hiiii! fluff-fest request for reader working in the library and ani comes to see them. they're trying to shelve books and he sees them struggling to reach the top shelf. after much teasing, he comes to help and just all around cute fluff fest pls
hiiiii!!!
THIS IS SO CUTE I WOULD LOVE TO WRITE THAT FOR YOU!! thank you for requesting! <3
content warning: fluff, gn!reader, reader is a shorty :]
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Stupid Kenobi.
"Gain some perspective on regular people. Learn to connect with them."
Anakin's a Jedi Master; why should he bother trying to connect with regular people?
Obi-Wan's incessant scolding stemmed from an almost failed mission two months ago. A group of Coruscantians had been kidnapped and held hostage, and all Anakin had to do was get them out through the secret tunnels of the bank while Ahsoka caused a distracted for the robbers. Ahsoka, of course, fulfilled her role flawlessly, and was commended by the Council for her success.
Anakin, on the other hand, was not.
It isn't that he's bad at his job. Rescuing people is practically second nature to him. It's the 'being comforting' part that he finds difficulty with. He was crude, blunt and rushed with the hostages, many of them even going so far as to send holos of complaint to the Council. He wasn't even that bad with them; he was just short on time and maybe a little peeved that Ahsoka was assigned to the more fun part of the mission.
Obi-Wan is adamant that Anakin needs to try and socialize with people who aren't members of the Order or politicians. Professionalism and stoicism is an indicator of wisdom and experience in their line of work, and Obi-Wan is undoubtedly proud of his ex-Padawan for demonstrating those qualities so fluently- but Anakin also needs to develop skills for the outer galaxy.
Social ones, to be more exact.
Anakin isn't happy at all. He begrudgingly makes his way into the city center, where the Coruscant Library sits tall and proud. Holding back a grimace, he takes a deep breath before walking in.
Obi-Wan suggested that, in order to understand regular people, Anakin needs to understand their culture. So he assigned him some homework: reading up on popular literature. This is step one of Obi-Wan's plan to make Anakin the perfect socialite.
When he enters the library, he's disheartened by how busy it is. Deciding to forgo the 'Ancient Romantic Literature' and 'Scientific Comedy' sections, he walks up to the second floor. Finding it to be a bit quieter, he goes up another floor, and another, and another, until blissful silence awaits him.
Ah. Fifth floor, you beauty.
He counts barely three people spread around the floor, each of them with their heads buried in books. Looking up at the signs, he sees that most of this floor is for books about anatomy and medicine.
Not exactly the popular literature Obi-Wan recommended, but it'll do.
He mindlessly strolls through the bookcases, running his fingers over the spines that look the softest. A few titles catch his eye, but nothing makes him stop.
Until he sees you.
You love working at the library.
Okay, maybe 'love' is a strong word.
You like working at the library.
Let's try that again.
Working at the library is like rubbing a wound in bacta liquid; necessary for your survival, but not exactly enjoyable.
It started off as a way to make some extra pocket money while you studied to become a lawyer, but when those plans fell through (because Coruscant Law turned out to be a lot more intense and detailed than you thought), you ended up working here full time.
The bills were paid, you ate enough to survive, and the unsocial hours don't really affect your unsocial life.
That doesn't make it any less boring, though.
Your boss, Ms. Kyve, uses the fifth floor as a sort of punishment for employees who either aren't working to the best of their abilities and efforts, or who she just doesn't like very much.
You have been assigned to working the fifth floor every day for the past year.
Today is just another sluggish day at Coruscant Library. Nobody speaks to you, beside one customer who asks if he can use the staff toilet (the answer to which is a hard 'no'), and you spend most of the day putting the returns back on the shelves.
Anakin thinks your cheeks look softer than the spine of any book he has so far felt. He watches you curiously, his eyes flitting between your face and your hands as you place each book from the basket back onto it's designated shelf.
When you turn around and walk back out of the aisle, he's immediately disheartened. Shamelessly, he lingers behind you, following you around the library. He isn't sure what he's waiting for, or if he's waiting for anything at all, but for now all he knows is that he is absolutely enthralled by watching you return the books to their homes.
When you reach the 'Ewok Anatomy' section, you let out a long sigh. The last book you need to shelve belongs right at the top, and you know from previous experience that this will be practically impossible for you to do.
You don't fail to see the irony in a book on Ewoks being put so high up, but right now isn't the time for laughing. Maybe you'll save this funny story and use it as ammunition later in life; an ice-breaking anecdote for one of the dates your roommate keeps forcing you to go on.
Taking a deep breath, you are determined to get this job done. You will not allow Ms. Kyve any reason to roll her eyes or berate you, like she so loves doing after a long shift.
You take the damn book and stand in front of it's damn bookcase, looking up at the top shelf. There's a perfectly shaped gap where the book belongs. This is fine. You can do this. Just stand on your tippy toes, reach forward, and slide the damn book into its damn slot.
Admittedly, Anakin cannot help but be amused by the sight before him. A look of concentration grows on your face, sewn together by furrowed brows and pursed lips. You stand on the edge of your toes, hold your breath as though that will somehow help, and stretch your arm out as much as you physically are able to.
Which, as it turns out, isn't much at all.
A squeak leaves your throat as you reach up, gasping when you feel the edge of the book touch the edge of the shelf. Just a fraction further... You try pushing it forward, but you end up just slamming the book against the bottom of the shelf. Hunching over, you catch your breath, your free hand clenching into a fist.
Before you can start thinking of all the other ways you've failed in life, and how the fact that you can't get a damn book on a damn shelf is really just a metaphor for your lack of success and ambition, you hear someone clear their throat.
You turn to the left to see a beautiful man standing there, which makes you frown.
Beautiful men don't come to the fifth floor.
"You alright there?" He asks with a shiny glint in his eye and a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips.
Oh God. Mr. Beautiful totally just saw you fail to reshelf a book.
"Fine," You reply casually, fanning yourself with the thick book.
Anakin thinks your voice is lovelier than he could've predicted. The fact that you're calling him 'Mr. Beautiful' in your head is only boosting his confidence as he steps closer to you. "Need some help?"
You almost scoff at his question, but you feel small under his gaze. "No, thank you."
"Okay," He accepts with a nod. "Well, once you're done putting it back, could you give me a tour of this place?"
You inwardly curse, but keep a polite smile on your face. "Of course, Sir." Is he purposely doing this so he can continue to watch you struggle? Raising your brows at him, you shrug. "I could just give you the tour now. I mean, this isn't exactly a time-sensitive task; I could do this later."
"Oh, please, don't let me interrupt," Anakin says, before leaning against a bookcase. "I'm in no rush."
Somehow remaining politely jolly, you nod. "Thanks. I guess I'll just... put this book back, now."
Anakin nods, "Go ahead."
You swallow thickly before turning back to the bookcase. There's a dent in the book cover where you smashed it against the shelf, and you're determined not to let the same thing happen again. With a deep breath, you get back on your tip-toes and stretch your arms as much as possible.
He watches you while trying to hide his smirk, his heart warming at the view. Anakin wasn’t expecting to feel so happy at such a simple thing, but watching the concentration brew on your features is making his heart thud.
The book hits the shelf again, making you wince. You do your best not to show that you’re actually putting effort in, but it’s hard when you’re huffing and clenching your jaw. You squint and bite down on your lip, getting as far forward on your toes as possible, but it just doesn’t work.
You don’t notice him walk closer until you feel his hand wrap around yours. Gasping, you turn back to see him standing right behind you.
“Need some help?” He repeats his question from earlier, a much more amused and smug look on his face.
With a sigh, you give in. “Please.”
Anakin smiles warmly before taking the book from you and placing it on the top shelf with ease. You swoon slightly when you feel his chest press against the back of your head, and shiver at his towering stature.
“Thank you,” You mumble, turning around to face him.
“I think you owe me one,” He says, making you frown up at him.
“Well, I don’t think I’ll be able to help you put any books onto high shelves,” You joke, letting out a soft laugh.
Anakin chuckles and rests his hand on the shelf above your head, making your heart skip a beat. “In that case, how about you let me take you on a date instead?”
You’re taken by surprise, but you have no time to hesitate. “Sure. I’m Y/N, by the way.”
He smiles down at you, delight dancing across the blue ocean in his eyes. “Hi, Y/N. I’m Anakin.”
Pfft. Anakin Skywalker needs to learn how to connect with people?
Stupid Kenobi.
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oh my GOD i am so sorry i read the ask wrong and i made it so this is anakin and reader's first meeting, but you wanted it to be that he comes to visit IM SO SORRYYYY BUT I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT ANYWAY
