The feeling of his metal grip around her arm made Padme shiver. His grip had been like Death himself starring her in the face. Not many people, if any, have been able to stand in Vader's clutches and live. She was lucky, but for how long? Rush Clovis was dead proof that even if a person survived Vader's wrath, the Sith Lord still took care of unfinished business eventually. She was just waiting in line; a very, very, very long line. To him, she was just another name on his shit list and he was just waiting for the command to kill her. It was fearful. It was painful. It was… hurtful?
She couldn't explain it, but something inside of her hurt more than the physical pain had. The pain of him grabbing her was overwhelming. His grip hadn't just hurt; it had burned. It was a pain that Padme had never felt in her whole life, but it did not stop there. Not only had she felt her own pain, but also through his touch, she had felt his annoyance, his anger, and the most sickening, his joy. He liked hurting her. He liked being feared. He liked being a monster. The thought was sickening. He enjoyed what he did. He liked hurting her. He wanted to make her suffer. She was nothing to him. She was just a silly girl. A stupid mission, a name on a list, unwanted baggage that he was just waiting to dispose of and would probably do so quite happily when given the chance.
At that thought something inside of her screamed in agony, but why? She didn't understand it. She knew he was a monster, she knew what he was capable of, but she couldn't believe he would do such a thing. Perhaps she was a fool to believe he was becoming accustomed to her, but it was just so hard to read him. He was a mystery to the Universe and an even bigger mystery to Padme. He could go from being civilized one minute to practically barbaric the next. He was extremely powerful with the ways of the Force. He was a mastermind when it came to battles and wars. He could kill without flinching. Inflict pain without gilt. He was the ultimate killing machine and she had not even begun to taste what he was capable of.
Padme couldn't help but shutter at the thought and unconsciously during her thoughts, her hand reached across her body to her bruised arm… but strangely there was no pain when she touched her skin. That's impossible. Padme knew the bruise couldn't be gone. It had just happened. It couldn't have healed already. It was, after all, a mark from Darth Vader, and due to his size and strength there was no way in Sith's Hell the mark could have even began to heal. If anything, the bruise should have been worse, but not gone. Padme twisted and turned in an attempt to see the bluish black part of her arm, but continued to fail. It just wasn't there!
It's just not possible!
Needing to see the proof, Padme began cleaning the soap off her body, before she jumped out of the shower and paused in front of the mirror. She looked at her arm through the reflection and could not believe her eyes. The bruise was gone! It was completely gone! There was no pain or even hint that there was even a mark there to begin with. How is this possible? Padme thought as her fingers trailed her skin in disbelief, but it wasn't possible. How could it be? How could it be possible that such a serious bruise could be gone in a matter of hours? Part of the answer seemed simple to Padme because only one being had that kind of power.
Darth Vader.
But what did he do and how did he do it? She didn't know, but frankly she didn't care. She had caught a glimpse of the clock and had already started to curse herself. Padme knew she would have to ask questions later. She just didn't have time. She would already be cutting it close. Padme tried to fix her hair into an appropriate hairstyle, but settled on just a simple braid. The style would be quick and easy with no chance of making Vader late… or so she hoped.
She was almost finished with her makeup when the door to her room slid open. She didn't bother turning towards the doorway, the drop of the room temperature told her who had entered. She waited for him to complain or scold her for not being ready… but it never came.
He isn't saying anything… Could this really be Vader? Is he even still here?
Cautiously, Padme turned to face where she thought Vader was standing and to her amazement he was there. He looked the same as always, cloaked and black. She could feel his announce from his gaze, but also something else. She couldn't explain it, but it was almost as if he was inspecting her. She could feel his hidden eyes traveling her body. It was an act that should have made her skin crawl, but it didn't. She wasn't repulsed. She was curious of his actions and somewhat nervous under his gaze, but not repulsed. She knew that she should be. She should hate the fact that Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith, the Emperor's Right-Hand, Commander of the Imperial Forces, Heir to the Empire's Throne, and the murder of millions was looking at her like a piece of meat, but she couldn't stop him or her curiosity. This was not Vader's usual behavior. The Vader she knew would rudely ask if she was ready before perhaps pulling her to her feet and proceed to dragging her down the hallway. But he did none of those things.
Instead, he remained silent at the far edge of the room. Of course, he was still impatient and somewhat annoyed, but he did not voice it. He just continued to inspect her and Padme allowed him to. She told herself she only allowed him to do so because of his temper. Vader was not as forgiving during the day as he was at night. If she would scold him, the consequences were endless. The image of his hand around her neck instantly appeared in her mind and caused a shiver to run down her spine. No. She would make sure not to allow that to happen again.
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