in the stars | anidala

an old friend

apologies for the late update - next one will probably be two weeks as I have midterms to study for next weekend :)

Worlds apart, Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala look out into the oblivion, with a trembling fear. He struggles in an intricate battle, not only in the outer rim sieges but in the crevices of his dark mind. She struggles in an intricate battle, not only in the drowning corruption of a once sound republic but with an addition to her ever so complicated marriage.

Things were changing, they could feel it in their very bones.

Anakin knew she had changed, but he was unsure as to how.

Padmé had changed, with each week that passed while they were apart, the secret baby, a product of their secret marriage, continued to grow in her womb. She knew not if it were a boy or a girl, but she had felt them kick and move. When she was alone, in the sanctuary of her apartment, she measured her body's changes and watched as her bump expanded. She cried tears of joy as she began to connect with their baby, excited for it's arrival, and she cried tears of pain as she realized she could not share this experience with her husband.

Padmé knew he had changed, but she was unsure as to how.

Anakin had changed, with each week that passed while they were apart, resentment and fear of what he could lose grew. He drifted from friends, his master. He grew tired of his frozen position as a Jedi knight. The words felt vile on his tongue, for how much he had sacrificed over the years.

Anakin Skywalker - Outer Rim Sieges.

When news of Chancellor Palpatine's kidnapping circulated, many crouched away in fear. Fear that the republic would fall. Fear that the friendly face who stood bravely as their leader would suffer at the hands of the separatists.

But when Anakin received the transmission from the council, telling Obi-wan Kenobi and himself to return to Coruscant, it wasn't fear Anakin felt. It was relief.

He knew he would rescue and protect his longtime friend and mentor, the chancellor. He'd retrieved many prisoners from many different armed ships. There was nothing a few droids could do to hurt him.

This mission meant he was finally going to see her. Hold her. He could calm his breaking mind and discover what may have changed.

He could finally have some control over her safety.

It had been so long. The last time they'd spoken, was a quick transmission. That felt like a lifetime before, three months to be exact.

The quick outer rim sieges he had promised had dragged on for seven months. The longest they had been apart.

He often spent his nights willing his frustrations at the force, hoping the council would finally adhere to his will. Finally, after seven long months, they had.

As of late, Anakin had felt lighter. Perhaps it was acceptance. Perhaps he had adapted to a life without her after all that time. Perhaps he had finally remembered his training. Or perhaps it was the reunification with his master, who had continued to work with him.

He hadn't brought up Padmé again, which allowed Anakin's anxiety to lift. There was no need to prod his master on what he knew. He had made a joke. Finally. Something light hearted out in one of the hardest stretches in the war.

Anakin allowed himself to banter with his master, like old times. He allowed himself to enjoy the battle, to thrive in it. He squashed the fear with the bottom of his foot. Or at least, for the day he had.

"What are you doing down there?" Anakin teased, walking forward, calm and collected, before casually avoiding a blast coming his way.

"We are taking cover," Obi-wan explained, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Now get down!" He commanded.