I didn’t expect it to feel this normal, this quiet. After all the chaos—fighting enemies on distant planets, dodging blasters, barely making it out of battle alive—it felt surreal to be sitting across from Pippin in a small, cozy coffee shop on a random planet. The outside world, filled with war and tension, seemed a million miles away in this warm little corner, where the worst thing we had to worry about was the temperature of our drinks.

Pippin leaned back in his chair, his grin never fading. “You know, I still can’t believe they trust us with these coffee orders. I mean, if they knew what we’ve been through, they’d probably revoke our right to caffeine.”

I laughed, the sound light and easy. "Considering half the time, we’re running on adrenaline, I don’t think they’d dare.”

He raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of his coffee, clearly amused. "That’s a fair point. I’m just glad we get a break. From all the shooting, the running… and, you know, the fighting.”

I gave him a pointed look. “I’m pretty sure we’ve gotten way too used to fighting.”

He shrugged, the usual carefree glint in his eyes never wavering. "Can’t help it. It’s just what we do. But hey, we’re alive. And in one piece.”

“True,” I agreed, glancing down at my cup. “But I’m starting to think I prefer moments like this. No enemies. No blasters. Just… this.”

Pippin’s smile softened, and his gaze lingered on me a little longer than usual. "Yeah, me too. It’s nice to just… hang out. Not have to worry about the next mission or whether we’ll make it out alive.”

But lately, I’d started noticing things about him I hadn’t before. His laugh was contagious, his warmth too easy to lean into. The way his hand brushed mine just a little too often when we reached for the sugar. I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe—just maybe—he felt the same way.

His smile faltered for just a second, his expression unreadable. “You know, I think I could get used to this. Maybe even if we never had another mission again. Just you and me.”