afterglow {Anakin x Reader}

49. baby, come home.

(y/n)'s pov

"Oh dear how I have missed you." My sister embraced me tightly, making it hard to breathe.

"I missed you too, Nej." I barely breathed out, but hugged her back just as tightly.

"I'm glad you're here. I thought that at this rate I'd never be able to see you unless it was for business." She smiled, making me shake my head slightly.

"I occasionally take breaks from my work." I walked beside her.

"Yes, but only for a certain War General I hear." She smirked, causing me to halt my steps.

"Excuse me? Where have you heard that?" My eyes widened, palms began sweating as my heart beat just a little harder.

"Oh please (y/n). I'm your big sister, if you think I don't have trusting eyes and ears everywhere than I would be a bit offended. Besides, I have a War General of my own who has kept me company on occasions." She smirked lightly, "I must say, I'm a bit jealous you don't make more time for me, though."

"A galaxy won't run itself." I huffed, going to walk again before I stopped, "War General? Are you talking about Obi-Wan?" I questioned, thinking about how I am going to scold him the next time I see him.

"Oh no, this isn't about me, (y/n). And even if it was, I wouldn't tell you anything."

"Why not?" I asked, offended.

"Because I don't have to tell you anything." She said as if it was the most obvious thing.

"But you can have people follow me around and spy on me?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

"They are not spying. They are simply looking out for you when that pretty blonde thing of yours isn't around." She smirked, beginning to walk into the Palace again.

"So annoying." I mumbled under my breath, following her in.

"I have to go for a while, but we'll do dinner later. I'm so glad you're here, sweets." She hugged me again before rushing off.

"Nice chat." I sighed, walking up the stairs on the familiar path I always used to take.

"Everything is prepared for you, Princess." One of the people whom I don't recognize said as I walked to my old quarters.

"Thank you.."

"Theodora." She smiled. "I started working for your sister shortly after she pruned all the other workers out. She claimed they could no longer be trusted." She laughed nervously. It was funny to watch her cheeks redden a bit, considering the fact that she had no reason to be nervous.

"Theodora." I smiled back before I turned into my room.

Everything looked just the way I left it. Not a thing out of place. The plants were still thriving, meaning that my sister has had someone tending to them. All my little nicknacks still in the same place too, bed sheets left tucked need and tidy. The art still littering the walls too. Everything was the same.

Except for the fact that it didn't feel the same.

This place once held great comfort in my heart, it used to be the only place I ever felt safe. It used to be my refuge, my safe space. A place I could escape reality. But now.. Now it just felt cold.

No longer was it warm and embracing. It was a prison.

I looked through the open door and to the adjacent room, peering into the all too familiar place. I felt so drawn to it, like it was calling to me. I picked up my bags again, and walked over to it. Everything in this room was the same too, neat and tidy. As if Anakin didn't spend months in this room. Like we didn't begin to fall in love here, as if we didn't comfort each other in times of need. As if all of stepping stones to get us to where we were meant nothing, it was erased from this room.