title from "hey ho" by dave carter.
how the west was won
they've had this conversation before.
He asks, "Would you come back—would you stay—if I stopped?"
Her hand tightens against his shoulder. "You've said that before," she says, and then, tired, "Anakin, I can't do this anymore."
"You're leaving?" She doesn't miss the threat in his voice.
"Are you surprised?"
He stands, glowering. "You're my wife—"
Padmé stands with him. "My husband died when he betrayed the Jedi and the Republic. I am not your wife. I'm only here—"
"I know why you're here," he cuts her off. "Obi-Wan."
"Because you keep threating to kill him if I don't visit you!" Her hands close into fists. "Who—?" But she already knows the answer to that question: only a Sith Lord would manipulate two friends like this.
Anakin takes a step closer, but she backs away, reaching for her blaster. She expects him to shout, to throw punches, but he just looks sad. "Padmé—"
"I'm leaving. Give my regards to Obi-Wan."
He doesn't stop her as she walks to the exit, but he says, "I would stop. I can be—be good again."
Padmé doesn't falter as she says, "No, you can't."
