Bittersweet Devotion [Star Wars x Anakin Skywalker]

5.

"General Grievous, You're shorter than I expected" - Anakin Skywalker

The grand staircase of the Senate building stretched below Rain as she descended behind Anakin and Padmé, her steps heavy with the thoughts swirling in her mind. The bustling cityscape of Coruscant faded into the background, replaced by a growing tension that had nothing to do with the mission ahead. She shifted her travel bag to her other hand, attempting to shake the numbness from her fingers as they moved toward the loading dock.

The hallways of the Senate building were imposing, lined with tall pillars and filled with the ambient hum of a world always in motion. Rain's gaze kept drifting toward Anakin, who walked beside Padmé with a quiet intensity. Rain had met the senator briefly, and although Padmé had been polite, there was something about her that unsettled Rain. A gnawing feeling, something she couldn't quite name—jealousy, perhaps.

When they reached the transport, Obi-Wan was already waiting, his expression calm yet watchful as ever. The trio boarded the ship, and Rain made her way to a seat by the window. The ship's engines hummed to life, and soon they were leaving the sprawling cityscape of Coruscant far behind, the sky transitioning from the twinkling lights of the city to the deep blue of the upper atmosphere.

Padmé took a seat across from Anakin, her personal guard close by, while Anakin settled next to Rain. He stared out the window, his brow furrowed, lost in thought. Rain glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her heart beating just a little faster at his proximity. They sat in a tense silence, the only sound the low hum of the ship's engines.

Anakin began asking Padmé questions as soon as they were airborne, his voice calm and measured, though Rain noticed a slight eagerness beneath his tone. Padmé answered him with her usual poise, each word carefully chosen. Rain could sense something more between them—an unspoken connection that made her feel uneasy. Yet she kept her face neutral, her thoughts hidden behind a mask of Jedi composure.

As the hours passed and the steady rhythm of the ship's engines filled the cabin, Rain found herself drifting off. The gentle swaying of the ship and the warmth beside her lulled her into a light sleep. Before she realized it, she had dozed off, her head resting lightly on Anakin's shoulder. She stirred slightly, half-aware of the comfortable sensation, but too drowsy to move.

"Rain," a soft voice whispered, pulling her from the edges of sleep. "Come on, it's time to go. Wake up."

She blinked her eyes open, finding Anakin's face close to hers, a small, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. "What are you smiling at?" she asked quietly, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest.

"You look peaceful when you sleep," he whispered, his voice so low that only she could hear.

A slight shiver ran down Rain's spine at his words, and she quickly looked away, trying to regain her composure. Did he even realize what effect he had on her? She noticed she was still leaning against him and hastily sat up, taking in her surroundings as the ship began its descent.

The landscape of Naboo spread out beneath them, a beautiful patchwork of green and blue. Rain stood up, squeezing past Anakin to retrieve her bag from the overhead compartment. The ship touched down with a soft thud, and she followed Obi-Wan outside, Anakin and Padmé trailing behind.

Obi-Wan led Rain and Anakin to the side of the landing platform, away from the others, his expression serious as he regarded them both. "Can you both promise not to do anything reckless without me?" he asked, his tone a mix of concern and humor.

Rain sighed dramatically, offering him a grin. "Obi-Wan, you must know by now—reckless is my middle name!"

Obi-Wan chuckled and pulled her into a tight hug, a rare display of affection from the normally reserved Jedi Master. Rain returned the embrace, feeling the warmth of his care. Obi-Wan was the closest thing to a father she had ever known, and she cherished him dearly.