fearless

"in this moment, now capture it, remember it," - taylor swift

Even though it was raining outside, the water pelting the city, Padme couldn't help but smiled as she was embraced by Anakin for what seemed like the first time in her life. He had been away for so long, so long that she had allowed herself to think that he had been killed in battle, and this time, this time, she would make tonight count. After all, they weren't like any regular married couple, they didn't see each other every day. They had snatched nights here and there, but by the morning, by the time she woke up, he was gone, rushing out to meet his Master for another meeting.

Padme shook her head, nestling in it the crook of his neck. No, tonight would count, and would make up for all their missed time. She would make it count.

"I've missed you so much," Anakin whispered, sending shivers up her spine. With delicate fingers she traced another scar softly, committing in to her memory. War had changed him, so very much. But, still, he was Anakin inside, no matter what his outward appearance was. He was Anakin, and she Padme. And, together they would make tonight count.

"I love you," he said, with a slight break in his voice. Silently, she pressed her lips to his, fingers curling a piece of his hair around them. With a slight giggle, she let herself be picked up, and placed softly on the bed.

They ended the kiss, both panting for air. Softly, he clasped their hands together, glancing down at the silver ring she had placed on her left hand. A slight smile graced her lips as she shrugged.

"We're married," she explained, meeting his eyes. "And even though no-one knows, I feel like I deserve a ring, even if no-one knows what it is for."

Anakin laughed, pulling her closer to him. "What, don't I have one?"

"You? Anakin, the great hero of the galaxy, wearing a silly, girlish ring? God! Heavens no! What a disaster that would be!" Padme placed a hand to her heart, smiling.

He shook his head. "No, I didn't really want one. Because I've got something much, much better."

"And what is that?" she enquired, lying down on the bed, pulling him with her. He gazed into her eyes, placing soft kisses on her face.

"Your love," he said, pulling his lips away from her face.

"Oh."

She pulled his mouth to hers. Silently, as the rain fell, she caressed his face with her eyes shut, feeling the ridges of his nose, the new scar which elevated above his eye and lastly, his lips. With her fingertips rested on his lips, Anakin gave each and every one of them a soft kiss, never breaking the gaze he held with her eyes.

"I love you," she whispered. "So, so much. God, Anakin, what if you died in this last battle? What if you never come back to me, and I never saw you again? I don't think I could bear it!"

"I'll always come back," he promised, clasping her hand to his heart. "I promise you Padme. I will always come back. In battle, you are the only thing that keeps me going. Knowing that if I get out of here alive, I'll get to see you sweet, beautiful face again, helps me survive, helps me win. Padme, you are my angel, and even though we are so far apart all the time, my love for you is still growing. So I swear to you that even if I'm near death and dying, with no strength left in my body, I will always come back to you."

She smiled, kissing him once more. "No more of this talk," she said once they broke apart. "Anakin, I want to make this night count."

After that night, he always came back. After that night, she knew she was pregnant with his child.

But his promise was destroyed. When her twins were born, she gave up on life. All because, one time, she couldn't bring him back. She had failed to bring him back.