Padmé and Obi-Wan's relationship comes to a painful end. AoTC AU.
"I've fallen in love with you."
Obi-Wan turned to look at Padmé, his eyes wide with shock. His leisurely posture now grew firm and the pleasant afterglow from their lovemaking had dissipated.
"Oh," came his soft reply.
Padmé furrowed her brow and sat up against the headboard. The movement pulled her out of his arms. That wasn't the reaction she'd been expecting. "Don't you have anything else to say?"
"I...had a feeling this was coming." Obi-Wan sighed and rubbed his forehead. "There's been a marked difference in your emotions. I could only describe it as a desperation."
Well, he wasn't far off point. "I'm tired of living in the shadows, of being your lover in secret. You have no idea how frustrating it is to pretend as if we're merely friends in the presence of others. I want more, Obi-Wan. I want to be able to hold your hand in public and not spend my life hiding my love for you."
She didn't mean to sound clingy or controlling, but after two years of sneaking around, this clandestine affair was showing wear on her spirit. Yes, it was a lot she was asking, but hadn't they already taken a great step just by becoming a couple?
It would be hard and the Jedi Council would likely look unfavorably on the match, as would her peers in the senate. Still, Padmé wanted to follow her heart and let it be known that she was Obi-Wan's lover.
His face twisted in pain. "I...I cannot give you what you seek, Padmé. You knew when this affair had begun that I was bound by my vows. If our relationship were discovered, I would be expelled from the Jedi Order."
Padmé had certainly known there'd be consequences of their relationship being found out, but she was too driven by her ardor for him to really take note of it. Spending time with Obi-Wan was something she wasn't ashamed of and she knew that, deep down, he felt the same.
Becoming reacquainted with the Jedi Master wasn't something Padmé expected, but after he protected her from an assassination two years ago, they started to see each other in a different light. Obi-Wan was dedicated, clever and soft-spoken with a sharp wit, but there was a warrior beneath it all.
He'd attracted Padmé because of these qualities. Not to mention the fact that he could make her smile and feel more relaxed in his presence than even with her closest handmaidens. She could be herself with him and she didn't want to lose that sense of freedom.
"If that's what has to happen, then so be it!" She reached out to him and held his face in both hands. "I know you love me. I can feel it when you caress me. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me. This isn't just a physical affair anymore. It hasn't been for a long time."
Obi-Wan's eyes were full of grief as he pulled away. "I'm sorry, Padmé. I never should have allowed this to happen." He rose from the bed and, with his back turned, slowly began to dress in his Jedi robes.
Padmé got up and reached for him, her arms wrapping around his waist. Her head rested against his back and she held on to him, pleading. "Don't go. Please. We can figure this out somehow."
His back stiffened. "By me leaving the order? By you resigning as Naboo's senator? Because that's exactly what would happen. There's no way to go around it, Padmé. Our lives would be ruined by the scandal of our union. It's better that we call this off now."
"Then why were you so eager to take me to bed?" Her voice was angry. "You should have refused my advances, but you accepted and encouraged them."
Obi reached out to touch her cheek, but stopped before his fingers could caress her skin. There was sadness in his gaze. "It was a moment of weakness. I was dazzled by your beauty and charm that I couldn't stop myself. I should have been stronger and for that, I'm truly sorry, Padmé."
The young senator stared at him as he finished dressing quietly. Once he was done, he turned to her with sorrow in his gaze. He spoke softly, "Goodbye." Then he was gone and with him, he took Padmé's heart.
She tried to stop herself from crying, but it was pointless to resist. In seconds, her face was wet with tears. As much as she wanted to hate Obi for leaving her, she knew she never could. She loved him too much, but she knew that she had just lost him forever.
A/N: I know this chapter was sad, but I'll make it up to you in the next one!