Star Wars One-Shots

Bad Omen

Padmé tosses, reaching her hand out to feel for his body. Instead, she feels nothing but an empty spot. The blankets are cold where he usually rests and the covers are thrown open. She sits up, looking around the room for him.

The lights are dim just outside her room. Carefully, she slides out of the bed. When she stands, tiny kicks grab her attention. She rubs circles on her stomach, hoping to calm the baby growing inside her. "Go back to sleep. It's alright." She whispers.

Quietly, she opens the door and walks to the living room. There he sits, watching the ships pass outside her balcony. He looks tired, but who isn't? This war has been dragged out for so long that even she questions if they should continue. Her husband spends months at a time away from her, putting his life on the line and for what? What is the reason anymore?

He turns, his blue eyes widening at the sight of her. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." He says as he stands. Bags are prominent under his eyes. His hand is shaking, a sign of exhaustion. His hair is a mess, parted where his fingers have run through them over and over.

"What's wrong?" She asks. She steps forward, her hands rubbing up and down on his arms. Though she isn't as attuned with the Force as him, she can almost feel his fear and sadness. Something is bothering him. Something has hurt him.

"It's nothing. Just couldn't sleep." He brushes off, his gaze on the floor. 

She shakes her head. She knows he's lying. He is hiding something from her. "Don't do that. Don't shut me out." She softly begs as she reaches for his face. She pulls down, making him look at her. "Let me help."

He frowns, closing his eyes. "It was just a nightmare. Nothing to worry about. We should go back to bed."

"No." She argues. She pulls him to the couch, making him sit beside her. She leans onto him, her hand laying over his beating heart. He's afraid. She can feel how fast his heart is pumping, his adrenaline working its way through his trembling body. "Let's talk about it. That always makes you feel better."

He shakes his head. "No. I don't want to."

"Why?"

He drops his head, looking down at his mechanical hand. He tightens it, watching the golden fingers lock into a fist so tight he's worried that they might break. "If I tell you, I'm worried it'll come true."

"Anakin, that's not how nightmares work. They're just--"

"It was so real." He cuts off. He clears his throat, breaking the tense silence between them. "This wasn't just some nightmare. It was a vision. It was just like the one I had of my mother."

She pauses, unsure what to say. If he won't say what the vision was to her, maybe he'll talk to someone who understands more. "Maybe Obi-Wan can help. He knows about visions and he'll trust your instincts."

"Obi-Wan can't help me with this," Anakin argues. "The last time I brought up my visions, he told me that they would pass in time. When I did that, my mother died. I can't let the same thing again."

"But that was before you were knighted." She says. "I'm sure now he would listen now. He cares for you, you must see that."

Anakin is quiet for a moment. "Okay. I will try in the morning."

She nods, glad that he's seeking out help. Obi-Wan has expressed his concern for Anakin many times to her. Though Anakin is now no longer his padawan, he still watches out for him. Maybe he can make Anakin feel better. Maybe he can help him understand his vision and show him that it won't come true.

She wants to know what his vision is. She wants to help Anakin now. Agreeing to talk to Obi-Wan in the morning is a nice step towards progress, but it isn't enough for her. She hates seeing him like this. He looks so lost and hopeless. She wants to bring back her Anakin. "I know you don't want to talk about it, but I must know what has you so worked up."

"I can't tell you." He says, narrowing his eyes at her.

"I can handle whatever it is. Just let me help you, please." She insists. 

"I can't risk it. I won't tell you." He breathes, his eyes glossing over. She can feel her heart cracking as she watches her love break in front of her. He takes a shaky breath, his chest rising then falling. "I know you just want to help, but I can't tell you."

Something is wrong, she can feel it in the air. It's a warning of sorts. Something bad is going to happen and very soon. She's about to say something about it when she feels the tiny kicks again. She lets out a soft gasp, looking down. They feel it too. Their baby knows that there is a bad omen around them. 

Anakin sits up, reaching out to her. "You okay?" He asks, fear in his bright blue eyes.

She gives a quick nod and touches her stomach. "Yes. The baby is kicking. It startled me." She softly says, looking down.

He reaches out, then stops inches from her stomach. He looks up, his eyes meeting with hers. "Can I?" He asks, unable to finish his question.

"Of course, Ani." She smiles. He slowly places both hands on her. Almost instantly, the kicks increase. Somehow, it's like their baby knows him. It's like they can recognize him just by his touch and voice. She's in awe as his chuckles erupt around her, making her smile grow.

"Hello." He grins, talking to their baby. He looks up, his smile so bright that she can hardly believe he's the same man. This is her Ani. He's filled with so much love and curiosity. Even these small kicks bring him a trill. "Is it always like this? So energetic?" He asks, glee shimmering on his early morning face.

"No." She admits, placing her hands on her stomach as well. "They must be very excited to meet you."

"I'm excited to meet them too." He agrees, looking back down. Somehow, their baby has changed Anakin's whole mood in mere seconds. He rubs gentle circles on her stomach, whispering softly to their baby. 

She can't make out what he's saying, but she knows it's making them happy. She can almost feel their joy bursting inside of her. Tears are welling in her eyes as she watches him interact with their baby. Though he's never had a father, this position seems to come to him so naturally.

And though she's filled with love at the sight of him talking with their baby, the sense of looming danger doesn't escape her. Suddenly, she's afraid that she'll never get another chance to tell him. Soft tears trek down her cheeks. "I love you." She confesses. He looks up, worry on his face. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Padmé." He immediately replies, grabbing her hands. She sniffles, closing her eyes. He pulls her close, leaning her head onto his shoulder. "I won't anyone hurt you. I will keep you and our baby safe. No matter what I might have to do."

And it hits her.

That's what she's afraid of.

That he'll do anything and everything to keep her safe.

~~~~~~~~~~