It was a typical day on Coruscant. The sun shone brightly, casting its warm glow across the Republic's capital in all its urban splendor.
In the private residence shared by Senator Padmé Amidala and her secret husband Anakin, the Naboo representative was packing her belongings in their bedroom, humming a cheerful melody.
"You seem unusually happy today," Anakin observed from the doorway. "Did something good happen in the Senate?"
"Unfortunately, no."
Anakin's expression immediately shifted to concern and tension. "Wait, is today our anniversary? Your birthday? If so, I'm really sorry. Let me make it up to you somehow."
"No, but I appreciate that you're thinking about it," Padmé replied with amusement.
"Then what's going on?"
"I'm giving myself a little vacation," Padmé explained, moving to her closet to select additional outfits. She anticipated his next question and continued, "I'm going back home to Naboo to spend some time at my family's estate."
"Oh?" Anakin blinked in surprise, then smiled. "What a coincidence. I happen to have some leave time coming up too."
"I've invited the Avengers, your Padawan, and several others to join us."
"I'm sorry, what?"
Padmé laughed at her husband's bewildered expression.
"Sorry, you won't have me all to yourself, though I know that would be both pleasant and enjoyable for you."
Anakin grinned. "What's the occasion?"
Padmé continued selecting clothes while C-3PO assisted with the packing process.
"Well, in case you weren't aware, our Avenger friends are preparing for their holidays," Padmé explained.
"I don't recall any major holidays coming up," Anakin said thoughtfully. "Then again, with so many cultures throughout the galaxy, I might have missed something."
"Exactly," Padmé elaborated. "Holiday season. Back on their home planet, it's nearly the end of their calendar year. These are the final two weeks of their annual cycle, and they celebrate several important holidays during this time."
The protocol droid continued listing other observances. "They celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve—the final day of their calendar—and New Year's Day, which marks the beginning of their new year."
"And you're doing this because..."
"Since they're homesick and can't return home anytime soon, I thought it would be nice to celebrate some of these holidays at my estate," Padmé told her husband warmly.
"What exactly do these holidays involve?" Anakin asked, moving closer to his wife.
"While each celebration is unique in some way, from what they've described, the overall concept centers around gift-giving and spending quality time with loved ones."
"Gift-giving?" Anakin mused. "That actually sounds quite interesting."
"Doesn't it?" Padmé smiled. "I think it's going to be wonderful. Peter mentioned something about cultural exchange."
Anakin laughed heartily at the prospect.
After a day or two of preparation, the group boarded a luxurious cruiser bound for the beautiful and scenic world of Naboo. Upon arrival, they traveled directly to Padmé's family estate, where they would spend the holiday season together before returning to their respective duties.
"I don't even know where to begin thanking you, Padmé," Natasha said, pulling the Senator into a warm embrace.
Padmé laughed happily and returned the hug. "Considering everything you've all done for us, this is the least I can do."
The taste of home was the best description any Avenger could give for the experience, and the retreat that Padmé and her family had arranged was genuinely touching.
Thanks to the Avengers' personal AI, FRIDAY, who had managed to cross-reference data from the HoloNet with optimal materials and essentially everything else needed to recreate a festive atmosphere that felt like home.
Several trees stood decorated with lights and various ornaments. Candles were arranged throughout the space in an atmospheric manner, adding to the holiday ambiance.
"I must admit," Obi-Wan commented, standing with Steve, Rhodes, Matt, and Anakin as they surveyed the decorations, "these festivals you celebrate on your homeworld are quite charming."
"Could use a bit less glare," Anakin remarked.
Matt coughed and smiled. "Being blind does have certain advantages sometimes."
"Wow, Matt. Just wow," Rhodes said in a deadpan tone.
Suddenly, Sola Naberrie's young daughters rushed over to Steve, grabbed his hands, and pulled him away from the group he'd been conversing with.
Elsewhere, Pietro strolled through the estate grounds with a companion—Senator Riyo Chuchi.
"This Christmas holiday sounds quite delightful," Riyo observed.
Pietro chuckled softly. "Yeah, it really was special. All the gift-giving and togetherness..." His expression grew wistful. "Some of my best memories involve spending this time with my sister and parents."
Noticing the change in his mood, Riyo placed a gentle hand on his arm.
He looked down at her and saw the comforting smile she offered, which made him smile in return.
As Riyo gazed up at Pietro, she noticed an unusual plant hanging above them, seemingly having appeared from nowhere.
"What is that?" she asked, causing Pietro to blink and look up at what had caught her attention.
Pietro's eyes widened slightly when he recognized what it was, and from the corner of his vision and hearing, he could swear he detected a small figure with humming wings.
"Uh, well," Pietro coughed awkwardly. "You see, that's another Christmas tradition from back home."
"Oh?" Riyo looked up at the plant curiously. "What does it signify?"
Pietro rubbed the back of his neck, smiling slightly as he glanced away from the senator, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
"Well, I'm not sure I should tell you," he teased. "It might embarrass you."
"Come on, tell me," Riyo insisted, hands clasped behind her back.
"You asked for it."
Before she could react, she received a quick kiss on the cheek. Riyo froze and blushed deeply, which made Pietro grin before he looked around and spotted what—or rather whom—he was searching for.
"Alright, Hope, very funny. Now go bother someone else," Pietro called out somewhat helplessly to the flying speck, which quickly zipped away.
"What—what was that?" Riyo stammered.
"It's a Christmas tradition from home," Pietro explained. "When two people find themselves under mistletoe, they... well, if they're a couple, they usually kiss, but—"
What Pietro didn't expect was for two slender arms to cradle his head as the petite senator pulled him down, her soft lips pressing against his. After a few seconds of shock, he closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her slender frame.
From a distance, Hope performed a victorious loop and flew away.
Back inside, everyone was mingling and celebrating.
Kenobi found himself "cornered" by Natasha, who asked whether Satine had received her gift, to which the Jedi Master replied that she should be receiving his present soon.
In another corner, Anakin was having a more private conversation with Padmé's parents.
Not much was said, but the looks Anakin received from Jobal and Ruwee were sufficient to convey their message. He simply breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Padmé's parents.
The remaining Avengers were engaged in conversation with Padmé, her sister Sola, Sola's husband Darred, and Aayla Secura.
However, one Avenger stood alone.
Scott Lang had stepped outside, gazing up at Naboo's moon before glancing down at a photograph in his hand.
The image showed him holding his daughter Cassie while wearing his Ant Man Suit, with Hope playfully tickling the little girl.
He smiled sadly, his eyes brightening when he looked at his daughter, hating himself for not being there with her right now.
This was supposed to be his first Christmas with her since getting out of prison, and...
Scott felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Hope approaching.
In her other hand, she held a photograph of herself with Scott.
He wordlessly put his free arm around her, and they leaned their heads together in silent understanding.
In another section of the estate, Ahsoka and Barriss sat in a large hammock constructed entirely from Peter's webbing, gazing at the stars above. The sounds of celebration in the distance reached their ears but never disturbed their peaceful moment. The only brief interruption occurred when Peter swung over to bring them some of the food and drinks they'd requested.
"Thanks, Peter," Ahsoka said while Barriss offered their friend a grateful smile.
"You're welcome," Peter replied, and the three of them sat in comfortable silence within the web hammock.
They ate quietly for a while until...
"Oh, I almost forgot." Peter reached into his jacket and produced two small packages.
"What are these?" Barriss asked in surprise.
"Just a little something that took me a while to create, but thanks to Scott's help, I managed to pull it off," Peter explained.
Both girls hesitantly accepted the gifts from him, pausing for a moment.
"Peter, you know that as Jedi, there are certain material things we really can't possess," Ahsoka said gently.
"I know, but I was just trying to be thoughtful, and..." Peter mumbled the rest, making it difficult for the two Padawans to hear clearly.
Barriss decided it wouldn't hurt to see what Peter had made, and she opened her gift first, with Ahsoka following suit.
What they discovered were beautifully crafted pendants with flower-like structures but intricate, delicate designs...
"These..." Ahsoka traced her fingers over the pendant's colors. "These match my markings."
"Peter, you made this yourself?" Barriss asked in mild amazement, studying the patterns on her own pendant, which perfectly replicated her facial markings.
"It took me quite a while to get them exactly right," Peter admitted. "I was trying to figure out the best metals that would be compatible with your lightsabers."
"What do you mean?" Ahsoka asked, confused.
Peter shrugged. "Well, I remember you both always telling me that a lightsaber is a Jedi's most important tool, so I thought that if you didn't want to wear jewelry, I could make attachments for your lightsaber hilts instead."
Both remained silent for several moments until the Mirialan Padawan gave Peter a warm smile.
"That's incredibly thoughtful," Barriss said, examining her gift once more.
She then placed the pendant around her neck, tucking it beneath her clothing, which surprised Ahsoka.
"Now it will always be with me," Barriss said with a satisfied expression.
Ahsoka considered thoughtfully, looking at her head-tails until her eyes lit up and she wove it into her silka bead arrangement as an additional ornament.
"Now I have mine too," Ahsoka announced happily. "Thank you, Peter."
"You're both very welcome. Happy first Christmas," Peter said with genuine warmth.
Both girls embraced Peter before continuing their stargazing.
Although the galaxy remained at war and conflict continued to rage, there was a brief moment of peace and joy for everyone on Naboo as they celebrated Earth's holiday traditions for the first time together.
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