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Tears filled Dormé’s eyes when Vader ignited his lightsaber. His threat didn’t frighten her, so she remained standing there. She felt more confusion at his reaction than fear. For some reason, he didn’t believe that she was really herself.
Vader’s eyes also filled with tears as he stared into the strange woman’s gaze, unable to deny how close they were to Dormé’s own. How easy it would to be to play the ruse to pretend even for a moment his beloved goddess had returned to him! But such things only existed in the realm of dreams and this was far too painful for it to be anything but reality. There was no fear found here only sadness and confusion in its place. This was one was so much like Dormé that Anakin found himself faltering almost believing that she was. But his heart had been known to play tricks on him before leaving him to believe she was wandering through a crowd or humming to herself in fresher as she did her hair.
Dormé exhaled and wiped the tears she had only just noticed from her cheeks. ‘We finally got our wish, Anakin. We’re going to have a baby. Aren’t you happy? Finally after all of this time...after nearly dying to not only recover, but receive this wonderful gift...’
His heart leapt to his throat causing the hidden tears to spill down his cheeks as he deactivated the lightsaber and staggered back. ‘Why are you doing this to me? Is it not enough that you and your allies killed my beloved? Now you must mock her memory by pretending to enact our greatest wish?’
She shook her head, trying to make him understand that she was truly here. But he kept accusing her. ‘I’m not a traitor! I didn’t kill myself and I’m not a Rebel.’
Anakin shook his head as he tried to block out her words. He was certain now that this woman was not only a terrible liar, but a poor actor as well. ‘Then who are you?’ he stated softly his frustration and sorrow evident.
‘If you want the damned Empire so badly, you can have it! I don’t care anymore!’ he snapped before falling silent as he recalled the lifeless form of the pregnant woman days before his beloved died. Though he knew she was not who she claimed to be, Vader knew from her Force aura that she was indeed pregnant.
He didn’t even want to look her in the eyes, let alone allow her to touch him. Dormé wondered just how long ago she had died. Had it been terribly long? Anakin was so closed off and in pain...
‘Gods damn it, Anakin, I am your wife!’ she cried, stomping her foot in agitation.
Anakin scowled when she stomped her foot in agitation and attempted to continue what Anakin believed was the ruse. The only thing he was certain of was that she was concerned for the safety of her baby and that he couldn’t blame her for. He had learnt firsthand that the Rebels had no qualms about killing mothers and their newborns. ‘Would you stop this awful game!’ he balked in frustration and sorrow. ‘You are not Dormé! You are not my goddess or my queen! You are just a Force sensitive woman who is pretending to be her for reasons I can’t even begin to imagine!’ he snapped as new tears spilled down his cheeks.
‘I don’t give an araru about the Empire anymore. I only care about you and our baby. OUR baby!’
‘Did the remnant Jedi put you up to this? Is this what this is about?’ he asked knowing all too well what it was like to be a puppet to the Order.
As much as he wanted to cast her away, the Sith Lord knew that Dormé would not wish it of him and so with this in mind, Vader glanced away as he swallowed hard. ‘Your allies may not have mercy even towards the unborn, but she did,’ he quietly began as he met her gaze briefly. ‘Stay with me and I will make sure your child remains unharmed.’
Dormé couldn’t believe the way he was treating her. This wasn’t like Anakin. Anakin would know it was her. He wouldn’t be so dismissive and barely look her in the eyes...prevent her from touching him. She had no idea what he meant about Force powers because she didn’t believe she had the ability to do anything with the new sensations she experienced since after her death. Maybe she truly was in the Realms of Chaos. Maybe she was dead and this was her punishment.
No, no, that wasn’t the case. Dormé felt it in her heart. He was just depressed and it was obvious he hadn’t slept in ages...and his figure was gaunt as though he hadn’t eaten either. The rebels might have had something to do with this. Maybe they tortured him, made him believe she was dead. That was the only logical explanation. Very well. She would just have to make him remember her. Dormé decided not to speak to him, for to do so would only make her more frustrated and angry than she already was.
‘I promise you, milady, I will keep you safe from them too. But all I ask is that you stop this game. We both know you aren’t who you claim to be and surely you know if I was going to kill you or your child, I would have already,’ he tried once more in almost pleading tones. ‘I’m struggling enough with the loss without you adding to it,’ he admitted sadly. ‘Now can we end this so I can get you inside my ship where you’ll at the very least be warm?’ he remarked noting the chill in the air.
She nodded her ass before following him back to their ship. Dormé tried not to let it bother her that he called her the impersonal milady.
Anakin led the woman inside feeling her anger and presuming it was because he had figured out her guise. Though under any other circumstances he would have been livid all of it left him feeling incredibly worn and tired. He could only imagine what Dormé the real Dormé would say about all of this.
He was about to show her the guest room—that they had secretly hoped one day would become a nursery—so she could rest but the woman was promptly departing for the kitchen as though it were her own. Stunned, he stared at her in disbelief before following her as he watched on with a look of mixed shock, disbelief and quite possible amusement. ‘Glad you’re able to make yourself at home,’ he finally managed before realizing she most likely read his thoughts causing him to sigh softly.
‘I know you have your orders to keep up this, act but I’m telling you it’s all right. I know that you’re not her and I have no intention of hurting you or leaving you to face your allies alone.’ he tried once more.
Continuing to ignore his rude comments, trying to convince herself he just wasn’t well, she resisted the urge to tell him off. Dormé cooked a meal for the both of them and had a droid set the table for them so he wouldn’t have to. She then set everything on the table as she usually did and sat down to eat. She hoped he would at least eat as well because she was worried about him.
Anakin watched in dismay noting the woman’s behaviour, her reactions, everything. It was almost as though she was really his beloved, but Vader refused to hold onto such hopes. It wasn’t the first time he mistook another for his beloved and he was hesitant to put his heart into this possibility as he feared he’d only be hurt for it. As the dinner was served, Anakin found his appetite had not yet returned, but he did his best to eat a little lest he offend the woman before him. He knew that Dormé would want him to be polite not for the woman’s sake, but for the safety of her unborn child. Too much stress could be dangerous for a growing child and he didn’t want to do anything that might encourage such a complication, even if this baby was not his and she was not his goddess.
She remained silent, knowing if she spoke, he would just dismiss her, so after having another of his contraptions clean up after them, she went to their bedchambers with the intent of showering and changing. Her limbs still ached from the position she had been resting in for so long and as much as she liked her favourite gown, she would be more comfortable in starship boxers and a tee. She began to undress.
But as she trailed off to the bedchamber, Anakin’s reached the end of his patience and frantically he raced after her. ‘What are you doing? You can’t go in there!’ he barked in agitation. ‘No one goes in there. Not even I!’ he snapped as new tears collected in his eyes. How could he possibly explain to her that it was a sacred place now? ‘I have a guest room you can use I’ll have someone bring you some clothes,’ he continued weakly trying to keep his voice from cracking. ‘Just do not go in there.’
Though she was glad he at least ate a little of the meal she prepared, she was extremely upset to find their bedchamber was off-limits. Furrowing her brow, she faced him.
‘No one is to go in that room! Not even I will go in there anymore!’ Anakin growled in defensive tones. ‘Please show a little respect for the memory of my wife! It is for her that I didn’t kill you outright back at her memorial!’ Vader snapped before falling to a pained silence as she spoke of the nursery.
‘I don’t want to use the guest room!’ she exclaimed. ‘That’s supposed to be the nursery! And all of my things are in there and I want to change.’ It was now with her aching muscles that she felt her exhaustion from the emotions.
‘Have you no mercy?’ he hoarsely whispered so distracted by his own sorrow that he missed the fact she didn’t read his thoughts and wouldn’t know he had been thinking about the true purpose of the guest room. ‘It was—but we were never able to—’ Anakin glanced away as he swallowed hard before silently turning and walking away.
It seemed that everything she did, Anakin didn’t allow or approve of. It was incredibly frustrating and with her annoyance, she wasn’t as thoughtful as she ought to have been. Since she was so overjoyed about their baby, she didn’t even consider how mentioning the nursery would have affected Anakin who still didn’t believe she was really Dormé. She felt his pain that had at one time mirrored her own. He stalked off and she was torn between going after him and apologising and just leaving him alone.
She knew he wouldn’t want her comfort. He still barely looked at her to begin with. With his presence fading into the training halls, Dormé went to their room to shower as she originally planned. As she changed, she decided to speak with the officers to get caught up on the situation of the Empire and possibly find out how long she had been gone. There was only one thing she knew for certain and that was her husband was unfit to be running the imperial army.
Dormé knew these halls like the back of her hand. It wasn’t long before she was on command and on the receiving end of disbelieving stares. She approached the highest ranking officer who had been promoted to his rank shortly after her death.
‘Milady,’ he gasped, stuttering and fumbling a bit as he bowed to her.
‘Yes, Commander, I’m not dead,’ she replied, rolling her eyes. ‘Listen, I have orders for you that are of grave importance. Walk with me.’
The officer followed on her heels, stunned to see Lady Vader alive and walking around.
‘Unless you are both blind and stupid, you know that the emperor is not well,’ she began. ‘For this reason, I suggest you keep all of your officers out of his way and only follow my command.’
‘I understand; but milady, what if he does give an order?’
‘Then you will humour him and follow the order, but if you believe your life is worthy, you will stay far away from him until he is feeling better.’
The officer nodded. ‘It is so good to have you back, milady.’
Dormé smiled genuinely at him. ‘Congratulations are in order,’ she informed him. ‘We’re having a baby!’
‘Congratulations, milady,’ the officer replied, grinning, though somewhat uncomfortably.
‘Now, tell me everything that has happened since my disappearance,’ she said, keeping her steps light as they entered the intelligence wing.
For hours, Vader trained in the hall where he often used to spar with his beloved. Even now he could imagine the clash and clang of their blades meeting in their volatile dance. The way her amber eyes would shine with mischief and amusement as she would gain the upper hand and put him in his place.
Even now the sound of her laughter echoed off these walls haunting him with her absence. Is that the best you can do?
Anakin faltered in mid-step as new tears came to his eyes. He knew it was his imagination playing tricks on his mind, but for a moment, Vader couldn’t help but close his eyes and imagine that she really was there to tease him.
‘I’m not the same warrior I was when you were still here; I’m not even the same man,’ he murmured apologetically to the empty room.
Closing his eyes Vader envisioned in his mind Dormé’s beautiful smile, the way her freckles seemed to dance when she laughed, the feel of her fingers against his cheek. Without realizing his actions, the Sith Lord outlined his jaw lightly with his fingers as though imagining his calloused fingers were slipping over hers.
‘I...miss you,’ he whispered as in his state of daydream she was there watching him. Softly he continued speaking of the woman who claimed to her and of the child she carried. He apologized for not being able to stop the Rebel’s and explained he was keeping the girl so as to protect her unborn baby.
‘...We both know what they are capable of. While she might deserve this fate, her child does not. So I’m protecting her because I know that is what you would do if you were in this position,’ he softly admitted unaware that he was no longer alone.
After being caught up on the situation and relaying her orders to protect the stability of the Empire, she informed the commander that she would be able to be reached at any hour via her comm channel. Once that was concluded, she returned to their private chambers and hopefully to see that Anakin was doing better. It was not hard to pick up on his Force signature and she followed it to his location. I miss you, she heard him say. Dormé shook her head as it dawned on her that he was talking to himself, or rather, that he was talking to her. His further words broke her heart.
For a moment, she turned away, putting a hand over her mouth as she gasped in shock. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she didn’t register them. Anakin was absolutely lost and it was her fault for taking a wrong step or not being aware or something... She felt so incredibly guilty, though she didn’t know the true reason why.
Finally, she turned back around, seeing him with his eyes closed, touching his cheek as though she were doing so. Dormé rushed over to him, throwing her arms unrepentantly around his neck and kissing him, ‘Anakin!’
Anakin was lost in his reverie when suddenly he found himself being kissed, instincts permitted him to return it as in his state of mind he was in another place another time, when Dormé was alive and real and in his arms. But reality soon came crashing down all around him and immediately his eyes snapped open as he drew back in horror.
‘Echuta-we! What have I done!?’ he gasped staring at her in shock before his guilt swiftly manifested into anger.
‘How dare you take advantage of me in this manner!’ he growled before stepping back as his hand flew to his forehead as his expression turned pained as shame flooded his thoughts.
‘Anakin!’ she cried as he pushed her away.
I should have known better—I’m sorry, I should have known...I’m so sorry, my dearest goddess, he thought as he swiftly turned to leave lest the woman before him note his tears. He was unaware that his thoughts were entirely open to her as he was far too distracted by his shamed thoughts.
His anger and shame only worsened her guilty feelings. ‘SHUT UP!’ she hissed.
Anakin glared at her as she demanded his silence but fell silent at her command. None of this made sense to him and despite her demands the Sith Lord just shook his head in reply and continued to avoid her gaze.
‘Anakin look at me! Would you just look at me, please!’ she tried to get his attention, standing in front of him as near as she could get. She was unafraid of him, only fearing for him. She didn’t know her cheeks were stained with tears as well.
‘No. This ends now. Either you leave me the iquicha alone or I swear to you I will return you to your Rebel friends and we both know they will show no mercy!’ he hissed as he brushed past her with the intent of departing from his quarters.
When Anakin yelled at her again, it took all of her effort not to go after him. She was only making things worse.
Dormé sped for their bedchamber, which Anakin told her was now off-limits. Though she intended to sleep there, upon seeing the bed once again and noticing the gown she wore the last night they were together strewn heedlessly nearby, she began to sob. She took Anakin’s pillow from the bed and departed for the guest chambers, clutching onto it as she slept.
With her spare time, she began working on setting up the nursery the way she wanted and making a plushy for their son or daughter. She was quick with her stitching, after many hours of labour in the factories as a child, and was soon working on a blanket and little socks. She tried to keep to herself or converse with the officers, not wanting to anger Anakin further. But Dormé did cook meals for the two of them, even if he didn’t end up eating with her.
Meanwhile, Anakin tried to pretend the woman wasn’t there, that she had never been there to begin with, but the signs of her presence were everywhere no matter how much he tried to avoid them. It felt worse now than before as every time he thought of Dormé, he envisioned her catching sight of him kissing the woman whose child he sought to protect. Not a day would go by when he wouldn’t return to the empty chamber that was his queen’s memorial to beg her forgiveness. Not a night would pass when he wasn’t plagued with nightmares of her passing only to wake up with his face tear stained and buried in one of the pillows of the couch he now called his bed.
The day’s continued onward, leaving Vader to spend much of his time going over Dormé’s projects, ensuring everything was continuing as before. He avoided his officers as he no longer had the heart to listen to their pointless ramblings about the Empire. In his mind, this too died with Dormé’s passing. Upon hearing her decoy was taking on the role of his beloved, he felt torn between rage and relief. In the end, he did nothing and instead vented his sorrow, guilt, and rage in the training halls.
At first, he avoided the woman’s meals finding them to be too much a reminder of the past, but after a few days, he realized she had no intention of giving up an thus he gave in. The food was exactly how Dormé used to prepare it and that alone frightened him more than he wanted to admit. He began to harbour doubts of his own convictions and wondered if indeed she had been telling the truth all along. But then he was reminded of the fact that Dormé was not a Force sensitive, that she was never able to carry a child, and Anakin knew this couldn’t possibly be her.
On this particular evening, the Sith Lord found that sleep was once more evading him and in troubled silence, he took to wandering the halls of his vast, private quarters. He didn’t know where his feet would take him, but at this point, Vader didn’t care. All he wanted was a moment’s peace from his tormented thoughts and a moment’s rest for his heart that ached from the memories of another life and longed to believe the woman who resided in his chambers really was his empress.
It had been a long day and even though Anakin refused to allow her to enter their private chambers, she had to for all of her clothes were in there. This evening was no different. Dormé stripped down to have a shower after laying out what she would wear to bed. It was far more comfortable to wear their starship boxers than any nightgown. Though it would have been far more comfortable to sleep naked, it wasn’t the same without Anakin there and so she refrained.
She allowed the warm water to pour over her as she leant her head back to wet her hair. Her thoughts were detached and nonsensical, but she could sense Anakin’s presence nearby. When she first awoke in the memorial that was supposed to be for her death, this new, prickly sensitivity alarmed her. But she had no idea that this and the pregnancy were the main reasons why Anakin refused to open his heart to her once more.
The long hours of training and time spent at her memorial were taxing on her spirit as well. But Dormé wasn’t going to give up on him. She just prayed that he would return to her by the time their baby was born.
Anakin continued to wander the halls in pained silence struggling to clear his thoughts of the doubts that lingered and the questions that it encouraged. But in the end his footsteps led him back to his private quarters once more and upon seeing the door to their old bedchambers opened, Anakin found himself slowly stepping inside. The memories returned to him without mercy and quietly he found himself wandering through the room as he relived the past in his mind.
His fingers lightly brushed over the pillows of the bed as he recalled their impromptu pillow fights. His eyes fell to the used brush by the vanity and in his mind he could recall the long hours spent brushing her hair while running his fingers through it. He could still smell the faint scent of her perfume and was reminded of their moments of passion and their moments of peace. But at the sound of the water running in the fresher something within him whispered silent encouragement as though inviting him to face the truth that had been warring with him for so long.
Shyly, he stepped inside and found himself staring at the beautiful form of the woman who claimed to be his wife and beloved. She was perfect in every way and it filled him with shame to think he would gaze upon her with eyes that saw only his goddess. That was until he found himself noting the scars on her body. Frowning, he stared in disbelief upon realizing they were in the exact position as the shots Dormé had received before she returned to the Force. Every single one he had put to memory when he placed her into her gown before carrying her lifeless form to her shrine. The freckles were there as well, every one where it perfectly belonged as were her marks of beauty. Something deep within him stirred and in that moment Vader knew without question that this woman, so familiar and yet so different, was none other than Dormé herself.
Though he could not understand why she had returned with senses attune to the Force or how it was she could now bear a child, but Anakin was not about to question it. New tears filled his eyes as guilt and shame intermingled with relief and overwhelming joy. Silently, he removed his own garbs and quietly stepped into the shower and without a word, slipped his arms around Dormé’s petite form before quietly studying her as the tears returned. Through the Force, he reached out and touched her aura, revealing all the love he felt for her, the truth he now understood, and everything he could not say in that moment.
He looked at her with eyes that held the weight of the universe. The emotions pouring off him like an unleashed deluge would have caused her to take a step back from the rush of it all, had he not wrapped his arms around her. It was entirely overwhelming. Compared to before when he was struggling, his emotions had been almost stifled. Now it was not only completely open to her, but being thrust upon her, leaving her dizzy with it all. It was so much at once and so powerful to read and receive simultaneously. All she knew for certain was that he knew she was really Dormé. This alone was enough to make her cry with relief and joy, pulling him closer and holding him.
Anakin didn’t mean to assault Dormé with overpowering emotions and had he been more aware of his actions, he would have felt terrible knowing how new and confusing this would be for her. But in this moment, all he felt was the rush of joy at being able to hold his beloved again, to know she was alive and well and in his arms where she belonged. Soon she too was holding him tightly as her tears of relief and joy intermingled with his own. It felt so good to hold her once more, to know she was real that everything he had felt for her was real, not a desperate illusion made by a broken heart.
But as his tears subsided, Anakin continued to hold tightly onto his beloved as through the Force, he continued to touch her Force signature as though trying to embrace her very soul. However, in time he began to register the effect this was having on Dormé and gently began to put his walls so as not to flood her with his emotions and thoughts. ‘I’ve missed you so much,’ he murmured softly as he ran his fingers through her wet hair.
The rush of emotions and Force caresses left her dizzy, but in a good way. She felt as though her head was spinning; he was touching her so deeply. Her breath came out in gasps are her tears subsided.
To be able to do this, to know Dormé could feel—truly feel—how he felt about her was almost overwhelming for Anakin who couldn’t resist reaching out through the Force and embracing her Force signature. He had never experienced such a thing in his life and for hte first time he wondered if Dormé would one learn how to return the hidden embraces he gave so often but never openly spoke of.
‘Anakin,’ she murmured before kissing him desperately. This was real, so entirely real and true. And Dormé wanted nothing more than to lose herself in him. They would never be separated again, she vowed to herself.
As she murmured his name and desperately kissed his lips, Vader soon forgot everything he was thinking about as all he knew was her. His entire universe consisted of his beloved and in those moments, Anakin felt as though she were pulling him out from a darkness he never knew existed until now. In her arms was heaven and in her kisses sweet bliss. Lost to her loving and healing embrace, Anakin felt as though his very soul was being mended and his heart once dead with Dormé’s passing was now returning to life once more.
It would be some time later before he returned to reality from the sweet bliss that stole away all coherent thought. Even then, he held onto Dormé tightly basking in the afterglow of their passion play.
Dormé had no idea when the water was shut off or when they made it back to their bed, only that they were finally here. ‘I knew you would return to me,’ she murmured as they clung to each other.
Time moved of its own accord when Anakin was in Dormé’s arms and little was registered to his senses save for Dormé’s emotions and the love that was shared between them. At her murmured words Anakin felt new tears spill down his cheeks as he touched her cheeks and gently kissed her lips. Her words left is mark on his heart and it moved him deeply filling him with humble awe and respect for his beloved’s faith in him. Never in his life had he ever known such love and never again would he ever. He could only hope that in some small way he would be able to return a little of the joy she had given him.
In the end, it was exhaustion that caused both to take a break and in silence Anakin held her tightly embracing her both in the flesh and through the Force. Her thoughts were clear and vibrant to him and it mirrored his own. However it also reminded him of the fact all of this was new to Dormé and left him feeling protective of her despite the fact that neither knew of anyone who was Force sensitive who would take advantage of it.
‘And our little one will know their daddy, his true self.’ She said, smiling at him.
Anakin held her tightly, embracing her both in the flesh and through the Force. Her thoughts were clear and vibrant to him and it mirrored his own. However it also reminded him of the fact all of this was new to Dormé and left him feeling protective of her despite the fact that neither knew of anyone who was Force sensitive who would take advantage of it.
Tired though she was from everything that happened that day, she almost didn’t want to fall asleep, to awaken and find it had only been a dream. If she was dreaming, this was one she dare not wake from. Her heart danced with the love he brought her, but her lips had yet to speak them without desperation or fear of losing him. She didn’t yet realise that she didn’t need to speak them with her lips, that she had the ability to tell him in his mind and through her feelings. She hardly knew of the extent of her Force abilities, or that they were in fact keeping their baby safe.
But for the moment Anakin decided it could wait as he gently played with her hair and gave her lazy kisses. I love you so much, he whispered into her thoughts as he gave her a gentle smile.
She felt his protectiveness and it made her feel honoured to be so desired and have so much love. There are not words to express how I love you, Anakin, she thought to herself, unaware that he could hear this as much as she wanted him to. Dormé kissed him in return, just relishing their closeness and how not even death could keep them part.
Upon hearing Dormé’s whispered thoughts Anakin grinned as he shifted slightly so as to gaze upon her better. ‘I know the feeling,’ he murmured in reply marking that he heard her thoughts before losing himself in her kiss once more. Soon rest overtook him and Anakin snuggled tightly in his beloved’s arms feeling so alive and so content in way he could not hope to explain.
Dormé was too sleepy to know that he had heard her thoughts, but it didn’t matter because she was so happy and complete in ways that had been severely lacking during his closed-off days of denial. Thankfully such days were in the past.
Her rest was deep and as she awoke, she felt his hand on her torso which brought a smile to her face. She slipped a hand over his before opening her eyes. ‘Morning,’ she murmured.
Anakin shyly rubbed Dormé’s torso, imagining that their baby could feel his touch, that he was rubbing its head. Smiling softly in contentment Anakin’s thoughts turned to the future as he imagined what life would be like with their child and what htey would be like.
Upon sensing Dormé stirring awake his attentions turned to her as he gave her a loving smile. Feeling her hand over his own, Vader gave it a gentle squeeze. ‘Morning,’ he replied. ‘How was your rest?’ he asked as he kissed her cheeks.
She readjusted her position so she was facing him once more. She giggled. ‘I was going to ask you the same thing, but I think I already know,’ she commented before pulling him in for a good morning kiss.
‘I think our little one slept well too, or is still sleeping, I can’t tell,’ Dormé added with a hint of a blush.
Anakin grinned at her words and soon was eagerly returning her kiss before giving a contented sigh. ‘Finally everything is right with the universe,’ he murmured softly before her words turned his attentions to their little one once more.
Her words reminded him of the fact Dormé had yet to learn how to use her Force sensitivity and with this in mind he smiled. ‘It’s probably too early to tell just yet but I can show you how to read another’s aura so when they are big enough you can tell,’ he shyly offered before adding as his cheeks warmed. ‘I can show you too how to touch another’s Force signature as well but only if you like of course.’
‘Oh yes, please!’ Dormé said cheerfully. It was terribly exciting to know that she would be able to share this with Anakin.
‘You have to teach me!’ She grinned broadly as she studied him eagerly. ‘And of course tell me anything else I might be able to do now. I hadn’t even thought of it before.’ Dormé didn’t add that she had been so concerned about him that she hadn’t thought of using or playing around with these new abilities.
Anakin grinned to Dormé’s cheerful reply pleased to know she was as eager to do this as he was. Though he was never bothered by the fact his beloved was unable to touch the Force, the fact that she could now opened up a variety of new possibilities that wasn’t available to them before. The question now that remained was where to begin?
The question he should have been concern with was how this would affect their unborn child. However, he was unaware his constant use of the Dark Side was the reason Dormé was unable to have children in the past, just as Vader was unaware of how dangerous it was to the life growing within his beloved. He was also unaware of the true reasons Dormé was given this gift and the fact it would be this that protected their son from him.
‘I’d start with showing you how to though speak but I believe you already know that,’ he said with a grin recalling how she spoke her love for him the night before.
Unless of course you’d like to further practice, he offered into her mind with an impish smile.
Thought speak—’ she began, but then he spoke into her thoughts and she smiled. Dormé hadn’t realised she had done so, but decided to deliberately try it now. Am I doing it? Can you hear me? Dormé wondered.
Anakin nodded in reply at her silent words and grinned. Yes, I can. Anytime you wish to speak to me in this way you just have to focus on me and imagine that your directing your thoughts to me and I will hear you Vader admitted realizing that her attempts the night before was unconscious.
I can also show you how to touch my Force signature with your own. It’s a personal thing, I don’t know how to describe it save that it resembles a hug -only with one’s aura. Let me show you, Anakin further explained.
Through the Force, his aura was blackened and stormy, a result of his constant use of the Dark Side. But within the darkness were cracks of light that stood out like strands of lightning against a stormy sky. It was a sharp contrast to how it was even a day ago.
After a moment’s pause, dark tendrils began to reach out towards Dormé’s Force signature and started to wrap around her aura as Anakin smiled shyly and tightened his embrace around her.
Dormé was eager to learn as much as she could to become even closer to Anakin than ever before, as hard as it was to believe, but as the darkness caressed her, Dormé was tempted to give in to it. It was mysterious and inviting, while tarnishing and diminishing all of the things she loved about Anakin. Instead of bringing them closer, it was showing Dormé that there was, in actuality, a wall between them. The wall wasn’t nearly as fortified as it had been when he was in denial of the fact she had indeed returned to life. Instead, it had cracks in it, which allowed Anakin’s true spirit through.
It was this that Dormé began to reach for, the warmth of Anakin’s spirit. Though the darkness began whispering to her all sorts of illicit things that would be incredibly easy to give into, Anakin’s pure form was more inviting.
Unbeknownst to the untrained empress, her light was returning the favour, giving herself, her spirit open and unyielding to him.
While Anakin believed he knew a lot about the Force, there so much he had yet to understand. What Dormé now knew to be fact was something that still evaded him. But as her spirit opened itself to him Vader found himself becoming witness to a side of the Force he had never known as a Jedi. It was warm and inviting, filled with hope and peace in a way that was so much more personal than he was used to experiencing. It was bliss and the more Anakin wrapped himself around Dormé’s Force signature the more he longed for it.
He purred his contentment as his physical embrace tightened around her. Through the Force, he could feel the warmth of her Force signature wrapping around his own and though it was muted by his Darkness, it was enough to fill Anakin’s thoughts with bliss. Feeling Dormé’s affection and love wrapping around him so intimately was new to Vader and it left him feeling more complete than he ever thought possible.
It wasn’t long before his purrs of contentment turned into off-key humming as he ran his fingers through her hair and buried his face in the crook of her neck. This was harmony and Anakin was loathed to ever part from it.
A/N: Coming up, the epilogue! We hope you've enjoyed reading this fic as much as we enjoyed writing it! Thanks to everyone for the faves and reviews!
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