Ahsoka Tano - Undeserving

14

Padmé Amidala had barely even had time to sit down from her own ride home when she heard a speeder approaching. A bundle of nerves fluttered deep inside her at the sound; even after being married for two years, seeing Anakin for the first time in a long time always made her feel the exact same as she did when they first fell in love. She took a deep breath in and patted her hair, smoothing her dress as she walked out of the bedroom and into the primary living area where the speeder parked at the balcony.

Anakin stood up out of the speeder and onto the balcony, breathing the first full breath of relief he'd felt in a while. His eyes darted up towards the movement in the hallway, and a smile formed itself instinctually. Padmé walked out, brown eyes sparkling and mouth open wide in a grin. Her hair, makeup, and outfit were still done from earlier today, and she looked absolutely stunning. Then again, she always did.

The two closed the distance between them in an instant, colliding almost violently with arms wrapped around each other. Anakin buried his head in her shoulder, and she held onto him like nothing else mattered; the only benefit of their secrecy and being married in a war was that distance made the heart grow fonder and their reunions that much sweeter.

After a long moment Padmé pulled away and looked up at him, kissing him gently on the cheek. "Hi."

Anakin frowned. "What, that's it? I don't get the real thing?"

"What do you mean?"

He gently grabbed her chin and tilted it up, meeting her lips with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he held her waist, pulling away after yet another long moment. "That's what I mean."

Padmé laughed. "Ah. My mistake."

Anakin pulled back completely and looked her up and down. "You look amazing but uncomfortable."

"That's the price of politics, unfortunately."

"Well, go get changed and tell me all about it then."

She laughed again. "Are you sure you won't get pulled away by any Jedi business while I'm gone?"

Anakin's expression became laced with guilt, and Padmé regretted her question immediately. She sobered and placed a hand on his arm. "Only a joke, Ani. I didn't mean-"

"I know, I know." He placed his arm on hers. "I do wish I could be here with you more often, though. I'm sorry."

Padmé sighed, rubbing his arm with her thumb comfortingly. "We've had this conversation over and over again and the conclusion is always the same: we do our duties. Now, can we change the subject?"

"Absolutely. Now go get changed, you look like you're about to suffocate in that thing."

She laughed and retreated into the bedroom while Anakin sunk into the couch, wiping some lipstick off of his mouth with amusement. He stared up at the hallway where she'd disappeared with a sigh, leaning back against the couch and diverting his attention to the ceiling. Padmé was right, she always was: they couldn't just ignore their duties for each other, no matter how much either of them wanted to. Guilt still clawed at him for not being there for her, though, and he doubted anything could change that until this blasted war was over and he was on Coruscant more often.

Padmé reentered, her hair down and lounge dress on. She stretched with a sigh of relief. "Much better." She declared, settling in next to Anakin while he wrapped an arm around her and planted a kiss on her head. But he started coughing immediately and made a sour face.

"What in blazes is on your head?"

For a moment Padmé was confused, but then her eyes widened in recognition and she started laughing. "I forgot I had hair perfume on, sorry."