heaven

"when you're lying here in my arms,"- heaven

The first time he had watched her cry, he had been shocked. It had never occurred to him that the woman he was so very much in love with could actually have hundreds of bottled-up emotions lingering inside of her, just waiting to leave.

They arrived home, Padme marching ahead. She slammed the refresher door shut before he could catch a glimpse of her blotched face, and he reluctantly taken a seat on her bed, pulling his boots off.

He heard soft whimpers from inside the refreshers, and the distinct sound of the tap starting to run, Padme's sobs covering the water. He banged on the door softly, pushing back annoying strands of blond hair away from his eyes, lightsaber banging against his hip.

"Go away!" she shouted, angrily and hoarsely, her voice rough.

He heard her sob softly, before the tap stopped and she fell to the floor with a loud crash. Eyes snapping up at the sudden and unusual sound, Anakin rushed forward, skidding to the door, banging on it.

"Padme!" he yelled frantically, banging on it with his fist again. There was no response, and he couldn't even hear her breathing, in out, in out. "Padme!" he repeated, banging again. No response.

Frantic, he ran a hand through his hair and pushed on the door with all of his strength. It gave a little, before falling back into place, no signs of damage. He tried again, heaving with exhaustion. One more push, and the door clicked open.

The first thing he saw with the fog on the mirror, with a distinct hand mark smudged in it. Anakin screwed his eyes shut, praying for the best, before entering the refresher. The door closed with a click behind him, shutting him of from the world.

Padme was lying on the tiles, her legs at an awkward angle. Her head was slumped backwards, and a mass of blood had pooled around it. Her chest was still with not visible signs of movement. He felt his breath hitch in his throat. She couldn't be dead.

Was she? He rushed towards her, cupping her head with his hand. Warm, sticky blood seeped through his fingers, but he made no movement to clean it off.

"Padme," he whispered stroking her cheek, leaving a streak of pink behind. "Angel, can you hear me?"

She whimpered, but didn't move. Her eyes fluttered open, almost painfully, and she watched his smile with an unfocused gaze. Her mouth opened as if to say something, but the words never came out.

Slowly, she reached up, and brought her fingers to his mouth. He kissed them gently, shifting positions. "It'll be alright," he whispered to her, fingers probing around for any signs of her life-threatening injury. "You'll be fine, just hold on a little longer. Keep looking at me, and do not shut your eyes."

She nodded softly, watching as he tore a piece of cloth of his shirt, and wrapped it around her head, tying another piece around that. Curls were clumped to her face with sweat and she whimpered softly with pain, mouth opening once more.

"B-b-babies," she murmured, so softly he almost missed it. Gods, how could he have been so blind? He smiled down at her, hands moving to rest on her stomach, desperately feeling for some signs of life inside. His heart swelled when a decisive kick was delivered to his hand, and he softly caressed the bump.

You'll be alright.

He would save them. Someone, anyone would come along, and help him take her to a medical centre. They would all be alright.

He caressed Padme's cheek, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. She whimpered against his mouth, sobbing with pain. Anakin got up, casting several glances back at Padme, and walked towards the refresher door.

And, just as the fates had made it so, it was locked. He had forgotten to take the lock off in all his panic and made it so they could never get out.

They were trapped, and no-one could save them.

He returned to Padme, eyes glazed over with worry.

She looked at him, unblinking, her mouth moving to form silent words against the pain. A whimper came out to her mouth, and her eyes shut, closing the world off.

"I love you," were the last thing she ever said to him.

And that day, a part of Anakin Skywalker died with her.