Anakin POV:

I didn't bother staying for the rest of the party and immediately went to the exit after leaving the washroom. There's no way I'm sticking around after that. I hoped it wasn't too obvious, but the way (y/n) embarrassed me in front of that guy affected me more than I'd like to admit. She knew my weak points, and how get all of my attention with barely any effort. It made me irritated that she could easily have that kind of power over me and that I always let her have it. But at the same time, I still want her and I care about her no matter how many times she purposely gets under my skin, so a part of me actually likes when she does it. I like it because it proves she feels the same way as I do, and that thought makes me feel complete in a way, as if her feelings for me are the only thing that matter in the world.

I just feel more and more drawn to her as time passes, and it's almost driving me crazy. And the way I left her in the washroom, covered in my love bites, filled me with blissful satisfaction. Anyone who saw them would get the clear message; that (y/n) was taken. Even if she hid them from the world with scarves or jewelry, she would know it every time she touched them or looked in the mirror, and that thought alone just made me want her more.

Only she can make me feel like this, no one else can.

I fast-walked to the speeder I took to get here and hopped inside. Obi-Wan would be curious as to why I left early so I would have to come up with a good lie on the way home. I sped all the way home, and my heartbeat gradually started to decrease. I took a few deep breaths as I regained my composure, trying to block what just happened out of my mind.

After finally getting back to the temple, I tried to sneak back to my quarters without being noticed by anyone.

I mean, some people saw me in the halls but the main person I'm avoiding is Obi-Wan since he knows the details of the party and how I shouldn't be back for another 5 hours. I probably would've come home early anyways though, if this party usually lasts that long.

I put my hood over my head as I headed straight for my room, getting closer and closer still without being seen. I sped up my pace and brought my hand up to my door, feeling relieved that I made it unnoticed.

"Anakin?"

I stopped before my hand could go any further and froze. I closed my eyes and sucked in my teeth, bringing my hand back down. Then I put on my best fake smile and turned around.

"Obi-Wan," I gave him a quick nod, "fancy meeting you here." I joked, trying to lighten the mood as much as possible.

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, "I live here, Anakin." He said, not going along with the joke.

I shook my head and chuckled, "What can I do for you?" I tried sounding normal, but my heartbeat kept increasing its speed.

He crossed his arms and still had his brows furrowed, "Aren't you not supposed to be back here for another 5 hours or so?" He questioned.

I still kept my casual posture and expression, "There is a very good reason as to why I'm back now." I said while holding a finger up.

I paused because I was still thinking of a good excuse. Obi-Wan tapped his foot impatiently, and I felt like a kid who was being scolded for being home too early, which is really ironic.

"The party had gotten so.....dull, that the hosts decided to end it early." I maintained eye contact with him the whole time I spoke, hoping he'd believe me. I almost laughed, because the party was the exact opposite of dull before I left.

By the look in his eyes I could tell that he didn't believe me, though. He sighed and stepped towards me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Look Anakin, I know you've had a lot to think about this week and that it's placed a large weight on your shoulders, but spending time outside of the Temple is supposed to help relieve your stress so that you don't have to worry about it too much."

I was happy Obi-Wan thought that the prophecy was the reason I was back early, but I actually hadn't thought about any of that at all tonight. But now that he mentioned it, I felt anxiety drop to the pit of my stomach. All my fears instantly came back and I became stressed all over again.

"Uh yeah." I laughed awkwardly, "I was just wondering about that, does the prophecy affect the way that (y/n) and I think or act? Like, is our....bond forced or is it real?"

I was dreading the answer to this question, which I haven't had the courage to ask until now. Everything that happened tonight felt so real and passionate, but I still needed to be sure that we haven't just been lying to ourselves.

Obi-Wan took his hand off of me and stroked his beard in thought, "I don't know, actually. That's something you'll have to ask Master Yoda about. But still, I don't want you to dwell on this right now. Enjoy this time right now when you don't have to think about it."

I sighed and nodded, "How do you manage to stay so optimistic?" I asked with a small smile.

He chuckled in amusement, "Well, someone has to deal with your pessimism. I just happen to be the only one who voluntarily does it."

I rolled my eyes, "I should've seen that one coming."

He smirked and shrugged, "Well, am I wrong?"

I smiled and shook my head, "I guess not. But you could at least pretend like you enjoy dealing with my pessimism." I joked, mocking his words.

"Now where would be the fun in that?"

He gave me a pat on the back and nodded, signaling a goodbye. He left down the hallway, probably retiring to his own quarters. Once he was out of earshot, I exhaled and my heart rate gradually slowed. That was too close. I know I should be more careful in the future but I'm confident that I'll be able to lie my way through confrontations like that. But for now, I'm actually going to try to follow Obi-Wan's advice for once and not think about the prophecy. But the memory of tonight is still replaying in my head over and over again.

(y/n) POV:

I shakily stood up from the floor and walked over to the mirrors above the sink. The entire left side of my neck was covered in pink and purple bruises, and they were very visible. Is it possible to feel so content yet so irked at the same time? Because that's how I feel, looking at myself in the mirror. I felt like I was on cloud nine, and was so happy that I knew Anakin still wanted me after everything that happened. I was happy that he showed me how he felt. But at the same time, I was so cross that he did this to me and then left me there as if it was nothing.

All my emotions were clashing together in one messy conflict, but it was all so intoxicating and I wanted more. It was also frustrating that Anakin could still make me feel this way even when we weren't in the same room, but the frustration added on a layer of excitement. I liked having power over him, but I also liked when he had power over me, and it all just felt right. I didn't know how to explain it, but every one of our intimate interactions felt like we were complete, as if putting in a missing piece of a puzzle.

I had nothing to cover the bites so I just kept my hair over my shoulders, hoping that they wouldn't come into view for anyone to see. I knew the game that Anakin was playing; he wanted control, to be in charge, and the marks on my neck was his way of reminding me and the rest of the world that I'm his.

And if I'm being honest, it's more of a turn-on than a punishment.

But I guess the punishment part is him deserting me just when I was getting excited, knowing full well that we won't see each other until next week.

I swiftly exited the washroom, feeling a surge of energy burst through me. I made a beeline for the lobby so I could leave the ballroom but then I stopped in my tracks.

I remembered my interaction with Elijah, and now I felt bad for being a weirdo in front of him and then ditching him. I should at least apologize and say that I'm drunk or something.

I spotted him over by the fountain again and walked over. I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around, looking surprised to see me.

(Quick note, imagine he looks like Jordan Fisher)

I gave him a small wave, "Hi, it's me again. I just wanted to apologize for being a yahoo earlier. I'm.....drunk, sort of."

He rose an eyebrow and nodded in understanding, "Wait so, you weren't trying to flirt with me then?" He asked, and I could tell his question was genuine.

I chuckled and shook my head, "No, I'm sorry if I made it seem that way but I was just being a hooligan. So it's my fault." I admitted.

Elijah exhaled and smiled, as if he was relieved.

"Okay, that's good." He laughed awkwardly.

I blinked a couple times and furrowed my eyebrows, "Why?"

He looked at me and hesitated, then sighed.

"Well, uh....I'm actually into men, not women. So if you were flirting with me then that would've been embarrassing for both of us." He chuckled.

My eyes widened, "Oh! Oh I— I'm glad that you told me." I stumbled over my words as I spoke.

This time I was laughing awkwardly. This is actually better, because I don't have to feel bad about leading him on. What I did was still pretty embarrassing, though. But it was worth it in the end.

He smiled amusedly and nodded.

I twiddled my thumbs together and changed the subject, "So uh, you're a Senator, right?"

His smile faltered and he shrugged, "Yes but I haven't been having the best luck lately with my people. I don't think they want me as Senator anymore."

My smile also dropped and I crossed my arms, "I'm....really sorry. Is there anything you can do?"

He shrugged again and looked off to the side, "Probably not. If they do end up making me quit then I'll have to find another job. And that part isn't so bad, it's just that I would prefer a political job since I am a politician. But it's difficult to find a job like this on short notice."

I nodded in understanding, not knowing how to comfort him or make the situation better since I wasn't a politician or had any good advice.

Elijah perked up a bit after a few seconds and looked back at me, "Well, maybe we'll cross paths again...." He looked at me expectantly for my name.

"(y/n)." I replied.

He nodded again, "(y/n). You are definitely a character." He chuckled and I smiled, feeling embarrassed again.

"Have a nice night." He saluted me and turned the other way.

I watched as he left the fountain and went over to the other Senators that were conversing, though it looked like a pretty boring conversation. I smiled and shook my head, silently laughing to myself.

At least I made a new friend tonight.

I finally left the ballroom and decided to sleep early tonight. If I could even get any sleep, that is. There's already so much on my mind and I know that next week will be even more eventful than tonight.

Time skip~

My meditation week has come to an end. I exchanged a sad goodbye with Padmé, and promised her that we would see each other again soon. I got a lot of much needed rest and felt ready to face my awaiting reality back at the Temple. I have no idea what Yoda had talked about with the Council but I was pretty nervous for what the next steps would be for Anakin and I, now that we know the real meaning of the prophecy. What would they have us do? Or would we do anything, for that matter? In the back of my mind I was worried that me being the darkness would cause problems in the future, and maybe the Jedi might treat me differently or not let me go on missions for fear of me using the dark side. That's probably a long shot but, I had no clue what was in store for me when I return.

I was also somehow able to hide my hickeys from Padmé the rest of the week, because I just wore my cloak most of the time. By now they're mostly faded but now my neck looks like it has a faded purple birthmark on it, since the bruises all blended together as they faded. I would still have to hide them with my cloak from basically everyone now, until they were completely gone.

I also did not want Anakin to see them. I didn't want to give him that satisfaction. If it's a challenge he wants, then that's what he's gonna get. I still don't know how I'm going to get back at him for that night at the party, but I'll think of something.

It was evening by the time I got back to the Temple. It felt good to be home, but I'm definitely going to miss long breaks like this. I walked straight to the Council room since that's where Yoda instructed me to go, and my stomach was filled with prying anticipation for what was going to happen when I got there.

I put my hood over my head and went to the door of the Council room, opening it up with the press of a few buttons.

As I expected, I was met with very familiar faces; Yoda, Mace, Obi-Wan, and Anakin.

My heart skipped a beat when my eyes met Anakin's, but I didn't show it. His expression was emotionless, and his walls were up so I couldn't tell how he was feeling right now.

I bowed my head in greeting, "Hello Masters."

Yoda gave me a friendly smile, "Good to see you, it is. Much to discuss, we have."

He gestured with his cane for me to stand next to Anakin, and I slowly walked over, standing beside him so that our shoulders touched. I silently gulped at the contact, hoping that he didn't hear or feel how tense I was.

Obi-Wan, Mace, and Yoda all looked between themselves, as if silently agreeing on what they were about to tell us. I wished they would just get to it already, because the anticipation was still sitting at the pit of my stomach and I felt myself becoming more anxious by the second. I tried taking deep breaths without seeming visibly nervous to everyone, but every breath I took was slightly shaky.

Suddenly I felt a hand place itself on my lower back. I inaudibly gasped since I was still on edge and looked up to the left at Anakin, but he was still staring forward at the other Jedi with the same emotionless expression.

I thought he would take his hand away, but he didn't. He just rested his hand on my lower back and lightly curled his fingers around it.

He was trying to help me calm down. I knew he could sense my nerves, so this is his way of reassuring me that there's nothing to be worried about. And it worked, because his touch made me feel more comforted and safe. My breathing became more normal and I focused on making it even again.

Even when Anakin was being the most irritating person on the planet, he could also be the sweetest at the same time.

Finally all three Jedi in front of us turned their heads in our direction, and Obi-Wan spoke.

"As you two know, the revelation about this prophecy is definitely going to cause some changes around here. We are all still unsure of the best way to approach this, but we've decided on a first sort of....experiment to try."

Anakin's hand left my lower back and we both nodded, indicating Obi-Wan to continue.

He paused and went on, "Well, we've all seen what happened with (y/n) when you both damaged your bond for the first time. Now, we don't want something like that happening again, so the three of us came up with an idea for you guys to ensure that your connection stays stable."

I curiously rose an eyebrow, "What is it?"

He crossed his arms and looked between the two of us, "(y/n), you're going to pack your belongings and move them to Anakin's quarters. You two will be roommates."

(a/n): Chapter 19 is done!