Destruction of the Innocent (Anakin Skywalker)

~35~

We glide back towards the temple in silence. I replay the events of tonight in my head into a quick summary to rattle off to my Father. And then the vicious cycle replays itself. It's exhausting. 

"Over there. Behind on the beach dock is fine", I instructed. I clip my transmitter back to my belt.  Sitting back in the seat I blink hard, the exhaustion is very real and threatens to not let my eyes open again. 

But I do. I sigh deeply and cross my arms over my chest.

"Don't you think you should go to the temple first? You should make a report to the Council at once", he said. I roll my eyes and look over to him. He checks behind us every few seconds for tag alongs.

"Just drop me off", I repeat. He stays silent, but diverts off from traffic.

Gliding towards the back of the castle, we pass the rocks and down towards the beach.  The main controls are switched over to R2 and the ship powers down. 

 He's the first to get out through his side. The muffled sound of his feet crunching through the sand gets closer as he walks around to my side. My door whooshes open and I'm met with the sound of waves.

When he offers me his hand. I hesitate, but take it anyway.  R2 chirps from the backseat. I smile and wave a goodnight to him.

I realize I'm wearing his cloak still and shrug it off,  shaking bits of sand off before handing it over to him.

"Are you sure you saw-"

"I heard what I heard", I nod. "I wish I could say this was fun-but I would be lying."
He smirks before throwing it into the seat.

"You know it was. You just won't admit it", he nods then shrugs, "Where's your sense of adventure?"

"In case you have'nt noticed, I can't really afford to have one. I have a reputation to uphold. You on the other hand...", I shake my head.
 He suppresses a smirk and juts his chin out. His eyes go dark as he takes a step towards me.
"What about me?", he asks. The overwhelming but familiar warmth radiates off of him but I don't step away.
I look up at him and shrug, shaking my head lightly.

"I'm not sure yet. I have'nt figured you out just yet", I answer.
His smirk disappears as he steps closer.
"Do yourself a favor", he says as he leans into the speeder. When he extends his hand, my lightsaber snaps into his palm and he straightens to hand it to me."And don't waste your time."

Cold. That's all I could feel. He's  standing right in front of me, but it does'nt feel the same.
He's shut it off, whatever it was. Did I say something?

I push my thoughts away, along with the unwanted lump in my throat and take my weapon from him.

"I suppose your services were of help tonight", I admit. I kick my boots off and hold them, letting my feet sink into the sand beneath me. When I stand straight again, his gaze follows and locks with mine.

The same furnace of heat erupts in my chest again and it takes everything in me to not melt where I stand.

"But if you'll excuse me", I stand and nod."General."
"Princess", he nods condescendingly.

A smirk plays on his face as I turn and begin to trudge my way through the sand.
As I make my way toward the ivy covered staircase, I can't help but think about how pleased with himself he looked.

Could he tell his denial had upset me? What is that I experience when I'm with him? 
The constant heat feeling in my chest...was it an aura?....Could he pull auras??


I sigh in defeat as I reach the top of the stairs and my feet make contact with the cool marble of the balcony.

Walking through the doors, I throw my boots down and make my way to the liquor cart to pour a drink first thing.

As I took a sip, the same heat feeling in my chest comes back and gets stronger with every second, until I hear a pair of boots land softly on the balcony behind me.
I turn over my shoulder, and my tall, dark savior straightens up again from a jump. The drapes swirl in the doorway from the breeze as he steps around them and stops in front of my bookcase.
His eyes knit together in curiosity before he locks his hands behind his back.