Work Text:
The main deck aboard the Twilight was dimly lit, save for the soft, flickering glow of the holoprojector. Padmé’s figure hovered a foot above the console, blue-tinged and dignified, framed by the grid-like backdrop of the holoscreen. The formality of her gown contrasted with the faint static curling around the edges of her image.
Ahsoka stood beside Anakin, arms crossed, the toe of one boot tapping with quiet impatience.
“Thank you for making time,” Padmé began, her voice calm but clipped with efficiency. “The Senate Oversight Committee received your report, but I’d prefer to hear directly from you.”
“Of course,” Anakin said smoothly, folding his arms. “Always happy to deliver good news.”
Padmé’s eyes flicked toward him, narrowing slightly, familiar with his tone.
Anakin’s jaw shifted as he nodded. “R3-S6 was a Separatist asset,” he said. “A plant. He sabotaged critical systems, delayed us mid-engagement, compromised ship functions. Nearly cost us the mission.”
Artoo chirped with anger at the sound of R3’s name.
“He nearly cost us a lot more,” Ahsoka muttered. “Goldie—ugh. All show, no core. He fooled us all….”
Anakin shot her a sidelong glance. “Stubby was full of deception, a separatist droid in a paint job. Not even their best could replace Artoo.”
Padmé’s lips pressed into a tight line. “Speaking of, how is Artoo now?”
Anakin’s smile dimmed just a touch, his gaze drifting toward the little astromech now stationed quietly near the door. “They captured him for his potential intel. His memory core… wasn’t wiped.”
Padmé didn’t flinch, her eyes sparkling with a sense of knowing Ahskoka barely noticed.
There was a strange silence between their words - one Ahsoka didn’t understand but felt all the same. She glanced between her master and the senator. The air had gone still.
Padmé’s expression softened, but only slightly. “I’ll update the committee that the mission succeeded, and that no sensitive information was retrieved. That’s sufficient for their purposes. The official debrief can end here.”
The hum of the holoprojector filled the space that followed. Anakin shifted, a hand brushing the edge of the console without touching it. “Well, that went smoother than most meetings I’ve had today.”
Ahsoka’s brows drew together. She flicked her gaze between them again. Something unspoken passed their silence, something old, intimate, and just slightly off-key. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
“Artoo,” he said, with a quiet exhale, “was… incredible. As always. Held his own inside the enemy ship, found the listening post and took out double crossing droid for good measure.” He gave Padmé a grin. half cocky, half real. “You should’ve seen him. He is special that one… One of kind!”
Padmé’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly - relief, maybe, or irritation. She let out a soft sigh and arched one eyebrow, folding her arms. “I can’t believe you almost lost him.”
Anakin looked at her, and for the briefest moment, Ahsoka caught a flicker of something in his eyes she’d never seen before. Not irritation. Not defensiveness. Something quieter. Regret, perhaps. Or grief disguised in pride.
“The imperative word,” Anakin said, “is almost. His fine. I’m fine. Everyone’ fine!”
Artoo let out a contented series of beeps, clearly proud of himself.
Ahsoka smirked, letting out a quiet breath. “It is nice to have him back,” she said, glancing at the dome-shaped droid with a smile. “Goldie was all bells and buttons. Artoo actually gets things done.”
The droid gave an affirmative chirp and spun his dome for flair.
Padmé allowed herself a smile, warmer than before. “Ahsoka,” she said mildly, “I’ll need you to keep me informed if your master finds himself in any more… complications.”
Anakin’s head snapped toward her. “Wait - what?”
Ahsoka grinned. “Sorry, Skyguy. Senator’s orders. Can’t argue with politics.” She shrugged with a playful smugness “After all, Artoo is more than a droid, he is a friend… right master?”
Anakin gave an exaggerated groan, but Artoo beeped something that sounded suspiciously like encouragment. Ahsoka chuckled in response.
As Padmé’s image faded into static, replaced by the cabins dim light and quiet hums, Anakin watched the space where her image had been for just a second too long - long enough for Ahsoka to notice, but not long enough to question it.
His gaze moved slowlyto the astromech, battle-worn, dented, but whole.
He gave a small nod. “Good to have you back, buddy.”
Ahsoka didn’t say anything. She just tilted her head at her master.She didn’t know why losing Artoo had rattled him so much. She never thought that her Jedi Master, someone who was suppose to not have attachments, would fight so hard for a droid. Now that the droid was back, she sensed his relief. Like he’d just gotten a piece of himself returned. Perhaps one day she would understand.
Artoo whistled a low, affectionate sound and rolled closer, nudging lightly against Anakin’s boot before settling at his side.