Bittersweet Devotion [Star Wars x Anakin Skywalker]

37.

"There's a fine line between not listening and not caring. I like to think I walk that line every day of my life." - Anakin Skywalker 

Anakin and Rain moved silently through the corridors of the Death Star, their senses alert as they made their way toward the Emperor's throne room. The air was thick with tension, and every step they took felt like a step closer to their inevitable confrontation.

Rain's heart pounded in her chest as she reached out through the Force, feeling the dark presence of the Emperor looming ahead. She knew this was their only chance to end his reign of terror, to finally free themselves from his control.

But the closer they got, the more the fear gnawed at her. What if they failed? What if, despite all their planning and resolve, the Emperor was too powerful to defeat? The fear was a living thing, clawing at the edges of her mind, but she pushed it down, clinging to the one thing that had always given her strength—Anakin.

As if sensing her turmoil, Anakin reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. His presence beside her was like a beacon of light in the darkness, a reminder that she wasn't alone in this. They were in this together, and together, they could overcome anything.

Their footsteps made little noise as they crept as quietly but also as quickly as possible through the once-familiar halls of the Death Star. Memories of the past haunted them, but they pressed on, focused on their mission: Reach the Emperor's chambers before he or anyone else realized they were there.

Most of the stormtroopers were caught up in their preparations for the predetermined attack by Leia's rebels. This meant that very few clones were patrolling the halls as they normally would. Years of living in the Death Star had left both Anakin and Rain with extensive knowledge of its layout, and with the added ability of being able to communicate telepathically, they stood a good chance of remaining undetected.

Still, the journey wasn't without its dangers. There was one instance where they were forced to hide in a darkened corridor as a group of guards marched by, completely unaware of the two figures lurking in the shadows.

But trudging through these halls brought back many unwanted memories of Rain's dark past, and being here now—with Anakin by her side—was something that she had only ever dared to wish for. It was beyond belief that it had now become her reality.

Rain blinked, bringing herself back to the present, and found Anakin giving her a strange smile from where he was crouched beside her in the darkness.

"What are you staring at?" she asked, sending the thought directly into his mind.

"I can hear your thoughts sometimes," Anakin replied with a mental chuckle. "When you're concentrating or letting your guard down. I was smiling because I agree with you."

"Agree with what?" Rain pressed, though she already had an inkling of his thoughts.

"I want to give our children a real chance to love us as well," Anakin answered, his expression softening with a mix of regret and hope.

Regret for not being there to raise his own children. Hope for the future they could have, a second chance to do better.

Rain's heart swelled with love for him. She inched closer, tilting her head up and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Let's make it happen then," she whispered aloud, her voice filled with determination.

* * *

Minutes that felt like hours later, Anakin and Rain stood outside the Emperor's chambers, hand in hand. The doors loomed before them, a final barrier between them and the man who had controlled their lives for far too long.