The Shadows Star: Book 2

32: Definitely Not A Date

Their short hike took them through the gardens and towards a sprawling meadow. The sun warmed them as the wind carried their laughter through the air. Roaring waterfalls draped behind them, the blue sky painted with sparse clouds.

They reached the top of a hill and she fell back into the soft grass with a long contented sigh. Anakin took it as a sign and began laying out the blanket and snacks he had prepared. "I'd hate to interrupt, but would you like to join me?"

Sombra smiled, propping herself up on her elbows. "I'd love to." They began to indulge in the spread he had prepared, and it quickly became evident that she was not only impressed but thoroughly enamored with the delightful snacks he had chosen.

He watched her with a soft, adoring gaze, taking in the way her eyes lit up with delight. The warmth of the sun painted a golden glow on her features, accentuating the radiance that seemed to emanate from her.

As they enjoyed the feast, she suddenly began rummaging through the pack to no avail. "Oh, kriff! I completely forgot to pack drinks. I'm so sorry, Anakin."

"That's alright, Sombra." Anakin reached behind him and produced a bottle of wine he had secretly stashed away. "I came prepared."

With a touch of flair, Anakin opened the bottle, and poured out a cup, handing it over.

She took a sip and reveled in the sweet taste that reminded her of the night before. "Thoughtful, chivalrous, prepared, and good in the kitchen. What's the catch, blue eyes?"

Anakin chuckled, his eyes locking onto hers. "No catch, darling. Just a guy trying his best to impress the girl of his dreams." He poured himself a cup and held out his arm, "Let's toast to you, to our bond. To a future that I can't imagine without you," he proposed.

Their eyes met, and a warmth bloomed within her chest. She clinked her cup against his, "To us," she said, her voice carrying all the affection she swore she would never feel.

"Well, Sombra, I don't know about you, but this seems an awful lot like a date, don't you think?"

Sombra chuckled, her cheeks slightly flushed. "You're imagining things. This is just a picnic, nothing more."

Anakin grinned mischievously, "Well if it were a date..."

"...which it isn't," she emphasized.

"But if it were," he continued, I have to say it would be one of the best dates I've ever been on."

Sombra's heart skipped a beat at his words, and a warm smile graced her lips. "And have you been on many dates, Padawan Skywalker? I can't imagine Obi-Wan would have approved of that."

"Oh I've had my fair share of...admirers. None of them caught my attention for very long though. My heart is already taken," he winked and her blush deepened. "What about you, any broken hearts you left behind in your travels?"

Sombra began to pick flowers and braid them together, "I don't know..."

"Sure you do... you just don't want to tell me."

"Are you going to look in my mind if I don't tell you?" She smirks.

"I would only be able to do that on the weak-minded. And you are anything but weak-minded."

"Oh, all right," she laughed. A dreamy look took over her face. "His name was Clovis. We met the first time I came to help Padmé. He was a bit older than me, very cute. Tall, dark hair, dreamy emerald eyes..."

Anakin rolled his eyes, "All right, I get the picture... whatever happened?"

"Nothing, really. I'm a Jedi, he was a new senator. There was no chance for us to even try to work. I still see him from time to time in the Senate."

"A politician? You made the right choice to walk away," Anakin responds with an eye roll.

She shoots him a look of feigned offense. "You don't like politicians do you?"

"You do?"

"Well, maybe not all of them, but I've studied their profession and spent a lot of time among them, both at the Senate and on missions. They do important and valuable work and tend to be very selfless. You truly don't like any?"

"I like two or three," he smiles, "I don't think the system works."

She rolled her eyes, "And how would you have it work?"

"We need a system where the politicians sit down and discuss the problem, agree what's in the best interests of all the people, and then do it."

"That is exactly what they do. The trouble is that people don't always agree. They hardly ever do" She argues.

"Then they should be made to."

"By whom? Who's going to make them?"

"I don't know. Someone."

"You?" She questions.

"Of course not me." He shrugs.

"But someone."

"Someone wise."

"That sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship to me."

A mischievous little grin creeps across his face. "Well, if it works..."

She looks at him in shock as he tries to keep a straight face, but seeing her confusion makes him burst out laughing, "You're making fun of me!" She smiled.

"Oh no, I'd be much too frightened to tease a Chosen One." He said with every ounce of sarcasm.

"You're so bad!" She laughed out. She picked up the flowers and threw them at him. He deftly caught them and she threw a piece of fruit, which he also caught.

As the playful exchange continued, their laughter filled the air, blending harmoniously with the sounds of nature surrounding them. It was a moment of genuine connection, a break from the responsibilities and expectations of their roles.

Anakin caught sight of something massive in the distance and jumped up. "Hey, look at those!"

Sombra scrambled up to her feet and saw a large herd of beasts. "Holy kriff! Those are Shaak! I've never seen one up close before."

He sprinted toward them, and she followed at a distance. He cautiously approached one, trying to get as close as possible. Sombra watched, amused, barely holding back laughter. Then he took a bold leap and started riding it. Sombra burst into laughter as the animal bucked and jumped wildly to get rid of him.

All at once, Anakin lost his balance and tumbled off ungracefully. Her laughter reached a crescendo and she started walking over, "That looked like it hurt!"

Struggling to regain his composure, he tried to push himself up but ended up falling back down. Her heart sank, thinking he might actually be injured. Her laughter ended abruptly and gave way to concern. She hiked up her skirt and dashed towards him. "Ani!" She called out.

Reaching his side, she rolled him over, only to find him laughing at her worry. "So you do care about me, angel," he chuckled and reached out to hold her,

She swatted at his arms, her laughter returning. "That. Is. Not. Funny!"

His laughter intensified as he grabbed her arms and pulled her down on top of him. Together, they rolled down the hill, their shared laughter echoing through the air.

Unbeknownst to them, Padmé observed from the house, a contented smile gracing her face. She had hoped this picnic would bring them closer, and it seemed to be working even better than expected. She understood that life as a Jedi could be lonely and arduous, and if anyone deserved happiness, it was Sombra and Anakin.

As the sun began to descend, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape, Anakin turned to Sombra with a gentle smile. "You know, this has been one of the best days I've had in a long time."

Sombra met his gaze, her eyes reflecting the sentiment. "I couldn't agree more."

He picked up the basket and they began walking down to the house together. Their hands brushed against one another softly until she wrapped her fingers in his, giving him a small squeeze and leaning her head on his shoulder.