Set after Anakin's fight with Clovis. Warning for mentions of assault.
Anakin paces the length of his personal room in the Jedi temple. He's already packed what he needs for the next mission but…
He can't leave. Padmé's still too close to Clovis. He'll hurt her while he's away. He already has hurt her!
But he can't help now. She wants space, a break from each other. And it hurts more than anything to leave now because he never wanted to scare her, he didn't!
Anakin falls onto his bed, hands pulling at his hair. It's his fault, he knows. He should've…he can't even think of something else to do! He walked in and Padmé was pushing Clovis away! She said no! And he still wouldn't stop until Anakin stepped in!
He can't think of what would've happened. Had he not been there…
"Anakin?" Obi-Wan's voice is like light through the darkness. His mind doesn't clear, but it gets easier to breathe.
"Obi-Wan!" Anakin goes to him, then stops short of touching him. Disconnect. A Jedi doesn't hug his master, even if he needs it. "What…" He can't make his words work.
"I came to check on you. You're supposed to leave on a mission in half an hour and you have yet to meet up with Rex-"
"Obi-Wan, can I…can I ask something of you? While I'm gone?"
The Jedi master stares for a long moment, obviously unsure what to make of Anakin's state. But eventually, he nods. "Of course, Anakin. Whatever is the matter?"
How to explain. Anakin goes back to his pacing, then settles on twisting a ruined hydrospanner in his hands. Something to ease his mind. "I…Padmé is working with someone dangerous. He's forced himself on her twice now, maybe more! He tried to-"
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan stops him. There's a peace in the force, through go their bond. "Calm down. I can't understand you if you're angry."
It's difficult but Anakin eventually calms himself. At least on the surface. Inside, he is still burning.
"While I'm gone, can you…watch over her? Protect her. Make sure Clovis doesn't… do anything. Can you?"
When he looks at Obi-Wan again, he's met with a sympathetic look. "Of course. I won't let any harm come to her."
Anakin nods. He wants to do more, to protect her himself, but it's just not possible anymore. He's going to be gone again for who knows how long. He'll be alone.
And he doesn't even have time to apologize to her before he leaves.
Standing, Anakin grabs his gear. He heads out the door, his eyes trailing to the clock on the wall, but he stops just before exiting his room. "Obi-Wan." He looks back. "Thank you."
"Go, Anakin. The Republic needs you." It's not comforting, but it's a clear enough message.
He has to put duty before his feelings. He has to be a Jedi.
Without another word, Anakin leaves the room and heads to the hanger, where he'll meet Rex. He lets his mind think of that and only that. The mission. Duty. Being a Jedi and a general.
He doesn't dare think about the possibility he never comes back.
