Day 1- Flower Thief AU: Anidala

It had been several days now that Padmé had noticed flowers missing from her garden. First some tulips, then some lilies, and a couple days in a row now, her roses.

It was the roses going missing that really irked her. They were definitely her favorite, and who -or what- ever had taken them, had taken different colors as well.

She let it slide a couple more days before deciding to investigate, hoping it might stop. It didn't and cost her more roses.

So, Padmé decided that perhaps it may actually be worth it to see what was taking her flowers. Or, more likely who; it seemed far too deliberate and organized to be an animal. Things were missing in bunches, and sometimes whole flowers were gone. The first couple times she could have passed it off as an animal, but this sort of pattern showed much more rationale.

Standing by her front window, watching carefully, Padmé scanned the street for a person. She was only mildly annoyed no one else had seemed to notice, and she wasn't surprised. Most people didn't have the privilege of working from home as she did, and most people when at home, didn't constantly peer out their windows. Which was in fact the reason she herself had not seen her flower thief.

It became rather exhausting watching the whole time, even with her work to keep her company. Surely, after standing there so long, she could have missed them. Zoned out or fallen asleep for just a moment or two, missing completely the arrival and departure of the thief.

It was a relief when Padmé finally saw someone coming down the street. She didn't know if this was the thief or not, but it was something new to pay attention to. They didn't look familiar, so she could only guess this was her thief, but she'd wait and see.

The person came closer, and she guessed it to be a man, perhaps around her age, maybe a few years younger. His hair was longer, just an inch or so from his shoulders. His hands were shoved in the pockets of his black pants and the denim jacket he wore was worn. He appeared to be very relaxed, not a care in the world really; almost an arrogant demeanor.

But sure enough, he paused when he reached Padmé's house and deftly climbed over the fence.

Padmé stared in shock as he made his way to the flowers and picked a handful of lilies. As least it wasn't more roses, she thought crossing her arms.

But, regardless of what flowers he was taking, he was still stealing them, and as far as she was concerned, such actions were illegal.

She huffed and finally left the window, making her way to the front door. She slipped on her shoes and went out without thought or hesitation onto the front porch just as the man climbed back over the fence.

The front door slammed behind her, harder than Padmé meant it to, but it caught the man's attention.

He turned around and when he saw Padmé standing there, his expression was almost enough to make her forget the ordeal; assuming he wouldn't steal again.

The man scratched the back of his head and smiled with his head tilted to one side. "You have some nice flowers," he said, gesturing to her with the ones he held.

Padmé rolled her eyes and made her way down to where he stood. "And what exactly to you intend to do with these "nice flowers" of mine?"

"Um," he swallowed. "Give them to…someone…"

"Hmmm," Padmé nodded skeptically at the vague answer. "Maybe I could see who exactly you're taking my flowers to? Seems strange to take flowers on a date several days in a row."

"Yeah," the man responded, scuffing his shoes against the sidewalk. "But, I suppose you can come…if you like."

"I would," Padmé stated. As the owner of the flowers -stolen flowers- she felt she had a right to know what "pretty girl" they were going to.

"I was just…going this way," the man mumbled, gesturing to the way he'd originally been walking.

Padmé nodded and fell in step close behind him.

She found it strange to be going in this direction. There wasn't a park, or any sort of diner. Town was in the other direction. Perhaps it was his girlfriend's house they were going to. She supposed he was a good boyfriend to bring flowers everyday.

He didn't say anything the whole time they walked. He'd look over his shoulder every few seconds, and she would nod to him, letting him know she wasn't leaving. He'd scratch his head and walk on.

Slowly, the residential area began to fade, and Padmé was beginning to get confused. It was possible his girlfriend did live all the way out this way. She didn't think she'd ever travelled up this far.

They finally reached a cul-de-sac, a gate in its center leading into a cemetery, and the last of the houses framing its mouth. Neither of which the man made his way to. Rather, he continued towards the gate leading to the graveyard.

Padmé could suddenly feel her face grow warm, realizing she'd made a mistake.

These flowers weren't going to a girlfriend, not one in any of the houses at least.

Padmé internally smacked herself. She must have sounded stupid earlier, being so accusatory, when really, the only thing the man wanted to do was bring flowers to a lost loved one.

Still, despite the embarrassment, Padmé followed him through the gate, walking behind him, carefully placing her footsteps in his.

It wasn't really a far walk, and the man kept his pace making his way to the destination. He took a left and a couple of gravestones down, he paused.

Padmé stood respectfully beside him and as he placed the flowers, she read the stone.

Shmi Skywalker was the name engraved. Padmé wondered the relation, but didn't dare ask.

Even when the man stood up, Padmé didn't dare speak. Rather, she kept her eyes down, too ashamed to look at the man.

"It's my mother," the man finally said, gesturing at the gravestone. "I'm sure you were wondering. So, not really for a date, but, still important."

Padmé nodded. "I…understand. I'm…sorry for what I said. It was insensitive and judgmental."

The man shrugged. "Apology accepted. You were making an educated guess, using clues and context. You were just…uninformed. I've decided not to be so hostile to you."

Padmé half chuckled, but still avoided eye contact. "Well, thank you. But, I still shouldn't have been so…insensitive."

"I'll be fine," the man shrugged. "Besides, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have been taking the flowers. It was wrong."

"Well," Padmé sighed, finally looking up. "Given the situation, I'll accept the apology and forgive you. Especially given my own ignorance."

"Thanks," the man laughed. "I'm Anakin, by the way."

"I'm Padmé," she said making eye contact. "And, if you'd like, I'll take you out for dinner, to make up for this whole incident. I'll pay too, it's not an issue for me at all, I promise."

Anakin smirked. "Alright then, Padmé. Seems fair. I'll even bring flowers if you like, but not yours," he chuckled gesturing back to the houses. "And, for the record, I don't have a girlfriend."

Padmé smiled and looked to the ground. "Alright then. I'll keep that in mind. And, I'll leave the flowers up to you. As long as their not mine."

"Deal," Anakin grinned.