, on the condition that she 'kept the customers company'.
Indignant, Padmé left immediately.
"This is disgusting" she whispered to herself, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness.
To her frustration, it seemed that in Mos Espa, a young woman like her couldn't look for a job without men trying to take advantage of the situation.
Finally, after a couple of hours of unsuccessful attempts, she decided it was best to meet up with the others.
The three of them reunited at the agreed-upon meeting spot, outside the shop where Anakin worked.
"How did it go?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Mesa no good at loading, they fired me…" Jar Jar sighed.
"I had no luck either" Obi-Wan admitted "They don't take apprentices without experience."
Padmé crossed her arms and stared at the ground with a frown.
"And you?" Obi-Wan asked, noticing her expression.
"Let's just say that merchants here aren't looking for saleswomen… they're looking for something else."
Obi-Wan and Jar Jar exchanged glances.
"They said nasty things?!" the Gungan asked, shocked.
"A lot."
Obi-Wan frowned.
"I'm sorry, Padmé. You shouldn't have had to go through that."
She sighed and forced a smile.
"It's not your fault. This place is… different from what I'm used to."
"Maybe we should rethink our strategy" Obi-Wan suggested "Though I can't think of any ideas right now."
Near there, Anakin was walking back to the shop, struggling to keep his balance while carrying a sack full of parts he had gotten at a discount. The weight made him lean slightly to one side, and with each step, he felt the muscles in his arms tense from the effort. His legs ached, and the exhaustion from the previous day still lingered.
As if that weren't enough, his eye was still so swollen that he could barely open it, and his headache pounded relentlessly at his temple. But he didn't have time to complain. In Mos Espa, no one could afford to stop.
When he reached the entrance of the shop where Kitster worked, his friend looked at him with crossed arms, observing him with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"What happened to you, Ani?" Kitster asked, noticing his bruised face.
Anakin sighed and dropped the sack onto the ground with a heavy thud, stirring up a cloud of dust.
"It's a long story" he replied, running a hand over the back of his neck "But it's not as important as what happened yesterday… Kitster, I got the sign I told you about."
His friend raised an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me the sign you were waiting for was a punch in the eye."
"Of course not!" Anakin replied, annoyed.
Kitster smirked.
"Then what was it? Did you find buried treasure? See a creature made of slime? Or maybe a giant dragon that barely fit on the planet?"
Anakin rolled his eyes.
"No. I met someone."
Kitster frowned, confused.
"Someone? What kind of someone?"
Anakin took a deep breath, and for a moment, his expression softened.
"A girl."
Kitster blinked, incredulous.
"A girl? But there are plenty of girls around here."
"Not like her."
Something in Anakin's voice made Kitster stop smiling. He spoke with an unusual conviction, as if describing something sacred, something he barely understood but that had left a permanent mark on him.
"What's so special about her?"
Anakin looked down and gave a small smile.
"If you looked into her eyes, you'd understand. I've never seen so much kindness and sweetness in a person… I don't know how to explain it. It's like when I see her, all the bad things in the world stop mattering."
Kitster studied him in silence for a moment before letting out a disbelieving laugh.
"So, you like her."
Anakin lifted his gaze, as if Kitster's words weren't enough to describe what he felt.
"It's not just that I like her… She made me feel something no one has ever made me feel before. Something I never imagined I could feel."
Kitster narrowed his eyes, analyzing him suspiciously.
"So… is she pretty?"
"She's beautiful."
His response was immediate, without a second of hesitation.
Kitster crossed his arms and shook his head in mock disapproval.
"You're starting to sound like those teenagers we used to hate for being so cheesy."
Anakin frowned and pressed his lips together.
"I'm not cheesy."
But Kitster just grinned smugly.
"Yes, you are, Ani. And it looks like you're just getting started."
After saying goodbye to Kitster, Anakin continued on his way to the shop, still feeling the sting of his bruise and the weight of the sack on his shoulders. His breathing was heavy, but he kept his pace steady, determined to finish his task.
However, as he turned the corner, a warm breeze rose, carrying a scent that made him stop in his tracks.
It was a delicate, fresh fragrance, completely foreign to the dryness of Tatooine. It didn't have the metallic scent of engine oil, nor the sharpness of sweat under the scorching sun. It wasn't the mix of spices and dust that filled the marketplace. It was something new, something pure… something beautiful.
His heart skipped a beat.
He lifted his gaze and saw her.
There she was. The girl who had occupied his thoughts, the one he hadn't been able to get out of his mind since the day before.
She stood by the shop entrance, talking to her companions. Her expression was serious, maybe even worried, but even so… she was the most beautiful sight Anakin had ever seen.
For an instant, he forgot his exhaustion.
Instinctively, he straightened his back, ignoring the pain in his muscles and the weight of the sack that threatened to tilt him over. He didn't want her to see him weak. He wanted to look strong, like a real pilot, like someone worthy of her attention.
He took a deep breath and moved forward, trying not to look exhausted.
"Hi!" he exclaimed with a smile "It's so good to see you again."
The young woman looked up and smiled at him. And in that instant, Anakin felt that all the effort had been worth it.
"Hello!" greeted Jar Jar, raising a hand enthusiastically "We were just talking about you… but good things, of course!"
Anakin raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Oh, really?"
Padmé, with a calmer expression, explained:
"The thing is, we're looking for work, and since you know this place better than we do, we thought you might be able to help us."
"Do you know of any place where we could work?" Obi-Wan asked, crossing his arms.
Anakin barely heard the question.
Between the sweet scent floating in the air and the girl's perfect features, his mind went blank. His heart pounded, his mouth remained slightly open for a second, and everything around him became background noise.
She was more than beautiful. She was radiant, like an oasis in the middle of the desert.
Obi-Wan cleared his throat, snapping him out of his daze.
"Anakin?"
The boy blinked several times and shook his head.
"Uh… yeah, yeah, work… I can ask around."
It wasn't the most brilliant answer in the world, but at that moment, Anakin was too distracted to think clearly.
And it was all because of her.
As he shifted under the weight of the sack, his swollen eye was fully exposed to the group.
Padmé noticed it immediately.
"What happened to you?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Anakin blinked, surprised by the intensity of her gaze.
"Huh? Oh, this is nothing" he quickly replied, shrugging to downplay it.
But Padmé wasn't convinced.
"It was your boss, wasn't it?" she insisted, her tone shifting from concern to indignation "Every day, I dislike him more. I'm going to put him in his place. It's not fair for him to treat such a brilliant and efficient worker like you this way."
She took a determined step toward the shop, but before she could go any further, Anakin dropped the heavy sack and, without thinking, grabbed her hand to stop her.
She wasn't wearing the gloves that separated her from the world the day before, so for the first time, he could feel her skin without barriers, without anything between them.
It was the first time he touched her, the first time he felt her. Her skin was so soft, so delicate, so warm, that for an instant, everything else ceased to exist. A slight shiver ran down Anakin's spine, as if a spark of something unknown yet deeply significant had awakened inside him. It was as if her touch held something special, something that wrapped him in an inexplicable sensation, a mix of excitement, longing, and a connection he couldn't fully understand but that etched itself inside him as an absolute certainty.
But Anakin couldn't afford to get lost in that moment. Not when he had to clear things up.
"Watto didn't do this to me" he said firmly, shaking his head "It was some thugs. They tried to charge me for taking a shortcut, and when I refused to pay, they hit me."
"Thugs charge people just for walking down the streets?" Jar Jar asked, alarmed.
"Not everywhere, and it depends on the time" Anakin replied matter-of-factly "In my case, it was already late at night."
Padmé stared at him, now reflecting a different concern in her eyes.
"What were you doing out so late?"
Anakin looked away for a second before answering.
"I was coming from here. I did something Watto didn't like, so he punished me with more work than usual. That's why I left late."
Padmé pressed her lips together, glaring toward the shop.
"See? It was still his fault" she said, stepping forward again "Let me talk to him, and you'll see this won't happen again."
"No, please" Anakin pleaded urgently, gently pulling on her wrist.
At that moment, Obi-Wan intervened with a calm but firm tone, placing a hand on Padmé's shoulder to stop her.
"Although under normal circumstances, I have no doubt you would succeed in your intent, I doubt there's much you can do in this world. Elsewhere, you are a great politician, but here, no one is going to take you seriously. Remember the proposals you received at the market."
Padmé's face turned red instantly, and her body tensed.
Anakin didn't fully understand what they were referring to, but the change in her expression and the way she stopped were enough clues. However, even though she no longer attempted to enter the shop, the boy's hand remained clasped around hers.
Obi-Wan looked at the others gravely.
"We must be cautious. As Anakin already told us, this planet may be more dangerous than we thought."
And though the discussion seemed to have ended, Anakin could still feel the warmth of Padmé's hand in his. And for some reason, he didn't want to let go.
For a moment, silence reigned between them. Anakin didn't want this encounter to end. What if he never saw her again? The thought unsettled him, so without thinking too much, he broke the silence with a question:
"Hey, where are you staying?"
If he could find out, he'd know where to find the beautiful young woman.
Obi-Wan exchanged a look with Padmé and Jar Jar before answering honestly:
"For now, nowhere. We're looking for a place, but we don't have any resources."
The Gungan's ears drooped, looking dejected.
"Yeah… our money doesn't work here."
"And that's why we need a job" Padmé added with a sigh "But no one seems to want to hire us."
Anakin frowned. How could someone like her be going through this? He couldn't let her sleep out in the open.
"You're too pretty to sleep on the streets" he blurted out without thinking "But don't worry anymore, you can stay with me and my mom."
Padmé blinked, surprised by the offer, while Obi-Wan maintained a cautious expression.
"We wouldn't want to cause you any trouble" the Jedi said.
"It's no trouble, really" Anakin insisted "We'd be happy to have you."
"We appreciate it" Padmé said kindly "But as we told you, we don't have money to pay for lodging."
Anakin smiled confidently.
"That doesn't matter. The only thing I care about is making sure you don't have to spend the night in such a dangerous place."
Obi-Wan crossed his arms, thoughtful. He didn't seem entirely convinced, but in the end, he nodded.
"I suppose we don't have another option. We accept and appreciate your hospitality, as long as your mother agrees."
"Of course she will!" Anakin assured enthusiastically "She's very kind and loves helping others."
Padmé smiled sweetly.
"She must be a wonderful woman."
Anakin looked at her closely before responding with an honesty that surprised even himself.
"She's not the only one I know who is."
Padmé's eyes softened at his words, and Anakin felt his heart pound in his chest.
Obi-Wan cleared his throat, snapping him out of his reverie.
"Alright then, how do we do this?"
"I'll meet you here at dusk, that's when I finish work. Like I said, I still have to serve Watto's punishment..."
The moment he uttered the Toydarian's name, Padmé frowned. Just thinking about how unfair he was to such a kind-hearted child filled her with indignation.
Amid the conversation, she barely noticed the warm and firm sensation enveloping her hand. But when she tried to cross her arms in frustration over the injustice Anakin suffered, she realized she couldn't quite do it.
Then it hit her.
Her hand was still trapped between the boy's fingers.
The realization startled her for an instant. It wasn't that he was holding her tightly, but rather with an unintentional tenderness, as if his touch was the most natural thing in the world, as if letting go meant losing something irreplaceable. His grip was warm, light, yet firm… almost reverent.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, wondering if he was doing it on purpose, but Anakin's expression made it clear he wasn't even aware of it. It was a genuine, instinctive gesture. And somehow, that moved her more than she was willing to admit.
She didn't know how long they had been like that, but she was in no hurry to pull away.
Jar Jar, oblivious to the tension of the moment, asked curiously:
"So, yousa live in da shop?"
Anakin shook his head.
"No, I live in the Slave Quarters, but from here, I'll take you to my home."
"But if wesa live in da Slave Quarters, dey gonna think wesa slaves too!" Jar Jar exclaimed in alarm.
The Gungan's words fell like a weight upon Anakin, who lowered his head, feeling a knot form in his throat.
But then, Padmé's voice pulled him from his sorrow.
"People can think whatever they want" she said firmly "Besides, slaves are people. And many of them are worth more than some of the wealthy free men I've met."
Her words were like a ray of light in the darkness. Anakin's heart pounded, elated, clinging to every word.
Obi-Wan nodded decisively.
"Alright, then it's settled."
"But how will we know if your mother agrees?" Padmé asked.
"You don't have to worry about that" he replied with certainty "She'll be delighted."
Obi-Wan sighed and nodded.
"Very well, we'll see you later then."
"And thank you, Anakin" Padmé said warmly.
Then, raising an eyebrow with a small smile, she added:
"By the way… could I have my hand back? I think I might need it."
A burning heat shot up Anakin's face, a mix of embarrassment and longing that left him breathless. He let go of her hand immediately, though reluctantly, as if doing so meant giving up something invaluable. He hadn't even realized how long he had been holding it, how natural it felt to intertwine his fingers with hers, as if their hands had been meant to find each other, as if separating them was breaking a fated bond.
"Oh… yeah, of course…" he murmured awkwardly, averting his gaze, unable to look at her without revealing what he felt.
But the moment he let go, the absence became unbearable. His skin still burned with the memory of that fleeting touch, and his now-empty fingers seemed to grasp at nothing, searching for an echo of that warmth.
He wondered when he would feel it again, how long he would have to wait until fate granted him that fleeting, wonderful contact once more.
And deep in his young heart, he feared that if too much time passed, he might not be able to endure it.
At least, for an indefinite time, she would be living in his home. That meant that every morning, before heading off to work at the shop, he would get to see her. And every evening, upon returning exhausted, his eyes would seek her first. As if they were truly a couple. As if, for a brief moment, they were a husband and wife sharing a home.
That's why, now more than ever, he would make sure to be flawless with Watto. He wouldn't let anything interfere with this dream life had granted him. He would be efficient, fast, respectful, anything to avoid another punishment that would keep him away from her. In fact, he was certain that if he worked well enough, he might even be allowed to leave early on more than one occasion. And then… she would be there, waiting for him at home.
Oh, how happy he was going to be while this dream lasted. Because he knew that, at some point, reality would come to wake him up. But until then, he intended to hold on with all his might to every moment he could share with her.
And so, destiny begins to take shape. Despite the hardships, the group has found an unexpected ally in the midst of a ruthless world where injustice seems unbreakable.
In the arid desert of Tatooine, where life is worth little and hope withers with the wind, a spark of something greater has begun to ignite.
Because that slave boy, seemingly doomed to a life of servitude, harbors within him a power like no other. His connection to the Force is unique, a bond that transcends all known limits, an echo of something prophesied long ago.
The future is being woven, and none of them yet imagine the role they will play in the grand game of fate.
Thank you for joining me in this chapter. I hope you're enjoying the story!
I know many of you prefer to remain in the shadows, but if you'd like to share your thoughts, I'd love to read them.
See you in the next chapter!