Chapter Text
Anakin got back to his and Padmé’s shared apartment, weary from a long day of training with Ahsoka. He walked to their bedroom, undid his belt and shrugged off his tabards to get into his pajamas when he saw Padmé waiting for him in bed, reading on her holopad.
“Did you get it yet?”
Anakin sighed dramatically. She’d been nagging him about this for almost a month now.
“I already told you I don’t need it. I never get sick anyway so why bother. Besides, isn’t it better to stay away from the medical bay and all the sick people?”
Padmé sighed and put down her holopad. She swore her husband could be the most stubborn man in the world sometimes.
Why is he being so difficult about this? She thought to herself.
“Ani, you need to go get a flu shot.” She said bluntly.
Anakin tried to hide the pang of fear that shot through his chest as soon as she said the words. He hated going to the medical bay, especially if he knew had to get a shot.
Anakin knew his fear was irrational, honestly he was pretty embarrassed of it. He’d never actually admit to being scared, though Padmé could see right through his feigned nonchalance, pretending it was just too much of a hassle that he never had time for.
“No I don’t!” he snapped back a little more defensively than he would’ve liked. “I’m fine Padmé I don’t need one. It’s a waste of time and it’d be a waste of resources since I don’t get sick anyway.”
”Ani, honey,” Padmé sighed. “We have this argument every year. I don’t get why you make it such a big deal every time. If you’re scared just—“
Anakin cut her off, ”I’m not scared.” He felt a little guilty for yelling at her, he knew Padmé was only doing this because she loved him and worried about him, but he really wished she’d let it go.
“I wasn’t saying you are, but if you were, I could always go with you and hold your hand,” She offered kindly.
“I’m not a little kid I don’t need you to hold my hand over a little shot.”
There was that feeling again. Right through his chest as he said the word. Force, he felt stupid for getting so scared over something so small. No one else seemed to think it was a big deal so why did the mere thought send shivers down his spine?
”Good. Then you’ll be just fine at your appointment tomorrow,” Padmé smiled.
“My- my what?” He could feel his heart starting to race.
“I made an appointment for you with Kix. I figured you’d be more comfortable with him than one of the Jedi healers. This way all you have to do is stop by instead of having to make an appointment,” she explained kindly, knowing this was the only way she could get her husband to protect himself from the nasty virus.
“How thoughtful…” He said defeatedly. “But, you know I just don’t think I’ll have time. I’ve got council briefings and training with Ahsoka. I’ll never have time for all the extra datawork,” Anakin said in a near desperate search for an excuse.
“Don’t worry,” Padmé reassured him. “I’ve already filled out all the emergency forms for you. All you’ve got to do is walk in at 9:30, sign the consent and get the shot. It’ll be quick and easy. I even made sure it was during a time I didn’t have any meetings if you wanted a buddy there with you.”
”Ah damn, you know 9:30 just so happens to be the exact time of my council meeting. That’s too bad.” He said somewhat smugly, even if he was fudging the truth a bit.
“Nope. Nice try Ani, Obi-Wan already told me you two were going at 9:45. You’ll have plenty of time to pop by and see Kix.”
”Well, you know what they say. ‘If you’re early you’re on time, if you’re on time then you’re late.”
”Since when are you ever early? Besides I’m sure the council will understand the importance of staying healthy, unlike a certain husband of mine.” Padmé said a bit snarky. “Like I said, Obi-Wan already knows so even if you are late there shouldn’t be any issues.”
Anakin looked about as defeated as he felt. Another year he’d been outsmarted by his wife and doomed to a needle at the clinic.
He sighed and went back to changing into his pajamas, clearly not looking forward to the day ahead of him.
At 5:00 am the next morning, Anakin’s alarm clock went off like it did every morning.
He got in the shower, brushed his teeth and washed his face before heading to breakfast with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. It was what they did every day that they could. Whatever the day had in store for them, they always started it off the same— with a cup of caf and breakfast together in the mess hall.
He got his breakfast and sat down between his padawan and his former master, both of whom could sense the nervousness radiating off of him into the force.
“Are you alright, Master?” Ahsoka asked.
“Me? Oh I’m fine. I’ve got an important meeting with the council today is all.” Anakin brushed off his padawan’s concerns, too embarrassed to say why he was actually nervous.
Obi-Wan, on the other hand, knew exactly why he was nervous. Of course, he’d never embarrass him by saying it, but he remembered all of the temper tantrums he threw as a boy trying to avoid the healers.
“There’s no need to worry Anakin,” Obi-Wan told him. “We’re just going over the next mission, nothing scary. It’ll be quick and easy.”
There were those words again. “Quick and easy” something about them made his heart race. He guessed Obi-Wan already knew why he was really nervous, and appreciated that he didn’t embarrass him by saying it outright, especially in front of Ahsoka.
Before long they finished their breakfast and started cleaning up.
“Have a good day Ahsoka. Anakin, I’ll see you at 9:45. Until then, please be good.”
”Yeah, yeah I will,” Anakin sighed, mentally preparing himself for the dreaded appointment.
As he walked away he noticed a box of bandaids sitting on a nearby table. Just then, he had a great idea.