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(a/n): You guys asked for an Anakin POV, so I have delivered😏💕

Anakin POV:

I lay awake in my bed; currently moody, having only run on about three hours of sleep. My eyes burned from lack of sleep, as well as from the early morning light that shone non-consecutive rays onto different parts of the elegant blue and gold dominated room. I had no doubt that there were many bags under my tired blue eyes.

She didn't come last night. And I waited for her, long into the dead of night until I forced myself to fall asleep. I didn't have a nightmare, thankfully, but my mind and body were so restless that I was awoken every time I dozed off.

So, to sum it up, last night was hell.

At first I was pissed when (y/n) didn't come, and I even thought about punishing her. But that would make me seem petty and desperate, and I can't have that. She already knows that I rely on her a great deal to help me with my nightmares and insomnia.

After my anger faded, it instead dissolved into pure frustration. I needed her. And she knows that, yet she still didn't come. Is she just toying with me? Using my vulnerability to get me to fall to my knees and beg her?

And on that note, it's already frustrating enough as it is that I've let myself be so vulnerable around her. But when she offered the opportunity to help my nightmares go away, I couldn't pass it up. I'm not sure how she did it so well, but I already saw a significant change in my sleep routine after that first night.

It's peculiar considering our usual dynamic of hatred and trivial bickering, but I feel so peaceful around her whenever she tells me those random stories. Her voice, her energy, and simply the fact that she's taken time to help me with something I've been struggling with for so long has sparked a different feeling inside of me. A feeling that is quite the opposite of the hatred I used to feel towards her.

That's why when she didn't come last night, I was genuinely afraid, knowing I would have to endure the long night on my own. I didn't have her odd stories or the comfort of her presence to lull me into a peaceful sleep.

I chuckled to myself as I remembered the most recent time she was in here. She doesn't know this, but I purposely left the door locked that night, because I didn't want her to leave. Of course, I'd be too prideful to tell her that. So I did what felt right in that moment, and locked her in with me. She fell asleep after only a couple mere minutes, and I couldn't help myself as I wrapped her up in my arms, like a toddler clinging onto his favorite pillow. Having her in my arms felt so relaxing, just knowing she was with me the whole night made me feel safe, like she was my shield from the nightmares that haunt me.

And, as if a miracle had happened, that was the best night of sleep I've had in my life.

I sighed and heaved myself out of my bed, receiving a headache of dizziness from my quick movements. I trudged over to the sink of my bathroom and splashed my face with the ice cold water, drenching the ends of my hair in the process. I looked back up at myself in the crystal clear mirror; beads of water slowly dripped from my forehead down to my cheeks, and then to my neck. I gently gripped the edges of the sink for support as I watched the droplets of water slowly evaporate on my bare chest.

The water reminded me of when I pushed her into the pond yesterday. Feeling her shiver against my chest when I spoke into her ear arose so many butterflies in my stomach. And the way her body fit perfectly in my hands, like a missing puzzle piece finally finding its rightful place.

I clenched my jaw, mentally scolding myself; I need to get my mind off of her, but I can't. And it irritates me that I can't stop thinking about her this way.

I'm Anakin Skywalker; the chosen one, both respected and intimidated by many. No one has ever had this kind of power over me, not until her.

Ever since she's started helping me, I've been less grumpy, and I've even begun to see her in a different light altogether. Her sass and stubbornness used to annoy me, but now I just find it amusing and even adorable at times.

And I don't know how I could've missed this before, but she is so beautiful. I was almost angry yesterday when she tried to hide her scar from me; if anything, it makes her look gorgeously badass, and she doesn't even know it.

But then I left yesterday. I left as if I was in a hurry for something crucial, because I found myself getting close to her, closer than I ever believed I would. And truthfully, it scared me. I've never let my walls down for anyone the way I'm beginning to with her. And I hate that this scares me, because nothing scares me.

I tried to mask how I feel by being a boring, strict Jedi Master as I used to be with her. But some charades simply can't be performed for too long.

All these thoughts of her stirred together in my brain, creating a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I gripped the edges of the sink tighter until my knuckles began to turn white, breathing heavily as my burning frustration seemed to dry out the rest of the water droplets running down my skin.

What is she doing to me?

(y/n) POV:

"Where does this one go?" I asked, holding a roll of gold ribbon with silver sequins embroidered on it.

Avery squinted down from the latter she was standing on, currently putting up a different color ribbon on the rims of each light holder. "Put those on the other side." She instructed.

I nodded and walked over to the side of the room opposite from her, grabbing another latter and carefully climbing up it. I reached for the metal rim of the first light holder, and tied my black ribbons precisely around it.

The theme for the masquerade ball tonight is 'Black and White.' And since I don't have any dresses or costume props, my Mom is letting me use one of hers from when she was my age. I haven't seen it yet, but I am fully aware of her sublime taste in clothing and fashion, so I have no doubt it'll be gorgeous. All the people in Aldera are invited, and to ensure that nothing catastrophic happens, there will be a weapon and security check upon entry.

This will be my first ever ball, or even my first party in general. I'm ecstatic, to say the least.

Also, it will be a great distraction from the 'epiphany' I had yesterday. Ever since then, I all but avoided my Master. It's not like he was eager to talk to me either yesterday, after he had left so abruptly. I was so jittery the rest of the day. I did end up getting the tasks done that he wanted me to do, so I saved myself another lecture.

Though, I completely ghosted him in the night when I didn't show up for story time. I didn't give any heads up, or warning. I literally just didn't go. I mean, how could I have? After admitting to myself that I'm falling in love with him, I couldn't bring myself to be alone with him in his room. I'd probably pass away on the spot, or melt back into his arms the second he falls asleep.

I've never been nervous around Anakin, not like this. And despite what Avery said about him having feelings for me, there's this voice in my head telling me that that's ridiculous, that he could never feel that way about me.

I sighed, feeling conflicted on what to do as I climbed back down the latter. Tonight can't come any sooner; I need to get my mind off of this.

"Are you done with this side?" A voice asked right behind me.

I gasped in shock and spun around, placing a hand over my heart as if that would calm it down, "You nearly gave me a heart attack." I spoke accusingly.

Avery's eyes widened at my slight outburst and she held her hands out defensively, "Sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you. What are you so jumpy for?"

I sighed nervously and shook my head, "Nothing, I'm just....afraid of heights. Being on that latter made me nervous." I lied coolly.

She rolled her eyes with a smirk while taking the empty ribbon roll from me, "Does this latter happen to be tall, blonde, and moody?"

I gave her a disgusted expression, "Ew, no." I shook my head. Even though I was thinking about Anakin, it wasn't anything close to whatever weird euphemism her mind conjured up.

I quickly changed the subject, "So anyways, are you going to tell Mom about you and Luca? Tonight might be the perfect opportunity."

She groaned in frustration, taking me by surprise, and grabbed a random napkin from one of the tables to fidget with, "I had that idea too, but Luca has been acting weird these last few days. He keeps disappearing to God-knows-where, and every time I talk to him, he seems so on edge about something, but won't tell me what it is." She suddenly looked so gloomy.

I furrowed my brows in utter perplexity from her words. How could Luca just disappear, with no one knowing where he is? I'm fairly certain that either me, Avery, or our Mom needs to be informed if any of the guards decide to leave the palace. Or even if they leave their posts or duties for whatever reason, we should know about it, I assume.

"That's pretty sketchy." I spoke uncertainly.

She narrowed her eyes slightly as if offended by my comment, "What's that supposed to mean?"

I sighed, "Don't you think it's weird that he isn't even telling you where he's going? I mean, unless he's planning some sort of surprise party, then there really isn't any good reason for him to be acting like the way you said. It just doesn't sit right with me."

Maybe this is just my heightened suspicion talking—considering my secret identity—but I'm instantly finding that extremely suspicious. I know that Avery trusts Luca, but even she knows that we both always have to be on high alert about the people we surround ourselves with. Being a royal has its perks, but most of the time the dangers and strict rules outweigh all the good parts. That's what my Mom has told me, at least.

Avery scoffed and tossed the napkin she was fidgeting with back on the table, "Alright your Highness, if you're that worried then I'll just ask him again." She then stormed away from me and out of the room, leaving me alone and absolutely stunned, and slightly hurt.

Why is she so upset? I understand that having someone close to you be suspected for something possibly ill-indented is probably not fun to hear, but it's better to be safe than sorry. And if I'm wrong then that's great, because we'll know for sure that we can trust Luca.

I sighed and shook any and all thoughts out of my head, and went back to decorating.

Obi-Wan POV:

"Knock knock." I joked playfully, gently knocking twice on the already opened wooden door to the Queen's office.

Lilliana looked up at me from her chair and sighed when she saw me. She glanced back down to what I assume was a legality paper on her desk. "What do you want, Kenobi?"

I chuckled and leisurely entered the small room to stand in front of her desk, "Well, don't get too excited." I rose an eyebrow in amusement, keenly aware of her drab attitude.

She looked up at me once more, "Get to the point before I lodge this into your nasal tract." She held up a feather pen threateningly.

I looked down at her in surprise, at a complete loss for words. It was a bit early in the conversation for her to give a threat like that; usually those begin after at least a minute.

She then sighed after a moment and put the pen down, "I'm sorry, that was extremely uncalled for. I suppose I'm just anxious about tonight."

"For your daughter?" I questioned curiously.

She nodded and stood up out of her chair, and started pacing around the small room. "I don't want to be too restrictive, because she deserves the chance to experience a party like this after being confined to the Temple walls her whole life. But many villains still wander the galaxy, all who consider her valuable. And now that Alastair knows she's here, the last thing I want is for her to be out in the open at a ball where hundreds of people will be; all in costume. Anyone could strike at any moment." Her voice picked up it's pace as she neared the end of her rant.

To stop her from pacing, I placed my hand on her lower back comfortingly, feeling the softness of the purple lace against my fingers, "Everything will be alright, my love. If you would like me to keep close to her the whole night, I can do just that." I offered.

Lilliana gazed up at me perceptively the whole time, as if she had just realized something. She then glanced down at my arm that was still resting across her back. Ignoring my offer, and moving on from the anxious speech she just gave, she changed the subject, "Why are you here, Kenobi? In Alderaan?"

From her energy and expression, I knew instantly that she was simply curious, and that her question wasn't meant to attack me in any way. Though, it still caught me off guard, and from her shrewd insight it seemed that she knew I was here for more than one reason.

I sighed, and swallowed my pride as I spoke my next words, "I didn't just come back here for (y/n)."

She rose an eyebrow, cueing me to go on.

Taking the biggest—and probably most idiotic, depending on how this ends—leap of faith I've ever taken, I ran my fingers up and down Lilliana's back slowly, feeling her perfect curves through her satin dress, "Call me a fool, or even selfish, but I simply wished to see you again."

She blinked twice in shock, and a deep crimson color splayed across her features. She looked down and away from me, taking my hand off of her back, "Obi-Wan, stop."

I instantly retracted my arm, feeling my heartbeat quicken with fear, "Did I make you uncomfortable? I apologize, that was not my intention at all."

She shook her head, causing her (h/c) waves to bounce back and forth over her shoulders. "No, not at all. But you and I....won't work. It can't work. I couldn't do that to (y/n). And even so, you're a Jedi, and I'm a Queen. We're bound to our own rules." She crossed her arms while still looking away from me.

I got the sense that it was more than that, but I decided to not press it now.

I chuckled and placed my hand on her cheek, guiding her eyes back to meet mine, "You and I both know that (y/n) would want you to be happy. And since when have you fretted over the rules? I seem to remember sneaking you a piece of pie from the kitchen all those years ago when it was meant to be saved for an important event." I smirked, hoping that memory would lighten the damp mood.

She smiled slightly and leaned into my touch, "I remember that. I felt so sick the next day, but being the first to taste that pie was worth it." Her expression faltered into one of gloom once more, "But I still don't think this is a good idea. I've only ever been with my husband, and I feel that doing this would be betraying him, and (y/n)." She looked up at me sadly.

I nodded, and smiled to mask the pang of rejection I felt in my heart, "Well, if you ever change your mind, you know how I feel." I spoke softly. It was never said outwardly, but I made it very clear in our past encounters that my feelings for her were far beyond professional. But I respected that she was married, and loved her husband deeply, so I never made any crude actions upon her. She is a smart woman, though, and could easily tell how I felt from my behavior and manners.

"Will you at least save me a dance tonight?" I asked hopefully.

She smirked in amusement, and brought my hand off of her cheek, patting it affectionately in her own hands, "Of course I will."

I left Lilliana's office feeling satisfied for the most part. I anticipated that she wouldn't be ready to indulge me simply because of my feelings. The way I feel for her has never changed, and the optimistic side of me still hopes that I may have a chance with her. Yes, I am a Jedi, completely throwing the book of rules I live by overboard. The primary reason being is that ever since (y/n) came into the lives of the Jedi, Yoda all but disregarded the attachment rule. He doted on her, spoiled her, and treated her as if she was his own child.

That being said, he is also aware of my feelings for Lilliana. To my surprise, he said that he condones it as long as I don't let my emotions cloud the primary reason I'm here. But it doesn't stop there; he and I both have our own little wager going on about a possible romance we believe will happen soon.

Avery POV:

As I paced across the palace, I also blew off some of the steam that arose from my conversation with (y/n). I probably overreacted at the end.....Okay, I definitely overreacted; but to hear her practically say that she's skeptical of my boyfriend wasn't exactly fun. I get that she's just trying to protect us both, but I know Luca, and I know he would never do anything to hurt either of us. But (y/n) doesn't know him like I do; I just have to convince her that he's on our side.

Although, I myself am curious as to what he's been up to recently. As I told (y/n), Luca has been disappearing at random hours and won't even tell me what he's doing or where he's going. On top of that, he's super skittish around me. The part that's worrying me the most now is that I didn't really think much of it until (y/n) pointed out how weird it all seems.

Nonetheless, I'm sure that if I try talking with him again, he'll finally tell me where he's been going and what's bothering him. Then I can pass it on to my sister, and all will be well once more.

With that optimistic thought in mind, I entered Luca's room without knocking. "Luca? You in here?" I called out for him.

I wasn't going to beat around the bush; the second I see him, I'm just going to rip the bandage off and ask straightforward. (y/n)'s suspicion placed an unsettling feeling inside me, making me want to prove her wrong. I felt bad for even considering that he could be up to something vile, but that's why I'm going to confirm that he isn't.

He appeared out of his washroom, seeming to have just gotten dressed as he put on his gloves. He jumped slightly when he saw me, and then sighed, "Hey, what's up?"

"Where have you been going lately? And why are you acting like a jumping bean?" I blurted the questions out before I could even think about them.

"What do you mean?" He asked like he was confused, then went over to his mirror to style his blonde hair.

I followed close behind and threw my hands in the air, "You know what I mean. It's like you evaporate into the air at the most random times, and I want to know why. (y/n) is starting to get skeptical and I want to assure her that you're not doing anything sketchy."

I had finally got his full attention, as he turned around and looked at me curiously, "(y/n) is skeptical of me?"

I nodded with a pointed expression, "Yeah. So just tell me everything so that we can all move past this."

Luca's expression became blank; or at least, I couldn't read it or even guess what he was thinking. He spent quite a few moments staring off at nothing, in deep thought. I rose an eyebrow confusedly.

He suddenly shouldered past me, returning to his skittish mode. "I need to take care of something." He left the room as quickly as I came in. I stood in the same spot watching his figure depart, feeling not only even more confused, but also the same level of suspicion as (y/n).

(a/n): Thoughts on this one? I apologize if each POV was pretty short, I just wanted to add them all in this chapter so that the next one could play out how I plan it too. And on that note, I'm excited to say that I plan to have another chapter out sooner than usual! Bear with me, because I know y'all will love it🥰

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