Across the Stars (Star Wars X Reader)

By My Side (Darth Vader X Reader) (SFW)

Warnings: None, really. Fluff, a little angst, mentions of battle, mentions of death

When you see his ship land on the platforms outside of the Mustafar palace, you can't help but sigh in relief. You know that Vader is a powerful warrior, and the chances of him dying on the battlefield are slim-to-none; but there's always a part of you that worries for him when he goes on missions for the emperor.

You hurry yourself to the palace's entrance- as Vader's personal assistant you are required to attend to his every request, in addition to his medical needs.

He had told you the story about how he ended up this way- encased in a suit with respirators and other apparatuses just to keep him alive. Even though he was a terrifying warlord capable of great death and destruction, he began to open up to you shortly after the emperor assigned you the position, and you couldn't help the feelings that were taking root inside you. Despite the occasional angry outbursts and horror stories from fellow officers- you fell.

You were almost certain that Vader had no feelings for you- not that you believed him more machine than man, but because during his occasional night terrors- you rushing to his chambers to calm him so that his pulse or blood pressure doesn't rise too much- he would call out a woman's name: "Padme." You assumed it was the late senator Amidala he was calling out to- you vividly remember her funeral as a young nabire child- and he must've been terribly in love with her for him to still call her name almost two decades after her death.

So, you kept your feelings for the sith lord secret, always trying to stop the blush from taking over your cheeks when he complimented your work, and steadying your heart beat when your hand brushed his for the briefest of moments.

As you exited the palace, Vader approached, his cape fluttering behind him.

"Welcome home, Lord Vader," you greet him, bowing, "is there anything that you require?"

"My suit requires some repairs," his voice emanates from the mask, "come, Y/n."

You walked side-by-side with the Sith, no other words exchanged as the two of you make your way to the repair room.

Upon entering the room, Vader sat in the center chair, and droids began to fix the damaged armor.

"How did the mission go?" you asked, observing the droids and giving him a once-over to assure that there weren't any gaping wounds.

"We destroyed the rebel fleet at Crait- whatever remnants that possibly escaped our wrath will not last long," Vader replied, "are there any other assignments or meetings required of me?"

"As of yet, no, my lord," you replied, a small smile crept on to your lips, checking the datapad that was at your side once more to see no messages or alerts, "it appears you have a bit of a break."

"Good," he hummed, flexing his arms as the droids finished their work, "accompany me to my room?"

Your heart stuttered in your chest. Though his voice, through the vocoder, was booming and monotone, you were able to decipher his vocal tics. He didn't order  you; he asked  you to accompany him. You've hardly ever heard Vader ask you of something- usually he only ordered.

"Of course, my lord," you managed to reply smoothly as Vader stood, and the two of you once again walked in silence.

The silence was never awkward- absolutely not- but this time you felt something. It wasn't uncomfortable, it felt almost like an unspoken feeling. You didn't want to look too deep into it, but this new, well, whatever this was, it excited you.

As you arrived at the door of Vader's room, he punched in his code, the doors sliding open, and the two of you entered.

It was a grand room, a specialized bacta tank in the center, a small nightstand for tools, trinkets, and his saber, as well as a large bed. As you and Vader walked further into the room, blush threatened to take over your features- the farthest you've ever been was the bacta tank, and Vader was leading you directly to his bed.

As you approached the bed, Vader suddenly turned around, pulling you into his arms as he sat on the side of the bed. You gasped in shock, but reciprocated the hug nonetheless.

"L-lord Vader?" your voice wavered in question, the earlier threat of blush overtook your features. Never before have you been this close to him.

"Y/n," his deep voice reverberated in his chest, the already audible sounds of the breathing apparatus echoing in your ears, "Though we won the battle at Crait, I had my worries that I was not going to return to you." 

Your breath caught in your throat, pressing your forehead into his shoulder, the cape providing a barrier between your skin and the cool metal of his armor.

"You are important to me; so important to me," Vader paused for a moment, almost as if to catch his breath and calm himself, "you remind me so much of her."

You never asked the Sith lord about his relationship with Senator Amidala, but you figured your question would be answered shortly.

"My wife... she was a loving and gentle soul," his voice was almost a whisper, "and after I lost her, I thought that no one would ever treat me like she did. But then you came; and your kindness towards even a monster like me... It makes me feel like my old self  again.

Your head rose from its place on his shoulder, one of your hands rising to gently caress his mask. You heard an audible sigh from the Sith, his head leaning into your touch.

"Y/n," Vader spoke, his usually booming voice so quiet you almost didn't hear it over the loud breaths of the breathing apparatus, "I love you. "

You couldn't help your smile as your heart exploded in your chest, "I love you too, Vader."

Though his mask was emotionless, you could practically feel him smile as he pulled you closer, the forehead of his helmet meeting yours.

"I never want you to leave my side," he spoke after a few moments of silence, "I need to be able to protect you, like how I wasn't able to protect her."

"I will stay by your side, Vader," you whispered, pressing yourself almost impossibly closer. And by his side was where you stayed.