Chapter Text
Padmé was running late. Again.
She sped up a little more than she should have as she parked in front of the school, muttering under her breath while mentally going over everything she still had left to do. Between her job at the law firm and everything else on her plate, free time was practically a luxury.
Even so, she made the effort. She always did.
Luke and Leia were six now, and every day it felt absurd how fast they were growing. Sometimes she wished she could slow time down—just a little.
She grabbed the box of flower-and-bee cupcakes along with the materials Anakin had asked for and headed toward the classroom where the spring festival was being held.
As always, he was already there. Her husband had far more flexibility when it came to school events, thanks to working from home.
Padmé paused at the entrance.
Anakin Skywalker, covered in glitter and glue, stood on a chair, hanging small paper flowers with almost ridiculous focus. He was smiling as he talked to someone, completely oblivious to the sparkling mess he currently was.
And, of course, completely oblivious to the hand that kept touching his arm.
Padmé raised an eyebrow.
—Anakin, I think you could help me carry those boxes —a woman was saying— They’re way too heavy for me.
—Yeah, sure, Lysa, no problem. Just give me a second—
In his defense… he didn’t seem to be paying her much attention. In fact, he didn’t even seem to notice the contact. Padmé sighed and decided to step in.
—Hey, sweetheart. I brought the things you asked for.
Anakin didn’t even flinch. He just turned his head and smiled at her. That smile. The one that always undid her. The one reserved only for her and their children.
—I’m really glad you made it in time— Without hesitation, he climbed down from the chair. —Let me help you with that.
He pressed a quick kiss to the top of her head.
Lysa went quiet for a moment, watching the scene… and then simply stepped aside.
Good. One down.
___
She wasn’t the last.
Over the next hour, Padmé lost count of how many times some mother found an excuse to get just a little too close to Anakin. A hand on his shoulder. A comment delivered just a bit too near. Laughter that lingered longer than necessary.
And Anakin…
Anakin was still Anakin. Kind. Attentive. Always smiling. Completely oblivious.
Padmé pressed her lips together. It wasn’t distrust. It was… irritation.
And, if she was being honest with herself, a little bit of wounded pride.
—Alright, I just finished putting the gremlins to sleep.
—That’s… great —Padmé replied, still focused on the document in her hands.
Anakin raised an eyebrow.
—Sweetheart —he said, not quite calling for her attention so much as stating something.
—What…?
—You always call me sweetheart, or Ani, or something… you haven’t said it once since we got home. Did I do something to make you upset? —he sounded genuinely worried.
Padmé closed her eyes for a brief moment. Of course he’d notice. He knew her too well.
—No, not really. I’m just a little stressed. I’m sorry, Ani. —Technically true. He hadn’t done anything wrong and she was exhausted.
—Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to apologize. I get it.
—No, I mean it. I’m sorry. You never take it out on me when you’re stressed —she said, letting herself lean into his embrace.
—It’s alright. I think I know the perfect way to help you relax—
He pressed small kisses along her neck. Padmé let out a soft laugh.
—Ani… just make sure you lock the door.
—I’m serious, Sabé. I’m his wife. Those women should have some decency.
Sabé and Dormé had spent the last half hour laughing at her.
—Padmé, darling —Sabé said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye— I honestly don’t understand why this bothers you so much. You know perfectly well Anakin would never cheat on you.
Padmé huffed.
—I know.
—He’d probably cut off his own arm before touching another woman —Dormé added.
Padmé couldn’t help but laugh at that. Because yes—knowing her husband, that was probably true.
—Besides —Dormé went on— with how oblivious he is, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t even noticed.
Padmé went quiet for a second…That was also true.
—Still —she insisted— it’s annoying. At last month’s sports event, I overheard two women saying completely inappropriate things about my husband. Two of them said—and I’m paraphrasing—that they’d love to bite that dad’s ass.
Sabé raised an eyebrow.
—And?
—And last week at the parent-teacher meeting, one of them practically hung off his arm.
Dormé and Sabé exchanged a look. And smiled.
—Then do something about it.
Padmé frowned.
—Like what?
—I don’t know —Dormé said with a shrug— give him a proper kiss. Right in front of everyone. Make it look accidental.
—I am not doing that.
—You asked for advice —Sabé replied— and honestly, your husband is handsome, a great dad, and kind… half those women have husbands who don’t even open the car door for them.
—Take advantage of it —Dormé added— show him off a little.
Sabé nodded, a mischievous smile forming.
—Mark your territory.
Padmé narrowed her eyes.
—I do not mark territory.
The first time wasn’t intentional. But maybe—accidentally—she let the greeting linger a little too long, leaving him just distracted enough to focus on nothing but his wife for the next hour.
The second… not really either. She just asked for a bit of help, and he immediately dropped everything else to take care of her.
The third was definitely not planned. It was just Anakin being an attentive husband.
But it worked.
By the end of the year, the other mothers had stopped trying altogether. In fact, some of them even asked how she managed to make her husband so attentive.
Padmé only smiled.
—I suppose I just got lucky.
—Wait… is that why you were so upset that time?
Padmé turned to him, incredulous.
—Don’t tell me you never noticed.
Anakin looked at her. Blinked.
—…No.
Padmé stared at him.
—Ani.
—Yeah?
—They were flirting with you.
Silence. Then Anakin laughed.
—Love, I honestly had no idea. I thought they were just… being nice.
Padmé watched him for another second… then shook her head, resigned.
—You’re impossible.
Anakin smiled, stepping a little closer.
—But I’m yours.
Padmé tried not to smile.
She failed.
—Well… I think I made that pretty clear.
Anakin tilted his head.
—Wait a second… —his eyes lit up with amusement— was all that you marking your territory?
Padmé crossed her arms.
—I wouldn’t call it that.
Anakin grinned.
—I would.
—Ani…
—I think it’s sexy.
Padmé rolled her eyes. Of course he did. Still…
—Well… I’m not sure I believe you —she said, crossing her arms again with a sly smile—. Maybe you should prove it.
Anakin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
—Oh, yeah?
Padmé didn’t answer. She just held his gaze for a moment before turning toward the hallway like nothing had happened.
—Ani —she added over her shoulder— make sure the kids are asleep.
Anakin went quiet for a second… and then smiled.