#he's a REAL jedi - in all of the ways that's supposed to mean

[antianakin]

A question, if I may? Do you think Anakin, as he was when he first joined the Jedi Order in TPM, was doomed to fail as a Jedi, so to speak? In-universe, not out-of-universe meta. At that point, do you think it could have gone either way for him, in that he was still capable of becoming a Jedi? And may I be cheeky and ask for full details of why you think that, one way or another?

I've written a post about this before because my answer to this kind-of encapsulates my primary interpretation of Anakin as a character.

In case people don't want to click the link, I'll rehash it a little below.

I think Anakin never would've been a good Jedi because by the time you reach him in TPM, he's already the kind of person whose values and desires don't match up with the Jedi lifestyle. This doesn't make him a bad PERSON, at all, and he's entirely capable of getting a lot of good out of the Jedi's teachings. I think that Anakin was capable of really being able to HEAL through Jedi training, but that if he had been able to really learn from them the way he should've, he would've left the Order voluntarily eventually out of recognition that this life ISN'T WHAT HE REALLY WANTS. Anakin doesn't WANT to be as limited as the Jedi are forced to be by making themselves answer to the Senate and the Chancellor. Anakin DOES want to be able to prioritize the people he personally cares about (in the more normal way that people tend to do, not the genocidal way he does in canon).

And all of this is FINE. Honestly, I think this is the ultimate good outcome for Anakin, to spend enough time with the Jedi to allow their teachings to heal him from his past and give him control over himself to the point that he can pursue the life he really wants in a healthy way. I think Anakin was always capable of being an incredible person and the character we see in TPM is entirely capable of going either way on that, but no, he'd never make a good Jedi.

I also think that if Anakin had been found a much YOUNGER age, like 3 or younger, he'd have been perfectly capable of being a good Jedi. It would remove his attachment to Shmi and the way they had to live their lives, it would allow him to have a better foundation of Jedi philosophies, and it would help him to really see the JEDI as his family rather than constantly searching for a "real" family beyond them. This interpretation comes straight from Lucas himself, who has said that if Anakin had been found at a much younger age, he'd have been fine with being a Jedi, but that being found late was, in many ways, his first stumbling block towards darkness. And that's no one's FAULT, obviously (aside from perhaps the slavers who took Shmi), but it doesn't make it any less true.

Let me know if you want more details on my personal interpretation of this!

[luke-shywalker]

let me know if you need anything

“Hey, Solo!”

Ben looked up. The sudden motion triggered a dull ache in his right eye—he winced.

“Uh—sorry.” Amalia came to a halt in front of him in the grass. The tall, bulky Togruta girl always looked like she was going to barrel right into you, but always managed to stop a few inches short. Back when they’d hated each other, Ben had thought this was some kind of intimidation tactic. But now that they were something like friends, he realized that she was just…well…awkward as heck.

Amalia peered at him and at his covered eye, then tapped her own cheek. “You look like one of the deep space pirates.”

“Wow,” said Ben, deadpan. “I’ve only heard that about five hundred times since I came back to Jedi school.”

“What’d they do to you, huh?”

Ben juggled the air with his hands, trying to figure out how much detail to go into. “Uh…they cut my eyeball open, and sewed a synthetic band into it to hold it together and make it stop falling apart. Basically.”

“Whoa. Sounds gnarly, dude.” Amalia paused. “…Can I see?”

Ben laughed. “Bro. Do you want to see?”

“I mean? Kinda? Will you like, die if it’s exposed to air?”

“Listen, I’ll show you, if you want to freaking see so bad.” He lifted the patch. He had to manually pry his eyelids apart—they were still swollen. He closed his left eye, just to see how well he could see her—everything was sort of a bright, slanted blur.

Amalia made a face. “Ew. It’s all red. Is that blood? Nasty. I see a coagulated mass of—something. There is straight-up slime in your eye, dude.”

Ben put the patch back on. “Yeah—I’ve been trying to, like—cry it out, but I can’t think of anything sad enough to make me cry. I dunno. I’ve had a hard time feeling emotion lately, in general.”

He said it, and then realized he hadn’t wanted to say it. He backtracked as quickly as he could.

“But now that you’re here, Mal, all I gotta do is look at your ugly mug,” he quipped.

Amalia rolled her eyes so hard she pretty much just rolled her whole head. “Hardee har har. Have you looked in a mirror? Geez, Solo, you can’t say shit like that to girls.”

“Oh—you’re a girl? Oh my Force, I didn’t realize. Sorry, miss.”

She wound up and punched him in the arm. Hard.

“Ow! Bruh. I’m already injured.”

“Well, you weren’t injured enough,” Amalia huffed. “Fixed it for you.”

“I’m telling Uncle Luke.”

“Yeah, go run and tell your Uncle Luke. Pissbaby.”

Ben tried to think of something clever to retort, but then his eye started hurting again, and he felt kind of sick. He hissed and lowered himself down into the grass, which seemed to initiate a truce.

Amalia leaned down. “You okay, bro?”

“Yeah—fine.”

“Are you still allowed to train and stuff?”

“I’m not supposed to do any ‘strenuous activity’ for four weeks.”

“Well, you were never getting any, anyway,” Amalia snickered. “Now you just have an excuse.”

Ben wrinkled his nose. “Ew. No, I mean…”

“Does lifting rocks with the Force count as strenuous activity? You’re not technically lifting them physically.”

“Eh. I always give myself headaches when I do that normally, anyway, so…maybe just littler rocks.”

“When are you gonna be able to see again?”

“Out of this eye?”

“Yeah, well, which eye do you think I’m kriffin’ talking about, dumbass—“

“I don’t know.”

“…Damn.” Amalia sat down next to him. “Sucks.”

“Yeah, I mean…I know it’s gonna be months. Maybe a year. And I don’t even know if it’ll ever be the same. Probably not.”

Amalia twitched her lips to one side. “Does it bother you?”

“Like, what, the pain? Or…”

“No, like…losing your vision. Like, coping with the loss.”

Ben shrugged. “…I dunno. Sure ain’t the biggest thing I’ve lost. It’s hard, I guess, knowing you’ll never be the same, but…I was already never gonna be the same, so…” He trailed off.

Amalia nodded at the horizon, picking a blade of grass apart with her fingers. “Yeah…I get how that is.”

They sat there in silence for a few moments. A low breeze came and rustled the grass.

“…Maybe I’ll gain some kind of extra Force sensitivity,” Ben said hopefully. “To compensate. Or something.”

“Yeah,” said Amalia. “Or…maybe you won’t, and you’ll just be half-blind.”

Ben threw her a tired glance. “Thanks, Mal. You’re a real pal.”

“What can I say? I try to offer a realistic outlook on life.”

“Hm.”

“But, for real though…let me know if you need anything. Okay, Solo?”

Ben raised an eyebrow. “Like what? Another punch in the arm?”

“Well, yeah, if you need that, I’m your girl. But, uh, seriously. Like if you need to talk, or…” She gestured vaguely at nothing.

“No offense, Mal? But you are not great at talking.”

“Hey. Never said I was. Just said that I would. Or if you wanna, like, just go throw rocks in the pond together, or something. Go look for weird bugs. Climb that cliffside Luke said not to climb. You know?”

Ben smirked. “Ha. Okay. Yeah. Gotcha. And then I’ll bang my head real hard, and knock out my other eye.”

“Exactly. You get me.” Amalia stood up and dusted the grass off her tunic. “Well…I’m on kitchen prep with Fannie and Meliko tonight, so…guess I gotta go. Do an extra meditation for me, will ya? Fannie drives me nuts.”

“Really? She’s so nice.”

“Yeah,” Amalia scoffed. “That’s what drives me nuts.”

Ben snorted. “Well, okay, Mal. See ya at dinner, then, I guess.”

“Will you see me though?”

“Dude, shut up!”

[leviathanspain]

anakin smut? where reader is having sexual fantasies about him and he can… feel… it ?🫣

ashamed

anakin skywalker x reader

smut

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

you were loud. at least your thoughts were. anakin heard everything, from what you were going to eat for breakfast, to what clothes you’d wear to training.

anakin almost missed it. a small, fleeting thought that meaninglessly floated around in your head, and right into his.

he looks good today..

your thoughts had been heard before he even saw you, and as he turned, there you were, not even looking at him.

anakin’s mouth pulled back into a smirk and he continued to walk, not even bothering to greet you.

it was hard being around him. training had just finished and all you wanted was him. seeing his muscles under those training clothes had left you more than hot and bothered.

you were ravenous.

a jedi was never supposed to engage in any relationships. but it didn’t mean you couldn’t fantasize about it.

you laid on your bed, body worn out after all that training, anakin would be home soon, and he would want to unwind by using you. your body for his, you were willing to let him do whatever he wanted to you.

“hey babe..” his voice trilled as the door shut behind him, carefully you watched him, greeting him back with a smile. but he knew what kind of smile that was, and he was already unbuckling his pants as he walked up.

“what’s wrong?” he had noticed the way you didn’t move off the bed, the way you looked a little breathless. you shrugged slightly, “tough day training.”

anakin’s eyebrows rose, “oh.” you nodded, a small sigh escaping your lips. anakin neared the bed, crawling up by your legs, “maybe i can make you feel better.”

anakin stopped mid sentence. he could taste it. taste something, familiar yet wildly different. anakin dismissed himself from the room full of his superiors and instead went out into the empty hall.

he could feel it. you.

it was you.

anakin inhaled sharply as he felt something graze his crotch, a hand that wasn’t even physically there.

and there was that taste again.

“oh ani..” you moaned out, your words echoed into the room and anakin growled softly, tugging at himself as he lined up with your hole. he had been taking care of you for almost an hour now, fucking you with his mouth until you screamed his name.

now he promised that you wouldn’t dare to forget it.

anakin was slumped down in his room. he had left upon feeling his pants tighten with the size of his erection. now all he could do was trade reality for fantasy as he felt everything you had thought.

he felt it all, and it all left him wanting the real thing. if that’s how you thought about him…

“anakin! don’t stop!” you cried out, gripping his forearms as he thrusted into you, your head crashing into the wall behind you, you groaned softly, “fuck..”

you were writhing on your bed, eyes closed as you let your fantasy play out.

“oh ani!”

a knock suddenly broke your thoughts and you turned, embarrassed, but you got up, knowing they would have no way of knowing what you had been doing.

picturing your jedi master in that way? incred-

“anakin!” the unexpected sight of him at the door, sweating, disheveled, and his robes barely hanging on, he stomped into the room before you could even ask why he was there.

“why didn’t you tell me you wanted me to fuck you?” there it was. it was like nails on a chalkboard.

“what?” your face got red immediately, heat burned on it and you laughed weakly, closing the door, you walked over to him, but you kept your distance, “what are you talking about?”

anakin rolled his eyes, “don’t try and lie to me. i could hear you, i could feel you. i need this to end-“ your face turned into a grimace and you closed your eyes with absolute shock at the revelation, “just let me fuck you. i cant-“ anakin pulled his robes back and highlighted his cock, which was fighting the fabric.

you stared at anakin, “but-“

anakin didn’t even bother to say anything more as he pulled you into his arms, kissing you swiftly as he threw you down.

“don’t be ashamed.”

[jetii]

The Possibility of Infinity

Pairing: Tech x fem!Reader / Tech x Jedi!Reader

Words: 3,028

Tags/Warnings: none, just a lot of softness

Summary: Tech finally has you back after all this time, and he's determined to let you know what that means to him.

A/N: Surprise! To celebrate 300 followers, here's my continuation of Infinite Possibilities of the Universe. I had some requests for more Tech and Sarad, and after I saw this lovely fanart from @a-cryptid-called-magetha yesterday, I was inspired to actually finish this ficlet. I have another part drafted with smut, but the tone is different enough that I wanted to keep them separate and post this first. 💙

The sun was shining, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers and grass and summer. The breeze was cool and gentle, and the sky was clear and blue, with a few wispy clouds drifting lazily across the horizon. Tech had never stopped to admire the view, and he supposed it was because he had never really thought about it.

But today was different. Today, he was seeing the world through new eyes. Today, everything seemed brighter, and more vivid, and more real.

Because today, Sarad was with him.

The first day after your return had been a blur. You had told him your story, and he had told you his. There had been tears, and laughter, and long conversations in the early hours of the morning. And, in between, there had been moments of silence, and of just being together. Of holding each other, and sharing in each other's presence, and finding comfort in the simple act of existing.

You had stayed close to him, as if afraid he would disappear. And he had understood the feeling, because he had been afraid of the same thing.

And, even now, even as he watched you walk next to him, and felt the warmth of your hand on his arm, it all felt a little unreal.

But the sunlight was bright, and the breeze was soft, and the stone was warm beneath his feet, and the world was in focus.

And Sarad was here, and she was smiling.

"This is a lovely spot," you commented as you came to a stop in front of the Archium. Tech had showed it to you yesterday, but you hadn't been in the mood to sit and enjoy the view. Today, you were more relaxed, and Tech was glad. You deserved a moment of peace.

"Yes," Tech agreed. "It is."

"I like the tree," you added, your hand trailing across the rough bark. "It's a weeping maya. I'd need to run a few tests to know for sure, but I believe it's at least two millenia old."

Tech's mouth twitched into a smile. He had known the species of the tree, but hearing it from you brought a new kind of joy. One that was warm, and sweet, and made him feel like his chest might burst. It was the kind of joy he had thought he'd lost forever. But here it was, and it was more beautiful than he had remembered.

"Are you sure?" he teased, his fingers grazing yours over the bark. "Maybe I should take a look."

You laughed, a light, musical sound that made his heart swell.

"I think you'll find that my expertise outweighs yours in this area," you replied, your eyes sparkling. "But if you're not convinced, we can always get a second opinion."

"I wouldn't dare," he chuckled, his hand settling on your waist. "Your word is the only one I trust."

"Flatterer," you accused, but there was no bite to the words.

"I simply speak the truth," he said, his smile widening.

You rolled your eyes, and the motion was so familiar, so achingly familiar, that his throat tightened, and his words faded.

Hearing your laughter, and watching you smile, and feeling your presence at his side...it was almost overwhelming. He had dreamed of this moment, but his imagination had never been able to capture the way his heart felt when you were close. The way his chest seemed to expand, and his mind grew lighter, and the world seemed brighter. 

You seemed to sense his sudden change in mood, because your smile faded, and you turned to him, your expression soft and worried. "Tech? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he murmured, his voice low. "Just...happy."

"Oh, love," you whispered, your hands moving to cup his cheeks. "It's going to be alright."

"I know." He swallowed thickly and dipped his head, avoiding your gaze. "I seem to be having trouble accepting it. That you're here. That this is real."

"I understand," you said softly. "But I promise, I'm not going anywhere."

"I believe you," he replied, his voice shaking slightly. "I'm just..."

"Overwhelmed?" you supplied.

"Yes." Tech sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Overwhelmed."

"That's alright," you said, your hands sliding down to his neck, your fingers trailing along his jaw. "Take all the time you need."

He smiled, and leaned into your touch. You were so patient, and so understanding, and so gentle. You knew exactly what to say, and how to make him feel better. He didn't deserve you, and yet, here you were. You were the most precious thing in his life, and he vowed to never let you go again. He had already spent so much time apart from you. He couldn't bear to waste another moment.

"My apologies," he murmured, his gaze dropping back to the ground. "I didn't mean to ruin the moment."

"You didn't," you assured him, and the sincerity in your voice was almost enough to make him tear up. "There will be plenty of moments, Tech. Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

"Thank you," he whispered. "For everything."

"It's nothing," you said, your thumbs tracing circles on his cheeks. They were light, and tender, and reassuring. "It's just what we do for the people we love."

His breath caught, and he looked up, his eyes meeting yours. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks, and he swallowed thickly, trying to find the words.

"Sarad..."

"Yes?" you prompted, your voice soft and expectant.

"I love you," he managed, his voice strained.

"I love you, too," you murmured, and the corners of your lips tugged upwards. "Always."

He leaned down, his forehead resting against yours, and your eyes fluttered shut. He took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly, letting the tension ease from his body. His heart was pounding, but he didn't mind. It was a reminder that he was alive, and that you were here, and that the universe had brought you together once more.

"Are you alright?" you asked, your voice quiet.

"Yes," he replied. "I am now."

Your smile widened, and you pushed yourself onto your toes to place a gentle kiss on his lips. It was brief, and soft, and perfect, and when you drew back, your eyes were shining.

"Go on," Tech encouraged, nodding towards the tree. "I know you've been waiting for the chance to study it."

You grinned, and he felt his own smile widen. You were radiant, and beautiful, and he wanted nothing more than to capture the moment in his memory. He hesitated a moment before activating the recording device on his goggles. 

The images recorded by the device were a poor substitute for the real thing, but it was something. And, even though he knew that you wouldn't be going anywhere, and that he would have countless other opportunities to see you smile, Tech didn't want to miss this.

"Are you recording me?" you asked, though you knew the answer already. He could see it in the amusement dancing across your features.

"Yes," he replied, his voice soft. "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," you said, giving him a sly grin. "Just don't share it with anyone. I'm not looking my best."

"Nonsense," he countered, his hands curling around yours. "You're as coruscating as the stars."

You snorted, but didn't pull away. Instead, you leaned in, your nose brushing against his, and your breath tickling his lips.

"You're biased," you teased, your eyes meeting his. Tech felt his breath catch in his throat, and he swallowed thickly, his pulse quickening. Your proximity was intoxicating, and he couldn't help but wonder if you were doing it on purpose. But then again, it didn't matter. He wasn't complaining. Not when he was this close to you.

"Perhaps," he allowed, his voice low and husky. "But that doesn't make it any less true."

You hummed, a sound that sent a shiver down his spine, and then you were kissing him, and his mind went blank. He didn't know how long the kiss lasted, but when you pulled away, he was breathless, and his knees were weak.

"What was that for?" he asked, his voice unsteady.

"No reason," you said, a sly grin spreading across your lips. "Now, can I borrow your scanner? I'd like to get a closer look at the blossoms."

"Of course," he replied, handing you the device. He was a bit dazed, and it took him a moment to gather his thoughts. You didn't seem to mind, though, and he watched as you turned your attention to the tree, running your hand over the bark and muttering to yourself. 

He leaned against the trunk, content to simply watch you. There would be time for questions later, and for explanations. But for now, he just wanted to enjoy the moment. He wanted to soak in every detail, and memorize every line of your face, and commit every sound and sensation to memory. He didn't know if he would ever feel this way again, and he wanted to savor it.

He had hoped for so long, and waited for so long, and missed you so much. But now, here you were, and his heart was full. It was a strange sensation, and it took him a while to identify it. Happiness. Joy. Peace. Hope. Things he hadn't thought he would feel again. But here, in this moment, with the sun warming his skin, and the breeze rustling the leaves, and the woman he loved by his side, he felt them.

You suddenly leaped upward into the air, using the Force to vault yourself off a nearby root. 

Tech blinked, startled, and then laughed, shaking his head in disbelief, the tears starting to sting his eyes forgotten. He looked up and watched as you grabbed hold of a branch and swung yourself onto it, balancing easily on the limb.

"This is amazing," you called down to him, gesturing at the tree. "I've never seen one of these with white blossoms."

Tech smiled, and his hand instinctively reached for the datapad in his pocket.

"Would you like a copy of the information I have on them?"

You pulled away from the trunk and peered down at him, your hair glinting in the sunlight. Your smile was radiant, and his breath caught in his throat. You were so beautiful. And he was so lucky.

"Please," you replied, and the delight in your voice made his heart ache. "And, if it's not too much trouble, could you include whatever you have on the soil composition of the area? I'd love to see if there's a correlation between the environment and the color variation."

"How do you know the information I have will include that?"

"Because I know you," you laughed. "And I know how meticulous you are. If there's anything you don't have, I'll come back to take some samples."

"That will not be necessary," he admitted with a wry grin. He pulled the datapad from his pocket, and began typing quickly, his fingers flying over the keys. A few moments later, the data packet had been transmitted to you, and he looked up to see you examining the results.

"Thank you," you said with a bright grin. "You're the best, Tech."

"You are very welcome," he replied, unable to keep the smile from his face. You were so enthusiastic, and curious, and full of life, and he felt his heart swell with pride and love.

"Care to join me up here?" you asked as you dropped into a seat on the branch.

"I'm afraid I would not fare as well as you," he answered, eyeing the height of your position with apprehension.

"Please?" you pout, extending a hand towards him.

"Sarad," he protested weakly, knowing full well he had lost the battle.

"Pretty please?"

"Fine," he sighed, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He pocketed his datapad and pushed himself off the trunk before he reached out and grabbed the nearest branch, pulling himself up.

The tree was large, and the branches were thick, and he didn't have much difficulty maneuvering himself up to where you were seated. When he reached your level, you leaned over and kissed his cheek, a gesture that had his heart stuttering in his chest.

You were sitting cross-legged on the branch, and you shifted over to make room for him. He sat down, his back against the trunk to steady himself, and he let one of his legs swing down, while the other remained bent at the knee. You settled in next to him, and his arm automatically wrapped around you, pulling you close.

"So, what do you think?" he asked as his hand idly traced patterns on your back.

"It's beautiful," you replied, your gaze fixed on the horizon. You leaned into his touch, and he couldn't help but smile. "I could stay here forever."

"That can be arranged," he murmured, his voice soft.

"Really?" you asked, glancing up at him.

"Yes," he said, his lips quirking into a smile. "We could set up a lab, and a greenhouse, and a small garden. We could build a home here. It wouldn't be difficult."

"A home," you repeated with wide eyes. "You would do that? For me?"

"Sarad, I would do anything for you." 

He meant it, and he could see the effect his words had on you. "I would build a thousand homes for you, if that was what you wanted. I would travel to the farthest corners of the galaxy, and I would search for a thousand years, if it meant I could spend a thousand days with you."

"Tech," you whispered, your voice trembling.

"I'm serious," he said earnestly. "I have never been more certain of anything in my life."

"But what about your family? The war? All of this..." You trailed off, gesturing to the village around you. "You can't just leave it all behind."

"They would understand," he said. "They are a part of me, but they are not my only family. And, as for the war, I think I've done my part. I have seen enough, and lost enough, and suffered enough. And, now that I have found you, I cannot bear to be apart from you again. So, please, if this is what you want, I will do it. I will leave everything behind, and build a new life with you. Here, or elsewhere. Wherever you wish to go. Just tell me."

You stared at him, and the emotions swirling in your eyes were impossible to name, but he felt them all. And, when you spoke, your voice was thick with tears. "You really mean that."

"Yes," he said. He reached up and cupped your cheek, his thumb brushing over your skin. "I will not lose you again."

You smiled, your eyes shining, and his heart ached at the sight.

"I—" You swallowed thickly, your lower lip quivering. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," he said as his fingers brushed a strand of hair away from your face. "Just...consider it. I won't press the issue if you're not ready."

"I am," you said quickly. "Ready, I mean."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," you breathed. "I'm sure. I've missed you so much, Tech. And I don't want to spend another day without you."

He pulled you into his arms, holding you tight. You clung to him, and he felt your tears dampen his shirt, but he didn't mind. He simply held you, and soothed you, and stroked your hair, and let you cry. He knew you needed it more than you would admit, and he would gladly give you whatever you needed.

"Then it's settled," he said, leaning in to press a kiss to your forehead. "We'll build a home. Just for the two of us."

"Tech, I..." Your voice trailed off, and you took a deep breath, composing yourself. "I love you. So much."

"I love you too, Sarad," he murmured.

"But are you sure this is what you want?" you asked. "A life with me?"

"Yes," he replied, without hesitation.

"You're not...you're not just saying that because you think it's what I want?"

"No," he assured you, his hands coming up to cup your face. "I am saying it because it's what I want. Because it's what I've always wanted. Even before I knew it was possible."

"Really?"

"Yes," he said softly. "I have never been more sure of anything."

Your breath hitched, and your eyes were glassy with unshed tears. You bit your lip, and Tech knew that you were trying to hold them back. He brushed his thumb over your cheek, wiping away the moisture. He felt a tear slip down his own, and you reached up to wipe it away. Your hands lingered, cupping his face, and your thumbs traced gentle circles on his cheeks.

"Then let's do it," you said, your voice wavering. "Let's build a home. Here, or anywhere else. I don't care. Just...just promise me we'll never be apart again."

"Never," he whispered.

"I can't believe it," you laughed, the sound half-sob, half-delight. "It's really going to happen. We're really going to be together."

"Yes," he murmured, leaning forward to rest his forehead against yours. "We are."

You exhaled slowly, a long, shaky breath, and then you closed your eyes, and rested your head on his shoulder. His arms wrapped around you, and he held you close, letting his chin come to rest on the top of your head as you breathed together.

The sun was warm, and the breeze was cool, and the scent of flowers filled the air. And he was here, with you. With the woman he loved, the one who had given him so much hope, and shown him a life he had never imagined. The one who had given him the stars, and the possibility of infinity, and the chance to be happy.

Taglist (also tagged some people who mentioned a sequel): @baddest-batchers @covert1ntrovert @stellarbit @bruh-myguy-what @kindalonleystars

@cw80831 @qvnthesia @totallyunidentified @heidnspeak @lovelytech9902

@frozenreptile @chocolatewastelandtriumph @etod @Puppetscenario @umekohiganbana

@resistantecho @dindjarins1ut @tech-aficionado @aynavaano @burningnerdchild

@ihatesaaand @lolwey @hobbititties @mere-bear @thegreatpipster

@lordofthenerds97 @tentakelspektakel @notslaybabes @mali-777 @schrodingersraven

@floofyroro @megmegalodondon @dangraccoon @dreamie411 @sukithebean

@bimboshaggy

[heyclickadee]

Okay, to try to explain why the Bad Batch finale is driving me crazy

Imagine if Rebels ended at season three. (Thought experiment time!)

Not that it got cancelled; no one is saying it was cancelled, everyone is saying that this is where they wanted to end that chapter. And the entire season plays out exactly the same as it did in the real world*. Zero Hour, exactly as is, ends up being the series finale.

And the initial reaction is, “Great! They’re alive! They made it out, no one else besides Ahsoka died, we’re so relieved,” except—

What about Lothal? We built up to trying to save Lothal even in the third season—are we really just forgetting about it? What about Ezra becoming a Jedi? The whole sequence with the Bendu was really cool, but what about that foreshadowing line he gave to Thrawn in the end? Where is that supposed to go? Why did we waste a whole episode on space whales? Why didn’t Ezra’s talent for connecting with animals ever go anywhere? What about the side episodes about the Rebel Alliance? The episodes in the season were very good on their own-in fact, a few might be close to the best episodes in the show—but because there’s no payoff and nothing goes anywhere, it all sort of falls apart. Kallus’s redemption arc was fine, but what’s he going to do now, or is he just going to feel bad about what he did? I’m glad they’re all alive and all, but that’s it? Theres no real victory except survival? Why did we spend multiple episodes in the temple on Lothal if that wasn’t going to go anywhere besides getting Ahsoka killed?

Speaking of, Ahsoka really died, and we never dealt with it? Thirty seconds of Ezra crying, everyone looking sad, a sorrowful look from Rex, then we never discuss it, and the only time she comes up is when we’re discussing her job as Fulcrum? It was ambiguous enough to begin with, then we never really got confirmation or any processing on screen at all. We had a whole episode for Ezra to process learning that his parents died, and we never even really met those characters! But nothing for Ahsoka? She’s a fan favorite, and she means so much to a lot of people in the audience. She seemed like she was Dave’s favorite, even! It’s not like her death affected anyone either—all the character motivation was driven either by Kanan’s blindness, the fallout with Maul, or Ezra being tempted by the holocron. It was noble and tragic, sure, but narratively, they just killed her for shock value. If she’s even supposed to be dead! We don’t know for sure!

So you’re thinking through all of that, trying to figure out what the hell happened here and how a show that was otherwise very good only resolved two or three subplots, none of which was the main one, never really dealt with a main character’s death, and never fully 100% resolved anyone’s character arc, all while the showrunners refuse to say that this is the last time we’ll see these characters and insist on using the word “chapter” to refer to the end. So you’ve got a sneaking suspicion that the story isn’t actually over, that there’s something weird going on, but you don’t know for sure, and you can’t just let things lie because it’s not that it’s just a bad ending, it’s that it’s bad in a particularly insane way that would come back around to being incredible if there ended up being any follow through for a series that was somehow 99% set up and no payoff.

Anyway, this is where I’m at with The Bad Batch right now.

* For the purposes of this thought experiment, we can add a except that there’s a little epilogue at the end—not the epilogue we actually got at the end of season four of Rebels, but an epilogue where a fifteen-year-older Ezra has a conversation with Hera (no one else, and no Jacen around, no sign that Jacen even exists) about needing to go do something, and then hopping into a ship that looks a bit like the Phantom and has little mementos from various members of the ghost crew family around. Ezra mentions Zeb, Sabine, and Chopper, so we at least know they’re alive, but he doesn’t mention anyone else, and neither does Hera. Something with Ahsoka’s fulcrum symbol is sitting on Ezra’s dashboard. We learn nothing about what anyone does in the meantime. It’s completely open.

[cptsd-skywalker]

I feel like this is a super wonderful time to point out that Qui Gon literally won Anakin as property in a pod race bet. Anakin, for all intents and purposes, literally belongs to the Jedi Order. When he is “freed” it is becuase Qui Gon chooses to do so; not because Anakin is a child who deserves to live his life, but becuase he was useful to the order as the Chosen One. Qui Fon said himself that they did not come to Tatooine to free slaves, and that he can not help them. Only when Anakin is revealed to be powerful do they decide to try to take him, and even then it’s through winning him in a game. Seriously messed up. And that’s got to weigh on Anakin all his life, that he was only worth something when his power could be of use to others.

Ask yourselves, If Anakin hadn’t been allowed to train by the council, what would have happened to him? And given the circumstances at which he arrived at the order, can Anakin really be considered to have joined as his own free will? Can he ever consider the Jedi as family? Can he ever consider them more than the people whom he “owes” everything for “saving” him from his life which he “should be so grateful for”? I don’t think so, and I guarantee you that Anakin had these same doubts but felt to ashamed of his own self doubt enforced by those around him to voice his concerns. He is shamed and criticized for missing his mother whom he was forced to leave in slavery, and lectured for feeling the slightest of negative emotional responses.

When people say Anakin joined the Jedi of his own free will and could leave whenever he wanted I honestly have to wonder if they’ve experienced the same cannon as me, becuase to me a 9 year old enslaved child can not make the free will choice to join a faction that will send him back to be a slave as soon as he doesn’t meet their expectations. To me a young man who feels like he owes them his life cannot “just leave” when his whole identity is pensioned on his usefulness to others.

This is exactly how cults operate and honestly Anakin’s transition into The Jedi Order is cast in a dark light when you realize he stood to lose everything either way, he lost his mother is he was a Jedi and he lost his freedom if he wasn’t. It was a lose lose situation that no reasonable person would consider a real choice for a child to make. In some cannon materials Anakin even asks himself if his life as a slave would have been better for him than his life as a Jedi. Just let that sink in.

And before any one jumps on here with “BuT sHmi WaNteD HIm to Go” I would like to argue “what the hell was she supposed to say in that situation????”. Was she supposed to have said “nah, I think I’d rather keep my son in slavery forever rather than give him at least a CHANCE to be free to live a life on his own. I think I’d rather risk him DYING in the sun or by torture than I would allow his dream of becoming a space wizard come true.” I mean to argue that she has full autonomy in this situation us LUDICROUS. Qui Gon doesn’t even ASK her to test Anakin’s blood because he doesn’t even owe her that dignity since she has no legal existence. It’s gross. Let’s not use her desire to give her son a chance at something other than hellish slavery as a free choice to allow her son to be taken away.

[awesomestarfighter]

I Should Have Known Better Then To Debate My Brother On Star Wars But I Did It Anyway

That's a lengthy way to start a post, I know, but I'm in a very riled up mood right now.

I remember the first time I argued with him about this. Our family did a rewatch of the Star Wars series (prequels than originals) at my request (and I usually never get emotional, so they were very concerned when I started crying my eyes out during Order 66 and asking if we should stop) and afterwards we talked.

Since I'm an avid Pro Jedi fan, there was a lot of arguing about 'The Jedi could have done this/should have done this!'. A bit with my family, but mostly with my brother since we're an argumentative pair and he's the only one who's watched extra materials such as TCW to further why the Jedi failed/should have done more.

We had to agree to disagree, so it ended there. Now here I am years later, having already talked to him about why glorifying this particularly abusive M/F is not peak romance or good writing, what defines bad writing, and general amatonormativity, and since I'm back in a SW swing, I thought about bringing it up to him, hoping he'd gotten a little more flexible since the last time we talked about it.

Clearly, I was too optimistic to think that.

Cue the usual tangent of (which I've already seen from. . . So many fans):

-The Jedi should have known Palpatine was a Sith.

-They should have treated Anakin better.

-They should have made him a Master.

-They shouldn't have given him that advice about death.

-Obi-Wan wasn't ready for a Padawan.

-They should have investigated Sifo-Dyas's murder.

-They should have investigated more.

-That's just the way the story is written and how the characters would react in real life, so of course Filoni is a good viewpoint on the Jedi.

. . . And just the general, 'they should have done more' statement that's been uttered countless times before.

I tried to point out the flaws in this way of thinking, I really did.

-It's established right in TPM that the Sith have been extinct for a very long time, and they verbally acknowledge that they don't know whether the one killed was the Master of the Apprentice, so it wasn't like they just up and forgot about the enemy that could still be out there. And it's literally stated in the very next movie that their ability to use the Force has been diminished, so it's not like they could have seen the Sith in plain sight in the force. Minor note, I know Force Signatures are mentioned a lot in fanon, but I don't remember anything like that ever being mentioned in canon (I know there's Legends but that's a separate continuity). With all that to keep in mind, why would they think he was a Sith? We have a different view of things because we're the audience, but they don't! Even though they didn't magically know he was the Sith Lord, that doesn't mean they're blind to his dealings or the corruption within the Senate, unless I completely hallucinated the part where the Jedi Masters were on their way to arrest Palpatine even before they learned he was a Sith Lord.

-Questioning a kid to see how he would respond to your ways of life is not being nice enough apparently (people can debate about his trauma and the authorial intent all day, but the basis is that the Jedi are not supposed to be framed as the bad guys). Apparently adopting him and treating him as a part of their family just isn't enough. Clearly, they should have coddled him even more, maybe then he wouldn't have murdered them down to the last child! (This is sarcasm because they never treated him differently or anything, even the Chosen One thing is barely brought up, and all his darkest moments are ones the Jedi were never made aware of). I know people will just say to put him in therapy because I've seen them say that many times before, but the truth is that he's already in therapy with the Jedi, he just doesn't absorb any of it because he doesn't want to.

-Yeah, because an adult throwing a temper tantrum when he's been appointed to a leading authority by a shady government leader who should not have any authority over their organization isn't sketchy as fuck, that response alone proves he WAS not ready, because he still didn't understand what the Jedi were about, much less mastery of himself. My brother at least admitted that was a good point when I outlined it, so score for me, I guess.

-People give Yoda grief all the time for his advice, but they always seem to forget that, firstly, Anakin is asking this during a war they've been fighting for three years, one they've lost many friends and family to, and secondly. . . Anakin was really fucking vague when he brought this forward. He doesn't even specify who he's talking about isn't a fellow Jedi, clone, or otherwise (And I can't help but draw a parallel to how he didn't tell Obi-Wan about his visions of Shmi and people will blame Obi-Wan when Anakin's the one who can't bother to properly fucking communicate) and he doesn't listen because it's not what he wants to hear. He doesn't just want to save Padme; he wants to cheat death because he's possessive and greedy and doesn't want his loved ones to ever leave him. Yoda's advice was actually very useful, but since when has Anakin ever listened to good advice? Once again, my brother admitted that was a good point, so the second score went to me.

-I know fandom loves to portray Obi-Wan as this self-hating mess that's barely keeping it together (who also does a lot of medic dodging for some reason?). . . But that's not who he is in canon? The real Obi-Wan is controlled and capable, and he was a young adult when he was Knighted, not a kid, who went on to become the youngest member of the Council when he became a Master. It wasn't like he was left to teach Anakin alone, because he had the Order, and they're canonically big on communal teaching. Even just in the movies, we frequently see that Obi-Wan's the one who reaches out to Anakin and Anakin's the one who shuts him out. Obi-Wan was a great teacher, Anakin was just a shit student.

-The Jedi learned about Sifo-Dyas's unauthorized role in the creation of the clone army literally right before the war broke out, so it wasn't like they were in a position where they could look more into it. Even before that, they were under the impression that he died during a failed peace negotiation. My brother still said this even though there was a literal WHOLE ASS ARC IN TCW WHERE THEY INVESTIGATED HIS DEATH. He watched that arc to, and he still says they should have investigated his death even when they literally did. I have no words for such a contradictory way of thinking.

-I know it's easy to say stuff like that, but Star Wars isn't written for adults who want all the messy bits, but for kids for a good vs evil story, so of course investigation stuff is shoved to the side. Even in TCW where we do see them investigating, they're hampered by the Senate, by Palpatine, by the war, and by the narrative. Even ignoring that, Anakin literally said in ROTS that Palpatine was the Sith THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR, so that means they were investigating even though we didn't see it onscreen.

-Filoni. . . God just thinking about him makes me angry. I could write a whole essay on how he's twisted the narrative for Star Wars so badly, and I hate essays, but plenty of people have already done it better, so I won't.

-But still, I think it's hilarious that I can point out certain things he's written terribly (TCW, TOTJ, TTB, and Ahsoka) to show that he doesn't like the Jedi, and my brother is still saying, 'well that's just how the story is written and how the characters will react so he doesn't really hate the Jedi with that sort of evidence and blah blah blah.'

-Of course, for TCW, my brother brought up that stupid arc where AsHoKa iS pErSeCuTeD - I just think it's funny how, with trying to make his special oc look good and the Jedi Council unlikable, Filoni accidentally made her unintentional unsympathetic and made the dOgMaTiC lEaDeRsHiP unintentionally sympathetic. And of course, who could forget the infamous s7 moment of her not being fair to Obi-Wan? I know people will say she's a teenager and she's confused and she's still feeling betrayed - but the thing is, that doesn't hold up because the narrative never follows up on it. It's not a personal flaw of hers, it's solely there to frame Ahsoka (and Bo-Katan/the Mandalorians by proxy) as right and Obi-Wan (and the Jedi Council/Order by proxy) as wrong. I'm sure there are more examples that can be noted, but those are definitely two of the biggest offenses in my book.

-Tales of the Jedi wasn't even about the Jedi, it was about two specific individuals who LEFT the Jedi. One who went on to become invincible/immortal/a sanctimonious prick/even more of a mouthpiece then she already was, the other went on to become the undisputed head of an enemy who went full throttle on genocide, slavery, and war crimes. Mace's treatment and Yaddle's treatment was more poorly veiled racism and even more poorly veiled Jedi hate. And of course, the super special training from Anakin that allowed Ahsoka to survive Order 66 unlike those useless unprepared Jedi who were too soft on their kids - but really just made him look like an incredibly abusive parent. Frankly, while I do hate Anakin and can see him pushing too hard as in character, even I can see that it could have been written a lot better than it was. Tales of the Jedi was a fucking joke because it should have been titled 'Tales of The Super Special Creators Pet OC and the Asshole Who Falls And Spearheads A War', and if we ever get Jedi content that is actually positive for them without the usual criticisms coming up (Kenobi's the only one so far that's come the closest) I'll be throwing a fucking party.

-Of course, I have to point out TBB's whitewashing, consistently carried over from TCW except even whiter, though I forgot to mention how that show just completely fucking forgot the Jedi existed. Though frankly, I wouldn't want them to be mentioned in the utter waste of time that TBB is.

-Ahsoka was made into even more of a mouthpiece in her show then she already was. I didn't even watch Rebels in its entirety because I don't care for it, but even with some of the more frustrating decisions with her in that span of time she never said the Order wouldn't have fallen if they had just brought in more non-Force Sensitives to train them into being Force Sensitive (another part of canon that Filoni has fucking taken a hammer to) singing Anakin's praises after she's 'saved' by him (though even in Rebels it got pretty egregious how she just fucking abandons the Rebellion and the Jedi because she won't leave him again) just being a general fandom anti on how the Order was at fault for everything and Anakin was actually predestined to become a Sith (instead of defying his destiny by attacking Mace and siding with Palpatine as per Word of God) so everything he did was justified. All written and directed by Filoni, just as the other pieces where he's had narrative control will label the Jedi as arrogant, as forgetful, as unworthy, as not ENOUGH. And as soon as he can, he shoves them aside for characters who are 'to cool to be a Jedi, a cooler Jedi than those useless old Order jerks who spent too much time playing politics and being too stringent because they were cautious rule followers and not plucky rebels and weren't loving enough to poor widdle Anakin and -'

Though frankly my brother had some pretty ludicrous takes in general. There was this whole tangent we had about how since Rex removed his chip and voided death, that makes him gray/puts him in a gray zone. I just bluescreened at that, because while I've never cared for morally gray characters/storytelling, a character stepping out of their slated place in the narrative so obviously isn't gray it's not even funny, it's infuriating. While I know a part of me being a writer is what helps me look at stories more critically, it still makes me feel so confused how people will just take in bad writing or come up with bullshit takes like this. Whatever happened to thinking critically for the good of storytelling?

. . . I don't usually write my own posts (even though I'm usually better at wording things than actually voicing an argument as it started with my brother) because I prefer to just reblog stuff on my blog, I wrote this primarily as a vent post because my argument with my brother really got me stirred up, but I've been in a salty sw mood lately so it was kind of cathartic to get this out.

Also, if any Jedi anti or fan comes at me with 'but actually the Jedi should have -' no. Please just don't. I always try to tag stuff properly so people who won't agree will know what my blog themes are about, I'm never in the mood for the run of a mill gotcha takes that infest this fandom and I will not hesitate to block you if you come onto my post for that.

[rebelscums]

You Drew Stars (Tech x Jedi reader)

Ratings: Angst | Fluff

Summary: Unrequited love is a real Bantha

Pt 4 of You Drew Stars

Feel the force around me… Use the force within me… I am one with the force and the force is with me… Be one with force.

The breeze swayed around me as I could feel the heat of the sun beat against my face. I sat in an empty field close to the Marauder, trying to find a moment for myself.

Be one with the force.

Be one…

Be one…

I felt the surge of the force within me. I opened my eyes to watch the energy surge through the tree a feet feet in front of me, a crack forming through the center.

“For the love of all things!” I yelled as I fell into my back.

“I’ve never seen you do that before.” Hunter’s voice sounded from behind me.

“I’m…” I sighed.

What do I even say? I’m struggling to handle my emotions? I have formed to much of an attachment? That I feel like I’m falling further and further away from the path of the Jedi?

“I’m alright.” I finally said, keeping my gaze on the sky.

I have to be.

I could hear the shuffling of his footsteps before he settled down beside me.

“No one has heard from you or seen you all morning. Omega is getting worried, Wrecker too.” Hunter explained.

“I didn’t want anyone to see me like this.” I muttered, “I’m trying to reconnect myself as a Jedi… It takes time and isolation.”

“I’m sorry again that he stood you up last night.” Hunters gaze couldn’t meet mine as he stared at the group of trees ahead, “Maybe he forgot.”

“He doesn’t forget anything.” I stated Tech’s words every time one of the boys tried to test his memory.

“I know.” Hunter relented.

“I wasn’t the one he…” I felt my throat begin to tighten, “It’s fine really.” I wasn’t sure if I was reassuring him or myself, “I now know where his heart lies and… I’m happy that he’s happy. I just need to move past this, that’s all.”

It wasn’t find though was it? Hunter could see the wrecker look upon her face. Clearly Hunter’s senses went beyond the physical realm as he studied the way the Jedi seemed to want the ground to swallow her up.

“You don’t have to burry your feelings. Trust me, Crosshair buries his feeling for all of us.” Hunter replied.

“If he were here right now, he’d probably say something like, I told you so.” I laughed lightly.

“Something like that.” Hunter grinned, “And most likely start a brawl with Tech.”

“I miss him…” I sighed, remembering all the fun times we all had when we were together.

“Me too.” Hunter replied solemnly letting a quiet settle upon us.

My stomach began to growl, causing us both to break into a small chuckle.

“I probably shouldn’t have skipped breakfast.” I joked before I glanced nervously to the direction of the Marauder.

“Has he left?” I didn’t have to say his name for Hunter to know who I was referring to.

“No… He’s been quiet all morning working on the ship.” Hunter answered truthfully.

“I’m going to go into town then and grab something to eat.” I stated as I pushed myself off of the ground.

“You don’t have to hide yourself away.” He stated as he stood as well.

“I know.” But it doesn’t mean I couldn’t try.

“At least take Omega with you. She needs a girls day having been cooped up with her brothers all morning.” Hunter tried to make a joke while taking care to make sure I wasn’t alone.

I smiled gently at the kindness and care he showered me with.

I patted him gently on the arm, “Thank you, Hunter. For being my friend.”

“Of course.” He nodded, “I’ll go get Omega.”

I watched him walk back to the ship, nerves creeping along my skin at who was inside.

He hasn’t tried to find me at all since last night… Did I really mean so little to him? If not romantic at least as friends? Now that I think of it… Were we even friends? Have I been fooling myself this entire time?

I closed my eyes and let out a soft sigh. I could really use your wisdom right now master…

“I’m ready!” Omega yelled as she ran out of the ship.

I suppose sometimes love is just a hopeful dream.

“Hi sweetie! Where do you want to go eat?” I asked as she grabbed my hand.

We began walking into town, her eyes scanning the buildings.

“I’ll know it when I see it. I’ve been wanting to try this place for a while, but it’s too fancy for my brothers.” Was all she replied and I couldn’t help, but wonder what she will pick.

What I didn’t expect was it for her choice to be the same cafe that I was at last night. Great now I’m even more embarrassed. We entered the cafe I sat in miserably for a couple hours last night. The staff here would have changed right? Please don’t let anyone recognize me. Please… Please… Please-

“Hi hun.” greeted me and I could see the pity in her eyes.

“Hello.” I greeted back nervously, “T-table for two.”

“And who is this precious thing?” She smiled down at Omega.

“I’m Omega!” Omega greeted.

“Hello again.” A familiar voice spoke behind us.

Not him too… Why did Omega have to choose here of all places?

“Indul.” I greeted him with a small nod, “You’re working today too?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled, “I have to pay my rent somehow.” He joked as he reached for the menus, “Just the two of you then?”

“Yes.” I gave him a polite smile.

Omega looked between us before settling her gaze on me, “You know him?” She asked as we followed Indul a few steps away.

“He was my waiter from last night…” I trailed off not really wanting to get into it.

“So this was…” She whispered.

“Yes.” I nodded.

“And you waited…” She pieced two and two together.

“Yes.” I sighed.

“I’m sorry.” She said as we sat down.

“Don’t worry sweetie, not all was lost. The food here was really good.” I smiled as I took my menu, “I liked the small cakes.”

“She’s right there.” Indul smiled as well, “I assume your date didn’t show up after all?” He spoke gently.

Oh I wish you wouldn’t have remembered that.

I shook my head, “Seems like he found someone else.”

“For someone who’s considered a genius, he’s an idiot and also my brother.” Omega placed her chin in the palm of her hand, elbow resting against the table as her eyes skimmed the menu.

“You must be really close then if you’re here with his sister.” Indul acknowledged.

“We are in a way. Well maybe not so much he and I anymore, but our group have always been a family.” I explained.

“Well if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s missing out on the chance to get closer to someone as beautiful as you.” He took a step back leaving me to manage my blushing cheeks, “I’ll give you two a moment to choose your drinks and a possible appetizer.”

The second Indul left, Omega was staring at me with wide eyes, “He likes you!”

I shushed her, praying to the force that no one especially Indul had heard the small girl.

“He does not.” I countered quickly, “I barely even know him. He probably just feels bad for what happened yesterday.”

“Doesn’t matter. I can tell he likes you and I don’t like it.” She crossed her arms, “You are suppose to be with Tech, maybe Hunter, but not with someone who could take you away from us.” She blabbered as she waved her little hands around.

“What do you mean Hunter?” I questioned her, but she continued in her rant.

“You need to stay with us because we’re a family.” Her voice was heated and I could tell she was beginning to get emotional.

“Hey hey.” I reached across the table to grab her hands with mine, “I’m not going anywhere you hear me? Nothing in this universe will take me away from you sweetie. Not even your idiot brother.”

That seemed to calm her down, a small smile beginning to form on her face.

“Promise?” She asked, her pinky held out in front of her.

I wrapped my pink around hers, “Promise.”

“Ready for your drinks?” Indul asked.

I sat back in my seat, “Bring us the most colorful non alcoholic drinks you have and some of those desserts from last night too.”

“Coming right up.” He smiled.

By the time the check arrived, the two of us had smiles and full bellies.

“Will I see you around here again?” Indul asked as I stood up.

I thought for a moment before nodding, “I think so. This will be our new favorite spot now.” I wrapped my arm around Omega’s shoulder as she grinned.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Indul smiled as well, “See you soon and have a lovely rest of your day.”

“Thank you!” I said before we walked out of the cafe.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with laughter and girl talk as we explored more shops around here. I ended up buying Omega a spring dress with the few credits I had and she wore it, skipping all the way back to the Marauder with her hand grasping mine.

The sun was beginning to set by the time we got back, Omega running over to Hunter and Wrecker who were sparring in the open field not too far away. Echo I’m sure was inside the ship probably tinkering on something with Tech. I couldn’t help, but smile as I watched her girl in her new dress and raving about it to her brothers.

“General.” The voice I least wanted to hear spoke up from behind me.

“Tech.” I spoke his name softly as I turned to greet the less than intelligent clone, at least in my opinion right now.

He walked down the ramp of the Marauder to stand in front of me.

“I wanted to apologize to you.” He glanced to his right nervously, “I didn’t mean to stand you up last night. I completely forgot, even if that sounds absurd coming from me… It is the truth.” He stated.

I nodded slowly, “Apology accepted.”

“Hunter told me you felt hurt by my actions and I don’t want you to feel that way because you’re my friend and I hope we can reschedule grabbing food another time? Perhaps a lunch date…” His voice trailed off as I gave him a confused look.

“Hunter told you I was upset?” I furrowed my brows. I tried to ignore the stab at my chest as he mentioned us only being friends.

Was that the only reason why he’s apologizing to me now? What does he mean lunch date? Was that what he thought last night was? Me just asking him to dinner as friends?

I felt my hurt turn into anger as I glared at him, “So if he didn’t say anything you would have just assumed that what happened last night was alright?”

“Well naturally yes. I don’t see how it is a big deal.” Tech adjusted his goggles.

“Don’t see?” I scoffed, “You don’t see how standing me up would be a big deal?!” My voice got louder, “What happened to us being so called friends? Huh?!”

“I have read that it is common for friends fo forget certain dates.” He elaborated, “I don’t understand why you’re so upset about it? I said we could grab lunch tomorrow.”

“I don’t want lunch! I want you to realize what you did last night was mean! And I’m not that kind of friend either, I wouldn’t forget you.” I seethed.

“That is highly implausible.” He stated with a slight wave of his hand, “It is natural for one not as intelligent as I to forget things.”

I’d never forget you!

I wanted to scream as my heart cried out. I felt the pebbles around my feet begin to shake, representing the anger I currently felt.

“Seriously?!” I was yelling now, “Says the one who had his tongue shoved down Phee’s throat while I waited for you for hours! Seems more like a stupid move to me!”

He rolled his eyes, “What happened with Phee and I last night has nothing to do with you.”

Ouch…

He continued, “And I didn’t ask you to wait.”

“You didn’t have to!” I practically friend out, “I don’t understand why you can’t see through your unintelligent brain that I would go to the ends of the galaxy for you!”

“Unintelligent? I can calculate and solve the most unsolvable problems with a gun pressed to my head.” He stepped forward, “What can you do General? Throw rocks?” He glared.

“Watch it.” I snapped, “I have saved you and your brother countless of times, I use to be your general.”

I could feel my blood begin to rise as the love I felt for the man in front of me began to boil over.

“If you are so great at saving us then how come my brother isn’t here right now? You couldn’t even get Crosshair on the ship that day.” He questioned.

“I…” I turned away to hide the fresh tears coming to my eyes, “That wasn’t my fault.”

Tech huffed, “Of course it wasn’t.”

I scoffed in return to cover the tightening feeling in my throat, “Some friend you are… Have fun with your girlfriend.”

“I will.” He stated it so surely that I wished more than anything that I could vanish in that moment, but he didn’t stop there, “At least I’d be a more supportive friend than you.”

“Tech that’s enough.” Hunter glared approaching and stepping in between the two of us to stop the argument, “Look at what your doing, your scaring Omega.”

I quickly glanced over to find Omega in tears, huddling behind Wrecker.

“Oh sweetie…” I said brokenly as I quickly walked up to her taking her in my arms, “I’m so sorry.” I spoke to he as I lead her back into the ship.

“She has nothing to be sorry about.” I heard Hunter seethe at Tech, “But you do.”

[221bshrlocked]

shut the door

Pairings: Commander Wolffe x Jedi Fem!Reader

Words: 2538

Warnings: Ahsoka, Fives and Kix being little shits. Reader getting hella submissive real quick. Wolffe going from shy to dominant even quicker. Lots of touching and biting. Implied smut.

Summary: You try to play a prank on Ahsoka, but it backfires...in a good way.

A/N: I don't know what this is to be honest. I just saw this video of a couple where the wife throws cold water over her husband while he was in the shower and then he dragged her into the water, and my mind immediately came to this fic. Also, I still have @cloned-eyes lovely art work engraved in my mind so that's the Wolffe I'm picturing here. Enjoy my lovely clone simps.

“That’s it, tell me when it’s time to leave.” Ahsoka says as she stands up and walks towards the door connecting your room with the others’. 

“Wait, where are you going? You can’t just leave in the middle of an undercover mission.” You call after her, checking to make sure that Rex and Anakin were still looking out for the target. 

“We’ve been here for days, and I feel unclean. I won’t take too long.” She ignores your response as she grabs a towel and some clothes to change into. 

“You’re going to leave me with those two by myself?” You ask her again, not caring for how both men react to the indirectly offensive question. 

“Hey! What is that supposed to mean?” Anakin calls back, muttering something beneath his breath when he sees Rex laughing at the three of you. You shake your head at Anakin, only to turn around and miss Ahsoka walking to the refresher. Glancing at the rest of the men in your company, you see them shrug their shoulders and get back to whatever conversations they were in the middle of. You think there is a smirk on Fives’ face but it goes away as soon as you notice it. Thinking nothing of the matter, you’re about to walk back to the other room when Fives and Kix call for you. 

“Say General, we heard you and the other Generals like to play pranks on each other all the time. Is that true?” Fives asks and you narrow your eyes at him briefly, wanting to know why he was questioning you about this all of a sudden. 

“Y..yes, why do you ask?” You cross your arms and scan the room, wondering why everyone became quiet and were intently staring at you. 

“Well, we just didn’t peg you for someone who- well, you know.” He rubs his neck and refuses to finish whatever he was about to tell you. 

“What? You think I don’t know how to have fun?”

“We didn’t say that, it’s just-” Kix starts to respond but you shake your head at him, silencing him instantly. You study the rest of the men quickly before smiling at Fives’ sudden anxiety. 

“It’s okay if you think I’m boring. I just don’t see the point of revealing all my cards at once, especially when I know I can have a bit of fun being sneaky.” 

“That sounds nice and everything General, but I just don’t believe you.” Fives takes a step forwards and trails his eyes down your form, smirking to himself when he sees that he has your undivided attention. 

“Is that right?” You raise a curious eyebrow at him, completely missing the way Kix was looking around the room and telling everyone to get ready. 

“I think you’re all bark and no bite.” Fives adds for extra measure, barely managing to hold back from laughing when your expression turns less playful and more dangerous. 

“Hmm, watch and learn boys.” It’s all the warning they get before you’re walking towards the kitchen and filling up a large pitcher of water with ice cold liquid, grabbing a handful of ice cubes from the fridge while chuckling at the shift in expressions suddenly taking over the room. 

“The key for a good prank is, you do it when your target is unsuspecting.” You whisper to them as you make your way to the refresher and unlock the door as softly as you can. The sound of running water fills the silence of the room and you smile one last time at Fives before you take a few steps into the cloudy space. Again, you’re so invested in making no sound that you miss how each of the clones prepares to exchange the figda they managed to steal from the rooms they’ve stayed in. Turning one last time to look at Fives and Kix, you purse your lips and stand on your tiptoes, barely managing to hold back from laughing as you tilt the pitcher and empty its cold contents on Ahsoka. 

Or, the person you thought was Ahsoka. 

“Ahh fucking hells,” the sound of a rather gruff, angry man breaks the silence of the room and you look back in horror as you see Boost and Sinker double over in laughter while Kix and Fives pull Ahsoka from underneath the bed. 

You drop the pitcher from your hand, and as you try to leave the refresher, a hand reaches out from behind the shower curtain and grabs onto your wrist. You look down in shock and fear, already knowing who the man behind the curtain is and trying to think of anything to tell him once he realizes it was you who just ruined whatever little break he was probably attempting to enjoy. 

“Come here,” he growls into the damp air and pulls you towards him, swearing beneath his breath when you topple over and fall at his feet. 

You know you should shut your eyes, perhaps even vomit a string of apologies at him so he doesn’t report you to the council for inappropriate behavior. But the quick movement sends your head flying into the wall and you scream out in pain before you reach for the back of your head while yelling at him to calm down. 

“Calm down Wolffe, I didn’t know it was-” the words die in your throat as soon as you look up and see the Commander of the 104th in all his naked glory. You try not to roam your eyes across his impressive form, you really do, one look at his flushed face and suddenly shy gaze, and you know you have to look anywhere but above his neck. The sound of laughter and howling dies out the longer your eyes move down his body and scrutinize the tattoos etched all over his muscular torso. 

You’re not sure how long you sit there staring at him, but when he clears his throat and pushes his hands over his crotch, you remember quickly where you are and who it is you’re ogling, and you immediately look down and away from him. 

But not before you notice how much he has to stretch his palms and fingers so he can hide himself from your curious gaze. 

“G-general.” If you didn’t know any better, you’d think that Wolffe was turning a bit more submissive with the way he addressed you reluctantly.

“Commander, I uhhh…I didn’t know you had so many tattoos.” It’s not what you want to say, but it is what leaves your mouth as you try to take off your outer robes so you can hand them to the naked man standing not two feet away from you. 

“Kriff!” He swears at you, taking a few steps back so he doesn’t accidentally frighten you with how his body is reacting to your proximity. 

“Sorry no, I mean- I…I didn’t know you were the one in the refresher.”

“Who the hell did you think was in here?” You’ve known Wolffe for a long time. Granted you never spoke with him as often as others, but you knew him well, like how he tends to become when he’s embarrassed or uncomfortable. 

He doesn’t mean to sound so awkward or rude, but you knew that it was highly unlikely he’s ever experienced something like this, and he probably didn’t know what or how he should be behaving, especially since one of his commanding officers was now in the refresher with him. 

“It d-doesn’t matter any way…I’m so sorry, I wouldn’t have- ah, kriff it. Just take this for now until I decide how I’m going to deal with that shabuir.” You throw your robe at him and force yourself to turn away while he hides behind the wet fabric. 

“Fives or Boost?” He asks as he stops moving, making you turn around to look at him as you answer his question. 

“Ahsoka!” You mutter out in anger, not missing the way he smiles and avoids your gaze when he sees you looking into his eyes again. 

“Well, I hate to break it to you but…whatever it is the General did, I’m sure Five and Boost are in on it as well.” He’s trying to diffuse the tension, that you know for sure, but you still can’t help yourself from studying the tattoos visible to your eyes. You wonder briefly if he’d ever said anything about them before, but you quickly remember who it is you’re thinking about and you shake your head in response. 

“Something on your mind, General?” Wolffe’s tone shifts a little, and when you finally meet his gaze again, you find something strange looking back at you. 

Something way too sensual and intimate to be considered as just friendly. 

“I was just thinking that- umm, I was wondering if you had ever told me about your tattoos and I just forgot or-” You gulp nervously as soon as you notice him tilt his head to the side and stare into your eyes. His jaw clenches tightly and you follow the movement down, watching with fascination as the muscles on his neck and chest flex when they feel you settle on them.

“Hmm,” Wolffe hums lowly as he takes one step towards you, making you back away from him underneath the running water again. 

“Or if…” You can’t find the rest of the thought, unable to focus on anything but the way Wolffe was pretty much eye-fucking you now. 

“Or what…General?” The honorific rolls off his tongue so lewdly, making you nearly trip over the rest of your robes and topple over again. 

You feel a pair of strong arms wrap around your waist in an instant, preventing you from hitting your head again. Grabbing onto Wolffe’s shoulders, you blink hazily a few times before you slowly look up into the Commander’s eyes. He’s abandoned the cloak you gave you, leaving himself completely bear to your hungry needs. 

You’re about to ask him if he is just toying with you like the others when you hear a couple of them whisper just from outside the door. Wolffe glances to the side and narrows his eyes at the men behind the curtain. When he turns back around to look at you again, he finds you completely enraptured by him. He smiles down at you, nudging your nose with his own before laying the softest of kisses near the corner of your mouth. 

“Why don’t you be a good girl for me and shut the door, mesh’la?” 

His question doesn’t make much sense to your dazed mind, and you reach up to try and properly kiss him, but he averts his face and leans down to bite into your throat, chuckling to himself when your breath hitch and you dig your nails into his shoulders. 

“As much as I’d love to give the boys something to talk about, I am a selfish man baby…and I want you all to myself.” He whispers against you as he begins to unravel all the knots keeping your body from him.

“Be a good girl, and shut the door…or do you want them to watch me fuck you hard like the sweet Jetii’ika I know you are?” Your knees give out as soon as he growls those filthy words in your ears, but Wolffe’s hold on you prevents you from falling yet again. You want to punch him for being so smug and chuckling at you, but you know that you wouldn’t have him any other way. The way he squeezes your hips lights a fire in your chest, and your breathing grows erratic as soon as he slides one hand around your back and pushes your body into his own, giving you a taste of what’s to come.

“W-Wolffe, please.” You plead with a whine, parting your lips for him as he leans down and hovers his mouth over your own.

“Shut the door, cyar’ika…and I promise you I’ll deal with them later.” Not a second later, the door to the refresher slides shut suddenly, making half of the men outside scream rather embarrassingly. You giggle along with Wolffe, but the laughter dies when you notice the way he's staring at you.

Licking your lips, you throw your arms around his neck and pull yourself up until you’re at eye-level with him.

“What if…what if I want something else?” You ask right before molding your lips with his own in a heated kiss. You feel Wolffe harden against you, his fingers trying to unfasten your robes from your body while the other hand combs into your hair and tugs on it harshly.

“Hmm, maybe you’re not a good girl after all.” Wolffe teases as he pushes your cloak and shirt down your shoulders, ripping the corners of them as he tries to get them off quickly.

“Believe me Commander, I can be whatever you want me to be…on one condition.” You giggle when he kneels down and grumbles in irritation at how difficult it is to remove the wet fabrics from your body. He ignores you until he’s rid you of what you’re wearing, the only thing shielding you from his eyes clinging deliciously around your hips.

“Name it sweetheart.” Wolffe promises, refusing to keep his hands off of you as he stands to his height and trails his hands across your nude skin.

“I want your cock, I want you to fuck me so hard till I can’t remember anything but your name.” Wolffe stands there without uttering a single sound, studying you closely to make sure you are confident in what you want from him. He can feel you scratch along the tattoos over his arms and chest, and he reminds himself to ask you later which one you liked most. He roams his gaze across your features, pretending to go for another kiss and twisting you in his arms as soon as you shut your eyes in surrender.

He shoves you against the cold wall, holding your arms above your head and thrusting his hard cock in between your ass cheeks when you try to wrestle away from his hold. You try to glance to the side but Wolffe sinks his teeth into the back of your shoulder, causing you to cry out in ecstasy and pain from the sensation.

“Ah fuck, p-please Wolffe.” He’s all hard muscles and heated skin against your back, making you wish you weren’t currently on a mission so you can worship him like he deserves. 

“That’s it mesh’la, beg for me.” You think he��ll toy with you longer, the thought making you whine and moan more for him more, hoping that the sounds you’re making are enough for him to end your misery and fuck you into oblivion.

But then he grabs his cock and slips it underneath the band of your panties, and you hold your breath in anticipation, preparing yourself for how full you will feel when he finally shoves his dick into your heat and fills you to the brim. 

“C-Commander, please…use me.”

It’s all Wolffe needs to hear to step over the invisible line that’s long separated the two of you from giving into your desires. 

“Sir yes sir.” 

[moondyad]

so i kinda want to talk more about this. The Acolyte and Qimir.

Qimir's true identity was a surprise to me because it felt like there were no smart hints at him being sith. none of the jedi got funny feelings around him. Mae didn't even recognize that the person behind the mask and her goofy accomplice were similar. he mentioned Mae's master would be mad she was using weapons because she wasn't supposed to but? he was her master and let her do it? the reveal seemed so out of left field, shocking for shock value alone. i read that his identity wasn't even supposed to be revealed until season 2, so maybe there was supposed to be more buildup to that moment? doing a subversive character who appears one way but is actually another takes a lot of nuance that just wasn't there. it's extremely hard to change a character from "just a lil guy" to big baddie. and yeah, i know he's in hiding and the whole point of this front is to trick everyone into thinking he is actually harmless (y'know aside from making poisons and whatever other malicious side jobs he does). he literally kills some of our main characters as soon as he's revealed (rip Yord, i'll miss you). but because of his previous presentation it just felt like a joke to me? their deaths all had this dreamlike, this isn't real quality to the point i have to remind myself that these characters are actually dead. i could not become invested in the rest of the episode because him being sith took me so far out of the immersion. idk if this is going too far in the crybaby direction, so i'll just say this characterization was not executed well in my opinion.

i must have missed it, because i was so confused, but apparently Kylo's theme plays after he's revealed? which i read was a very intentional choice. so, my preferences aside and lore cap on... is Qimir possibly the founder of the Ren? the concept that the knights of Ren are based on? This is the gist of the ideology:

which actually does track so far with Qimir's seemingly random choices. also, Ren, the person Kylo kills to become the leader of the knights of Ren, wears a helmet which is vaguely similar to the one Qimir wears. both helmets have the eyes entirely covered by metal. this would essentially make the wearer blind, if they weren't force-sensitive. "The Ren" is a lightsaber Ren carries on him (i know this is all very confusing, bear with me). perhaps as a tie into the sequels, Qimir's saber eventually goes on to become The Ren. this all could mean that the ideology Kylo attaches himself to all the way in the sequels has roots in sith history in the high republic era. i do love a tie-in, but i wish this reveal hadn't been rushed.

the person, the lightsaber, and the ideology are all called "Ren". don't know who decided that, but it makes explaining or reading about it impossible.

[antianakin]

how do you interpret codywan?

I suppose I should've seen this one coming.

So, the appeal for me with Codywan is the idea of these two people in impossible positions during what is a really dark time for them both overall learning to rely on each other and trust each other. They come from such radically different backgrounds, but somehow those backgrounds also allow them to understand each other in a way few others have (discounting the Jedi for Obi-Wan and the clones for Cody). There's a feeling of equality and respect between them as they fight beside each other and the other person starts to become more real because they can see the other person get tired and bleed, mourn and celebrate. And from that, they start picking up on the other little things about each other that turn them from General and Commander who respect each other professionally to friends who care about each other personally.

They AREN'T the most important person in each other's lives. They don't necessarily understand each other better than literally anybody else they've ever met. Cody will have relationships with other clones that are very meaningful to him, and lots of shared history with other clones that Obi-Wan simply cannot hope to replicate. Likewise, Obi-Wan has relationships with other Jedi that have lasted DECADES before he ever even meets Cody, and other Jedi will have a deeper understanding of that part of Obi-Wan that Cody just doesn't and never will. But Cody and Obi-Wan do go through an experience together that binds them, an experience that is uniquely their own. They mean a lot to each other and they are important to each other, but they aren't necessarily the center of each other's lives nor does their relationship eclipse everything else they care about.

Cody and Obi-Wan are one of the relationships that, to me, is most appealing when it's VERY Jedi in nature. From an outside perspective (a non-Jedi one), it might not even look like they're in a romantic relationship at all. Their relationship is their business and neither one feels the need to flaunt it publicly. They're happy the way they are and just because they don't follow the usual standards of what constitutes a romantic relationship doesn't mean they're doing it wrong or that it doesn't exist. I mentioned in the last ask about shipping that I'm aroace, and that tends to impact my view of Codywan, too. I tend to like interpreting them as something in the realm of a qpr (which is how I define ALL Jedi relationships because I don't think most Jedi relationships that work and/or last would look all that similar to what society tends to portray as a typical romantic relationship). In a happy fix-it AU scenario, Obi-Wan and Cody aren't necessarily spending all their time in each other's presence, they may not even live together, they're not constantly touching or making sexual innuendos with each other, they don't have pet names for each other or use endearments.

They both have such a strong sense of duty that meshes well together. Obi-Wan is a staunch Jedi and that means he feels compassion for everyone in the galaxy and is dedicated to helping everyone in the galaxy. Cody is someone who was forced into a life of service, but I like to interpret him as someone who, after meeting the Jedi and getting to know them better, decides that he still WANTS a life of service if he gets the opportunity to choose. He wants, more than anything, to be able to help people. He wants to bring peace and protect people when he can, he wants to represent something greater than himself. This allows them to be happy and fulfilled in their relationship without either of them needing to prioritize the relationship above everything else in their lives.

Obi-Wan enjoys Cody's wit, his steady presence and level head in a crisis, and that he's a sponge for any knowledge he can get his hands on. Cody enjoys Obi-Wan's compassion for life, his zest for learning and desire to pass on knowledge, and his thrill for adventure (whether Obi-Wan would call it that or admit to it or not). They both know they can rely on each other to get the job done without letting emotions get in the way, but they also know that at the end of the day, they can relax and be themselves with each other and find acceptance no matter what. I think Cody probably grows a lot through his relationship with Obi-Wan, that it allows him to understand himself in a way he hadn't been able to do before, and Cody provides an anchor point for Obi-Wan during a time when he's often separated from his regular support system.

I've seen people say that the appeal of Codywan for them is the yearning, but I don't think that that's it at all for me. The appeal in it for me is that it ISN'T something that causes them pain, but something that only really ever brings them joy. Even with Cody being pretty new to relationships in general, I think that he and Obi-Wan are both people who just end up enjoying the feeling of being in live, regardless of whether you think that person is in love with you back or not. They both glean pleasure from making the other person happy or even just SEEING the other person happy. Their relationship flows pretty easily from a professional respect to a friendly rapport to love without there being an obvious distinction between the different stages. They love each other, and it's not an issue that needs to be solved, but an experience to be savored.

None of this means that they never have disagreements or things like that, but Cody's steadiness combined with Obi-Wan's Jedi teachings means that they're pretty good at managing their disagreements without them becoming full-blown fights or major conflicts. Communication would not be one of their problems.

One of the things I like about Codywan is that what we know about them lends itself to an interpretation that they are the OPPOSITE of Anidala. Anidala is defined by its desperation, its secrecy and lies, its lack of healthy communication with each other, its melodrama and heightened emotion at all times, and the pain and fear at its core that leads to its own destruction. My personal interpretation of Codywan is the opposite of all of that. It's not defined by desperation and pain and fear and melodrama, but by smaller things that perhaps make for a less compelling story to people. So many fics turn Codywan into a variation of Anidala, with one or the both of them unable to admit to their own feelings and stuck in a cycle of their feelings for each other causing them little but pain. But if I wanted Anidala, I'd just read or watch Anidala. I want Codywan to feel DIFFERENT than Anidala in pretty much every way. I want their relationship to be based on honesty and trust and simple small moments feeling more romantic than grand gestures. There's no melodrama in my version of Codywan unless they're playing it up as a joke in front of somebody else.

[divine-valley]

Useless

Uj is dead.

He's dead.

He's dead. He's dead. He's dead. He's dead.

He's seen death before.

Seen bodies in the Killing House.

They all look the same. All the same face. All the same voice.

But those were just strangers.

They were clones, trainees just like him but they didn't mean anything.

None of them were his brothers.

He's alone.

Flint and Walker are nowhere to be seen.

There's too much to see.

A decade of training doesn't prepare you for the real thing. Nothing can prepare you for the real thing. The chaos of a battle field. No instruction, no leadership. No intelligence! What the hell were they thinking? Why was no one taking charge?! The Jedi he had been following behind just gave the shout of a charge and that was it.

That's all? You're a Jedi, a commander, this is not proper leadership at all!

Those are dangerous thoughts. Questioning your leaders.

How can he not question it? How can he not?

They're scattered.

Not just the commandos but the CT's too. They run blindly forward, their bodies crumble and collapse. Their blood soaking into the red sand beneath their corpses.

Commandos are special. Superior. Something truly special. If he was feeling like this...they must be in utter disarray.

He forces himself to swallow down the bitter taste in his mouth. He forces the image of Uj's prone body out of his mind and his scream to be swallowed by the deafening roar of battle.

After today he might not have a single squad brother left.

You're useless alone.

The old words of his training sergeant whisper in his ear.

Yeah. A lone commando can be pretty useless...but he isn't alone. He is surrounded by others.

By brothers.

Before he can even understand it himself he is barking out orders. Heads turn, men swarm in on him. Somehow in the madness of it all order is made. It is not perfect, they are in no way parts of a complete set but it would have to do for now.

Adrenaline is a hell of a drug. It kept him going and going and going until there is nowhere left go.

No one left to shoot.

The day has been won...

It doesn't feel like a victory.

Doesn't feel like the victories from back home when they've beaten their best time or perfected their latest training regiments.

This is...hollow.

"You injured?"

"Huh?"

Another commando is beside him now...he doesn't know him.

"I, I don't think so."

He might be shellshocked. That's what it's called right? Is that supposed to happen? Were they not designed to be like that? Being meat droids and all that.

"You did good. I saw you. Without you taking charge, plenty of men would be dead right about now."

He cant help but let out a weak huff breath.

"Yeah?...I'm not usually one to take charge..."

He doesn't ever want to be in charge again.

He can't tear his eyes away from what's in front of him. Doesn't even notice when his arm is grabbed and he is lead away. They don't speak, they walk in silence. It's strange...walking beside someone who isn't...one of the others. One of his own.

Is he alone now too?

Does he feel just as useless as him?

"...I'm...Crossfire..." He manages to say his name.

His name was the last thing Uj had said.

"I'm Steel."

"Good name."

"Yours too. Story behind it?"

He nods his head.

"Yeah...maybe I'll tell it to you sometime?"

Steel nods back.

"I'd like that."

[shmistarkiller]

So since it's been a few weeks since I first watched The Acolyte, I feel like I've managed to gather my thoughts about what I think some bits from s1 were hinting at wrt Qimir's backstory. This is just what I think, I really never expect anyone to agree with anything I say lol.

Obviously we know Vernestra was his master, and that she somehow ended up betraying him, using her saber-whip to carve that gnarly scar up his back.

I think where I probably differ from most if not all other viewers is, I'm of the opinion Qimir was actually fairly young when it happened. Like, younger than a teenager even.

The whole thing with him building the cortosis helmet based on the sensory deprivation ones younglings use. I guess that might not necessarily mean anything, but it would make sense to me that he'd more likely be inspired by it if he'd been abandoned closer to the age when they would be using it. He uses cortosis specifically to keep other force users out of his head, his former master by far who he most wants to keep from reading his thoughts. The fact that he reacts like a little kid being caught by their parent when Vernestra senses him again on Brendok could be a trauma response, him reverting to the last time she was in his mind. He keeps the magic helmet of protection on for the rest of the time until they leave Brendok and he's safely far away from the cause of his fear.

Osha saying she never heard of him? What if it's because Vernestra dispatched of her little youngling padawan not long after the beginning of his training? The loss of a youngling who hadn't been with the Order for very long would be a lot easier to cover up than one of the older padawans. Create some story of a tragic accident to be documented in the official records, Jedi are supposed to be all too-bad-so-sad-but-no-attachments anyway, so it goes completely unquestioned.

So then, what the hell did Vernestra see a small child do that led her to think leaving him for dead at her own hands was a reasonable reaction? She gets echoes from the force of the combat & slaughter that happened on Khofar and it's very clear she senses something familiar. It could just be that she's sensing the presence of her long lost padawan by itself, but it would be real gnarly if this is something she's seen quite literally before. I'm not saying fetus!Qimir managed to kill a bunch of people in the same way that adult!Mr. Stranger did .. but I'm not *not* saying that either.

I think it builds a stronger case for the kinship he feels toward Osha (and maybe initially with Mae as well). The twins were 8 years old when their personal life tragedy struck, so I can see him connecting more strongly with Mae's story if he too had been of a similar age when his own personal life tragedy occurred. Extra reason why he'd feel so much more in common with Osha, how much he recognizes himself in her.

Idk how deep I wanna dip my toes in on the Plagueis stuff, but if I can get back on my Ben Solo bullshit for a second, it wouldn't surprise me if old Muun-man Plagueis was whispering in little boy Qimir's ear. And Vernestra, rather than actually try to save an innocent child, would instead cut her losses, viewing him as a liability/lost cause already practically fallen to the dark side. We know The Acolyte doesn't shy away from citing the inspiration it took from TLJ, so I can easily see "You failed him by thinking his choice was made. It wasn't." applying here as well.

(And maybe the irony there is that Luke having attachment to his nephew is what kept him from attempting to murder Ben until he was at least a grownass adult. Whereas Vernestra who lives in the height of the Jedi Order's power would definitely be less inclined to preserve the life of a literal child if she thought they could prove to be an eventual threat to the status quo she prefers. Either way, a foregone conclusion. You treat a child like they're a monster, guess what they grow up to be.)

EDIT (09/07/24): Can't believe I forgot this one. The way Qimir is so callous about killing Jecki. Sol says she was a child, and his response just comes off very "yeah, so what, so was I (when I was left for dead)". Qimir seems convinced Jedi masters leading their padawans to their potential/inevitable death is definitely just A Thing™ that happens.

Some extra quibbling with ideas I just rather disagree with ..

I've seen others theorize that Qimir could actually be older than he looks and that it's Plagueis feeding him whatever that ability is to stay young/immortal, but I personally can't really think of any actual reason why that would be the case. His line about having been a Jedi a long time ago is pretty vague, so while it could apply, I'm not particularly swayed by it being proof of this theory.

I guess the other thing is people think he and Sol grew up together and were padawans at the same time? Which ties back into the idea of him being older than he looks, but again, there's nothing particularly convincing me of that idea either. When Qimir shows up masked and goes, "You don't remember me?" And Sol replies, "I do sense something familiar." To me that came off as taunting that none of them caught on when he was pretending to be the apothecary. (If anything, I initially for whatever reason thought the "You?" "Surprise!" exchange between Yord & Qimir was hinting to the idea that they'd known each other, until I remembered the aforementioned bit about Qimir's messy girl apothecary charade.)

Vernestra mentioning that she remembered Sol as a shy little padawan, and having been Qimir's master seems to be another reason for the prior two theories. But to me that ignores the possibility that Vernestra herself could also have been a child when she first met Sol. It's less clear to me since she's a humanoid non-human SW species, for all we know she could be the one who's way older than she looks because of that. And if she was already an adult and knew both Sol & Qimir as children, that still doesn't mean that was at the same time.

Okay. I think that's everything. (And if it's not I'll quietly come back and slip in whatever relevant edits I'll want to add in.)

[gffa]

I know this has been talked about many times before, but I still don't know what we are supposed to think of Padmé's actions when she comforts Anakin after he confesses to murder in cold blood. He feels guilty and all, but he continues his shitty behavior even before he became Darth Vader, and then does it again. It's just hard for me to see Padmé as some sort of saint in that scene. And are we even supposed to see it that way anyway? There's no official answer, which makes it all the more mind boggling to me. When people say she forgave and did the right thing, it's seems unjustified because he still did it, he regretted it, but he also said "I hate them". Idk I'm sorry if this is too long. I just have a lot of thoughts on this scene.

Hi! For me, I've settled into a balance between "there's no hard narrative intention here, so I just have to let it go" and "here's my best guess at a look into what little has been said about her" and "here's what makes sense to me as someone speculating about her character on my own". I think it comes down to two things: 1) Natalie Portman's comment about how Padme thinks she can save Anakin as a motivation for her character and 2) that as complicated as it can be in some ways, the Tuskens were written in an extremely racist way, especially in that their deaths do not register with Lucas the same way other races/cultures would. Which means that while this should be a point-of-no-return moment for Anakin's character, while it should be recognize that he's murdering children here (and I do think that's meant to have weight, that the dialogue specifies he knows he's killing innocent lives), I don't think the narrative fully does so, and instead treats it as his "first step" onto the path of darkness, one that he can come back from. And I do think a lot of that comes from Lucas, much as I applaud him for being progressive in other ways and genuinely seems like someone who was trying to do better, does portray real world elements in a racist way in the movie, they're treated as less than human here. (I will say that Padme also is willing to take Anakin back even after he murders the Jedi younglings, so there's a little wiggle room here, in the way she reacts, but the racism is pretty undeniable and a big motivation here.) But because the narrative and the author don't treat his murder of the Tuskens as a point of no return, Padme can't treat his murder of them as a point of no return, so instead her reactions are based on the idea that, yes, this was bad, but it was something that still left good in him and she's trying to reach out to that good, she's trying to save him. As much fun as it is to examine these characters from a more realistic lens, so much of Star Wars makes a lot more sense when you consider what Lucas was going for on a thematic level--in a lot of ways, Padme isn't written for herself, she's written as a baromter of where Anakin is at. When she comforts him, it's because we're meant to see Anakin in a place of emotional turmoil. When she backs away from him on Mustafar, we're meant to see him as having crossed a line, unwilling to come back. When she says, "There's still good in him." on Polis Massa, we're meant to understand there's a glimmer of hope for the far-off future. I don't think it's really about Padme's character at all, I think she's written--as SO MANY of the elements of Star Wars are--to be an extension of Anakin's character, because the story of Star Wars is the story of Anakin Skywalker. I love love love some of the excellent meta that examines these scenes through the lens of what Padme is thinking and feeling and what her character arc is about. And I may be being uncharitable to the writing for her, but it's largely where I've settled just so I can stop itching over it. For me, I don't think Padme was "right" or "wrong" on Tatooine, I don't think we're meant to see Padme as any kind of saint. I think she's balanced between "Padme thinks she can save Anakin, but ultimately she cannot, Anakin has to be the one to choose to come back himself" and "Padme is basically a symbolic dark side meter, as so many of the characters in SW are symbolic of various aspects of Anakin".

[liopleurodean]

how can you look at the story of Anakin Skywalker and not see it as a tragedy.

you have a boy born to slavery on one of the most inhospitable planets in the galaxy, born with powers no one can explain to a father that doesn't exist (and exists in everything) and a mother who cares so much but is helpless. and then others like him come and he is free but his mother is not, and is he really free? because he still calls someone master and his mother is gone and he is forced to follow rules that don't make sense and all he really wants is to be like them but they never wanted him in the first place and he's older than everyone else but he doesn't know half as much as they do but he's ten times more powerful and got to be an apprentice first but his "master" is grieving and maybe? doesn't really like him and everything is his fault even though it's not.

and then the boy grows up and struggles, tries so hard to be what everyone wants him to be but he still remembers and maybe they were right, maybe he is too old but it's too late now and this is everything he's ever wanted, right? and he misses his mom but he's not supposed to so instead he turns to machines that won't hurt him, something that he can fix and won't make fun of him or talk about how he's the "chosen one" (and what does that even mean?) and his master tries to be kind but this boy can tell that he causes problems and no one knows what to do with him and the only person who seems to care is the Chancellor but his master doesn't really like him (none of the Jedi do).

then the war comes. he knows it's not what he's supposed to do but she's the first person who really cares and knows about his mom and she was there, she knew where he came from and none of it matters to her. he gets dragged into the war and he finally has something he can do, he can channel his anger and pain into helping people and saving lives and at the end of the day she's there, someone that he can lean on aside from the Chancellor.

eventually he gets more people. the boy could be considered a man now, but he doesn't really feel like one, but the Jedi think he's ready so they give him an apprentice, someone quick and sassy and full of life and so much like him, and he has to keep her safe on the battlefield and teach her things he doesn't really understand himself and how is he supposed to be a role model??? but he has his Captain who maybe understands a bit and his master who doesn't (except that he does, all too well, but won't say it) and his apprentice teaches him a thing or too and the Chancellor is there like always. and he knows that he's not supposed to feel this way but something about fighting feels right, is freeing in a way being a Jedi never was, but that doesn't make sense because being a Jedi is everything.

the war drags on and things get worse. he loses men all the time (men, not droids, real people who care) and he thought he lost his master but he didn't, but then his apprentice walked away (and he understands, he really does, but she left and now what is he supposed to do), and he keeps losing more people and he's so tired of everything. his apprentice comes back asking for help and of course he wants nothing more, but his friend the Chancellor is in trouble and he's been given orders so he leaves his Captain, the last of his circle, to keep his apprentice safe. he leaves and his master is proud and he saves the Chancellor and she is pregnant and the war is ending and everything finally seems to be working out.

then he finds out the Chancellor is a Sith. his friend, the person who always supported him, even approved of her, and. her. she's pregnant, and he's been having visions. she's in danger, and his master would never understand, never support him, and he tried going to the other Jedi but they ignored him, and his family is far away and she's all that he has left and the Sith is his friend, right?

so he tries doing the right thing. he tells the Jedi that the Chancellor is the Sith Lord and they believe him, but they leave him behind and they've been asking him to spy on his friend, and they insulted him before and now they've sent his master away and the Sith knows, can help her, and he thinks he doesn't have any other choice. so he saves the Sith, kills the Jedi, and now this slave-boy-man is Vader, and the Dark has seeped its way into his mind to cloud his judgement. he goes to the Jedi, because the Sith says they will kill her, the one person he has left, and the Dark is screaming in his mind to blot out the Light telling him otherwise.

now the Jedi are gone, and the war is nearly over but he needs to finish it, because it's the last thing putting her in danger, the last thing that could make his visions come true. but then she arrives, covered in burning Light, trying to tell him he is wrong, but how can he be wrong? she always supports him, she's the only thing he has left, and of course. the master is there, the one that never wanted him, and of course he has turned her away, he always thought it was wrong, of course he's here to try and stop what Vader has started. so they fight, and the master brutally wounds him but refuses to kill which is almost worse, and the Sith comes and fixes him (fixes, yet shackles him up as another slave and it burns), and tells him that he killed her. killed her, and their children, and his master is against him and surely his apprentice is dead at the Captain's hands (and later he finds that the Captain is dead too) and now he truly has no one left. his story comes back around to where it started: a slave boy, alone, with nothing but his power and chains.

later, a boy comes. from the same slum planet, but this boy is Free. the same power, but he is brighter, kinder, never had to kick and bite and claw to be seen as a person. this boy is Vader's son, thought to be dead, proof that the Master is full of lies and was wrong. the Master wants the boy dead but Vader cannot, will not, not when the boy had already been dead for so long. the boy sees Vader, in a way that none since the apprentice ever have (and he still wonders about her, who disappeared before she could feel the bite of his blade), and this child says no. this Free child sees the chains of the Dark around what remains of Vader's lIght and refuses to let go.

this child, with the master's teachings and the apprentice's ferocity and the Captain's wisdom and her Light, says Anakin Skywalker is not dead.

what else is he to do but agree?

in Vader's last moments, he sees everyone who ever cared, and realizes that Anakin Skywalker was not alone. Vader was the Master's puppet, and it takes this child, who is not one of his people but rather a piece of all of them to clear out the Dark, moments before both Anakin and Vader are no more.

[marvelstars]

I think there´s not enough talk about the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan and Anakin relationship with Padmé.

In the fandom there´s a take that Anakin didn´t trust Obi-Wan and that´s why he didn´t tell him about his relationship but I don´t think this case is so simple, the problem wasn´t just Obi-Wan´s reaction, it was also the council of the Order and the fact that not marriage is an actual rule in the order nobody is supposed to break, a rule they definitely were not going to change just to accomodate Anakin.

The truth of the matter is that while Obi-Wan tried to be a supporting teacher he usually takes the council side when they and Anakin have a disagreetment, this happens in the movies and in the clone wars series so my guess is that this is usual behavoir with Obi-Wan in relation to Anakin, in this both Anakin and Qui-Gon are very similar. Obi -Wan often disagreed with Qui-Gon for fighting the council and told him that he already would have been part of the Council if he didn´t fight them so much.

Anakin is aware of this, he also knows Obi-Wan has worked for years towards getting a place in the council, it´s important for Obi-Wan in a way it never was for Anakin or Qui-Gon. So part of the reason Anakin didn´t told him was because he thought Obi-Wan would not approve but also to not put him in the ankward place of knowing about Anakin´s marriage and not tell the council to which he belongs.

It´s fun because Obi-Wan knows, Anakin knows and Padmé knows but they never, ever talk openly about it because it would be making it a reality.

Still even if Obi-Wan is supporting that doesn´t mean Anakin can stay a Jedi once it´s discovered and this was something Anakin knew. In the ROTS novel he talks about becoming one of the new "lost ones" because he can´t keep being a Jedi once Padmé gives birth.

From Anakin´s pov, the main reason that linked him to the Jedi Order was Obi-Wan, he wasnt happy in the order, he didn´t agree with some of their principles and he very much wanted to be Padme´s husband so his main interest in the clone wars was to help the Order during the war, make sure Obi-Wan was safe and once the war was done he was planning to leave the Order to live with Padmé on Naboo.

It´s pretty clear in ROTS he just wants the war to end, he doesn´t care if it´s Obi-Wan or him the one who defeats grievous, when Palpatine brings the matter to make Anakin mad at Obi-Wan, Anakin just shurgs, as long as the war ends everything would be ok and he mostly just wanted to follow Obi-Wan because he was feeling worse day by day on, Coruscant, he wasn´t sleeping and he was worried for Obi-Wan and Padme.

Obi-Wan knew in a way it was a matter of time for Anakin to leave the Order, his words very much sound like a goodbye before he left to fight grievous so I believe one of the reasons he didn´t want to talk about this with Anakin is because he didn´t want to make it real and make Anakin leave sooner. This is also why Anakin´s main conflict in the movie is to make sure Padme survives the birth, not wether he remains a Jedi or not, his decision was already made in that area.

In a world where Anakin doesn´t fall to the darkside and there´s no Empire I believe he still would have left the Order to be with his family but not because he could not tell Obi-Wan but because it´s simply the way the Order manages itself and Anakin wasn´t in a possition or had the wish, to ask them to change their rules.

Curiously enough it was Padme the one who insisted to Anakin to stay in the Order after their marriage and during the war, she only had a different oppinion once it was clear they were going to have a child and had to plan towards the event of Anakin being left outside the Order and her to lose her position in the Senate but in the end, both of them wanted to have a family on Naboo.

Anakin is making me all sad for all the trust he had in Palpatine here, he had confidence that everything would be ok once the war ended. Of course Palpatine told him he was going to bring peace, he just didn´t tell him how he was going to do it.