Vader didn't miss a beat. "It's not mature to pout." He retorted.
Padme groaned, throwing her face into her hands. "Please, just allow me to–"
"No."
"How can you be like this?" She cried, unable to stop herself. She had so many questions and not enough answers. He was so confusing. Nothing made any sense. She just needed something. "You locked me in a room for weeks!" Padme shouted, "You stayed with me! You allowed me to return to work for five minutes! You almost strangled me to death–"
"If I was going to strangle you to death, you would know it, Senator." Vader interrupted. "Now put on the blindfold."
Without another word, Padme reached for the black fabric and tied it securely over her face. She wasn't sure if Vader trusted her or he just didn't care, but he set the speeder down without checking to see if the blindfold was secure. It seemed like a reckless thing to do, but Padme thought passed it. She listened as Vader got out of the speeder, before he came to her side and opened up the door. Fear washed through her as she remembered the feeling of his hand on her arm. Closing her eyes tightly behind the blindfold, she waited for the pain… but it never came. Instead, Vader softly grabbed her other arm as if knowing about the pain he had inflicted at the Senate. As relief flowed through her body, Padme allowed Vader to pull her along. She attempted to memorize the path he took, but failed. There were so many ups and downs, lefts and rights, lifts and doors. She was helpless.
So instead of focusing on the path, Padme closed her eyes and breathed in the man beside her. Even after everything he had done, his scent was still so soothing. His presence, at least when he wasn't "Darth Vader", was so comforting. When she was around him she felt safe and scared at the same time. Why do I feel like this? Padme asked herself. Why is he so intimidating, but comforting at the same time? Why do I hate him… but…
Padme felt a rough push on her back, motioning her to step forward. She did without question and after a few seconds heard the door close behind her. She wait in silence, making sure that he was truly gone; even though she knew in her heart that he was. She could feel the evidence around her. The room was not cold like it was when he was near. The air surrounding her was already less dark from his lack of presence. The sweet scent that she had come to love was all but vanishing from his lack of closeness. Hesitantly, she reached up for the blindfold and untied the tight bow. In her room she dropped to the floor, once again alone.
It had been hours since Padme had seen Vader and yet he was the only thing on her mind. She had done nothing since he had returned her to her room. She couldn't work. She couldn't talk. She couldn't eat. Of course, she was mad at him, furious even… but yet, all she could do was think about him. Millions of questions raced through her mind as she thought about the days' events.
What was wrong with him?
Was he still mad?
Would he harm her?
Would he even come?
Padme had no answers to her questions, but the fear sat deep in her belly. Fear that Vader would no come and leave her to be consumed by her nightmares. The only thing she could do was wait… and so she did.
Padme waited, watching the time inch towards Vader's arrival. The softness of the bed formed around her body, but still, Padme found no comfort. Her mind continued to race and her body refused to relax. What is happening to me? Padme thought. What is happening to Vader?
Time passed slowly and to Padme, it felt as if midnight would never come. But by the time it did, Padme almost wished it hadn't. Fear was beginning to consume her and there was nothing she could do about it. Padme heard the door to her room slide open and footsteps enter. She watched silently as the dark form of the Sith Lord circled the bed and moved towards his side. Padme leaned back into the mattress, a small sense of relief flowing over her, and she turned over so that her back was to Vader. She winced slightly as the pressure of her body pushed her bruised arm into the mattress. Shifting, she found a far less comfortable position that allowed her back to remain towards Vader. Like always, the mattress dropped, signaling that Vader was now again on her bed. As always, they both laid in silence. Padme remained awake, trying to listen for a sign that there was a human beside her. A heartbeat or an intake of air, but she could only hear her own.
"You will be ready at eight every morning." Vader said breaking the silence and Padme was instantly shocked.
That was the first time Vader had spoken since the first night of coming into her room. There was no conversation involved in his actions. He never spoke to her at night, he only came, and left. That was it.
"That is…" Vader hissed, "Unless you do not want to return to work."
Work! That's what he meant! He's allowing me to return to work!
"I do!" Padme yelled as she shifted with joy. The tiny movement once again, caused a shock of pain to race through Padme's arm and she instantly quivered with pain. "Are you in pain, Senator?" Vader asked, and Padme was alarmed to hear what sounded like concern in his voice.
"It's… It's just my arm." Padme said softly pushing her face deeper into the pillow. "Where you grabbed it." She added, hoping he wouldn't hear.
Vader remained silent for a moment before responding. "Perhaps, you should take the weight off of it."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"That would require me to turn over." Padme said pulling her face away from the pillow so that he could again hear her clearly. "And that's against your rules. Remember?"
"Indeed." Vader responded before becoming silent for another long moment. "But perhaps," He began. "We could find a solution."
Padme couldn't believe what she was hearing. Had Vader really just said that? She opened her mouth to question him, but stopped as she felt motion beside her on the bed. Moments later, he was next to her, demanding her not to move. She didn't and with a quick motion Vader slid the familiar black fabric over her eyes.
The blindfold! Padme's mind clicked. I can't see with it on so I can face him.
Padme felt Vader settled onto his side of the bed and took that as her cue to move. Cautiously she turned over, making sure not to move too far into Vader's space. She nestled down quietly into her pillow, instantly feeling relief.
"Why are you breaking the rules?"
The words left Padme's mouth before she could stop them. She hadn't meant to say them aloud, but it had just happened. Not expecting a response, the tired Senator nuzzled into her pillow, making sure to hide from Vader.
He felt him move beside her, but he did not leave. "Think of it as an…." His voice was low, but still, he did not finish his sentence.
Holy Sith!
"An apology?" Padme asked quietly, but Vader did not respond.
Padme couldn't help but to smile to herself as she pulled the pillow tighter to her face. It wasn't exactly an apology, but it was all Vader could give. True apology or not, the meaning was there. He regretted hurting her and that was enough for Padme.
"Thank you." Padme whispered before she pushed farther into her pillow and drifted off into a calm, heavy sleep.
If only she could see the look in the eyes of the monster lying beside her.
.
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