A/N: Not sure how I feel about this one, but it wouldn't leave me alone, ha.

Anakin never became a Jedi he stayed on Tatooine.

Reviews/votes are just as good as Anakin's kisses. Enjoy ♡

┊ ┊⋆ ┊ .

Nights at the Skywalker's homestead were what they looked forward to the most.

The chasm above unveiled billions of stars laced across the velvet black skies. Often, it reminded them of an entire galaxy beyond the dustbowl of Tatooine. Up there they would be free to be anyone they desired. Aspire to dreams long held within their souls after a particularly grueling day in Wattos junkshop run by their smarmy Toydarian owner.

At night the city was quiet, softened by the golden lights that illuminated the adomed edifices spread across the silicate plains. The way the night winds rolled the granule sands was like the first breath before dawn. It nestled in her hair, brushing back curls of burnished sienna akin to the undulated crags the twin suns burned down behind.

"What do you think it's like flying up there, in the stars?" The lacquer of her honeyed gaze widened in wonder; a reflection of her spirit as her lips parted in reverence. "It has to be positively beautiful."

A rich, deep voice that had long crescendoed from boyish adolescence answered, "An old spacer once told me, you don't have to accept what you're given." Taut arms forged from his technical prowess crossed behind an unruly head of golden curls. "One day, we're going to leave this planet, Kie. I've dreamt it so many times."

"Ever the optimist, Anakin." She sighed, breathing in hints of funnel flower and desert plumb tangling off the winds from the Dune Sea outlined in the horizon. "Kit and Wald have a bet going that you'll become a pilot for the Republic."

Anakin scoffed. Dark azure eyes glimmered with disdain. "Fat chance. Can hardly stand the kriffing poodoos when they do dock."

A soft laugh slipped past her lips as her thumb fiddled nervously with the pocket of her russet pants. "Tell me this is not because one of the captains hit on me."

A low growl resonated in his throat and hinted at jealousy. "Don't remind me. Watto had me sorting scraps for a full cycle. Could hardly see straight after."

"Better than a lashing." she shrugged.

"Yeah, mom wasn't too thrilled." He mumbled almost shamefully.

"She wouldn't even let me come over for two standard days." She could still picture the resilient middle-aged matron. The rigors of work did little to hide those weathered, sharp eyes directed at her son. Her hands had been placed pointedly on the swell of her hips with a distinct clink of the mladong bracelets that bound her wrists. The usual soft-spoken woman whose dark hair had been pulled back from a severe forehead hardened in reprimanding. Until the storm that was of Shmi Skywalker passed, Kieda had stayed in her own quarters.

Though in the same vicinity as Slave Quarters Row, it had still been lonely. Given the absence of her own familial brood that had long passed on. When Shmi had graced her with her presence days later, she'd been grateful. The woman like a second mother had gifted her with a basket of pallies.

The Skywalker's favored fruit.

Excuse my son's behavior, Kieda. Eighteen-year-olds have the hormones of a rancor it seems.

Remembering the matron's words, she couldn't help but laugh aloud with a shake of her head. As grains of sand shifted beneath his long, lean frame, she felt more than sensed Anakin turn on his side.

A small boyish smirk tugged at the corner of his lips tapered by the winced at the coarse texture. The dim lights from the balcony accentuated the usual playfulness in his eyes and glimmered. "I know that laugh, what is it Kie?"

Her honeyed gaze warmed considerably as she mirrored his actions. One scarred palm that spoke of her fragility in nature, braced against her head. "Your mother is quite a woman and never ceases to amaze."

Variegated hues of blue softened considerably in his eyes and mirrored the warm smile that unfurled. "I know... I'll never take her for granted. Though I am okay sharing her with you." He bit his lip and grinned. "You know she loves you."

She felt her cheeks warm and shyly cast her eyes to the sandy grounds Anakin would sweep off the homesteads balcony before they retired for the night. The pad of her finger slowly traced a pattern through the grainious layers.

Tears swelled as the love permeating Anakin's words reached into the sensitive crevices of her soul. "Thank you, Anakin." Having always been strangely attuned to the emotions of others she added in a hoarse voice, "That means everything to me."

"You know it to be true, Kieda." His voice had softened to a depth that had her eyes raising to his. There was a deep earnestness that riveted her when those eyes searched hers.

Then, he leaned towards her.

Kieda felt her heart skip, her breaths shallowing.

This was the very boy who had captured her attention the moment she'd been brought in at five standard years. Watto had been pleased to have an extra hand in the shop for domestic work. Scared and unsure, she'd been introduced to a lanky youngling with cropped sandy hair and a self-assured confidence. He'd introduced himself and from that day, a seamless friendship was forged. Such assurance would help boast her meek nature and take him far in the podracing events held in Mos Eisley. She, Wald, and Kit would be left to cheer on from the sidelines with each annual Boonta Eve Classic.

While his mother, Shmi, forcibly looked on in pursed worry.

That empowerment that torched his spirit would herald her own in the years that followed. He'd yearned to see what lay beyond the stars, captivated by the tales told by those who docked at the spaceport. But he'd also encourage her to dream alongside him, regaling her with skits or made trinkets she'd kept on a shelf at home. As they'd grown together, feelings would surface, bridging the gap between friendship and partnership.

Even in that time, he hadn't crossed over the precipice that would take their friendship deeper, like he were waiting for that moment spontaneity ingrained in his nature. Of course, she'd never made it a secret, her feelings. Never had she felt the need to hide them. In fact, he seemed to appreciate how open she was around him. Even when her parents had passed after a tragic cave-in from a spice mine, she'd remained raw and vulnerable around him, willingly accepting his strong embraces and endearing forehead kisses.

Unlike other boys she'd seen play on the few girls around, Anakin had only ever bestowed such gestures on her.

It was no secret he was a very striking young man who rivaled standard beauty ideals. Reminiscent of the angelic beings pilots revered with his golden hair, contoured bone structure and piercing eyes. Numerous advancements had been made on him from sentients over the years. An absurd number of peggats had been offered that would set him and his mother up for life.

Yet without hesitation, Anakin firmly refused every single offer each time.

As he adjusted the crook of his elbow to balance his weight, a calloused hand borne from laborious work reached out and brushed the side fringe of bangs half concealing her eyes. With a small quirk of his lips, he looked at her just once then reached over.

And touched his lips to her's.

Soft and featherlight, immediate sparks lept between them.

Before Kieda could comprehend the full reality, she was leaning into his chest, her lips moving with just as equal fervor with a mix of experimentation and longing. Their breaths molding as one, a hand tangled into those curls bleached from the twin suns, while a thumb curled over the arch of his ear.

It felt like hours they remained there, making up for lost time, before they finally parted to pull in a breath.

Whoa that was... quite good.

She felt his lips lift against hers. A low dark chuckle resounded in his throat as a gleaming smile filled with elation broke across his lips. "Kieda..." he breathed silkily.

"Anakin," she whispered against his lips, doe-eyed and innocent as her lids slowly fluttered open. "I've never done that before."

"I know."

"What, what does this mean?"

Pleased by her reaction with a hint of cockiness, he answered by angling his head and pulling her deeper into the kiss, sending her senses reeling while a low, peculiar heat uncurled in her abdomen.

Cobalt eyes seared into her's with an intensity that brokered thought. Masculine hands corded in muscle curled around the nape of her neck while he replied in a husky voice, "I am going to free you, Kieda Gray. You're coming with me. To the stars..."