「 star-crossed ⭒ anakin skywalker 」

chapter thirteen

"I can't believe you gave in, General. Fives owes me ten credits," Captain Rex said.

Anakin huffed in annoyance. "Just shut up—I'm already gonna be in enough trouble when the Council finds out I let her out."

"Good thing we're used to trouble," Rex laughed.

A small group of clones, including Captain Rex and Commander Cody, climbed the ramp of a Republic ship, followed by Anakin. He extended his hand to help me, but I just gave him a look, reminding him that treating me so delicately was extremely unnecessary.

After we had all settled in, the cruiser lifted off, course set for Mandalore. I sat in the back, calmly listening to the hum of the hyperspace we had just entered— I wasn't really supposed to be here, so I tried my best to stay out of the way. My priority wasn't anything other than my mother's safety.

Consumed with my thoughts, I hardly noticed when Anakin took a seat beside me.
What he said earlier, about understanding my situation, still puzzled my mind. But before I could say anything, he started first.

"How long... have you been having that nightmare?" he asked slowly.
I was a little taken aback, since I'd never told anyone about them, especially not him. My confused expression must have given away my thoughts, because he quickly explained himself.
"You talk in your sleep. You've had that same dream every time that I've been in to check on you."

"Sounds a little creepy, Skywalker, but okay," I laughed lightly, but finally sighed, "they've been going on for a few weeks now. Sometimes it's the same, sometimes it's slightly different. But the feeling is always the same— pain and suffering."

Anakin pulled his gaze away from me and to the floor and nodded. "I know the feeling. I used to get those same kinds of dreams. My mother..." he paused, "I was too late to save her."

My eyes widened out of shock. For one, I never knew anything of Anakin's past, especially not something that horrible. And also, the last thing I would ever expect at this very moment was for him to tell that to me.

I think I forgot the simple fact that everyone has a past. A past that is shielded from the world by a cold exterior, holding any chance of pain at a safe distance to protect themself.

I couldn't say I blamed him. But the way he was so defensive when we first met, the way he carries himself, how protective he is over Ahsoka— it's all starting to make sense.

"Anakin, I'm so sorry. No one should have to go through that," I said softly, placing a gentle hand on his knee. "And it wasn't your fault."

He slowly lifted his head from his hands and looked at me. "But it was. I should've been powerful enough to save her... one day I will be," he shook his head. I sensed his anger and guilt from the revisited memories and just sat there in a comforting silence with him.

"Are you and your aunt close?" he spoke eventually, clearly changing the subject, but I understood why. I never expected him to open up about as much as he did, so I wasn't going to pressure him.

And as much as I want to tell him the truth about my past and my mother, as he told me about his, I can't. I can't compromise her safety anymore than it already is. So I lie.
"We were, back before I joined the Order. My birth mother died when I was a baby, so Auntie Satine was really my only family. She raised me like her own."

"We'll be able to save her from your nightmares, Vienna. I know we don't always get along the best, but what happened to me, I would never wish upon you. And I promise I won't fail this time," he said, looking me dead in the eyes to ensure I knew he was serious.

It was in that moment of realization, that moment of vulnerability, that I finally accepted what everyone has been telling me.

Maybe Anakin and I are not as different as we think.

—

A/N: Okay I lowkey hate this chapter bahah idk

Sorry it's super short, and hopefully this arc won't get too boring/slow lol. I'm kinda trying to do it like Clone Wars where it's a few episodes making an arc, so like a few chapters is an arc

I'm a little unmotivated to write this at the moment but try to stick with me haha :))

And thank you for 4k reads and 100 votes!!