Silver-Tongued Company Devil Ch.4 (Patreon)

Tatooine may as well have been one giant sand pit. Sand as far as the eye could see. The heat was dry and the wind was sparse. By the time we’d made it to the nearby settlement, Mos Espa, I was starting to understand Anakin’s ‘sand’ speech.

Even Mos Espa was mostly sand. Sandy streets, sandstone buildings, and sandy people. If not for the Essence enhancing my Charisma and keeping my person clean and attractive, I’m sure I’d be finding sand in uncomfortable places for weeks after we left this planet.

“Moisture farmers, for the most part,” Qui-Gon exposited, having come out of his intense thinking session as we neared town. “Some indigenous tribes and scavengers as well. The few spaceports like this one are havens for those who don’t wish to be found.”

“Like us,” Padme nodded.

“Oh, sure,” I snorted. “Don’t mention the Hutts or their cartels and clans that control this world in place of the Republic. Or the drugs, prostitution, and slavery. Because I’m sure that won’t be important information a visiting young maiden might find useful.”

“And there are those things,” Qui-Gon allowed, unbothered by my sarcasm. “It’s a dangerous world.”

“So please, Your Highness~, try not to wander off,” I teased Padme with a smirk, once again ‘accidentally’ poking the button I shouldn’t have known about.

Padme twitched, turning those beautiful eyes on me with an adorable glare and shooting back, “I’ll be sure to keep that advice in mind, Your Majesty.”

Qui-Gon ignored our back and forth, “We’ll try one of the smaller dealers.”

I tried not to roll my eyes. Why? Like, I get that in the context of the media based on this universe, they needed to connect Padme and Qui-Gon to Anakin. But in the actual universe? Why would a small-timer like Watto be more likely to have the parts we need than a more established dealer? I suppose I just had to chalk it up to the Force ‘forcing’ events to happen and paths to align to bring her chosen into the spotlight.

Walking into the shop, Watto said something I couldn’t translate. Huttese, probably. While Basic was close enough to Multiversal Common English to give me a pass, I didn’t know any of the other languages in the Star Wars universe. They were simply too niche to cover in Finishing School. I could speak Japanese like a motherfucker though.

Thankfully, Qui-Gon was able to understand the blue flying bug alien, “I need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian.”

“Ah, yes! Nubian. We have lots of that.”

Watto called for Anakin in Huttese and Qui-Gon replied, moving the transaction forward, “My Droid has a readout of what I need.”

Anakin — in his cute kid form — ran into the room and had a short verbal exchange with Watto, still in Huttese. Watto then invited Qui-Gon to the junkyard he must have had sitting out back, “So, let me take thee out back, eh? You’ll find what you’se need.”

He flew off and Qui-Gon followed behind, leaving the rest of us without a word. Well, he warned Jar-Jar to keep his hands to himself and not touch any of the Toydarion’s merchandise. But that was it. I shook my head. Honestly, the Jedi — or Qui-Gon, at least — needed to work on their people skills.

Jar-Jar went off to do his comic relief routine. I was trying to avoid him where I could. Nothing against the Gungan, I just wasn’t here for his style of comedy. Padme looked around the shop, probably her first time in a place like this. My focus was almost completely on Anakin — Ana-kid? — And his was entirely on Padme.

“Are you an angel?” He asked her, innocent and cute as can be.

“What?” Padme was surprised by the question but smiled all the same.

“Good eye, kid,” I praised honestly. “You can’t get much more angelic than our little royal handmaiden here.”

Padme shot me a ‘look’ but it didn’t hide her blush at my compliment, “Hush, Dick. I’m sure that’s not what he meant.”

“I heard the deep space pilots talk about them,” Anakin said. “They’re the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They live on the moons of Iego, I think.”

“You’re a funny little boy,” Padme told him.

I hid a wince. If he was just a bit older, that sentence alone would have broken his heart. Hell, even young as he was, I could tell the ‘little boy’ comment got to him a bit.

I tried to raise his spirits with an impressed whistle, “Smooth one too. You’re a natural lady’s man, bud. I’ve half a mind to take you under my wing so I don’t have to worry about future competition for our royal maiden’s heart.”

Anakin just tilted his head cutely, “Huh?”

Padme shot me Adorable Royal Glare #3, “Nothing. You shouldn’t listen to Dick. He’s a bad influence.”

Of course, like all boys told not to do something, Anakin did the opposite, “Cool!”

“No, not cool!” Padme hurried to dissuade him. “Dick, don’t you dare light that cigarra!”

Chuckling, I tucked the pack of Status Sticks back into my pocket, “Sure, sure, I can set a bad example for him in other ways.”

“Like hoOOOWWWWWW~!? Dick!?” Padme squealed, clutching her bum.

“Mmm~” I purred, flashing her a certifiably panty-melting smile. “Nice and squishy~”

“Woah…” Anakin muttered with wide eyes.

“Don’t do that!” Padme ordered, lecturing me as much as she was lecturing Anakin. “It’s not even remotely polite or acceptable. It could even be considered sexual harassment. N-Not that I considered it that… At least, not this time. But! If you want to be anything but a-a… ~rogue~, touching a woman’s b-bu-… behind without asking is something you should never do!”

“Exactly,” I pretended to nod along with Padme’s lecture. “And if you want to do it anyway, make sure to Charm your partner’s socks off and tell her she’s free to return the favor at any time~”

As I said that, I reached for Padme and pulled her firmly into my side. She found herself clutching my chest and looking up at me with wide eyes. My Essence-backed smile never waved, wearing down what little objections she had.

“A-Any time…? E-Even now?” Padme still asked for confirmation.

“Especially now. We’re trying to set a good example of equality here, Padme. Feel free~” I coaxed.

A shaky, hesitant hand reached behind me. It landed on my butt, resting there for a moment. Her eyes never left mine, searching for some sort of resistance or refusal. Finding none, her hand squeezed. And squeezed again until she was groping me with barely any shame at all.

“O-Oh my~…” She stuttered breathlessly.

Anakin’s face scrunched up in confusion, “… You guys are weird.”

Padme jumped slightly, breaking out of her butt-induced trance, “Oh! Ah, a-ahem… Excuse me, I don’t know what came over me.”

She wiggled to escape from my embrace and I let her, content knowing I’d planted another seed of seduction in her mind. I laughed at Anakin’s statement, “We are, at that. But you’ll get it when you’re a bit older.”

Collecting herself, Padme turned her attention back to our new young friend, “Yes, older. And I blame Dick for our weirdness. I was perfectly normal before I met him.”

I grinned, singsonging, “Guilty~ I’ve already started to corrupt our angel here. She seems to think that just because she’s a royal handmaiden, she’s forbidden from having fun.”

“I do not!” Padme gasped. “I have plenty of fun. Just usually, it’s the kind of fun my parents would approve of.”

“Heh, your parents will love me. I’ll guarantee you that,” I teased.

“For some reason, I can’t help but believe you… You’d work your devilish magic and… Oh God, they would, wouldn’t they?” Padme realized in mock horror.

I just smirked at her for a moment before looking back at Anakin, “So what’s your name, bud?”

“Anakin. Anakin Skywalker. I’m gonna be a pilot! Then I’ll fly my mom off this world and we’d never look back!” Anakin declared.

I nodded, “A worthy goal. You any good?”

“Good? I’m the best,” Anakin scoffed. “I’m the only Human able to Podrace on, like, all of Tatooine!”

“Podrace? What’s that?” Padme asked.

“Damn impressive, is what it is,” I whistled, impressed by the ‘new’ information. “Dangerous sport. Even more so than a space battle. At least in space, you don’t have much to run into. Anakin being able to Podrace means he’s got reflexes like a cat and nerves of steel.”

Anakin preened at the praise, “Yeah, I’m pretty great. Mom says she doesn’t like me Podracing but I haven’t even crashed once!”

“And… crashes are common in this sport…?” Padme asked hesitantly.

I snorted a laugh, “More like the norm. I doubt little Ani here has been in a Podrace where at least half his competition didn’t crash. But it’s also one of the best ways for a slave to make money on this dustball.”

Padme looked at Anakin as if she was seeing him for the first time, “You’re a slave?”

“I’m a person,” Anakin glowered. “And a dang good Podracer.”

“I’m sorry,” Padme apologized sincerely. “I’m not from around here. This is a… strange place to me.”

She sounded frustrated by that fact, “I don’t fully understand it and I’m afraid I’ll never understand-… No, I’m afraid I eventually will understand it. And that scares me. Things… shouldn’t be this way.”

I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, “The realities of the galaxy are never kind to confront. Nor should they be. You were lucky enough to grow up without these truths staring you in the face. Ani wasn’t. It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t mean you’re better or he’s worse. Just that you’ve both lived unique lives.”

Anakin was still simmering with frustration and suppressed rage. Padme looked guilty and not fully satisfied. I continued.

“You know what stays the same no matter the life you’ve lived? Kindness. Something we can share no matter where we come from. We can’t singlehandedly put an end to slavery here and now but we can-…”

My inspirational speech was rudely interrupted by Qui-Gon walking briskly back into the room, “We’re leaving. Jar-Jar, quit messing about.”

He didn’t even stop, showing more frustration than I was expecting from the Jedi Master. I was feeling quite a bit of frustration of my own. Still, Padme and I had to move to follow him so we wouldn’t be left behind.

As we left, Padme called back to Anakin, “I’m glad to have met you, Anakin.”

“Me too!” Anakin replied with a shout. I heard the infamous ‘Yippee!’ from him as we left Watto’s shop.

Qui-Gon had a brief conversation with Obi-Wan through his communicator before we caught up to him. After that, he forced himself to calm down and slowed his pace. Padme, Jar-Jar, and I fell in beside him and I made my frustration known.

“What happened? Did he not have the parts we need?”

Qui-Gon grunted, “He did. Wouldn’t take my credits, however.”

“Republic credits on an Outer Rim World? I could have told you that,” I snorted. “At least you didn’t do something potentially offensive and try to mind trick the Toydarion.”

Qui-Gon’s silence was very telling, even if I didn’t already know what he tried to do back there.

“Seriously?!” I didn’t quite rage but it was a close thing. “No wonder he didn’t want to sell to you! You know, you could have at least asked the rest of us. Even if you didn’t have the scratch to pay, I could have.”

Qui-Gon looked at me queerly, “You think you have enough to pay for a hyperdrive engine? Something 20,000 Republic Dataries couldn’t buy? In a form other than Republic credits?”

I shook my head, “Maybe it was a good thing he didn’t accept your money. You were about to get ripped off. 20,000 credits for a T-14 drive is blind extortion.”

I didn’t know if it was extortion. But with my Essence, it definitely was. I could probably get Watto to part with the hyperdrive for free if it wouldn’t raise suspicion. But even paying for it, I was sure I could get a ‘reasonable’ price. ‘Reasonable’ enough for my Company salary to pay for with plenty of change to spare.

The exchange rate between Company dollars and Republic Credits was close enough to be equal. But out here on the rim and especially in Hutt-controlled space, they used Wupiupi. The Company could do either credits or Wupiupi easily enough and a quick check of my Company phone showed 16,000 Wupiupi or 10,000 Credits ready for withdrawal.

“And you’d be willing to spend your own money to solve this issue for us?” Qui-Gon asked.

I rolled my eyes, “What kind of prince would I be if I couldn’t throw money at a problem until it went away?”

Padme giggled at my comment and Qui-Gon seemed to stop and consider it. Eventually, he nodded, “Then I must apologize for ignoring your input into the matter. Such aid would be greatly appreciated.”

“Naboo, her people, and her Queen will not forget this contribution, Prince Dick Jackson,” Padme added formally.

I fixed her with a fake glare, “Don’t make me pinch you again, Missy.”

Padme flushed at my ‘threat’. Before she could say anything more, our attention was drawn by a commotion behind us. Jar-Jar — doing his usual comic relief shenanigans — had gotten himself into trouble with an oddly horse-like Alien that walked on its hands and arms, using what should have been its feet to threaten the Gungan.

Anakin came to Jar-Jar’s aid before we could. He had a short, tense exchange with the Alien who had to be three times his age. Amusingly, they were still about the same size and the Alien backed down first.

“Hi,” Anakin greeted Qui-Gon as he approached.

“Hi there,” Qui-Gon must have felt strange to not be needed to peacefully (or not) solve the situation Jar-Jar caused.

“Your buddy was about to be turned into orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug. An especially dangerous Dug called Sebulba.”

“Thanks for your assistance, my young friend.”

“Yeah, good looking out, Ani,” I added as well.

Sand buffeted us in the face. At some point during all of that, the wind had kicked up. Suddenly, Mos Espa found itself moments away from being engulfed in a sandstorm.

“Storm’s coming. Do you have shelter?” Anakin asked.

“We’ll head back to our ship,” Qui-Gon replied.

I snorted, “Like Hell, I’m walking back through that mess. If we’re not blinded, we’ll be ripped to shreds by the sand.”

Anakin nodded, agreeing with me, “He’s right. Sandstorms are dangerous… I know! You can come back to my house!”

No one objected so that’s what we did. The storm kept picking up as we hurried after Anakin. By the time we made it to his door, even the buildings of the town weren’t providing much shelter from the cutting wind and sand. Getting inside and away from the storm offered some well-needed relief.

“Mom! Mom, I’m home!” Anakin called into the house.

Wiping her hands on a towel, Shmi Skywalker walked into the front room of this small, love-filled house to greet her son. She paused briefly upon seeing the rest of us but her gentle smile never truly wavered.

I couldn’t help but stop and stare a little bit. Shmi Skywalker was prime MILF material. THE Star Wars MILF. Force-chosen, potentially-virginal, and understatedly-beautiful. She emanated an aura of gentle, motherly love that was oh-so comforting and just different enough from my own mothers that I didn’t feel wigged out by finding her attractive.

Shmi invited us to stay for dinner. With the storm still raging outside, we took her up on her offer. It was good food. Home-cooked and full of love and skill that made up for the lackluster ingredients. The company was good and the conversation flowed naturally, even over the difficult subject of Anakin and Shmi’s circumstances.

“All slaves have a transmitter placed inside their bodies somewhere,” Shmi said, walking around the table to refresh our drinks.

“I’ve been working on a scanner to try and locate mine,” Anakin added.

“Any attempt to escape-…”

“And they blow you up!” Anakin finished for his mother.

Padme’s sheltered upbringing reared its head, “I can’t believe there’s still slavery in the galaxy. The Republic’s anti-slavery laws-…”

“The Republic doesn’t exist out here,” Shmi cut her off, showing that she still had a bit of fight and pride in her despite how much life beat her down.

“Even on some Republic worlds, there’s still slavery,” I added. “Life is never as simple or kind as you might think, Padme. The galaxy can be cruel, there’s no way around it. Always keep that in mind.”

There was a slightly awkward silence that followed that exchange. Qui-Gon and Shmi knew what I was talking about, likely firsthand. My own knowledge of the galaxy’s cruelty was witnessed, not experienced. And Padme and Anakin were still partially sheltered from the cruelty, though that was changing quickly. Even Jar-Jar’s comic relief couldn’t do much to break the mood.

“Have you come to free us?” Anakin eventually asked Qui-Gon.

“Why do you think that?” Qui-Gon avoided answering directly.

“You’re a Jedi. That’s what they do. They save people. I had a dream I was a Jedi once. I came back here and freed all of the slaves,” Anakin’s voice was full of childlike conviction.

Qui-Gon took that in but didn’t lie to the boy, “No, I’m afraid I haven’t come here to free you all. Our ship was damaged and we had to stop here for repairs. We’re on a very important mission to Coruscant.”

I knew why he said that but it still rubbed me the wrong way, “… Fuck it, if he won’t do it, I will, Anakin.”

“Language,” Shmi chided gently.

Anakin blinked at me in surprise, “You will?”

“Dam-… Dang straight, bud! I’ll set you and your mother free and take you with us off this dustball!” I declared.

“I don’t believe that is the best idea, young Dick,” Qui-Gon cautioned.

I glared at him, “They’ve offered us food and shelter in our time of need. Where I come from, the least you can do is help them in return.”

“How?” Anakin asked. “Are you a Jedi too?”

My gaze still fixed on Qui-Gon, I said, “If I was, apparently I wouldn’t be able to help you. No, I’m no Jedi. Just someone able to offer a hand in aid.”

“You’re going to take us away from here?” Hope shined in Anakin’s voice.

“Well, I need to buy you first. And you, Shmi,” I answered resolutely.

“T-That’s not necessary,” Shmi stuttered humbly. “Just freeing Anakin is more than enough for me. I’m old. Useless. You shouldn’t bother spending money on me if you can help it.”

“Nonsense!” I banged my hand firmly on the table to express my outrage. “I’d buy you just to have home-cooked meals like this all the time! If you’re so worried about me wasting my money, I’m sure we can find something you can do for me. But I won’t separate a mother and her son! I can help you. And I will. It’s as simple as that.”

Anakin looked about ready to burst out of his seat in joy but Shmi was more weary, “Watto won’t sell. He depends on Anakin too much for his business.”

A vicious smile grew across my face, “Just leave that to me. I owe the little bug a visit anyway. I’m sure it won’t take but a little Convincing to make him see things from my perspective.”

I said it and the world seemed to Agree…

IIIII

Padme shifted nervously. Try as she might, she couldn’t quite get comfortable. Not because of the quality of her current accommodations. But because of who she was sharing those accommodations with…

The sandstorm outside raged well into the night. Eventually, Shmi Skywalker — little Ani’s mother and a wonderfully nice woman — just told them to stay the night.

The small home was a bit starved for space but they made it work. Qui-Gon took the couch. Jar-Jar was shoved in a closet somewhere. The Droids — R2 and Ani’s Droid C3PO — were bonding over their shared superiority over the organics’ need for sleep.

Shmi was bunking with Anakin tonight, leaving her room to Padme. And Dick. Alone. Together. And there was only one bed!

So Padme may have been freaking out a bit. Just a bit. Just a tiny, insignificant, itsy-bitsy bit. It wasn’t a big deal. If she told herself that enough, maybe it would become true. It hadn’t worked so far but Padme wasn’t about to give up just yet.

She couldn’t bear to look at Dick as they got ready for bed. Thankfully, they had to sleep in their clothes. Or at least, they should have been. But Dick decided it was too hot and took off his shirt… As if him being bare-chested wouldn’t make it 200% hotter for Padme!!

It was torture. Padme lay there in bed, stiff and feeling cramped despite the fact she still had a little room to move about. She turned her back to Dick, unable to look at him, especially without his shirt on. S-She worried she wouldn’t be able to control herself if she saw him like that…

Her mind raced. Ideas, fantasies, and potential futures. Would something happen? Would she be swept away by her roguish hero in a single night of unmatched passion? Would this be how she slept every night from now on? Would they never do this again? Could she handle it if they didn’t?

Even facing away from him and keeping a bit of distance, Dick’s warmth and company were intoxicatingly nice. Soothing and invigorating at the same time. Padme knew very well that she wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight.

And when her mind wasn’t on lewd and inappropriate fantasies, she was thinking back to what Dick declared during dinner. He stood up to slavery. He told a young boy and his mother that they mattered to him. Obviously, he couldn’t solve every problem at once, but he was willing to put his own money to work freeing a pair of slaves. More even than the Master Jedi amongst them was willing to do.

It was inspiring. That noble, good-natured side of him only added to her fantasies. He truly was everything a prince should represent and he took that form in her mind. Sometimes, she was a princess or Queen. Sometimes, she was a visiting diplomat. Always, Dick was gentlemanly and virtuous with a hidden wickedly charming side to add flavor. Righteously raging against the injustice of the galaxy with Padme at his side.

Dick shifted behind her. Padme froze. A strong arm slid around her. She muffled a moan. Suddenly, her body was pressed against his. He was so warm, so solid. Padme felt like she was melting into his embrace.

“D-Dick…?” Padme whispered.

There was no response. Was he asleep? Oh no, this was bad. Surely, he didn’t mean to hug her… He was just shifting in his sleep. Yes, that must be it. She just needed to stay calm and not do anything hasty to make a fool of herself.

Frozen stiff, Padme felt her self-control start to fray at the edges. The hug just went on and on, growing more and more comfortable by the second. And it sparked a heat in her core. One that she yearned to take care of. Perhaps even take care of by using Dick’s di-… oh my~…

Slowly, careful to not jostle Dick too much, Padme turned around in his arms. Immediately, her gaze went to his bare chest. Muscular but not bulky, Padme devoured the sight like a feast for her eyes. Those muscles looked so hard beneath his soft, soft skin. She barely held herself back from running her fingers along every nook and cranny of his abs.

Her vision panned up, taking in every inch of tantalizing, exposed skin. Eyes roaming over the curve of his neck and shoulder, Padme wondered what it would be like to kiss and nibble ~right there~. Then she reached his face and Padme froze all over again.

A sultry, teasing smirk pulled at Dick’s lips. Brilliant blue eyes stared back into her own. Dick was awake. Awake… Fully conscious… Watching her as she looked him over in reverence like… like some kind of scarlet woman! Padme barely swallowed a downright pitiful whimper.

“Funny seeing you here, Padme~” Dick’s voice was a low rumble that sent tingles shooting into Padme’s core.

“I-I-… You-… This isn’t fair at all~!” Padme whined.

Dick nodded matter-of-factly, “You’re right. Only one of us is properly dressed for the occasion.”

Padme pouted, “Properly ‘undressed’, you mean?”

Dick chuckled, “If you insist. I’m surprised you would volunteer to make us even so easily, Padme.”

“No!” Padme hurriedly denied. “This level of clothing is more than enough! Don’t you dare take it any farther! I’ll already have to worry about getting married after this.”

“Well, there’s a simple solution for that,” Dick’s grin was insufferably smug.

‘And insufferably attractive,’ A poorly repressed part of Padme’s mind whispered.

“W-What is that…?” Padme stuttered a question she already knew the answer to.

“Why, I’ll just have to take responsibility, won’t I?”

“T-That-… How bold~…”

“Never let it be said that Dick Jackson is a flighty man.”

“… Why am I even considering this?”

“The choice is yours, Padme, but you don’t need to decide now. I wouldn’t dream of letting you miss out on the magic of a proper courtship. Just know that I am more than willing to take responsibility for my roguish actions here.”

Padme found herself pouting again, “If you take responsibility, your actions won’t be very roguish at all.”

“Oh? Would you rather I sweep you off your feet in an affair of passion and lust? String you along so you long after me for years after — a pleasant, youthful indulgence for your meticulously planned life? Until I finally return when you least expect it and most need it, stealing you away from your duties and responsibilities on your wedding day and making you the shotgun bride of a scoundrel without care for propriety or manners?”

Padme’s cheeks flushed as redder than they’d ever been before, “You are a wicked man, Dick Jackson, to paint such a picture in my mind… A wicked, wicked man.”

Amusement danced in his eyes, “Perhaps. But perhaps a bit of wickedness is exactly what you need in your life.”

“I think the handmaidens might just agree with you…” Padme snorted softly.

Dick didn’t say anything more, simply letting her think. It was a wonderful fantasy. A moment of passion with a bittersweet end to linger on her mind for years. Through her term as Queen, through her desired career as a Senator. And then when she’d resigned herself to duty and monotony, that passion would reignite.

But… “I cannot. I have a duty to Naboo and her people. And beyond that, there are things I wish to do. Wrongs I wish to right. Rights I wish to further. I want to be a Senator, you know? I want to bring about change in the galaxy.”

Dick’s expression softened to a fond smile, “And that? That strength of will? That motivation and commitment to your goals? I think that’s what makes you so wonderfully unique, Padme. I think that’s why I’m quickly coming to like and admire you as much as I do.”

“O-Oh…?” Something fluttered inside Padme. Something skipped. Something warmed. Something dripped… Why did his words heat her to her core so? Why did they make her stomach tingle and the place between her legs moisten?

“Try and get some sleep, Padme,” Dick advised. “There’s a whole new day ahead of us tomorrow.”

With a shaky nod, Padme turned back around in Dick’s arms. She squirmed a little, her thighs rubbing together as she tried to get comfortable despite the wet heat between them.

“Do you want me to keep holding you?” Dick asked, sounding innocent enough. “Nothing more will happen. I promise.”

“I… do not mind…” Padme whispered back, not knowing if she was saying that to his offered embrace of the prospect of something more.

Dick pulled her closer. Despite the aroused tension in her core, Padme felt herself relax. She could feel Dick’s breath on her neck, his chest rising and falling against her back. She felt it even out in sleep. And still, Padme couldn’t find sleep herself.

Yes, Padme decided, tonight was torture.

Sleep did eventually claim her. But not before Padme spent what felt like hours subtly and futilely grinding her legs together in search of relief. She dreamed of a life that was her own but different. One where Dick’s whispered fantasy came true and on the day of her wedding to a bore of a man, he swooped back into her life and stole her away for a life of high adventure instead.

Then she woke up to find the same situation she fell asleep to. Only now, there was a very distinct, very noticeable intrusion between her legs. A tent of cloth that hid steely, hot, engorged flesh poked between her thighs, prodding her still-drooling lower lips.

Padme’s face was hot. Hotter than anything she’d ever felt. But she didn’t try to extract herself from Dick’s comforting embrace. If anything, she wiggled further into it. The hard rod that poked her brought tingles of distant relief to Padme’s desperately needy cunny.

She stifled a moan. And then another. Ever-so-subtly, her hips began to slide back and forth, grinding her drenched, inflamed sex against Dick’s, well… dick. Even as careful as she was not to wake him with her degenerate actions, Padme wished there wasn’t so much fabric separating them.

Biting her lip, Padme ground her puffy pussy over Dick’s morning wood. It felt so big, impossibly so. Like a bar of Beskar between Padme’s soft thighs. Even through both of their pants, she could feel the heat practically pouring off his cock. The heat of her own crotch surged as if trying to match it.

Silently, Padme worked herself to release. Her pleasure swelled higher and higher. The tension in her core coiled tighter and tighter. With a soft, breathy moan, it finally snapped. Padme felt herself melt and gush, sticky liquid arousal soaking her underclothes.

As the afterglow left her, Padme whined internally. Did she really just do that? She was acting like some kind of depraved pervert~! A wanton woman with no sense of shame who used her savior to orgasm without him even knowing~! How embarrassing~!

‘Dick must never know,’ Padme promised herself.

She carefully wiggled her way out of his arms, hurrying to the fresher to clean up any evidence of her shame. In her haste, she didn’t look back to see an almost smug smile spread across Dick’s ‘sleeping’ face.

Padme cleaned herself up, fighting down the lasting embarrassment from her morning ‘dalliance’. Before exiting the fresher, she stopped in front of the mirror and took a fortifying deep breath to prepare herself to face Dick again. She steeled her will, slapping her cheeks lightly.

Thankfully, Dick wasn’t in bed where she left him. He’d already left the room while she was in the fresher. Part of Padme pouted at that fact. The rest of her was relieved she wouldn’t have to face him alone so soon. She joined Dick and the others around the Skywalker’s table for a quick breakfast.

They had plenty to do today. Well, two things, mostly. And both required another visit to Watto’s shop. Dick reassured Shmi and Anakin that he was still committed to the promises he’d made the previous night. In fact, he told Shmi straight out to start packing their things.

Anakin walked the same route he’d walked so many times before. But this time, he was skipping, excited and hopeful beyond belief thanks to Dick’s promises of freedom. The others followed him with amusement and empathetic joy in their hearts.

“Boy!” Watto greeted rudely as Anakin and the others entered the shop. “Ah, ya again? I told ya yesterday! I won’t sell to ya’se without cold hard cash! Yer Jedi mind tricks won’t work here!”

“You’re not dealing with him,” Dick cut in, his voice so cold and different from how it usually sounded. “Today, you deal with me. And I promise you, we’ll come to an agreement that’s… beneficial to both of us.”

“Ya’se got cash?” Watto asked greedily.

“Wupiupi work?”

“Ah, Honored Customer! Come, come, let us deal!”

Dick came right out with his offer, “12 for the hyperdrive engine and four for the boy and his mother.”

“Wat?! I’se cannot do that, honored customer!” Watto protested.

“Oh? Which part?”

“Selling the boy! He’s my money maker!”

“Well, find another.”

“Now, now, don’t be so unreasonable, honored customer!”

“I suggest you lose the greed. I’ve given you a more than fair price. And I won’t give you another.”

Watto hedged, hemming and hawing, “Ehhhh, you just want the female? She’s good stock! Barely used goods! Promise! Bit plain and ugly but I’m sure honored customer could get some good profit out of her.”

The air around Dick seemed to darken and the weight of Intimidation bore down on the world around them. Only Watto truly noticed the change. If he could have sweat, he would have been filling buckets at that moment. The others just noticed Dick’s scowl and glare.

His voice was layered with power and intent as he dropped any pretense of dealing fairly, “No. The boy and his mother. You’ll sell them both to me. Actually, you won’t even ask me to pay. I think they’re an appropriate gift to thank me for bringing you such good business, don’t you, Bug?”

Watto’s mind couldn’t even resist, surrendering instantly to the power of the Silver-Tongued Devil, “Ah… Y-Yes, good deal, honored customer. Thank you, thank you!”

Dick smiled a smile so charming that it wiped away Watto’s fear and washed away any confusion or suspicion the others might have had. Padme smiled. Was what she just witnessed unreasonable? Yes, but plenty of things were unreasonable in this galaxy, slavery number one amongst them in her mind. And someone this personable couldn’t be using evil methods to convince people to go along with them. And even if he somehow was, it was for a good cause.

Qui-Gon nodded to himself, satisfied that Dick wasn’t a Sith hiding in plain sight. He sensed no Force in Dick’s words. And even he couldn’t penetrate the Toydarion’s natural mental shields. Yes, he was simply that persuasive and charismatic on his own.

Anakin watched in awe as someone finally fought for his freedom. Even the Jedi Master wouldn’t do it. But this man was willing to set the world straight as it should be. The Force swirled and cooed, cradling her champion and nurturing the hope that had been lit inside him. A phenomenon Qui-Gon noticed and couldn’t help but marvel at. A mere boy, freed from bondage and seemingly chosen by the Force herself.

“Good man!” Dick praised, still smiling to set everyone’s nerves at ease. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you. And for being so reasonable, I’ll even throw in a generous tip!”

Watto’s greed surged back to the fore, “Ah, how kind, honored customer! Er, how generous are we’se talkin’ here?”

Dick rolled his eyes, “3000 Wupiupi on top of the price I quoted you for the T14 hyperdrive. But you can keep it off the books so the Hutts don’t come to collect.”

“Wonderful, wonderful! I’ll have your purchase ready as quickly as a Krayt Dragon can snap its jaws!” Watto grinned giddily, an ugly expression on his face.

Dick’s expression grew serious once more, “And don’t forget the slave controllers, Watto. I would hate to have to come back there and get them from you personally.”

Blue skin paled, “Of course, of course! I wouldn’t dream of ripping off an honored customer!”

“So… that’s it…?” Anakin asked as Watto disappeared out the back of the shop.

“That’s it,” Dick confirmed. “You’re as good as free, Ani. And your mother too. I’ll even give you your slave controllers so you know I’m not going to try and betray you. If you need-… OOF!”

Anakin shot into Dick’s stomach like a bullet, hugging him tightly. He practically glued himself there, sniffling in a way that said he was trying not to cry.

Dick just chuckled, patting the boy on the back, “C’mon, bud, I don’t need any of that sappy stuff from you. I’m sure I’ll get enough hugs and tears from your mom.”

“‘M not crying,” Anakin mumbled.

“Of course, you’re not. I’ll fight anyone who says you are,” Dick reassured him. “Just some sand in your eye, right?”

Anakin nodded into Dick’s stomach, “Mhmm… Sand. That’s it.”

Padme felt her ovaries just about explode at the scene. It was heartwarming and adorable. Despite seeming like a bad influence, Dick made for a good older brother figure. She regretted not having a camera to sneakily take pictures to share with Shmi later.

Anakin wasn’t sniffling anymore by the time Watto came back, a Droid carrying the whole hyperdrive engine behind him, “Where’se do ya want it, honored customer?”

Dick examined the hyperdrive, walking around it like he was an inspector or something. It made Padme giggle. She was pretty sure he didn’t know the first thing about the specifics of hyperdrive engineering. Still, he eventually nodded.

“Master Qui-Gon? Do you want to take care of getting this to the ship and starting the repairs?”

Qui-Gon smiled, “I’d be happy to, Mr. Jackson. You’ve done a good thing here today. Thank you.”

Dick waved him off, “Yeah, yeah, I was just doing what should have been done a long time ago. I could help so it was only natural.”

The implication of Dick’s words — that he’d done what Qui-Gon wasn’t willing to do — didn’t go unnoticed. But Qui-Gon just nodded, graciously accepting the shot for what it was, “Your kindness still does you credit, Dick Jackson.”

“Oh, get lost already,” Dick rolled his eyes. “I’m gonna take a walk.”

“Can I come?” Anakin turned puppy dog eyes up at Dick.

He ruffled Anakin’s hair, “You’ve gotta tell your mom the good news and help her pack your things, Ani. And here-…”

Dick snapped his fingers. Just the simple gesture alone was persuasive and commanding. Watto flew over in a hurry like a servant called by his master. Dick’s aura said what he wanted, practically demanding it. Watto dropped the Skywalker slave controller into Dick’s outstretched hand and was quickly shooed off again.

Dick continued, “-These are yours. We’ll see about getting the transmitters removed when we have the chance.”

Anakin looked at the little controller in reverent awe. As if Dick had just dropped the keys to the galaxy into his hands. He kind of had. The little bit of machinery represented Anakin’s freedom.

And of course, Anakin said the first thing that came to his mind, “… Can I tinker with it?”

Dick snorted, “Sure, knock yourself out. Just try to keep any explosions isolated to a single limb and don’t touch your mother’s.”

“Dick?!” Padme gasped in shock.

“He’ll be fine,” Dick casually dismissed her concern.

“Yippee~!” Anakin cheered, running off to tell his mom the news and get to tinkering.

“Damn…” Dick paused. “That is much cuter in person.”

Padme nodded, “It was indeed adorable, I’ll give you that. But should you really be allowing him to tinker with the slave controller like this?!”

“Padme,” Dick deadpanned. “He built a fully functional Droid out of scrap and spare parts. If he manages to hurt himself with a simple controller and transmitter — no matter how explosive that transmitter is —, I’ll eat you out.”

Padme started to nod before pausing as a blush overtook her face, “S-Shouldn’t that phrase be different?! Shouldn’t you eat your boot or something?”

Dick grinned unrepentantly, “No comment. Now, how about joining me for that walk?”

Dick offered her his arm like a gentleman. Padme instinctively took it without realizing it. Her mind was still caught on Dick’s turn of phrase. The idea of having his handsome face buried between her legs, playing her body like an instrument? O-Oh my~… It was all Padme could think about.

She couldn’t even pay attention to their surroundings. It was all a blur to her fantasizing mind. After this morning, it was all too much! Her first orgasm at the hands of someone else (even if he didn’t know it) and now such blatant flirting and innuendo?! Padme felt like her face was prepared to explode into a shower of pink sparks!

Thankfully, Dick led her as they walked. He didn’t comment on her distracted state, simply enjoying her presence and company. There would be time for more teasing later. He needed to leave time between these flustered, mentally stuck states of hers. Otherwise, his flirting and teasing wouldn’t sink in right and that would be such a shame.

As always, Mos Espa was nothing special. Sandy buildings, sandy people, sandy everything, sand was an ever-present aspect of Tatooine. Dick couldn’t wait to be free of it. After this short trip, he didn’t even want to see a beach for a good while.

Tatooine’s people were few in number but remarkably varied. Something that came with the planet’s crime haven status. Aliens of seemingly every color and size mingled with Humans of the same level of variety. The most telling part wasn’t the diversity of species but the diversity of status.

There had to be more slaves on Tatooine than free men and women. It was as inescapable as the sand. The downtrodden people sporting collars were the most obvious of the slave caste. But even the better-off-looking people wore odd surgical scars or visibly deferred to masters.

Dick was almost thankful that Padme was currently distracted. She didn’t need the shot to her worldview at such a vulnerable time in her life. Especially not after just witnessing the good the galaxy had to offer.

Strangely enough, the entire population of Mos Espa seemed to be moving in a shared direction. From the chatter around him, Dick guessed there was some kind of event going on. Ah, Podracing, he realized.

Anakin would have participated in this event if Dick hadn’t interfered. Absently, Dick followed the crowd. He was mainly just listening to the chatter he could understand and warding off wandering eyes that landed on Padme with the near-physical weight of his glared Intimidation.

Then something twinged in his mind. Something unfamiliar. Not his Essence or his Devil heritage. But an esoteric sense he’d only become conscious of since his insertion. The Force spoke to him, barely whispering to the man who’d freed her chosen.

Curious and almost amused, Dick followed the ‘sound’. It led him through the crowd. Padme walked at his side, only now beginning to come out of her fantasy.

“Where are we going, Dick?” She asked.

“I’m not quite sure,” Dick answered honestly. “I just have a feeling I’m needed… somewhere over there.”

“A premonition? I thought you said you weren’t a Jedi?”

“I’m not. Not a Sith, either. But I never said I wasn’t sensitive to the Force.”

“More of your ‘mystery’?” Padme questioned with a pout.

Dick chuckled, “You could say that. But really, I just don’t want Master Qui-Gon to get any ideas about trying to adopt me. He’ll have his hands full enough with Anakin.”

“Little Ani? He’s Force-sensitive?”

“Mmm,” Dick hummed in distracted confirmation, his eyes scanning the crowd as they walked. “I thought that much was obvious. You don’t get reflexes good enough to Podrace without a little help from the Force. I’m sure Qui-Gon is already making plans but whether he wants to be a Jedi or not will be up to Anakin alone.”

Padme considered his words and Dick finally set eyes on the source of the vague pull he felt in the Force. In an instant, he knew he was needed for something that would have gone unhandled without him.

A Weequay man — with skin like leather and a sunken face — tugged harshly on a chain. The other end of the chain was connected to a collar. A slave collar. One that was wrapped around the neck of a statuesque, snarling, near-human woman.

Dick and Padme got close enough to hear what the Weequay man was saying, “Shut up, bitch! I’m getting my money’s worth! Your master gave me your controller when he sold me a piece of your time! Don’t make me use it!”

“H-How horrible,” Padme stuttered in disgust and no small amount of fear.

Dick patted her hand comfortingly, “I happen to agree. What do you think? Should I try for two out of two today?”

Padme looked at him in surprise for a moment before her expression firmed and she nodded, “Absolutely.”

“Don’t snap your fucking teeth at me!” The Weequay man raged. “Those things come anywhere near my dick and I’ll pull ‘em out one by one! Don’t test me! I’m already gonna get a refund from your master. Imagine what he’ll do after you shame and cost him money like this.”

The woman’s almost feral snarls fell silent. But her rebellious glare never wavered. She looked like she would stare down the gods themselves. Her bondage hadn’t diminished her proud spirit one bit.

“Oi!” Dick called out, interrupting the stare-down between slave and temporary master. “You’re making a scene. Have you tried not being a complete and utter bastard?”

“Don’t start, Stranger,” The Weequay man glared, fingering the blaster at his side. “I won’t hesitate to kill you and take that pretty little thing by your side. She looks like she’ll do much better than this bitch.”

Dick nodded nonchalantly, “That’s what I thought. Slaver scum, through and through. Padme? You might want to close your eyes for this.”

Though she was confused, Padme still did what Dick said. Satisfied she wouldn’t be traumatized, Dick nodded again. In an instant, his expression hardened and his intent manifested. Steel shifted into place in his soul — sharp as a razor and aimed directly at the slaver scum.

When he spoke again, his voice channeled a heavy, commanding Essence, each sentence seeming to echo with a boom, “Your life is NOTHING. You serve ZERO purpose. You should KILL yourself, NOW!”

The world paused and through a Silver Tongue, Dick’s will was made into reality. The Weequay’s weak mind cracked, shattering under the weight of Essence. Of his own free will — coerced and insidiously convinced —, the Weequay drew his blaster and set the business end into his mouth.

*Ftou~!*

The sound of the blaster going off, of the Weequay man taking his own life, was practically deafening. Padme jumped, still holding onto Dick with her eyes closed. The man’s victim just watched in awe and shock. The Weequay man lay motionless with a smoking hole in the top of his head.

“Nothing to see here,” Dick shooed off the crowd that had stopped to watch out of interest that had quickly turned into disbelief.

Despite the nonsensical statement, the crowd found themselves agreeing. There was nothing to see here. The people of Tatooine were already used to brutal violence. Why was this any different? Almost as one, they turned and left the scene, continuing on with their business.

“D-Dick? Can I open my eyes?” Padme asked.

“Best if you didn’t, dear. For your sanity if nothing else,” Dick patted her hand. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Here you go, big step. Don’t worry about what you just stepped over. I’m sure it was nothing.”

Dick directed himself and Padme over to the shocked slave woman. They barely spared the corpse a second glance, just making sure not to trip over it. Padme trusted Dick without question. With the corpse behind them, Dick let Padme open her eyes.

So close to the slave woman, they both got a better look at her. She was statuesque, easily as tall as Dick with muscles for days. Her face was sharp, harsh even, but elegantly beautiful. Long, dark hair was kept in a high ponytail. Her clothes were barely functional for concealing her modesty — likely on purpose —, just a tube top and skintight pants. A crude collar marred her beauty, thick and sturdy around her neck.

This close, they could tell her skin wasn’t merely tanned. It shimmered and shined beneath Tatooine’s twin suns, glittering like gold. That and the starkly defined 8-pack of her abdomen marked her as near-human but not quite Human. She was still the most impressively beautiful woman Padme had ever seen.

“My, my, what a hidden gem,” Dick murmured softly to not spook the (now former) slave. “Let’s get that ugly thing off you. It’s an absolute shame to have crude amateur additions defacing a masterpiece such as yourself. What’s your name, darling?”

Recovering her wits, the woman fixed Dick with a hard stare, not hostile but certainly not submissive either, “Diana, Daughter of Hippolyta. I owe you a debt, Man.”

For the briefest of moments, Dick’s smile froze fragilely. Neither Diana nor Padme noticed though as his surprise vanished as quickly as it came.

He chuckled goodnaturedly, “Well, I suppose I could always use a bodyguard. Call me Dick, Diana. I look forward to working with you.”