chains | anidala

the truth

Padmé threw the blankets off of her, standing tall. She quickly barked out, "Who are you?! What do you want from me?!"

"Padmé," The robot said. "Calm down. It's me."

"I don't know who you are!"

The robot chuckled, shaking its head. "I apologize."

Padmé forrowed her eyebrows together in frustration. She wanted to scream.

Two black hands raised to the mask, slowly removing it. Padmé gasped.

"Anakin."

"My love," He replied, placing the mask on the nightstand. "I'm glad to see that you're awake."

She took a step backward and drew in a breath. Her heart seemed to skip a neat as she pondered on what was in front of her. Padmé was at awe. She didn't fully understand what was happening.

The last time the two had seen each other he was screaming at her, stealing her breath. It had scared her. She'd felt like he'd taken a knife and cut her to pieces.

Now he stood in front of her, with the soft face of Anakin, wearing a suit of black robotic armour.

"What is going on?" She questioned, trying her best to put as much strength into her voice. Padmé didn't want to sound weak, regardless if this was her husband. "I don't understand."

"Sit down," Anakin replied. He took a few steps forward. His heavy boots were loud on the floor.

"No, Anakin," She shot back, crossing her arms. "I will not simply sit down. You need to tell me what's going on."

He sighed, running his hands through his hair. Without replying, he removed his boots and cloak.

"Anakin."

Again, he didn't reply. Instead he removed his breastplate and placed it on the dresser.

"Anakin!" Padmé huffed in frustration. The two hadn't fought a lot during their marriage. Mainly for the reason that they didn't spend extended periods of time together. Every moment was always cherished. Padmé rarely raised her voice. She was always very gentle.

She didn't know if it was due to the hormones or the stress of the situation, but Padmé had had enough of the mystery. She banged her fist on the wall and shouted, "Anakin Skywalker!"

He stopped moving around the bedroom, staring at his wife. He wore nothing but lose pants, revealing his bare chest.

"Stop pretending everything is alright!" She continued. "I don't understand what's going on! Where is Obi-wan?! Where are we?! Where have you been?!"

"Obi-wan is not here," He replied swiftly.

"Then where is he?" She asked.

"He's back on Coruscant," Anakin told her. "With the other Jedi."

She paused, drawing a deep breath. "Where are we?"

"Somewhere safe."

"Anakin!"

"We are on Mustafar. Where it is safe."

"Mustafar?" She whispered. "Mustafar! We're still here?!"

"Yes, Padmé."

The pain resurfaced inside of her body again. Betrayal seeped down her back and caused her to shiver. Her throat was dry and her blood felt thick and slow. She was cold.

"For a second," She sighed. "Just for a second I thought this wasn't true. I thought it was a nightmare."

"This isn't bad, Padmé," Anakin told her. He stepped closer to her, slightly opening his arms.