The Archer

Chapter Seven: Flying lessons

The next morning I woke up to a message from Master Nu. She told me that she had been informed I wouldn't be able to show up to my shift at the Archives this morning due to "other obligations" - although she didn't specify what kind of "obligations".

This was obviously Anakin's work. So he actually made it possible. There are probably certain advantages to being a high-ranking general.

We were only supposed to meet at 10, so I took my time getting ready. I even went to the canteen for a small breakfast - where I met a few of my colleagues while trying to grab some bread. "(y/n!)", Leyla shouted and ran up to me. "We haven't seen you in a few days ... we were beginning to wonder if you'd been avoiding us." She gave me acrooked, apologetic smile. "Come and sit with us - they won't ask you any weird questions, I promise. I told them to leave you alone." I felt a wave of affection for her.

"I appreciate that, Leyla. But..." I took a quick look at the time. "... unfortunately I'm already running late. Urgent appointment. I'll see you later!" Without waiting for her answer I turned around and left the canteen with quick steps. I just really wanted to avoid any questions about my plans for today.

Apparently Anakin's style of communication has rubbed off on me.

I stepped onto the roof terrace into the daylight, leaving the darkness of the Temple halls behind me. The weather was expectionally great today. Not a single cloud in sight.

I already saw him waiting for me from afar and almost tripped as I felt my heart dropping from the sight.

Anakin was leaning against a speeder - probably the one he had chosen for our „lesson". His arms were casually crossed in front of his chest and he was looking down on something. I followed his gaze and noticed a blue astrodroid sitting right next to him. Anakins hair was lightly blowing in the wind, the sunlight giving it a golden shimmer.

He was undeniabely and unreasonably attractive.

I quickened my pace. At that very moment Anakin looked up, and as he saw me, a wide smile appeared on his face.

"(y/n!)" he called as I was approaching him. "I hope you're ready!"

"As ready as I could possibly be." I stopped in front of Anakin and my gaze wandered to the droid.

Anakin noticed that. "That's my droid - Artoo. He'll accompany our flight today. Artoo - (y/n). (y/n) - Artoo."

I crouched down to greet the droid. "Nice to meet you, Artoo. I'm glad you're there, because - between you and me - I'm actually deathly afraid of flying." Artoo answered with a row of loud beeping noises.

Anakin chuckled. As I looked up to him I noticed he seemed - surprised.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. It's just that most people I meet don't approach a droid like that. I don't think Artoo is used to that kind of courtesy. It's just... unusual, that's all."

"Oh, no! He's totally cute. We have many droids working with us back at Uni on Alderaan."

I got up and examined the speeder I was supposed to fly in. From a distance it had looked almost small - a managable, reasonable size at least. Now that I was standing right in front of it, it seemed huge to me. I cleared my throat. "So this is the speeder we're going to fly in today?"

"Precisely. The speeder you're going to fly. " Anakin quickly leapt to the side of the ship and opened the door, holding it open for me. „After you."

It took me a moment to realize that he wanted me to get in the pilot seat.

"Absolutely not."