𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙀𝘾𝙍𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙃𝙔𝘽𝙍𝙄𝘿, clone wars ²

Embrace of Dreams

It was a somber realization that Ziro was dead, but I had no intention of lingering another minute on that wretched planet. The stench of despair was palpable, and the memories were too heavy to bear. After navigating the shadows of treachery, we finally secured the book from Cad Bane, the notorious bounty hunter, a figure as enigmatic as he was dangerous. With the tome in our possession, we made our escape at last, leaving behind the remnants of a world steeped in grief and betrayal.

"Are you coding okay?" Anakin asked as we walked through the temple halls. I gave him a sharp nod, trying to shake off the weight of the day. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's just get some rest while we still can," I replied, opening the door to my chamber.

To my surprise, Anakin followed me in without hesitation, a sheepish look crossing his face. I raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Uh, sorry! I thought you might want some company," he said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. The tension in the air shifted, mingling curiosity with the exhaustion that had settled over me like a heavy cloak.

I chuckled softly and gestured for him to take a seat on my bed. It felt oddly comfortable, despite the tension that hung in the air. As I began to undress, I was blissfully unaware of any discomfort it might cause him; my mind was preoccupied with the day's events. I headed to the refresher, welcoming the moment of solitude.

Soon enough, I emerged, dressed in a bathrobe that draped modestly over my bare skin. Anakin was still there, fidgeting with his hands, his sheepish demeanor unmistakable.

"Anakin," I said, my tone calm yet laced with curiosity, tinged with an edge of warning. His wide gaze met mine, and I could sense the turmoil beneath those familiar blue eyes. "What are you doing in here?"

He sighed deeply, an almost painful look crossing his face. "I just want you to love me as much as you do with Fives and Echo," he blurted out. I blinked, trying to process his words.

"Love, Anakin? You know I love you," I replied, my voice steady but tinged with confusion. "But where is this coming from?" I knew he loved me; he'd told me so when I faced death for the second time. But this felt different—more urgent, raw.

He stood up and took my hands in his, his gaze locked onto mine, intense and pleading. "Just let me have one night with you, I beg of you," he murmured, his voice low and earnest. My heart raced, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. The room felt smaller, charged with unspoken emotions and possibilities. "Why now?" I asked, trying to find clarity amidst the storm of feelings.

"I would have asked earlier. I mean, I even hinted at it many times, but you always pushed me away," he confessed, his earnest eyes searching mine. "I just beg of you, just one night, and then I'll be out of your hair."

I couldn't help but chuckle softly, reaching up to caress his cheek. "Anakin, we've already been intimate once," I reminded him gently.

He shook his head, a hint of frustration evident in his expression. "That was with the others. I just want it to be us. It's easier to feel pleasure with just you. I don't love the boys on my squad that way—I only love you that way."

His words hung in the air, and I could feel the heat of his sincerity wash over me. A part of me understood the yearning behind his plea, the longing for connection and intimacy that went beyond the battlefield and our shared experiences. But another part of me hesitated, wrestling with the weight of what he asked.

"Anakin..." I began, my voice soft, feeling the need to tread carefully. "You know this changes things."

"You said that last time too, but it doesn't change anything," he said, his voice soothing as he brushed away my worries. "It just makes us stronger together."