Anakin POV:

As Obi-Wan and Master Luminara discussed the success of our mission, I stayed walking behind them in the dimly lit Temple halls while lost in thought. It still felt so weird to say; I was going to propose to her. To (y/n), which isn't something I ever thought I would do, but here we are.

And to think this all happened—our relationship, the drama, the truth about the prophecy—just because she was drunk and emotional that one night.

Buying the ring was just the first step, though. Now I need to come up with a good plan for how I'm going to propose. So I'm not going to do it right away, maybe in two weeks or at least after I've had time to plan and mentally prepare myself so that I don't have a pre-proposal seizure or something of that matter.

I'm glad that Obi-Wan is in on the surprise, because now I have some much needed brainpower for this plan. He was right; I have no doubt that (y/n) will say yes. But I was worried that maybe this was too soon for her, despite the fact that we've made it clear that we love each other multiple times now. I might be naive for believing this so soon, but I know that I'm ready and that this is the right step to take.

Thinking back to our lives before any of this happened; I can't believe how blind I was throughout our friendship. It's always been her, her and I together. I just never realized how powerful our connection is until recently, and it all just makes me want to do this even more.

I now just had to hope that she felt the same, that she was ready for this next big chapter. If she says yes but wants to wait, then that's fine with me. I just want to make this official between us at some point. Call me sappy but, I have always loved the idea of weddings. No matter how big or small, it warms my heart to imagine (y/n) and I saying our vows together.

I'd never tell anyone that, though, except her. Only she can see my emotional side. And possibly Obi-Wan if he's not being a sarcastic know-it-all, which he usually is at least seventy percent of the time.

"What do you think, Skywalker?"

All the thoughts running in my head left me as I immediately diverted my attention to Master Luminara, who stopped walking and turned towards me. Obi-Wan stood beside her with an amused look visible in his expression. He knew I wasn't paying attention, and probably what I was so busy thinking about.

I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck ruefully, "Can you repeat that?"

She smiled softly and made eye contact with Obi-Wan for a moment. both of them sharing entertained glances at my aloofness. She turned her head back to me and nodded, "I was asking if you were alright with Kenobi and I debriefing the mission. You should get some sleep. You fought tremendously today and must be exhausted."

I sighed in relief and was about to respond but Obi-Wan beat me to it, "Be careful with those compliments. They may inflate his head too much that it's all he'll be thinking of during our battles."

Another big head joke? Obi-Wan should know me well enough by now that I always fire back after more than one.

I scoffed and crossed my arms, "You're not much better. You were probably thinking about a certain tall, dark and handsome beau during the battle today." I rose an eyebrow deviously as I spoke, completely aware that we had unknowing company.

Obi-Wan's eyes widened for a split second at my blatantness, and then he pretended to cough when Master Luminara looked curiously over at him, "He's joking. We joke like this all the time." He reassured and chuckled nervously.

She shook her head at how immature we were being, which made me assume that she didn't suspect anything, "Come, Obi-Wan." She beckoned for him to follow her down the large hallway.

Obi-Wan sighed and glared at me as he began following her. I just shrugged with an innocent smile; I don't actually know if he was thinking about that during our battle today, but I'm sure it crossed his mind at least once. The difference between Obi-Wan and I is that I'm willing to take dangerous risks like that in front of the other Jedi, whereas he is definitely more logical and sensible.

Not that it's necessarily a good thing that I'm so risky, I've just always been that way. And so far, it's always worked to my advantage.

As I retired back to my quarters, an idea popped into my head about the proposal. I've been so worried that she's not ready for this, but maybe if I make her feel extra special over these next couple of weeks, then she'll be swayed in the direction I'm in. We could travel to Naboo and spend a day by the lakes, or in the town, or whatever she wants. She's done so much for me and I just want to be able to do the same for her because I love her so much. We're the perfect team, she never gives up on anything, everything about her draws me in and I can never stay away from her for too long. I don't care if that's because of the prophecy because we know that our feelings are real.

When did I become such a giddy schoolgirl? I know I've always been more emotional and attached than the other Jedi, but I swear it's never been like this. That's how I know I'm truly in love with her, though. She's changed me in ways that I didn't even think were possible.

I've decided; I'm taking her to Naboo tomorrow. During my visits there in the past, I've come across many stores and gift shops with a bunch of cool little things I think she'll like. We'll sneak out, or maybe I can get Obi-Wan to cover for us when we're gone since he's done it before in the past.

I finally got to my quarters and when I stepped inside, I noticed that all the lights were off except for a small lamp on my nightstand. As I approached my bed, I noticed a lump under the covers on the right side next to the nightstand. I smiled at the sight in front of me; (y/n)'s head was poking out from under the large white comforter and she was already fast asleep.

It was unusually early, I noticed, for her to be asleep already. She usually doesn't sleep until around midnight. But then again, she may just be super tired from whatever she did all day when I was gone. I began undressing and suddenly started feeling exhausted myself. I think the events of the day are finally catching up to me.

After doing my quick night routine, I was left shirtless with some black sweatpants and sleepily trudged over to my bed. I gently climbed under the covers and nudged (y/n) in the other direction so that I could have more room, "Scoot over."

I heard her shuffle slightly and she let out a small groan, "No, you're the liability...." She mumbled sleepily.

I chuckled at the cute sleep-talking state she was in. She talks in her sleep pretty often, and it's never anything that makes sense. It's usually just random words and phrases jumbled together. It's a good thing that I don't talk in my sleep, I would probably give away the secret of the proposal. At least I don't think I talk in my sleep. She's never told me that I've done anything like that so I'm assuming I don't.

She turned over in her sleep and was now facing my direction, so I gently wrapped my arms around her form. I was about to doze off into a peaceful sleep when I heard her say something else in her sleep; but this time it really caught my attention and suddenly I wasn't so sleepy anymore.

"Can't tell Anakin...."

(y/n) POV:

I awoke feeling stiff and somehow more exhausted than when I actually went to sleep. All the information I learned yesterday hit me at once and I wasn't as prepared for it as I thought I'd be. I lazily rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and then stared blankly at the plain beige wall ahead of me. If this plan works—if I can actually locate the Sith—then what happens next? Just because we might find them doesn't mean that fighting them will be easy.

None of this will be easy, and the thoughts of how this could turn out were giving me more unnecessary stress.

"Hey, are you awake?" A soft voice asked from behind me.

My body twitched in surprise and I thought I would have a heart attack; I completely forgot that Anakin was here. "Yeah, I'm awake." I responded in a quiet voice, trying to sound cheerful despite my contradicting stress.

I suddenly felt the bed shift and a finger began to trail itself up and down my arm slowly. My bare skin felt sensitive to the gentle yet electrifying touch, and it caused me to shiver. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" Anakin asked in his same soft voice, but I knew he was leaning over me because I could feel his breath against the back of my neck.

"Yeah." I whispered, afraid my voice would crack if I didn't. It's so difficult to think or talk properly whenever he's this close to me.

"So, is there anything you want to tell me?" He asked in a low voice, directly into my ear as his lips grazed the inner shell of it. My breath hitched in my throat at this type of contact which he knows drives me crazy, but right now I was more confused than anything. When I didn't answer right away, he began kissing softly down my neck to my shoulders, still moving his finger up and down my arm in an almost mocking way.

What is happening right now?

It hasn't even been a day, does he already know about the Council's plans for me? He couldn't possibly know. I didn't tell him, and I know that no one from the Council would tell him. But I can't think of why else he would be doing this and acting this way, since he's most likely trying to get an answer out of me. And it definitely doesn't help that my mental walls are up, so I wouldn't be surprised if he knows something is off.

My mind was racing with why he could be doing this or how he even has the suspicion that I'm not telling him something, so I didn't feel as dazed as I normally would.

"No, everything is good." I spoke casually and turned towards him on my other side to look at him so that I would seem normal and not too distant. He nodded but didn't look convinced as his blue eyes gazed down at the sheets, which just worried me more. I had to make sure everything was as normal as possible for these next two weeks.

But knowing my luck, that probably won't happen.

I smiled cheerfully and ran my fingers through his messy hair, "Got any plans today?" I asked, changing the subject.

The atmosphere became less tense as Anakin's features immediately brightened. He smiled big, showing his pearly white teeth, "We are going to Naboo today." He declared.

I blinked a couple of times and rose my eyebrows at his bluntness, "Naboo?" I chuckled, "What are we gonna do there?"

He threw the covers off of himself and got off the bed, then grabbed both of my hands to help me move to sit up at the edge of the bed, "We're going to spend the whole day together. Just you and me, and no distractions or having to hide from the other Jedi in the Temple. I know a bunch of cool places to visit and we can do whatever you want." As he spoke, he sounded almost desperate in a way I couldn't explain.

I sighed but still smiled at him, "Anakin, you don't have to do all that for me." I didn't want him too many credits on me since that's something he's often tried to do. But also, I don't think it's a good idea for us to be around each other for a whole day right now.

He rose and eyebrow and intertwined our fingers, "Ah come on, we both know you can't resist Naboo's Karlini tea." He spoke in a tempting tone.

He was right; in the past anytime we had to go to Naboo for any reason, I'd always find a way to get myself some of their signature Karlini tea. It's not that we didn't have tea here at the Temple, but it's just the plain herbal kind with no specific flavor. But Karlini tea has such a weird flavor that it's somehow so good. It tastes like a mix of an exotic tangy berry and a contrasting sweet caramel flavor.

Anakin used to sneak some into his pockets for me if I wasn't able to get any, and then we would share it in the cafeteria after arriving back at the Temple.

Those are definitely some of my favorite memories of us when we were kids, and I was being pulled by the temptation to relive those memories with him.

But I decided to tease him first.

I frowned and shook my head, "I don't like that tea anymore, how could you not know that?" I pretended to be upset and crossed my arms in an irritated manner.

He retracted his hands and I saw an embarrassed tint glow upon his cheeks, "Oh I-I didn't—I'm sorry, I didn't know that. I'll remember this time." He apologized with a sad look in his eyes.

I couldn't keep a straight face and ended up giggling at his adorable reaction. This is one of the many reasons I love him; he cares about even the small things.

"I'm just messing with you, of course I still love that tea." I reassured, and his confused expression shifted into one of annoyance as he glared down at me for scaring him like that. I just smiled innocently up at him and grabbed his hands once more, bringing his soft palms up to hold my cheeks.

He rolled his eyes as an amused smile formed on his lips, "You're lucky that you're cute." He leaned down to kiss me softly, and I kissed back while still holding his hands on my cheeks.

He pulled away from me and began getting dressed by picking up his clothes that rested on a chair by the door, "Get dressed, we should get to Naboo as early as possible before the shops become crowded."

I nodded in agreement and hopped out of the bed so I could start my morning routine in the washroom. I didn't ask, because I knew by now that Anakin was probably going to ask Obi-Wan to cover for us. Which, I don't know how he'll do it, but it's always worked in the past somehow so I'm not doubting him this time. Obi-Wan has a different kind of intellect that I've never before understood, but it's probably better that way.

Time skip~

Anakin and I were talking with Obi-Wan in the halls, and we had persuaded him to cover for us while we're on Naboo.

"What are you gonna tell the Council?" I asked, curious since I don't actually know what he tells them when Anakin or I is gone.

He sighed and began stroking his beard in thought, "Well, I'll most likely say that you both went on a fuel run for our ships." He stated simply and shrugged.

I rose an eyebrow incredulously.

That's it? That seems too unbelievable since we're going to be gone for the whole day most likely. And going on fuel runs isn't exactly a job that anyone here wants to do.

Seeming like he just wanted to leave already, Anakin grabbed my hand and pulled me around Obi-Wan, "Great, thanks Obi-Wan, I owe you one." He saluted him in goodbye.

"Wait." Obi-Wan called to stop us. We both turned around in confusion, as he looked between the two of us hesitantly. He seemed conflicted, like he was trying to say something but couldn't for some reason.

Finally his eyes landed on me and he tilted his head toward the direction of another hallway, "May I have a word?"

I blinked at the unexpectedness of his request, "Now?" I asked confusedly.

He nodded and this time I could see a slightly urgent look in his eyes, and I knew that this couldn't wait for after we got back from Naboo.

I looked over at Anakin—whose brows were furrowed as he looked between Obi-Wan and I— and brought my hand away from his. I nodded at him with a smile, signaling that I'd be right back. He didn't say anything but kept a puzzled expression as Obi-Wan and I strolled into another empty hallway, and I could tell we purposely stopped at a distance where Anakin wouldn't hear us. I crossed my arms, "What's up?"

Obi-Wan sighed exhaustedly, and I could now clearly see the eye bags under his soft blue eyes, "I'll start by saying that I know what the Council is asking you to do." He spoke in a quiet tone.

"Oh." I rose both of my eyebrows and nodded slowly in understanding. I guess that makes sense, since he's on the Council, so he should know about this. Since he knows, though, it's probably going to be hard for him to keep this from Anakin as well.

"I apologize for this, but I lied about my excuse for the Council. I happened to tell them that you, and only you, are going to Naboo. I'll probably just use the fuel excuse for Anakin." He chuckled. That would be believable, actually. In the past Obi-Wan would send Anakin on fuel runs if he broke any rules or didn't follow orders; and it wasn't even out of spite or as a way to get him to follow protocol, it was just for his own entertainment.

"Wait, why did you tell them that?" I asked.

He moved to lean his back against the wall of the hallway, still stroking his beard, "It's a wonder that I still remember this, but before my old Master, Qui-Gon, passed away, he taught me about something interesting while we were on Naboo for past missions."

Qui-Gon. Now that's not a name I've heard in a while. I had met him only a few times, and I was very young when he died so I don't remember him as well as someone like Obi-Wan would.

I nodded for him to continue, feeling intrigued now.

"I'm not sure if it is still there," He paused for a moment, "but.....Qui-Gon and I explored one of the jewelry shops on Naboo, and out of all the other items, we noticed a very pretty bracelet. It was silver—very bright silver—and the only decoration on it was a crescent moon. I had never seen anything like it because of how bedazzling it was, and I was even so tempted to buy it. But Qui-Gon immediately stopped me and told me why it was so alluring."

He looked over at me once, with a serious expression, and then back straight ahead, "He informed me that that bracelet is in fact a force talisman. Jedi or Sith, or even if you're just force sensitive, this talisman heightens ones powers in the force beyond their natural abilities. That's why it was so alluring to me, because this bracelet practically calls out to all force sensitive beings."

My eyes widened at his explanation, and I was at a loss for words at first. I had no idea something like that even existed. The force is all natural, it's the way of life and death altogether, so it perplexes me that this is a real creation. Someone made this so that force powers could be heightened; and using it seems like treading dangerous waters.

But then again, I've already dove head first into those waters. A little further couldn't hurt.

I held my hands up to stop him from continuing as my confusion was evident, "Wait, this talisman sounds like the perfect weapon for the Sith. Did Qui-Gon take it? Or throw it away?" There was no way he would've just left it out for anyone to take.

Obi-Wan shook his head sadly, "That particular building was caught in the crossfire of a battle we had with a traitor in the Senate. They planted bombs in many of the shops, including the one we were in right as Qui-Gon was explaining the talisman's powers. The shop owners rebuilt their business, and salvaged what they could, but I'm not sure if that bracelet is among it. And after all these years, too."

I hummed and considered what he was saying. If I found this talisman then it could make locating the Sith a whole lot easier. It would definitely be like playing with fire; I'd have to make sure I don't get burned by becoming power hungry.

Obi-Wan had a point though, it's been so many years since that battle and the bracelet could be long gone in someone else's possession.

Or, if luck chooses to be on my side today, it could still be there.

I could convince Anakin to buy it for me, since he's been so insistent on buying me something today during our trip. I feel bad for turning this fun trip into one of business, especially since he doesn't know about it when both Obi-Wan and I do, but this is an opportunity that I can't miss out on. I know Anakin would do the same, if it meant helping to save those he loves. And that's just what I want to do.

I moved to stand in front of him, and put a hand on his shoulder, "Alright, tell me exactly what to do."

(a/n): Yayyy I finally finished this chapter! I'm sorry it took so long, I was so stressed this week and had no idea what I wanted to have happen, but then the idea popped into my head earlier today haha. I'm very satisfied with this plan and I hope you guys like it too💕