The late hour gnawed at Sola, and she was eager to go to the market. She decided to send her daughters to wake up Padmé, she deserved some sisterly love. "Ryoo, Pjoo," she called, "go wake up your aunt. Be quiet, though. Anakin needs his rest."
As the two young girls tipoted to Padmé's door. Inside the two girls saw not just Padmé though, but Anakin was also there snuggled up to their aunt. The two girls were confused, but decided they would just ask their aunt when she woke up. They both ran to the bed and jumped onto Padmé's half, waking them both up. Anakin's face flushed crimson. He reacted instinctively, using the Force to shut the door with a soft thud. Padmé responded like a true politician, with true composure "Did Mom send you?"
"Yes," Ryoo said, "But, Mom told us not to wake Anakin. Why is he here?"
Padmé couldn't explain the Jedi code to two young minds. It was far too complex. "What you are seeing is something private between your aunt and Anakin." The two children nodded before Padmé continued, "Do you know what that means?" She paused looking at the girls, "It means that this is something only meant for me and Anakin, and that you need to keep this to yourself. This is a secret. Do you understand?" The two children nodded, and relief filled both adult's faces as they realized the children would at least try to keep it a secret.
When Ryoo and Pjoo left, Anakin asked with a voice filled with worry, "Will they keep it a secret?"
"They'll at least try," Padmé answered, "I should get ready to go the market. You too."
Anakin gave Padmé another kiss, and as he left the bed he commented, "I forgot how much I missed you, Padmé." He paused before joking, "And we haven't even had any sex."
When Padmé came downstairs followed shortly afterwards by Anakin, Sola spoke up, "Seems my little spies woke both of you up."
"No I was already awake," Anakin reassured Sola as he grabbed a shuura, and bit into the sweet fruit.
Sola, oblivious to the unspoken tension, announced, "Once your done eating we're going to the market. I need to get things for tonight."
When he finished the fruit he followed Sola and Padmé out of the house. The crisp Naboo air greeted them as they stepped outside. A thin layer of snow glittered on the streets, crunching under their boots as they made their way towards the bustling market. At the market, the shouting from the stalls rushed over them like a wave. Padmé, seemingly at ease, navigated the throng, leading Anakin through the vibrant stalls. On the way one of the vendors called out, "Padmé, nice to see your pretty face again."
Padmé stopped and walked over to the man behind the stall, and greeted him with a warm smile, "Hi Palo, thanks for the pendant again."
"It was no problem at all, who's your friend there?" Palo asked.
"I'm Anakin," Anakin said as he shook Palo's hand, "Padmé mentioned I could visit after... well, after being her bodyguard last time I was on Naboo."
Palo's eyes widened in recognition, "The Jedi General Anakin Skywalker? Well, then welcome to Naboo! I hope you enjoy your stay."
"I will. It's been my favorite planet since the first time I was here," Anakin answered before silently finishing, Especially with my favorite person by my side. He glanced at Padmé shortly his heart swelling in happiness to see her.
"Did Padmé tell you about the dinner party?" Palo inquired.
"Oh, yes her parents invited me," Anakin answered.
"Well, see you both then," Palo boomed, his wink lingering on Padmé.
As they moved on, the sweet aroma of candied nuts lured Anakin. He spotted a stall filled with colorful packages, one containing shuura-flavored nuts. As he picked up a package, the vendor, a kindly older woman, chuckled. "Interested in trying them, young man?" she asked before handing Anakin a few nuts.
He popped them into his mouth savoring their taste. "Like them?" he was interrupted by Padmé's question.
"These are delicious," Anakin exclaimed.
"I'll take five," Padmé told the seller. The seller grabbed five, and handed them over as Padmé paid for them.
"I don't need five," Anakin said.
"These aren't all for you, Ani," Padmé laughed.
"Oh," Anakin chuckled sheepishly.
Padmé opened one of the packages, and held it out to Anakin, "Here's yours." Anakin accepted the package, and he started to snack on them. They continued to walk through the market with Padmé buying things for the dinner party. Each shared glance, each stolen touch, felt like a precious shard of stolen time.
Lunchtime found Padmé, Sola, and Anakin tucked away in a cozy corner booth of a small restaurant. Anakin and Padmé sat on one side with Sola on the other. Anakin, perhaps a little too eager, ended up closer to Padmé than was polite before subtly readjusting. Sola knew Anakin had a crush on her little sister, that was obvious to anyone. And while Sola enjoyed teasing Padmé about the handsome Jedi Knight, deep down, she knew it could and would never happen - Jedi were off-limits to everyone and anyone. Rumors about their allowed "one-night stands" clashed with Padmé's esteemed position and reputation. Besides, Padmé seemed dedicated to her work, seemingly married to her career. The closest Padmé ever seemed to get were fleeting encounters like the kiss with Palo a decade ago, or more recently the persistent Clovis, whom Padmé wasn't even interested in. At this point she had such a strong reputation for not dating that the holonet questioned if she was even interested in guys.
"I'm assuming the two of you know what's good. Any recommendations?" Anakin asked scanning the menu.
Sola, not familiar with Anakin's tastes, was about to offer her favorite dish when Padmé chimed in, "The Shaak Steak is excellent. You wouldn't regret it."
"Sounds good," Anakin replied, his gaze lingering a beat too long on Padmé. Sola noted the way his eyes seemed to soften whenever he looked at her sister. Padmé, on the other hand, seemed oblivious, her expression unreadable. She knew if Padmé felt the same warmth, she would be more than adept at hiding it behind her diplomatic veneer.
A mischievous glint entered Sola's eyes. "Anakin," she began, "perhaps you could convince my workaholic sister to take it a bit easier on Coruscant?"
Anakin chuckled. "Even if I were on Coruscant more often, your headstrong sister wouldn't listen to a word I say."
Padmé playfully jabbed him in the arm. "Hey! I'm not headstrong," she protested with a mock frown.
Anakin raised an eyebrow. "Want me to list examples?"
Padmé cut him off with a playful swat, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks, "No, you most certainly don't!"
Sola watched them, a pang of loneliness for Padmé twisting in her gut. Their easy banter, the comfortable silences, it felt almost… familiar. Like a couple, a thought that sent a shiver down her spine. In another life, perhaps… But this was no fairytale. Jedi restrictions were a harsh reality for Padmé.
The doorbell chimed, announcing the first guest. Padmé opened the door to reveal Palo, his smile a little too eager as he enveloped her in a lingering hug. After the hug he greeted, "Hello to the most wonderful girl I know." Anakin watched, a flicker of possessiveness crossing his features, before he quickly hid it.
Palo was followed by a fiery-haired woman named Umarth. She bypassed Padmé entirely, making a beeline for Anakin with a playful, "Well hello there, handsome. I'm Umarth."
Anakin responded with, "Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker." Emphasizing the Jedi part to hopefully scare away Umarth.
"Jedi, huh? Well, that's a bummer," Umarth responded giving him a hug, his eyes searching for Padmé's across the room. She was busy greeting more guests, but their connection crackled in the air.
Later, as everyone settled at the table, Palo snagged the seat next to Padmé. Anakin found himself next to her father. Padmé looked at him for a few seconds silently asking him to open their secret bond. As Anakin nodded, he heard Padmé, You left your lightsaber upstairs, right?
Of course Angel, Anakin answered. Padmé had been worried about him skewering a guest he didn't like, so she'd asked him to leave his lightsaber in his bedroom.
Just remember, I only have eyes for you, Padmé reassured Anakin. And you probably shouldn't stare at me too much, Padmé teased.
You won't even let me admire the galaxies beauty, Anakin pouted.
You can stare while I sleep, Padmé reassured.
Hek, a boisterous guest, raised his glass. "A toast to the most beautiful woman in the world!" his eyes wandered over Padmé, "One I'd be honored to call my girlfriend." The room echoed with the clinking of glasses. Anakin forced a smile and a toast with the others, his mood dampened.
After everyone started to get into their own conversations Anakin spoke to Ruwee, "So about that speeder, do you know what's wrong with it."
"I have no clue. It won't go fast. I can walk faster than it," Ruwee responds.
"Does the motor sputter and stop whenever you try to go fast," Anakin asks.
"Yes, exactly that," Ruwee answers, "How did you know?"
"On Tatooine, sand often got into the motor, that's probably what happened. Its really easy to fix, I've done it many times before," Anakin answered.
"Is that were you worked in a repair shop?" Ruwee asked.
"Yes," Anakin answered. He was starting to get uncomfortable with the topic, but they hadn't breached into slavery yet so he continued.
"So how did you become a Jedi? I thought they were trained from birth," Ruwee asked.
"Normally yes, I was a rare exception to that rule," Anakin answered pride came into his voice as he remembered the belief that Qui-Gon had in him.
Their conversation was interrupted by Palo, "Anakin, I was wondering if you could tell me any heroic stories of the war?"
Anakin bristled. "This war isn't some grand adventure. People die." His voice echoed in the sudden silence.
"It doesn't have to be heroic," Padmé added.
If Padmé wanted him to tell a story. He would. He took a deep breath, pushing down his anger. He would tell a story that still showed the horrors of war. "There was this one mission on Ryloth, where I was sent to rescue some civilians. The Separatists were using them as living shields for their defense. It was a brutal fight, the clones taking heavy fire, and having to be careful with their return fire. Even with their carefulness sometimes a civilian still died. But we managed to create a diversion, and I," a smile lit up on Anakin's face as he remembered his trick, "used a combination of speed and daring maneuvers to fly my starfighter through a narrow canyon right behind the base. It was a tight squeeze, and the laser fire was thick, but I managed to get through and pick up the civilians while the droids were distracted. Let's just say not many pilots could have pulled that off." Anakin looked up to see the impressed faces of the guests, but only one guest's opinion truly mattered to Anakin. A smile reached Anakin's lips as he saw the look of pride that Padmé wore.
Hek's voice cut through the captivated silence, "What brings you to Naboo?"
Anakin shrugged, "Just a short vacation. Naboo has a certain charm that I've always liked," Anakin answered vaguely. Deep in his heart he knew the truth that this charm was Padmé. He would go anywhere, even Tatooine, if she were there.
Dinner ended, and the music swelled, inviting couples to the dance floor. Padmé scanned the room, searching for Anakin. He stood alone by a window, a solitary figure gazing out at the starlit night. Her heart ached. She longed to be by his side, but Hek materialized in front of her, a hopeful smile on his face. "I was wondering if you would be up for a dance?" Hek asked.
Padmé offered a polite smile. "Of course," she replied, her gaze lingering on Anakin's distant form.
After dancing for a short time, Padmé excused herself from Hek, her thurst a convenient excuse. As she reached the refreshment table, a pang of jealousy shot through her. Anakin was no longer alone. Umarth, the fiery redhead, was close to him, her head resting on his chest. She wanted to be the one in the comfort of Anakin's arms. To hear his loving words. Hek reappeared before Padmé could dwell on the sight. He swept her back into a dance.
"The food was wonderful, did you cook it?" Hek asked.
Padmé forced out a reply, "No, my cooking stinks." It probably didn't help Padmé's cooking that she never cooked, it was either her mother, one of her handmaidens, or Anakin.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted by the stairs, followed by an "Uh-Oh," from her niece. She looked up and to the stairs as a ball came crashing down the stairs. The rogue ball threatened to topple the table of drinks, but an invisible hand stopped it midair. All eyes turned to the floating ball, as Anakin casually retrieved the ball and handed it to the bewildered Rjoo.
Palo, the jovial vendor, materialized at their side. "Another dance for the lovely Senator, I presume?" He whisked Padmé away from Hek before she could protest. Her stolen glances revealed Anakin in the same corner, but this time with a handful of candied nuts. He was to engrossed in the nuts to notice Padmé's gaze, but Palo did notice and asked, "I wonder why General Skywalker decided to go to this party if he will just spend it by himself in a corner."
"I'm sure he enjoys the food," Padmé offered.
"He does like those nuts," Palo said taking Padmé in closer as the music slowed.
Padmé not paying attention to Palo didn't notice his lips coming closer to her cheek. After he kissed her cheek, a shiver of revulsion ran down her spine. Padmé backed away from him. "Just a dance," she murmured more to herself than him, she didn't have to see Anakin to feel see the scowl on his face.
When the song ended, Padmé walked away from Palo and apologized, "I'll check on General Skywalker."
She made her way to Anakin, his conversation with Umarth now centered on podracing. Determined to end the exchange, Padmé cut in, "Care to dance, General? A woman doesn't get to dance with a Jedi every day."
Anakin's face lit up with a smile that warmed her from the inside. "It would be an honor Senator," Anakin answered as he took her hand. He brought his mouth close to her ear, and whispered, "This woman can dance with a Jedi whenever she wants." As they danced to the song Padmé came as close as she dared to Anakin, and leaned her head on his shoulder. They were in their own a world, a precious shard of intimacy ignoring the watchful eyes. Just them, the music, and the warmth of each other's embrace.
The song ended all too soon. Palo materialized like a specter. "Now that the Jedi's finished, care to dance with me, Senator?" he inquired.
Padmé wanted to refuse, to scream her defiance, but propriety held her captive. "Yes," she acquiesced, her voice barely a whisper. The look of dissapointment Anakin tried to hide almost made Padmé change her mind, but they would have their own time tonight. She had her dance with Anakin, a small victory in their silent war.
As the first notes of the next song started Padmé immediately knew why Anakin had been so dissapointed. It was their song "Forbidden Angel", a famous love song sang by a band from Tatooine. It was a cruel reminder of Anakin just a few steps away.
Underneath the suns, where hope burns thin and frail
We sing of a forbidden angel, a whispered, starry gleam
A creature with wings of moonlight, a legend in the sand
A promise etched in starlight, a hope we understand
Forbidden angel, with eyes of earth
Forbidden angel, with a watery birth
A whispered promise, just me and you
In this broken world, we found a dream
A love that shouldn't be, it seems
With blistered hands and weary souls, we toil beneath the heat
But in our dreams, the angel beckons, a future free from crash
A whispered name, a silent prayer, a yearning deep inside
To break the chains that hold us, and in freedom's arms confide
Forbidden angel, with eyes of earth
Forbidden angel, with a watery birth
A whispered promise, just me and you
In this broken world, we found a dream
A love that shouldn't be, it seems
The melody, a whisper at first, swelled into a familiar tune. It yanked Padmé back to a different time, a different dance floor. She was twirling in Anakin's arms, their laughter blending with the music. It was their wedding night, and "Forbidden Angel" played as their special song. "Do you know why I picked this song?" Anakin asked.
"Forbidden Angel" was a popular song, but Padmé could only voice two guesses, "Because it's from Tatooine? Or perhaps for the angels in the lyrics?"
His smile turned a touch wistful. "Most people think the song is about a love they can only dream of, and that's true, of course. But on Tatooine, for the slaves, it's an anthem. The Forbidden Angel… it represents freedom, a path they can only dream of."
"Then why for our wedding?" Padmé asked, a flicker of unease crossed her face.
Anakin's gaze held hers, with a depth that thrilled her. "Because Padmé, you are my forbidden angel," Anakin had answered, "You are my forbidden angel in both meanings freedom, and love. You helped me fulfill my two biggest wishes, freedom, and being your husband. Both dreams I would have thought to be impossible. Listen closely next time, Padmé." How had she missed the song's true meaning? Now, the lyrics echoed with a new resonance, a reminder of a love as passionate as it was forbidden just like freedom for the slaves of Tatooine.
The traders speak of spaceships, that pierce the endless blue
Leaving trails of stardust, a dream some dare pursue
Could this be the angel's answer, the key to break these chains?
To soar above the suns, and wash away the pains
Forbidden angel, with eyes of earth
Forbidden angel, with a watery birth
A whispered promise, just me and you
In this broken world, we found a dream
A love that shouldn't be, it seems
Though freedom seems a distant dream, our hope will never die
The forbidden angel's promise, reflected in our eyes
A whispered dream of freedom, a love that we will claim
Beneath the watchful desert sky, we'll whisper freedom's name
The final notes of "Forbidden Angel" drifted away, pulling Padmé from her bittersweet reverie. Palo's voice broke the silence, "You like this song?" Padmé responded with a quick nod. Palo continued, "I like the melody. Shame about the lyrics though. Don't exactly scream love song, do they? I just ignore the lyrics whenever I hear the song."
Padmé offered a polite smile, her mind far away. Palo's words triggered a story Anakin had told her. He had been a young boy and asked his mother a question, "Why is slavery still happening, even if it's illegal?" Shmi's answer had resonated deeply, "People like to pretend it doesn't exist. Easier that way. But ignoring a problem doesn't make it disappear. You can't fix what you don't acknowledge."
The evening wound down, goodbyes exchanged amidst a flurry of yawns and stretches. Exhausted, Padmé finally retreated to her bedroom. There, sprawled on her bed, was Anakin, fast asleep. A smile tugged at her lips. She slipped onto the bed beside him, the cool sheets a stark contrast to the heat radiating from his body. As if sensing her presence, Anakin's arm, seemingly of its own accord, lifted and wrapped around her. Padmé didn't hesitate. She burrowed closer to his bare chest, the curve of his chest a welcoming haven of comfort. The weight of his arm felt less unconscious and more like an unspoken invitation. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his scent. Letting out a contented sigh, Padmé nestled deeper into his warmth, the tangled mess of emotions morphing into a single, powerful yearning for this stolen moment of intimacy.