Office hours [all day]

[sith_happened]

Anakin had dreamed about Padmé again last night, feeling an almost irresistible draw back to the island (which he had damn well resisted, thank you very much. He was here because he had a job, not because the island wanted him), and was feeling guilty and cranky Anakin wasn't one to trust feelings of calm, warmth, and love. He wasn't really used to feeling them.

And the feel of waiting that the island seemed to be exuding had set the skin on the back of his neck crawling. His hand kept twitching toward the lightsaber he wasn't wearing on campus.

The door was open, but be wary of the twitchy Jedi.

Comments

[solo_sword]

"Damn straight." She managed a little smile. "I know. It's just that the first week is going to be the worst. I'm past anger and tears and have moved on to self-deprication and acceptance. It's just hard to think of the rest of my life and forever right now when at the moment the most sensible thing seems to be 'nope, not doing that again.'"

[sith_happened]

Anakin smiled back. "Preaching to the choir. I was burned very badly."

Pause.

"Um, literally."

[solo_sword]

Oh, Anakin, you did not just make Jaina want to laugh at that. So wrong! She held it back, but warned, "That was the worst phrasing ever, Grandfather."

[sith_happened]

"It really was," he admitted with a rueful laugh. "I do like setting new standards, but perhaps in terms of break-ups it's best not to emulate me."

[solo_sword]

"Yeah, okay, you win that one," she said with another little smile, and teased, "Next week I'll bring you a trophy." Yes she was joking.

[sith_happened]

"I'll put it next to my 'Galaxy's Best Dad' mug that Luke sent me," Anakin said. "I didn't know my son had a sense of irony." He gave her a slightly wary look. "Do you need a hug?"

[solo_sword]

"Don't need it, but I wouldn't turn it down," she admitted, standing.

[sith_happened]

Anakin gave her a look of exasperated fondness before wrapping his arms around her. "I'm not exactly cuddly," he said, "but I can give hugs. I believe it's part of the grandfather contract."

[solo_sword]

Only when she hugged him back did she realize maybe she did need it a little. "There's a contract for that?" she asked. "What else is in it?"

[sith_happened]

"I provide candy, unwanted advice and stories about how much better it was when I was your age," Anakin said, projecting comfort through the Force.

[solo_sword]

She did appreciate it, and pulled back, looking thoughtful. "That really does sound like it belongs in the grandfather contract. Are the words 'uphill both ways in the snow' mentioned anywhere?"

[sith_happened]

"I grew up on Tatooine," he said, "so I say 'in a sandstorm. Barefoot. And I was a slave at the time.'"

[solo_sword]

"You always have to win," she said, the corner of her mouth turning up. And since she meant it and she had no idea how much longer she'd be in town at this rate, she added, "Thanks for this."

[sith_happened]

He tousled her hair. "It's what I'm here for."

[solo_sword]

"In that case, tell me something happy," she said, making a face at the touseling. "Tell me you've had a better week or something."

[sith_happened]

Anakin decided not to mention the giant demon in a loincloth adventure. "Juliet's showing some motor control in the Force?" he offered. "She likes throwing balls at my head."

[solo_sword]

Jaina grinned. "I knew I liked her," she teased.

[sith_happened]

"I'm contemplating nailing all of the furniture to the ground before she starts throwing tantrums," Anakin said. "Thoughts?"

[solo_sword]

"I'd say at her age, your furniture is going to start getting ruined sooner or later," Jaina said thoughtfully. "Maybe work on getting everyone padding instead."

[sith_happened]

"I guess it's a good thing the puppy is used to flying," Anakin said with a laugh.

[solo_sword]

"Hopefully he can maneuver well, too," she smiled. "If not... I think he might learn."

[sith_happened]

Anakin laughed harder. "I think this might become her new favorite game. I have to admit I like it better than 'Drop Things on Anakin'."

[solo_sword]

"This needs to be recorded when it happens," she warned.

[sith_happened]

"Puppy flinging or dropping things on my head?" he asked.

[solo_sword]

She considered this long enough that he could probably tell the answer: "Both?" She had to try.