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Anakin held your face. Right over the ridge of your brows where they furrowed in contempt, he glossed his thumbs right over them. The leather of his glove on the bionic hand contrasted the smoothness of the pad of his other thumb. His eyes searched your face, taking in your expression with a light teasing tone.
"You’re pouting, again."
"No, I’m not," you countered in a tone that matched the look you bore. Clearly, you were lying.
He smiled and leaned close. His breath fanned across your face. "You are."
A staredown began. One you could not win. He harbored your one weakness. His secret weapon, those bright blue eyes of his, rendered you putty. Coupled with his smile and the close proximity, he was a mastermind who knew how to make your pout falter.
Your gaze darted to the side, unable to escape the warmth of his hands. Encompassed in the security he gave you, your heart thrummed a steady beat. "So what?"
"There's no need to pout."
"What should I do? Smile? Pretend this is okay? It's not fair." Your face soured more before dissolving altogether. He’d given you this news on such short notice. In all fairness, it was short notice for him as well. Taking his feelings into consideration, you realized he was just as upset with this as you were. He’d only maintained his composure for your sake. You batted your eyelashes and evened your breathing, looking up at him in defeat. "When will I see you again?"
He grew quiet. As his hands fell from your face to your shoulders, silence invaded your comfort. You both watched each other, gauging each other’s reactions. Unfortunately for you, you couldn’t read thoughts or emotions like he could. He knew what to expect from you before you did. Still, you didn’t need such an ability when you were with him. The only Jedi in the room, the one man who walked proudly with his heart on his sleeve, was unable to mask the downturn of the corners of his mouth. His brows set in disappointment, none of it aimed at you.
He spoke slowly, uncertain in every aspect. "I don't know when I will return."
Knowing how you’d react, his hands ran along your arms in a soothing manner. Already, your expression soured with similar disappointment. You dropped your gaze, unable to look him in the eye. How were you supposed to wait again , not knowing just when you would be together?
It was not fair at all.
"You just returned a few days ago."
Anakin sighed, his hands rested on your elbows. He glided them down to cup your hands. Centering his thumbs in the middle of your palms, he pressed down gently. It was a silent apology. He understood your annoyance, your pain. He wanted to stay with you as much as you did.
"I know." His voice reflected the defeat you shared.
You hated the war. As much as anyone else, really, but more so that your husband stood at the frontlines of every battle. He put his life at risk day in and day out. The Jedi should not have to be a part of this effort. Anakin disagreed with you on that, but he knew as much as you did that this was the way things were.
In the privacy of your apartment, you let your annoyance show. Your brows pinched together and your shoulders dropped. You let out a deep sigh. "I wish this war would just end."
"If it were that simple, I'd end it myself." Anakin was sure of that. You knew he meant what he said and you nodded, comforted in that fact. Were he to hold the power to put an end to the fighting and ceaseless battles, he would in a heartbeat.
You forced yourself to look at him from beneath your eyelashes. Letting his beauty, even in his discontented state, burn into your mind. You’d have only your memory and his word to hold onto until he returned. "I just want you to myself."
Anakin let go of your hands. Setting them over the fabric of your dress draped intimately over your hips, he pulled you close. He raised one hand, the one of flesh, and caressed your cheek. He would do so as he had countless times before, committing your warmth as well as your adoring look to memory. You leaned into it, cupping your hand over his.
"Believe me, I feel the same." His shoulders slumped, taking in your hurt expression. In an attempt to sway his mind, you put up as much love as you could muster into your eyes. He felt your hurt love, knowing you did not want to be abandoned like this. Not again. "I wish I could make you happy."
He could. You only had one request. It was the one certainty to bring back your smile after hearing such disappointing news. If only the power of your words, of your love, was enough. "Stay."
The both of you knew that as long as he was under the Council's thumb, moving at the beck and call of the Senate, he could never fulfill your wish. He had a duty to bring peace across the galaxy. Your love and soft plea could not keep him from his role in the war. However, you motivated him. The sooner he sought an end to the war, the sooner he could return to your embrace. He would fight hard to come home.
"I love you," He responded, instead of outright denying your request. His eyes closed as he said this, knowing he could not handle the resignation in your eyes. He didn’t need to give you a proper response. You knew as well as he did how impossible your simple request was.
You shifted in his embrace. Cupping his face in both hands, you stood on your tiptoes. Anakin bent down, pressing his forehead against yours as your eyes fluttered closed. The two of you stood like that, basking in each other's warmth. Breaths fanned over one another's faces, your heart beat a steady thrum. You closed the distance, inhaling slowly.
"Come back to me."
You pressed your lips against his. Anakin pulled you closer, deepening the kiss. His arms wrapped around your waist, ensuring no space was between you. He put all his feelings into the kiss. The love in your heart sank to a pit. If only he did not have to leave you.
He broke the kiss to press his lips to your forehead as you both opened your eyes. "You'll see me, again, my love."
He just didn't know when. Soon, he so badly wanted to say. Just as much as you so dearly wanted to hear the word, soon. Neither of you would get that, left with the uncertainty of when. For all you feared, it could be never. You perished the thought as quickly as it made itself known. He would return to you if it was the last thing he did.
The two of you stood still. You lowered your gaze, turning and laying your head on his chest. With a deep inhale, you took in the scent of your body wash. You smiled, knowing he used yours again. He liked to have your scent on him, anything to carry a reminder. Anakin's bionic hand rubbed your back as he muttered again how he loved you. It was a small comfort.
Your gaze fluttered to the dark skies of Coruscant. From here, you could not see the stars, deep in the heart of the city, its pollution keeping you from yet another beauty. If you had any power, you'd keep him here for more than just tonight. Always, you thought. He would be in your arms, gifting you with the sound of his laugh and the tenderness he sought after.
You closed your eyes and willed this moment to last forever.
In the morning, you'd wake to an empty spot on your bed. Cold and alone, you would begin your morning as you’d grown used to doing throughout the war. The days would be longer. You will be lonely for weeks, possibly months. Anakin would be out there putting his life on the line, doing everything asked of him to bring back peace and balance to the galaxy. He would do all that and more and you would have no way of knowing if he was safe or alright.
You wished this war ended. Right now, at the snap of your fingers, just have everything come to a standstill. No more bloodshed, no more dysfunction or unrest. At this point, the outcome no longer mattered. Neither side concerned you, you shamelessly thought. Whether the Republic won or the Separatists - stars , neither could win for all you cared. From your perspective, the whole thing stole him from your arms.
You held him closer, eyes opening once more. Coruscant, for all the life that thrived here, would be so open and barren without him. The sight outside the viewport no longer enticed you as it once had years ago. Pulling away by a hair, you locked eyes with the man you loved and cherished wholeheartedly.
"Think of me."
"Always."
Anakin leaned in and captured your lips. Actions spoke louder than words and here he shared all the love and anguish you held. The two of you wished things could be different. You dragged a hand down his chest. He will be gone tomorrow, back on the battlefield. Tomorrow, you will be indefinitely lonely.
Tonight, though, you had him to yourself. For one last night, you would cherish your remaining time with your husband. The war was unfair to you both.