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[sandhate]

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[sandhate]

[ He place another kiss on her forehead and stands. There's still a warm smile on his face when he bows. He extends a hand towards her, palm open in an invitation. ]

May I have this dance, Mrs. Skywalker?

[diplomacme]

You may, Mr. Skywalker.

[ She takes his hand and allows him to lead her to the dance floor. ]

[sandhate]

[ He draws her close with a hand at her back, position themselves in a formal waltz. The way that she had taught him. Perhaps closer, but it hardly matters. He feels the need to be close to her now. His smile fades for something more solemn, though the edge of it is still there. ]

[diplomacme]

[ He remembers. Her smile is bright at first, but fades not long after his does. For a moment-- an all-too-brief moment-- they had been what they used to be. They were two people in Lake Country, defiantly carefree. But that didn't last. Pieces of them had been torn from them, twisted inside them, replaced with something else.

A piece of him is out of her reach now, showing only in his solemn expression. Before, they'd been separated by distance. Now, they're separated by something far worse.

She reaches for him and he feels incomplete.

Her steps don't falter, her pace doesn't slow, she doesn't draw away. But there's an ache in her heart she can't quite hide. ]

[sandhate]

[ Being strong in the Force has its downsides. That weariness returns in his eyes. He can feel her hurt as if it was his own. It's heavy in his bones and reminds him of too many loses. Of those that might still happen. He had a real vision of that, in seeing her in Rush Clovis' arms and being told that they needed a break.

She deserves a real marriage. A real husband. All he brings is pain. Everyone he loves seems loses more than they gain; his mother, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Tru and Darra. Ahsoka. He doesn't dare to add her name to that list.

They make it half way through the room before his steps falter. He ends the dance informally, pulling her in a tight hug and a whisper into her hair. ]

I love you.

[diplomacme]

[ She hugs him back, giving him a brief squeeze as if in apology. She forgets how sensitive he can be, and she never means to burden him. The perils of loving a Jedi, she supposes.

She smiles into his shoulder and whispers back. ]

I love you too.

[ Padme breaks the hug but immediately grabs his hand. ]

Come with me.

[sandhate]

[ He lifts a brow and lets her lead. ]

Is... everything okay?

[diplomacme]

[ She gives him a reassuring smile as they head toward the balcony. A few minutes outside won't harm them. ]

Everything's fine. I just want to go somewhere quieter.

[sandhate]

We can't stay too long.

[ Once outside, he takes off his mask and his hand goes to rub the imprint it left. He looks outwards, calmed by the silence around them. ]

It is...beautiful.

[diplomacme]

[ Padmé watches the mist curl above the ocean in a quiet dance. But only for a moment before she turns to Anakin.

Quietly: ] Close your eyes and hold out your hands.

[sandhate]

[ He lifts a brow, questioning but amused at the same time. Without a word, he does as he's told. ]

[diplomacme]

[ She places one hand under his and places something in his hands.

It's a pendant hung on a cord. ]

You can open your eyes now.

[sandhate]

[ He stares down at the pendant in his palm. It's such a simple thing. Simple piece of metal on a string. He's still awed by it because he can feel her intent through it, her love for him. ]

Thank you, Padme

[ Genuine joy flows from him and he slips an arm around her waist, pressing her to him. ]

You didn't have to. Being with you is all I need.

[diplomacme]

[ She wraps his arm around him, her smile warm and genuine. She knew he'd appreciate it, but seeing the joy in his expression drives home how much it matters to him. ]

I know. But... I wanted you to have a piece of me that you could carry with you.

[ Even if it's just a thumbprint on a piece of metal. ]

[sandhate]

[ He bends and buries his face in her neck, whispering another thank you into her skin. A piece of metal, a japor snippet; it doesn't take much for him to feel happy in her presence.

Anakin wraps one arm around her waist and another lower, lifting her as he straightens. There's an arrogant smirk on his face that ruins the softness around his eyes. ]

I could just carry you around all day.

[diplomacme]

[ She laughs and wraps her arms around him for balance. ]

Showoff.

[ But her eyes twinkle with warmth. ]

[sandhate]

[ Anakin leans in and place a small kiss on her cheek. ]

I don't hear a no....

[ And he begins to walk back into the ballroom, not caring about the increasingly rumpled state her fashionable dress is in. ]

[diplomacme]

[ She manages to speak through her laughter: ]

Put me down, Ani, you're rumpling my dress.

[sandhate]

As you wish.

[ He gently eases her down, grinning faintly. His hands are still on her waist when her feet is on the ground again. ]

Have I told you that you're beautiful? I feel like I haven't yet.

[diplomacme]

Not today, no, but you said it twice yesterday so you are forgiven.

[ Her hands are still on his shoulders and she leans forward slightly. ]

But I have been remiss. [ Warmly: ] You're as handsome as always, Mr. Amidala.

[ Technically they never took each other's name, so she likes to play around sometimes. ]

[sandhate]

Mr. Amidala?

[ He quirks a brow but smiles wide. It's not every day she's playful enough to call him that. There's no doubt her role as senator has settled its weigh on her shoulders, one that's as difficult to shake off as his identity as a Jedi. To hear that they are simply each others', regardless of which surname is being used, is a small blessing. It makes him feel lighter, like he could finally sleep dreamlessly. Anakin leans down and kiss her softly. There's a playful smile on his face when they break apart. ]

What, not more handsome? Don't tell me I got dressed up for nothing.

[diplomacme]

You have to admit, "Anakin Amidala" does have a nice ring to it.

[ She answers with a teasing smile. ]

You look handsome in anything and you know it.

[sandhate]

[ There it is again, that arrogant grin that he somehow thinks is charming. ]

I do. But I like hearing you say it.

[diplomacme]

[ A quiet chuckle. ]

Be careful-- if your head gets too big, it will ruin your proportions.

[sandhate]

[ He smirks ] Oh, it's nothing a few hours looking at you can't fix.