"🙆"
ANAKIN WATCHES THE sun die behind the horizon with a sense of finality stirring between his breaths. The sun takes its warmth with it, && an evening breeze becomes a sandstorm all too easily.
The cave they’d retreated to in light of their little altercation with the sandworms && each other provides adequate shelter from the teeming perils of the night. Anakin sits at the mouth of the cavern with a shiver set into his skin by the elements. Sand && dust sits at the corner of each eye && along his scalp, a thin layer of grime that mattes the dried sweat on his desert-darkened skin. He grinds his teeth together && feels the grains slide between his molars. His good hand clenches into a taut fist at his side.
Despite all this, the sky is gorgeous, a painted canopy of stars loosely fastened to indigo heavens. Not a lone scrap of cloud cover to obscure his view. Anakin closes his eyes && imagines sitting at the controls of his ship && ploughing through the layers of sky, tearing at dim blue && bloated purple with shudders of speed, until the play of atmosphere-blurred light would be replaced by the midnight silver of deep space. Freedom.
&& all he needs is to find Obi-Wan to get it.
On the periphery of his vision, Chani’s return registers, && he watches her pass him && travel further into the cave, muttering something about him being stubborn && childish. The insult is so familiar it’s almost comforting. That is, until he can hear her approaching again from behind. The moment of stillness that follows is casual enough for Anakin to believe she’d returned to her corner of the cave. However, the effect is ruined when he feels someone tugging at what was likely an errant curl at the back of his hair.
He freezes.
❝ You have dirt, ❞ Chani says flatly, && continues threading her fingers through his hair. && Anakin is too shocked to do anything but let her.
essenceofhispenance said: // SHE WOULD DO THAT
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