By some unknown irony of the Force, Asoka didn't even fall on Anakin, but simply collapsed on top of him, her head pressed against his chest, her chest against his stomach, and her knee... At first, she stood there frozen, trying not to move, so as not to feel the hardness that was growing with every passing second. Then, suddenly coming to her senses, Asoka straightened up and, pretending that nothing terrible had happened, with an independent look, lowered her eyes to the ground and settled into the back seat. But then she realised that she was pressing down on the edge of Skywalker's cloak.
"I'm sorry," she said embarrassedly, freeing the crumpled edge of his black robe. "I just haven't flown a speeder in a long time."
"Be more careful next time, you're not a child, after all!" Anakin hissed through clenched teeth, his handsome face contorted with irritation. Tano smoothed the creased fabric as best she could and, as before, wondered why Jedi robes were so ugly. Why did they even bother to hide their figures in these hideous, gloomy-coloured sacks? Even the fact that some of the adepts' robes were light beige or even white did not improve the shabby design. Although, it had to be admitted that even such clothing could not hide or spoil Anakin's beautiful figure. He was so perfect. Ahsoka herself did not remember when she had started thinking this way about this man, and she had not stopped even now, despite their relationship having soured sharply and for no apparent reason. Although Tano could answer why it had soured on her part, but on his... Did he really blame her more than himself for his departure from the Order? Ahsoka didn't think that Anakin could have been unaware of his own guilt. She was sure that when they had grown closer after his breakup with Padmé, Skywalker understood perfectly well and saw everything she was doing and saying, which is why it was especially painful to learn that it had all been left out of the picture. After all, his wife had returned. The love of his life. She had her fun and called him back, and he was happy to run to her like a gopher, paws in the air. And everything that came before was forgotten. It was as if all those feelings and assurances that it was over had never existed. And Ahsoka's assurances that it was over too. No, everything was reset, devalued, consigned to history. Say what you want, the essence remains the same. Betrayal is betrayal, no matter how you dress it up. And Asoka has no doubt that this is what it is, and let Anakin pretend he doesn't know why she really left. But now, it seemed, he was far from such thoughts as he started the engine and smoothly pulled away. Settling down more comfortably, Tano looked back at Anakin, this time noticing his hands, clad in black leather gloves. They were masculine and strong, but at the same time, his fingers, palms and wrists were beautifully shaped, more like those of an aristocrat than a hard-working peasant. I wonder what it feels like when hands like that touch the woman you love? At that point, Togruta abruptly stopped her thoughts and even forced herself not to remember how those very hands had rested on her shoulders more than once and had even hugged her once. It was still too painful. Too bitter. To distract herself, Asoka began to look around. On one side was a coniferous forest, on the other a field. Ahead and behind their speeder, she could see others who also wanted to fly. They were flying slowly, so she had a chance to take a good look at what stretched out before her.
"Where are we now?" Tano asked when they passed the strip of forest. The same one, by the way, where Asoka had given birth.
"East of the centre," Anakin replied without turning around. He had almost recovered from the recent incident and was now angry at his own heightened sensitivity. It was the only explanation he could give for his reaction to the sight of the children clinging to her breasts. At least she hadn't taken off her dress completely, as she had before, but only unbuttoned it enough to free her breasts. And despite his unpleasant emotions, Skywalker was struck by the expression of peace and universal tranquillity on the Togrutta's face, which he had never seen before. Probably any man would like to see the same expression on his woman's face, because it is very pleasant. But realising that these thoughts would not end well, Anakin clenched the steering wheel fiercely. Yes, in his youth, almost from childhood, he had paid attention to the female gender. But this interest was somewhat abstract, without any specific direction, and then, starting at the age of ten, all his thoughts were occupied by Padmé. His angel, the light in his window, the best of women, who had said yes to his proposal of marriage. However, Anakin had never seen such undisguised passion and emotionality in her as he saw in Asoka. And, to be honest, he didn't expect to. He knew that in their aristocratic circle it was customary to be reserved in emotions and feelings, not allowing oneself anything superfluous in one way or another. She even remained faithful to this principle in terms of intimacy. Skywalker understood this too, because in her circle it was not considered honourable to give oneself completely and unreservedly to carnal pleasures, and he would have been very disappointed if she had not been as he thought she was. No, Padmé never refused intimacy with him, being patient and even affectionate at times, but she never told him that she wanted it. She didn't even hint at wanting sex with him, so it was unclear whether she did. Anakin attributed this to her upbringing and treated her with patience. But one thing was certain: he loved and would always love only her; he didn't need any other woman. However, it was so nice when someone smiled at him the way Asoka did. And how his skin still burned where it had touched hers. How on earth had she gotten into his head?
"Maybe tomorrow the lake will warm up," said Anakin, just to keep the conversation going on neutral topics.
"Is there a lake here?" asked the Togruta, puzzled, as if she didn't know, having studied planetary geography in class.
"Yes, there is," the man replied dryly. "I didn't think you would forget the obvious so quickly."
"You know," she flashed back immediately, "just because you, unlike me, completed the full Padawan training and even managed to be an independent specialist, that doesn't give you the right to put yourself above others. Besides, you remember very well why things turned out the way they did.
His words struck Asoka. She had indeed left the Order without ceasing to be an apprentice, which meant she had not received the full extent of her knowledge. But when she thought about it, it wasn't her fault. It was simply fate that had placed her in such circumstances that there was no other way out. And, as it seemed, Anakin himself had already realised that he had gone too far and, in order not to complicate the situation, decided to change the subject as usual:
"If you don't put on a hooded cloak, you'll burn up in no time," said Anakin, noticing that the tip of her nose had darkened slightly.
"I don't have a cloak," she said with an almost unconcealed challenge. Anakin pressed the accelerator, venting his irritation on her. He himself did not understand why Ahsoka aroused such strong emotions in him. Perhaps he was unwell?
Other speeders flew past, their drivers waving to them and to those who didn't recognise Ahsoka, even though she had been Anakin's apprentice. He reluctantly introduced her:
"That's Ahsoka, she looks after my children.
It was impossible not to look at her, but in all the glances Tano saw, there was more interest than hostility. When they had circled around, Petro and Zatt rushed towards them on a single speeder.
"Roast bird for dinner!" said the first one happily. "Master Ty invites you to join us."
Anakin looked at them and smiled, brightly and openly. Ahsoka was even a little offended that she didn't seem to get a smile like that from him. But she liked the directness of these boys too.
"I'll gladly accept your invitation," he replied to both of them. "If you'll let me off reconnaissance next time."We'll definitely do that for you," the boys replied sincerely.
Then Petro noticed Asoka where Padmé had been sitting. Of course, he was most attracted by her tight-fitting dress, but he didn't reveal his interest, knowing what he would get from Shaak Ti for it. And possibly from Anakin as well.
"But then no one will do my chores," Skywalker shook his head.
""I can take them," Zutt replied boldly. He had always resented that Petro was always asked to help first. Yes, Master Ti had explained to him that as the eldest, he had to take on more responsibility, but Zutt didn't want to play second fiddle to the little ones, Maris and Brutus, or the girls. And so he was very happy when Anakin accepted his offer. Ahsoka said nothing, knowing that her opinion would have no bearing on the final decision. But that was only for now.
***
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