Chapter Text
The light of twin suns lit up Anakin’s unkempt hair, making it glow like golden threads. A twelve year old Padmé Nabberie sat looking at the 10 year old boy she’d considered her only one constant aside from her parents.
“ Ani , what’s wrong ? “You’ve been quieter than usual “ Padmé addressed the elephant in the room.
Silence
Anakin , who had been staring into the distance , swallowed hard and fixed his eyes on her
Padmé took a moment to marvel at the innocence of blue and the intensity behind them that always seemed to take her breath away.
“ I’ve been freed” he says softly
Padmé felt a grin break out across her face.
Ani gave her a weak smile in response
“But that also means that I probably won’t be able to see you again “ he whispered - almost inaudible
The intake of breath as the words sunk in
Oh
Anakin offered her a pained smile, lips pursed . She saw the same expression reflect in his eyes
Wordlessly ,she wrapped her arms around his smaller frame , his hands grasped her tightly. A wet feeling in her shoulder she felt as a stray tear rolled down her face
They stayed that way for what seemed like aeons before pulling apart
Padmé saw Anakin’s red rimmed eyes and spoke carefully as she didn’t dare to trust her voice “ Ani—I -I’m going to miss you “
He nodded solemnly
Reaching into his robes , he produced a tiny object.
“For you, “ he said , holding his hand out” It’s a good luck charm I made carving out of Japor wood, Thought you’d want something to remember me by” he finished
Padmé reached for the object, taking it in her hands “ It’s beautiful, Thanks Ani”
Hours prior, a cloaked figure watched from the shadows , his dark robes shrouded his face . He wasn’t bothered by the deafening roars of the engines or the loud cheers from the crowd . He didn’t come here for the contest itself in fact he didn’t care who won or who lost. The truth behind the action of coming to this dune of a hell hole was to simply prove a theory of his, nothing more nothing less
Now if he was right in doing so would depend heavily upon his subject of attention
Said subject was a racer in the contest
A cruel smile stretched across his wrinkled face as he observed the maneuvers “ Oh my , such a narrow escape , “ “ Such a daredevil “ he cooed A feeling of pleasure and anticipation swelled up as his eyes glinted with darkness
“The boy … “ As expected, it was his presence after all. His otherworldly reflexes were so quick as if he was able to glimpse the future like prophets of old
Oh, I could hardly wait , my dear apprentice …. “He drawled
How much could the chosen one endure before spiraling? He thought gleefully
Anakin Skywalker practically skipped home with his winnings in tow. A joyous smile lit his face as his eyes twinkled clear as the skies. He couldn’t help but feel a little smug about winning the race
“ Just think about the parts I can get threepio, Mom wouldn’t have to worry about money for quite a while! “ he thought giddily
And Padmé….
He could picture her grinning ear to ear
“ Congrats, Ani !” She’d say brightly and he would be flustered. Just thinking about it made his ears pink
With one last skip, he bounded up the door and knocked “ Mom?” “ Hellooo??”
No response
He pouted in dramatic annoyance “ Oh mannnn”
Then his ears pricked “ Was that chatter?”
Curious, he leaned his ear against the door , trying his hardest to eavesdrop
Only catching faint sounds- What sounded like his mother’s name - something about potential - his name . As the voices neared, He only heard “ He will be in good hands “
His mind pondered “ Was his mom getting him a babysitter? He doesn’t need one and besides she doesn’t have to work overtime anymore “
The door slid open with a mechanical hiss
Startled, Anakin fell unceremoniously on his butt
“Oww “ he groaned
A unfamiliar old wrinkled man walked out and upon seeing the boy, a calculated smile swept across his face .
“ Oh dear, Would you be young Anakin?”
Anakin’s stomach churned uncomfortably for some reason, he felt something uneasy. In the back of his head, alarms were going haywire : DANGER
Ocean blue stared suspiciously into the abyss of onyx orbs before taking the proffered hand.
“Such a feisty one , indeed “. Sidious had to rein himself from cackling
“ Pleasure to meet you , my boy. I’m senator Sheev Palpatine “
Anakin’s brain didn’t register what the old man was saying….
He just nods dumbly
His brain conjured up the worst scenarios
He shook his head, determined to shake the possibilities away
He was being silly…that was all, right?
He stepped uncertainly into the house, ears roaring and palms getting sweatier by the second
Took a breath before exclaiming
“ Mom! Look at the winnings I —“
His words died on his lips
The look on his mother’s face silenced him
She looked like she had just arranged his funeral
She parted her mouth “ Ani I- I’m — “
No
No
No
NO
“ Mom , you didn’t just agree to sell me away d- did you “ the smile threatening to drop, his voice cracking at the end
His mother averted her gaze, glancing at everything that was not him and said in the smallest voice ever
“ It was for the best”
Anakin’s world was flipped upside down
He shakes his head violently, trying to wake up from this nightmare
“ WHY??!!!!” He exploded
His mother flinched at his voice, a momentary fear crossing her face
Anakin was at a loss
Should he apologize for raising his voice?
Did he do anything wrong?
Was he not good enough?
Had he not behaved ?
Something whispered in his ear “ She abandoned you “
Tears flowing down his cheeks in waves,
His lips were trembling uncontrollably
“ Ani- “ his mother tried again
“ YOU WANTED TO GET RID OF ME!!” He screamed, hot tears blurred his sight
He barged out of the door the next second , still crying
Even his own mother hated him now
His throat burns , anger and hurt
suffocating him.
Padmé was the only one who still stayed by him. If she hated him too then it would be too much to bear . He has to see her one last time before he gets taken away.
So he ran as quick as his small legs could carry him .