Peace

iii.

Zera sat across from Anakin on the couch, her little legs swinging as she focused on her drawing. Without looking up, she asked, "When will I get a lightsaber?"

Anakin glanced up from his datapad, smirking slightly. "You're five, Zera. You're not getting a lightsaber anytime soon." His tone was light but firm as he returned to his datapad.

Zera's eyebrows furrowed in disappointment, her lips forming a small pout. She didn't think it was fair-she was training, wasn't she? Before she could voice her protest, the soft hiss of the door sliding open drew both of their attention.

Zera's face lit up as soon as she saw Padmé enter the room. She smiled brightly, thrilled to see her, but before she could say anything, Anakin's voice cut through the moment.

"Obi-Wan's been here, hasn't he?" Anakin asked, his tone sharp.

The sudden shift in his voice made Zera tense up. She quickly dropped her gaze to the drawing in her lap, sensing the tension. Padmé noticed Zera's unease and then looked back at Anakin, her expression calm but guarded.

"He came by this morning," Padmé replied softly, offering a small smile to diffuse the situation.

Zera watched as Anakin stood up, moving toward Padmé. "What did he want?"

"He's worried about you, Anakin," Padmé said gently, meeting his gaze. "He says you've been under a lot of stress."

Anakin sighed, his frustration palpable. "I feel... lost."

Padmé's brow furrowed as she stepped closer. "Lost? What do you mean?"

"Obi-Wan and the Council don't trust me," he muttered, his gaze drifting out the window.

Padmé shook her head, her voice full of quiet reassurance. "They trust you with their lives, Anakin."

"Something's happening," he said, turning back to face her, the conflict clear in his eyes. "I want more." His voice softened as he added, "And I know I shouldn't."

Padmé moved toward him, taking his arm, her touch gentle but firm. "You expect too much of yourself," she said, her eyes filled with concern as she tried to anchor him in the moment.

Anakin held Padmé tightly, his voice a whisper as he said, "I found a way to save you."

"Save me?" Padmé asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"From my nightmares," he said, barely audible.

Her eyes searched his, concern deepening. "Is that what's been bothering you?" she asked, her eyebrows knitting together with worry.

"I won't lose you, Padmé," Anakin insisted, his grip tightening as if she might slip away.

"Ani, I'm not going to die in childbirth," she said softly, trying to reassure him. "I promise you."

"No," he said firmly, his eyes intense as he pulled her even closer. "I promise you."

Neither of them noticed the small figure still sitting where they had left her. Zera, her red curls framing a pale face, had heard every word. Her wide, frightened eyes stared at them, her mind racing with confusion and fear.