Chapter Text
Disclaimers : Star Wars and his universe don't belong to me. I was inspired for this project by images created by Renata Castellani, which you can easily find on Deviantart.
Note : this is another old story that I wrote several years ago and that I want to share with you.
Once known across half the Galaxy as the Fearless Hero, Anakin Skywalker now led a completely different life. A daily life where his main mission now consisted of feeding two little mouths and changing their nappies. Only, it was far from being as easy as one might think ! Anakin sometimes almost regretted his old life. But with the birth of the twins and the end of the war, he had felt that leaving the Jedi Order to take care of his children was the best decision. Anyway, Anakin would have ended up being expelled from the Order for breaking the rules. And since Padmé had been able to keep her position as senator, one of them had to sacrifice their career.
Only a few weeks old, the twins spent most of the day sleeping, fortunately, but also driving their father crazy. It seemed that from the moment they were born, they had sensed that Anakin didn't have much patience or skill. Every day was therefore a new challenge for the young father. And when he finally managed to get his children to sleep, he took the opportunity to unwind by watching television or catching up on his lost sleep. Since Padmé was working, he was the one who primarily got up at night when the twins woke up.
Stay-at-home dad ? Certainly not restful at all ! He sometimes dreamed of his old life, which consisted of fighting on the droid front, risking his life every time. Sometimes, he would rather face General Grievous's armies again than deal with his little monsters, Luke and Leia. How could two such tiny beings cry so loudly and wear down his patience ? Honestly, he still hadn't figured it out. And how could nappies smell so bad ?
That day, while Padmé was at the Senate, Anakin was once again taking care of the twins and the apartment all by himself. He had spent the morning fighting with the two children to get them to take their bottles. After Luke had regurgitated half of his bottle and Leia had refused to take it, Anakin was now enjoying a moment of respite by watching television while the babies napped.
C-3PO then entered the living room. The droid had the unfortunate tendency to hide when the twins were awake, pretending to have some household chores to do in the apartment, rather than helping Anakin take care of the children. What a coward.
- Master Anakin, there is still a lot of cleaning to do in the apartment, he told him as the concerned party gave him a dark look. He had barely just sat down on the couch !
- Well, go back ! Padmé will give me a hard time if the apartment is still a mess.
- If you came to help me, we would finish faster...
- Did you come to help me this morning to feed Luke and Leia ? I don't remember, now do your part.
- I’m a protocol droid, not a cleaning droid !
- I originally designed you to help my mother, I remind you.
The droid had no counter-argument to offer in the face of that and went back from where it came, complaining to itself. R2 wasn't there to listen to him, so he had no one to complain to.
At that moment, Anakin heard the elevator doors open. He hastily turned off the television and stood up abruptly. The apartment was really messy. Padmé was going to complain again. But determined not to let her catch him doing nothing, he hurried to the kitchen and started washing the dishes.
- It's me, I'm back, Padmé's voice called out.
Anakin heard her walking through the apartment, then she came to find him after probably checking that the twins were asleep. Anakin then turned his head towards her and gave her a big, innocent smile.
- You came home early today.
- Obviously too early, she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.
- I don't see why you say that.
- That's it, take me for an idiot, Anakin. Come on, admit it. You just started washing the dishes, didn't you ?
- What ? Not at all ! Obi-Wan came to eat at noon, there's just a bit more dishes than usual.
- You can do better, Ani.
Padmé looked up at the ceiling before coming over to kiss her husband's cheek.
- But if you tidied up and cleaned as you went along without it becoming a mountain, you would have less to do all at once.
- Okay, fine, it's true. I just started, but I can't help it ! Your children are real little monsters ! I had to fight all morning to get them to take their bottle !
- Do you see that. And I spent my morning trying to convince the entire Senate to significantly reduce spending now that the war is over, Padmé replied sarcastically.
Anakin frowned before returning to his dishes. Padmé could say what she wanted, the job of a stay-at-home parent was far from easy ! Especially when you had two real little monsters at home. Compared to that, fighting armies of droids was a piece of cake.
When he had finished his task a few minutes later, Anakin went to find Padmé in the living room. She had changed, but not to stay at home. Anakin frowned.
- Where are you going ?
- I had forgotten that I had to see Senators Mothma and Bail after today's session.
- Padmé ! You said you would take care of the children at the end of the day.
- Anakin, I can't help it. I have a job and I have to keep doing it.
- That's it, rather say that you arrange things so you don't have to take care of the twins.
This time, Padmé got a little angry. She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned.
- What are you implying by that ? That I don't like taking care of my own children ?
- Yes, maybe.
- In that case, you just have to find a job! And when that's done, I'll quit !
Somewhat vexed, Padmé abruptly turned on her heel and left. Anakin grumbled and decided he deserved a break from his chores, even though he had just started. He settled on the couch, stretching his legs. He sighed. Taking care of the children was one thing. But doing the cleaning too, that was another thing !
Anakin didn't see the time pass, and when Padmé returned two hours later, the young man hadn't moved from the couch. She appeared behind the couch, above him, with a displeased look on her face.
- Anakin ! What are you up to again ?
- Well, you see, I'm watching television.
- Don't you have other things to do ?
- Who knows.
The young woman pursed her lips, while Anakin chose to ignore her. He already knew what she was going to tell him, but she had no idea of the hellish morning he had had ! He had every right to unwind anyway ! But suddenly Padmé pounced on him and snatched the remote.
- Give that back to me right now !
- Definitely not ! Get up and come help me clean.
Anakin glared at her but didn't move an inch. On the contrary, he sank a little deeper into the soft cushions of the couch. Once, during the Clone Wars, their marriage had seemed so bold and unrealistic, but today Anakin realised how ordinary they had become as a couple. They were even arguing over mundane household chores !
Anakin, still sprawled on the couch, raised his hand and, with a small smirk, retrieved the remote using the Force. Unfortunately for him, he knew Padmé well enough. She wasn't going to give up that easily, he knew it. Force or not, she knew how to be formidable. But before she had time to initiate her next move, the twins woke up at that moment and started whimpering in their crib.
- Ah ah ! Padmé then exclaimed in a triumphant tone.
- What do you mean « ah ah ! » ? replied Anakin, raising an eyebrow.
Padmé didn't respond and left the living room. She went to fetch the twins from the room and returned a few moments later with them in her arms. She then thrust them into Anakin's arms, quick as lightning.
- Here ! I'm going to clean up, and you just have to take care of our children. And for heaven's sake, take your dirty boots off my couch, she grumbled unhappily.
- You wouldn't want to help me with the cleaning from time to time, would you ? asked Anakin to his children, looking down at them.
For all responses, the two babies simply continued to whine before a pleasant smell emanated from Luke. Anakin sighed deeply. He was clearly not at the end of his troubles. Not content with fighting against his children on a daily basis, he also had to fight against his wife. Ah, the joys of being a stay-at-home dad, he wasn't about to forget them !