angel to a flame

this is not edited. so im sure there are typos and stuff. sorry lol. i also kinda hate this chapter just because it's pure wish fulfillment.

Just two days after Christmas, Padmé comes into work at the office. She’s the last one to arrive, which is unusual. But seeing as Anakin is the only one she has to answer to, she knows she’s not getting written up because it’s truly his fault she was late in the first place.

Last night, she went over to Anakin’s apartment and well... didn’t exactly ever return to her own. Although that part was her fault for getting so drunk she couldn’t drive home. She made Anakin promise he would wake her up in the morning when he got up for work, but he didn’t.

He didn’t. And she’s a little mad at him for that.

She woke up about seven thirty in the morning with a note he left on the nightstand that read thought you might want to sleep in, love you.

A sweet gesture, but today was not the day. It’s embarrassing to be late for work on the first day back after a holiday. Before she was able to get to the office, she also had to go home to get her Secret Santa gift for the party.

She barely makes it in time for that.

Quietly, she opens the entrance doors. The office space looks very festive with fairy lights and a large Christmas tree in the corner. Everyone is lining up for the buffet that Anakin had catered for the party. Or actually, Padmé had been the one to organize the caterer following Anakin’s request. This year, they went with Japanese food as the theme instead of the regular holiday fixings. Neither her nor Anakin could take another smoked ham and green bean casserole.

He stands in the back of the line in a navy suit. She sighs, seeing him. He really does look good in a suit.

Padmé sets her large gift under the tree by the others and then scurries over to get in line for the food. Everyone’s distracted, so it seems she came in unnoticed.

Anakin turns to her. “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”

“No thanks to you,” she scoffs.

“There was no reason for you to come in at your normal time today. Literally, I’m paying everyone to come to this party.”

As she scans over the office, Padmé eyes Rex in the corner setting up both a coffee bar and a bar bar. “I thought we weren’t serving alcohol at a work event. We agreed on a coffee bar.”

He scratches the back of his neck. “Obi-Wan’s request.”

“You should have run it by me,” she whispers. “Whatever. You know he’s going to get plastered.”

Anakin chuckles. “That’s what the holidays are for, baby.” His hand reaches around her waist to pull her close.

She immediately pushes him away. “Are you nuts?”

He bites his lip. “Sorry. I’m just really happy to see you.”

Padmé blushes. “Just not at work.”

“I know. I’ll try to play it cool.”

“Good,” she says.

They move up into the line. She leans to the side to try to get a peek, but it’s no use. Her stomach grumbles because she didn’t have a chance to eat breakfast like she normally does.

“You destroyed me at Mario Kart,” he whispers in her ear.

She snorts. “It’s a shame because I was super drunk, and you weren’t.”

“I guess... we’ve finally found a game you can beat me at.”

“Or you were taking it easy on me.” She wants to nudge him in the stomach, but that wouldn’t exactly be professional.

“I know you hate to lose.”

“I do.”

Last night when they played Hades, she almost threw the controller at the screen and that would have been a very expensive mistake.

“I guess we shouldn’t sit together,” he says, a little uncertain, as if he’s really asking her permission.

“You know what I’m going to say,” she says. “I don’t think so.”

He groans. “Yeah. I don’t know if I can really reel myself in the way I need to at work. It’s probably best if we keep our distance.”

“Yeah.”

Anakin isn’t the only one disappointed about the situation. She wants to stand right next to him and hold his hand, but she can’t. It wouldn’t look good on him mostly. He’s the one in a position of power. She doesn’t want anyone questioning his ethics because they don’t know the real situation. And she’d really rather not be known as the girl who slept with her boss. Even though that wouldn’t be untrue.

So, after they fill their paper plates with food, they go their separate ways. Padmé sits at a table with Satine and Ahsoka and Barris, the new intern. Anakin sits with Obi-Wan at a small table in the corner.

Satine nudges Padmé and leans over to whisper. “I think you have a secret to spill. Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you two were chatting it up in line.”

Padmé gives Satine a firm glare. “Text me later?” Please? She mouths.

Satine gives a subtle nod. And Padmé gives a sigh of relief.

Standing right by the Christmas tree, Satine holds a microphone close to her lips, announcing the start of Secret Santa. She bends over in front of the presents and starts reading the names off the gifts. A crowd slowly gathers by the tree to receive their gifts.

Anakin stands alone in the back holding a beer as he watches people tear into their gifts. The office is filled with laughs and shouts as people try to guess who was their secret santa. Padmé’s heart rate intensifies when Satine calls Anakin to collect his present. His box is five times bigger than everyone else’s, but it makes sense considering the contents of his gift. She second guesses herself as he rips into the paper. She should have gotten him a new videogame or a book.

Everyone pauses to watch Anakin open his gift. No doubt everyone is wondering who was the poor victim who pulled his name from the stocking. Considering that Anakin is her boyfriend now, she shouldn’t worry as much because she knows he loves her.

When he opens the box and pulls out the navy quilt, he smiles brightly and holds it up. Satine approaches him and asks if he has a guess for his secret santa.

“I’m going to have to guess...” he looks at Padmé. She knows he knows it was her, but instead, he says, “Obi-Wan?”

Obi-Wan snorts from behind. “You think I would spend that much money on you? Very funny.”

Satine asks him again. “Do you have a second guess?”

“Was it you?” he asks Satine.

She facepalms. “You’re impossible! Padmé!” she shouts, “It was Padmé. Isn’t her gift so thoughtful.”

Anakin turns back to her and waves her over. Padmé walks to him albeit nervously. She doesn’t want anyone to think there is something going on between them.

“This is perfect,” he tells her. “All I have on my bed is that cheap fuzzy blanket I got from the grocery store.”

“I know,” she sighs. “It’s atrocious.”

Anakin gives her a side hug. This is the closest they’ve been since the party started. She can’t wait until they finally have some alone time tonight.

“This reminds me of the quilt my grandma made for me.”

“Yes!” she exclaims. “That’s why I got it for you. I thought you might want a little something to remind you of home.”

“You’re the best girlfriend ever,” he whispers to her. “Remind me to make it up to you tonight.”

She shouldn’t be getting turned on in a public setting, but the way he said that. She sighs. She’s tearing off his clothes the moment their alone.

“One last gift!” Satine announces. They both look towards the Christmas tree.

Satine picks up a small box on the ground, the final present. “This one is for Padmé! It is quite heavy.”

Padmé accepts the rectangular box. Satine was right. It weighs a good bit. The wrapping paper is extremely neat. There’s a real red ribbon bow wrapped around it. She pulls the ribbon and carefully unwraps the gift.

Her gift is a book.

But not just any book.

It’s a stack of paper stitched together with no cover, but she’s not quick to judge the gift. She reads the text on the first page.

This is the unpublished manuscript of the fourth book of The Empyrean.

There’s only one person in the world who would care so much about a Christmas gift for her to get their hands on a draft of her favorite book series.

She all but jumps on Anakin.

“Thank you! Thank you!” she says, “This is the best gift I’ve ever received!”

He pushes her off him quickly which reminds her that they are in the office in the presence of all their colleagues.

Oops.

“H—how?” she asks him, keeping her voice down.

“I have connections,” he says with a wink.

Padmé flips through the pages. “This is all I’m going to be doing for the next two days.”

He shakes his head. “You’d better make some time for me.”

It’s the night before Christmas. And Mrs. Shmi has put Padmé and Anakin to work. Even though no one in the house still believes in Santa, Anakin’s mom pretends that they do. Which is why Padmé and Anakin are in the kitchen after dinner baking chocolate chip cookies again. Padmé doesn’t mind. The last time they made cookies together was one of her fondest memories of them.

Anakin pours in the chocolate chips which will be the final step before they mold the dough into cookies and put them into the oven to bake.

He’s so focused. His brows are tightly knit as he folds the chips in. She giggles when she notices a big white streak on his cheek. Padmé licks her fingers and starts to wipe the flour.

He flinches because he didn’t expect her touch.

“You have something on your face,” Padmé says.

Anakin leans down to her level so she can reach more easily.  A few moments later he asks, “Did you get it?”

She kisses his cheek. “Yes.”

“Thanks, baby.”

Padmé tenses up. He doesn’t notice what he just said. The pet name sounded so natural from his lips, but she’s still getting used to being his girlfriend instead of his assistant. Hearing him call her baby so sweetly is strange but a good strange. She can’t help but melt a little inside.

Once the cookies are mostly cool, Padmé scoops them onto a big porcelain Christmas platter. Anakin left to get some firewood from Owen and Beru.

Mrs. Shmi washes carrots in the sink for Santa’s reindeer. “You know I made that almost ten Christmases ago!”

Padmé takes a second glance at it. The plate is white and in the shape of a Christmas tree. There is gold, silver, red, and green decorations painted on in metallic color. The design is beautiful.

“I never would have guessed.”

“Anakin made one too.”

Padmé looks at Mrs. Shmi and smiles. “I need to see it.”

“He gets a little self-conscious about it. I typically keep it packed away.”

“He’s not here though,” Padmé tells her with a big grin.

Mrs. Shmi nods in agreement. She walks over to the cabinet and pulls out another large platter also in the shape of a tree. She brings it over to Padmé, holding it up in front of her.

Anakin’s platter is a hyper realistic version of a Christmas tree. It looks better than what a factory could do. They should have this on display in their home. It’s magnificent.

“I had no idea he was such an artist.”

“Hardly anyone does. He’s very talented, but he doesn’t like to brag on himself. Let me put this away before he gets back home.”

Padmé is going to have to tease him about this later. She can’t believe he never told her about his art.

She wants to bring his Christmas platter home with her and tease him about it every year.

After Anakin comes back with firewood, he gets the fireplace going. Padmé watches him from afar as he tends to it. She can hardly believe that the man in front of her is really hers. She trembles thinking about what that might mean for her future and all the joy that this love might bring them together. She knows love isn’t easy, but she knows it’s worth it.

Satisfied, Anakin looks back at her. The firelight catches in his mesmerizing eyes. No one has ever looked at her like this. She’s so lucky to have him in her life. Padmé takes steps toward him, desiring a kiss.

Mrs. Shmi interrupts things when she comes into the living room with a glass of milk and the platter of cookies. She sets them on the coffee table.

“Thanks for doing that for me, Ani.”

“You’re welcome, Mom.” He pats her on the shoulder. “I think that the fire might be a problem for Santa though.”

“Oh, Ani, you should know that Santa has Christmas magic by now. How many times have I had to explain this to you?”

“Plenty, Mom.” Anakin shakes his head. “And you’re right. I don’t know why I said anything.”

Padmé can’t help but laugh at them. Anakin explained to her how seriously his mother takes Christmas Eve. Seeing it play out in real life is rather adorable. Neither Mrs. Shmi not Anakin believes in Santa, but these little traditions seem to keep the magic alive between them. Anakin might tease her for it and roll his eyes every chance he gets. But he still plays along because he knows how much it means to her.

The last thing Mrs. Shmi puts out are the freshly washed carrots for the reindeer. Anakin finds that one the most ridiculous, but his comments are minimal. Seeing the milk and cookies and the carrots makes her so happy.

Four stockings hang over the fireplace. One for Cliegg. One for Shmi. One for Anakin. And one for Padmé. She feels honored to be included.

“I’m going to head to bed. You two better not stay up too late. And don’t have too much fun. These walls are thinner than you think.”

“Mom!” Anakin snaps. His lips meet in a firm line. “Just go to bed. Now.”

Mrs. Shmi laughs at him and then waves to Padmé. “Sweet dreams, love.”

“Good night, Mrs. Shmi. Tell Mr. Lars goodnight for me as well.”

Anakin watches his mom go up the stairs. When the door shuts for sure, he turns back to Padmé.

“I am so, so sorry about her. She’s...”

“It’s fine. I mean my mother would never make such jokes, but I’m glad your mom is more fun, I guess.”

“That’s not fun. That’s embarrassing.”

“There’s nothing she could say that would scare me away. I’m here to stay, Anakin.”

“C’mere,” he says, as he pulls her against him. Softly, he kisses the side of her neck. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“I’m happy to be here.”

He lets go of her and runs to the tree. There are several stacks of presents.

“Can I give you your gift?” he asks.

“You don’t want to wait until morning? It is Christmas.”

“I can’t wait,” he says cheerily. “Besides, being alone would make it more special.”

“Fine. But then I’m giving you your gift tonight too.”

Anakin passes her a flat, square box. “It’s not much, but I didn’t want to go too crazy on our first Christmas. I’ll save that for next year.”

Padmé stares at the gift. The wrapping paper is shiny and silver with a gold bow. “It’s perfect.”

“You haven’t even opened it yet.”

“Oh.”

Anakin sits down on the couch and pulls Padmé with him. “Open it.”

Slowly, she pulls the ribbon lose and then cautiously unwraps the present, careful not to tear the paper. It’s a maroon box. She knows it’s going to be jewelry by the look of it. She really hopes he didn’t spend too much on her. His money isn’t the reason she’s with him.

Padmé opens the box. Two large diamond earrings and silver necklace with a matching pendant sparkle at her from the black velvet cushion. She’s never gotten jewelry from a boyfriend. She’s so touched by his generosity she starts to cry.

“Anakin—this—this is too much.”

“They’re lab grown. So, these aren’t completely unreasonable. I hope that’s not a problem.”

Padmé laughs. “No, not at all.”

“Lab grown is more ethical. That’s why I didn’t get natural diamonds. It’s not that I don’t think you’re worth it. You are.”

“They’re perfect, Anakin.” She leans forwards and kisses him briefly. “Thank you. I’m going to put them on.”

She takes off her hoops and exchanges them for the diamond earrings. Anakin takes the box from her hand and holds the necklace between his fingers.

“Let me.”

Padmé turns away from him and draws her hair to the side. Gently, he loops the thin chain around her neck and puts the clasp back together. She faces him again, and his eyes fall onto her.

“You are so lovely.”

Right now, she feels pretty because of the way he looks at her. The diamonds do help.

“Now for your gift, Anakin.” Padmé gets up to get it from under the tree.

His present is rectangular in shape with red wrapping paper with a gold bow. Anakin inspects it for a few moments before tearing into it, and what he sees seems to stun him.

He holds it up.

“How?”

The gift is a picture of their first kiss under the mistletoe in a decorative frame.

“Apparently, your mom snapped a picture of us without us knowing. She showed me later, and I thought it would be perfect for your office... eventually when everyone knows about us.”

They haven’t really discussed how they are going to tell the rest of his employees. Maybe after she finds another position.

“I can put it on my desk at home for now.” He kisses her cheek. “Thank you, Padmé. It’s perfect.

“You’re welcome!”

“I will say... the fact that I’m crazy about you might be the worst kept secret at Skyline.”

“What!”

Anakin sighs. “I’m pretty sure, Ahsoka knows. And Obi-Wan cornered me on it. So, then Satine must know.”

“And none of them told me?”

Anakin shrugs. “I never worried about it to be honest. What were they going to do? Fire me?”

Padmé rolls her eyes. “You could be asked to step down. Skyline isn’t a tiny operation in your garage anymore more, Anakin.”

Warm. That’s the first thing Padmé feels when she wakes up. She hasn’t felt so cozy in a long time. She doesn’t want to get up. She doesn’t even want to open her eyes. She lies on the living room sofa in perfect stillness. Moving might wake him up.

Anakin lies right behind her, nestled between her body and the back of the sofa. His arms are wrapped around her waist, holding her close. He sleeps so silently and soundly. His soft breaths tickle her ear. He’s like a warm teddy bear that feels twice her size. Underneath the several layers of blankets, they’re both completely clothed, but at some point during the night her shirt rolled up a little, and his bare arms are taking full advantage of her skin as they wrap around her stomach. She hasn’t cuddled with someone so intimately in forever. Actually, she’s not sure anyone has ever held her just to hold her. Her previous interests typically expected holding each other to lead to more. But with Anakin she feels safe.

Padmé squints her eyes open. The morning light reflecting off the glittery snow is extremely bright but so beautiful. As soon as they finish breakfast, she wants to go for a walk. Of course, she’ll have to bundle up before going out.

She’s not quite sure how long she lies here before Anakin wakes up. She knows he’s awake because he starts kissing her shoulder, an action too sweet she almost cries.

“Good morning,” he whispers. He rubs her stomach gently with his hands.

She reaches up to touch the edge of his jaw. “I guess we fell asleep.”

They stayed up even later when they finally made it inside watching Christmas movies. However, she couldn’t say which ones because Anakin popped a bottle of wine. The empty bottle and glasses are still sitting on the coffee table.

“Yeah. I’m surprised my mom isn’t up yet.”

“She must know something is going on between us,” Padmé says with a laugh. “I don’t think we’re very good at hiding.”

“She already knows how I feel about you.”

Padmé wiggles under the covers to face him. “How do you feel about me?”

He nuzzles her neck. “I’m just crazy about you, Padmé.”

Her stomach butterflies practically ignite at the way he says that. She wants to kiss him again, but Mrs. Shmi is probably going to be up very soon.

The way he’s looking into her eyes tells her he wants her too. She huffs silently. This is hopeless. She can’t give into her feelings. How would that look if Mrs. Shmi came down and walked in on them? That would be rather... thoughtless of Padmé. But why does her son have to be so hot. In this situation, it’s almost annoying.

Anakin squeezes her.

“No,” she says.

“I didn’t say anything,” he replies mischievously. He starts massaging her lower back.

“No.”

“I’m just touching you.”

She pushes his hands away reluctantly. It’s painful because it’s been so long since someone’s wanted to touch her like that. “This isn’t the time or the place.”

He sighs, defeated. “Yeah. You’re right.”

Anakin pushes himself up on the couch. So Padmé does too. She gives him a kiss on the cheek which hardly satisfies her, but it will have to do. She spent all night in his arms. How much more affection could she ask for?

The morning air freezes her the moment she kicks off the covers. She and Anakin both head to the kitchen to make some coffee. She picks the sugar cookie flavor. Anakin loves it too. She has never had anyone to do these simple things with. Of course, it’s too early to know if she and Anakin will actually work out long-term, but this relationship has a chance of being everything she’s ever wanted.

As she sips on her coffee in a candy cane mug, Anakin takes a dozen eggs out of the fridge along with a tomato, onion, and peppers.

“Would you like an omelet?” he asks.

None of her exes ever offered to make her breakfast. She always had to ask or make it herself. She really shouldn’t be comparing him to those other guys, but she can’t help it because he seems so perfect for her.

“Let me help!” she exclaims.

“So... that’s a yes?”

She nods.

Padmé helps him cut the toppings. He requests very small onions. Apparently, he doesn’t like the texture much, but adds them for flavor. They make three. The third is for his mom.

Mrs. Shmi comes down when Padmé is setting the breakfast table.

“Good morning, you two! How did you sleep?”

Anakin and Padmé look at each other. He’s blushing.

“Pretty well all things considered. We stayed too late at Owen’s.”

“I slept amazing,” Anakin says.

Mrs. Shmi has a very big smile on her face. “You know... I came down this morning to get some medicine, and you two were snuggled up on the couch. Do you have anything you would like to tell me, Anakin? Your dearest mother to whom you tell everything?”

Crap.

Padmé never considered that his mom had already woken up.

“We can talk about it later, Mom,” Anakin says, rolling his eyes. “You’re making Padmé worried.”

Mrs. Shmi laughs. “Oh, Padmé, don’t worry. I had a suspicion that this might happen.”

“Well, that makes one of us,” Padmé replies.

She really didn’t expect this Christmas to turn out any different than the others. She didn’t expect to be spending the holiday season with a boyfriend. She hasn’t brought anyone home for the holidays since she was in high school. Palo, her first boyfriend, was her last somewhat serious relationship.

When she went home with Anakin for Christmas, she thought she would be helping him with work and keeping him on task like she usually does. But they haven’t talked about work much if at all.

“You know Anakin is in love with you right?” Beru says as she cuts into the cheesecake.

Padmé almost drops the porcelain plates in her hands. The comment catches her completely off guard.

It’s only them in Beru’s kitchen as they prepare desert for guys. Owen and Beru invited Anakin to have dinner tonight, and he be brought Padmé. He hasn’t told either of them about their new relationship, although they seemed very keen that she came along.

Beru has always been quiet the few times Padmé has interacted with her. Even tonight, at her own house, Beru hasn’t said many words. So for her to say something so bold, no prompting, is rather jarring.

“What makes you say that?” Padmé asks coyly.

Beru shakes her head. “Don’t act like it isn’t obvious. Have you seen the way he looks at you?” She sets the first slice of cheesecake on one of the plates and hands it back to Padmé.

“Oh, Anakin, looks at everything like that.”

“I’ve known Anakin for years, and I’ve never seen him smile this much. He’s absolutely crazy about you. Owen has been telling me that Anakin’s had a crush on you, but I didn’t believe him. Until now.”

Beru cuts another slice and Padmé provides another plate.

She looks at Beru solemnly. “Fine. I do know. We’re trying to figure things out.”

The knife once in Beru’s hand clatters on the granite countertops. She squeals softly. “I knew it. I knew it the moment I saw you two getting out of the car. Then the way he opened the door for you and took your coat. And the way that you,” Beru points at her, “looked at him. I know when someone’s in love.”

“Love is a strong word.”

“Well... I know what I see between you two,” Beru affirms. “And I need another girl in the family. We’ll finally be even with the boys!”

“You barely know me...” Padmé doesn’t know how to accept Beru’s excitement at the prospect of them being part of the same family. This is the first holiday they’ve spent together, and she’s ready to accept her with an open heart.

“You’re the only girl Anakin’s ever brought home.”

That statement hits her like a train. Surely that’s not the case. Anakin has had plenty of girlfriends.

“It’s true,” Beru adds.

“You’ve really never met any of his girlfriends?”

Beru shakes her head.

“Wow.”

Once four pieces of cheesecake are set on each plate, Padmé and Beru bring the dessert out to the dinner table where Owen and Anakin are engaging in a lively discussion. Padmé quickly catches on that it’s about hockey. Anakin never brought up that interest around her through the years.

Padmé sits beside Anakin and set his cheesecake in front of him. He pauses mid-sentence and looks at her.

“Thanks, baby.”

Owen and Beru both have wide eyes. Anakin doesn’t even realize what he said. He continues on about his favorite team.

The two across the table start giggling like teenage girls. It only confuses him.

“What?” he asks looking around helplessly.

Padmé’s face is on fire. She’s at a loss for words. He told her it would be best if they keep their relationship under wraps until he finds her a new position.

“You just called her baby,” Owen says with a grin.

Anakin bites his lip.

“About that...” Anakin starts, “I was wanting to wait to tell everyone about us.” He puts an arm around Padmé. “I don’t want this getting out to any of our mutual friends or my employees. It wouldn’t look good for my company.”

“Have you told Mom?” Owen asks.

“Not yet. We’re going to tell her tomorrow. Just don’t say anything to her please.”

After dinner, they sit around a metal firepit on the Lars’s back porch. The orange flames flicker as the wood burns. Embers spark in the air like fireflies when the firewood shifts. The scent of charred oak reminds her of her childhood Christmases spent in front of the old fireplace that kept the entire house warm.

Padmé shivers. It’s frigid outside. She cuddles closer to Anakin under the thick plaid blanket. His arm hugs her back and his hand squeezes her hip. He shifts a little closer and kisses her on the cheek. His stubble scratches her, but she doesn’t mind it. It makes him look more masculine. She strokes the side of his face. She wants very much to kiss him, but they have an audience. Owen sits on the sofa opposing them.

Beru comes out onto the porch with four mugs in her hand. “Coffee for Owen.” She kisses the top of his head as she gives him his mug. “Coffee for me.” She sets her mug on the side table beside their couch.

With two Santa Clause mugs in her hands, she steps over to Padmé and Anakin. “Hot chocolate for you both.”

“Thank you!” they say.

Beru cuddles up to Owen. They’re all smiles. Married for years and still very much in love. They speak softly to each other, lost in a private conversation.

Padmé watches Anakin sip his hot chocolate. She doesn’t know how he can bare the steaming liquid. He must have a high tolerance for heat. Padmé blows on hers for a long time until she takes a tiny sip. She tastes dark chocolate and a little peppermint. It’s so good. She’s going to have to ask Beru what brand she uses.

Anakin pulls up his parent’s driveway in Cliegg’s old Ford truck. It’s two am at night. They stayed a little later than they anticipated at Owen and Beru’s because Anakin and Owen got caught up in playing multiple rounds of Call of Duty. She and Beru cleaned up after dinner, and the boys were still playing their stupid video games. Beru was happy that Owen and Anakin got to spend some time together. Since Anakin moved to California, they rarely talk. Padmé didn’t mind staying late. She loves getting to know Anakin’s family.

Padmé unlatches her seatbelt and reaches for the truck’s door handle. Anakin quickly locks it just as fast.

She gives him a look silently asking what are you doing?

He reaches over to place his hand on her thigh. “Can we sit here for a second? Unless you have a strict bedtime.”

“At this point, there’s no point in having a bedtime. Did you need something, Anakin?” She wonders if he wants to have the talk, the one that outlines the entirety of their relationship now and where they go from here.

“Need... is a strong word. More like want.” His hand cups the side of her face. His thumb strokes her lower lip.

So he’s not really interested in a conversation.

At this hour, neither is she.

“What do you want then?” she teases.

He smiles. “It’s difficult to put into words.” Anakin leans over into her space, cornering her against the window.

Padmé threads her fingers under his soft, soft hair and gently scratches his scalp. He closes his eyes. “Maybe you should show me then.”

“I think I can do that,” he whispers as he moves in on her mouth.

This time he’s desperate and kisses her without any restraint. His tongue is in her mouth. She’s not so sure how it got there, but the passion makes her toes curl. She still tastes the hot cocoa he sipped on the way home.

Anakin lifts the center console of Cliegg’s truck. It had been the only thing keeping their bodies apart. He drags her under him. Eventually. In the limited space, moving around like this is awkward, and neither of them are teenagers anymore, but they make it work.

He’s careful not to crush her under his weight.

She slips her hands under his sweater. He’s burning up just like she is.