The Apprentice || Anakin Skywalker x Reader

Chapter 26: Bewitching

2k words

(Y/n)'s POV
I slipped into the third dress, trying on each one while he watched closely. His gaze burned into me through the mirror, so intense that I thought he might push me against it and recreate our moment from the library right here.

But he didn't.

He didn't do much of anything except watch me like he's a starving child who had spotted cake for the first time in months.

He didn't utter a word, only nodded in approval each time before gesturing for me to try on the next dress. It was strange; he was acting strangely. It felt like there was something he wanted to say, something just waiting to be spoken. Either that or I'm just overthinking it—my Master has always been strange in his own way I suppose.

Taking a deep breath, I slipped into the black dress. It had a zipper at the back that I couldn't reach, and without me asking, he stepped forward and gently pulled the zipper up.

My breath caught as his cool knuckles brushed against my back while he zipped it up. I felt his warm breath on my neck, sending shivers down my spine, and my heart pounded against my chest.

There was something different about him today, and I wished I could figure out what it was or had the courage to ask him.

Finally, after what felt like ages since we left the library, he broke the silence. "I think this one is my favorite." His eyes met mine in the mirror. They were still that striking blue, deeper than the sky, more vibrant than the waters of Naboo, and richer than any sapphire. I knew about sapphires because of a woman who visited Watto's garage now and then. She always wore at least one sapphire and seemed well-off. Once, I gathered the courage to ask her about it, and she told me blue was her favorite color because it reminded her of the sea. When I asked her what a sea was, I had never seen such pity in anyone's eyes before.

'The sea is a wondrous and mysterious place. Many people are afraid of it, choosing to stay away because of the dangers it holds, the tragedies that can occur in its depths. Yet, they overlook its soothing nature, its stunning beauty, and the magical way sunlight dances on its surface. Water is essential for life; without it, we would not exist.'

I never understood this until now.

Does he see it? That his eyes are as blue as the sea, not red like fire? I wanted to ask him, but I held back, afraid to speak. Part of me feared that if I said something, that color might fade away. It was so beautiful, so rare. I wanted to look at it as long as I could.

I blurted out, "You're beautiful," before I even realized what I was saying. A wave of embarrassment washed over me, and I almost wanted to slap myself or even rip out my own vocal cords for making me sound so infatuated.

He tilted his head, his gaze still fixed on me through the mirror. "If I'm beautiful, then what are you?" he asked gently, his fingers brushing against the fabric of the dress, tracing my curves and hips. "Is there even a word for it?" he mused, not really expecting a reply. "Exquisite? Stunning? Heavenly? Bewitching?" He tightened his grip on the fabric, pulling me closer.

What was happening? I felt like time had stopped, like everything around me had stopped. I couldn't hear the faint tick of the clock anymore, the speeders driving by outside anymore, or clones walking down the hall. Just the sound of his breath and my heart as it thudded, frantically.

"Bewitching," he whispered, repeating the word as if it held some magic. "That seems just right. It's the only way this could be real, isn't it?" He spoke more to himself than to me, and I sensed he didn't want an answer.