Anakin POV:

I tried to contain my anger as (y/n) finished telling me what happened to her in the training room. A Sith is going to try and convince her to kill herself in the future? I felt a more protective side of me emerging now more than ever, but I probably should've expected that something like this might happen. Destroying the Sith is what she and I are meant to do, so it makes sense that they would try to find ways to stop us and prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled.

I continued to rub her back and listened as her sniffles began to ebb slowly, turning into deep breaths.

"Ani....what if that vision of the future actually happens? What if I can't stop it?" She asked in a sorrowful voice.

I looked down at her and saw that her head was still against my chest, "Hey, look at me."

She lifted her head off of me and sat up in front of me. I crossed my legs so she could sit in between them, and grabbed her shoulders.

"I will make sure that never happens. I'll protect you from the Sith, and I'll protect you from yourself."

She still looked uncertain but nodded anyways. I took her chin in my left hand and rubbed my thumb over it reassuringly, lightly caressing her bottom lip as well.

I know there wasn't much I could say to make her feel better, since I have no idea what enduring through those visions is like. But I could still be here for her, and that's all that matters right now.

But then another thought struck me. Now would be a good time to ask Yoda about the question I've been avoiding for a while now. I just needed to figure out a way to ask it that didn't make the attachment between (y/n) and I obvious. I wondered though, did that even matter at this point? If anything, it only makes sense that we should have an attachment for the sake of this prophecy and keeping our bond strong. A relationship is one thing that is probably still forbidden, but maybe the Council will be lenient on regular attachments.

Maybe I was being too hopeful, but I doubt they would kick us out of the order for this considering all that we've learned. I had that fear at the beginning when our feelings developed but not so much anymore.

"There's something important I need to go do, but I'll be back as quickly as possible. Will you be okay alone?" I asked.

She nodded and moved out of the spot between my legs to lay beside me, "I think I'm gonna try to get some sleep. Maybe I'll feel a bit better and more rested."

She closed her eyes and began breathing softly. I sighed and leaned down, kissing the area next to her lips. I hopped off of my bed and forced myself to leave the room and find Yoda, who was probably still in the training room. If anyone has all the answers to anything, it's him. As I suspected, he was still in the training room and was meditating, which is something he practically spends most of his days doing.

I took a deep breath and opened the doors, fidgeting with my robe as I stepped inside.

"Master Yoda? Could I have a word with you?" I asked while I continued to get closer to his sitting form. I tried my best to contain my nervousness but it was probably obvious by now.

"Troubling you, what is?" He asked while still keeping his eyes closed.

I started to pace back and forth as I thought of how to ask my question, "I uh—well, I was curious to know if this prophecy affects the way that (y/n) and I think or feel. Because you mentioned that our connection has to remain stable for us to bring balance, but is this connection forced? Or is it real because of our re—friendship."

I almost said relationship at the end but thankfully corrected myself. My heart was beating faster and faster as I waited for Yoda's response. I always hated how he took dramatic pauses every time before he answered a question. His expression didn't change though after I asked the question, he just looked like he was still meditating even though I knew he was considering my words.

He finally opened his eyes and tapped his cane in front of him, "Sit."

I hesitated since I wasn't expecting him to say that, but then sat down cross-legged in front of him.

He nodded his head once, "The ability to control your fate, you have. Limit our abilities, prophecies do not. Created it was, because of your bond."

He paused and then went on, "Close, you two must stay."

I exhaled at his words and felt relief flood through my chest. I didn't even think of it that way. It's not because of the prophecy that (y/n) and I are close; it's because we're close that it exists in the first place.

It's a good thing I asked or else I probably would've worried about it forever. But now I can go back to her without any weights on my shoulders.

Also, Yoda wants us to stay close? I can think of a few ways to ensure that.

I held back a smirk as I thought of some things I could do to (y/n) and nodded to him, "Thank you Master. I'm happy to hear that."

He hummed and tilted his head, and I could see a faint smile forming on his lips, "Good roommates, you are?"

This time I bit back a laugh and just smiled as innocently as possible, "Yes, we've been getting along very well."

I wanted to say that I was glad that they had us share quarters but that was probably pushing it. Besides, I felt beyond lucky to be able to have all of this. I not only had (y/n) all to myself, but now we won't have to sneak around like we thought we would.

Yoda nodded again, "Good, that is." He stood up and walked around me, so I did the same and fell in step beside him.

He spoke again, "Another mission, there will be tomorrow. You, (y/n), and Kenobi, will leave at dawn. Give you the details then, we will."

Another mission already? I keep forgetting how hectic life has been in the galaxy ever since the clone wars have started, and it seems to just get busier with each passing day. I was a bit bummed that (y/n) and I wouldn't be by ourselves for this mission, but at least we'll be together. Maybe we can get some alone time when Obi-Wan's back is turned.

I nodded in understanding as Yoda and I stood before the doors to exit the training room, "We'll be ready."

He hummed one last time and then turned down the opposite hallway, probably to go over this mission with the rest of the Council. I sighed happily and quickly made my way back to my quarters. But I paused when I got to the door. Should I tell her what happened? She deserves to know about my concerns, but I didn't tell her at first because I didn't want her to be more stressed than she already is. Except now that my question has been answered, I can tell her I know for sure that our feelings are real. I know she'll be upset that I didn't talk to her about this but I couldn't risk worrying her more.

I pressed the button to open the door and then pressed another button to ensure that it was locked.

"Hey there, where were you?"

I turned towards my bed and saw (y/n) sitting up against the headboard with her legs stretched out.

"I thought you were going to rest." I said, confused and also concerned.

She shrugged, "I tried but I'm not really tired and my mind keeps racing. I'd rather be awake for now."

I nodded sympathetically and gave a small smile. She brightened after a moment and patted the spot next to her, "Come here."

I smiled mischievously and jumped onto the bed to land on my back, then rolled over so I could be on top of her. I chuckled at the adorable blush that tinted her cheeks, and was beginning to lean in to kiss her when she grabbed my shoulders and flipped us over unexpectedly.

She laughed at my surprised reaction and straddled my stomach, "You haven't told me where you were yet."

My eyes widened since I was taken aback by being flipped over so suddenly, and I remembered that I was planning to tell her anyways. I sighed and grabbed her hands in mine, "Well, I went to talk to Master Yoda, actually."

She tilted her head in surprise and waited for me to go on.

I bit my lip, choosing my next words cautiously, "So the thing is, for a while I've been....afraid, that our feelings for each other weren't real because of the prophecy."

It took a lot to say that I was afraid but I forced myself to say it, and I watched as her expression became more confused. Before she could say anything, I continued again, "But I asked him about it just now, and he said that our bond is real, and how we still control our own emotions, so everything is alright now." I chuckled nervously and awaited her response.

She furrowed her brows in confusion, "You've been worried about that this whole time? Why did you not tell me? I could've helped share those fears with you, or at least I could've been there to listen."

I squeezed her hands in mine and looked into her hurt eyes, "I didn't want to pile onto the stress you already had. You don't deserve that."

(y/n) sighed and shook her head, moving to get off of me. But I grabbed her waist in both of my hands to stop her movements and flipped us over so I was on top again.

I moved my hands and put them on either side next to her shoulders and straddled her legs, "(y/n), I didn't tell you not because I don't trust you or I don't care about you, I just didn't want to be the reason if you became more stressed or anxious."

She nodded from underneath me and looked away from my eyes, clearly lost in thought. I could tell she was still hurt, and now I felt like an ass for making her feel like I don't want to confide in her.

I lifted my normal hand and gently cupped her cheek, rubbing my thumb up and down her cheekbone, "I'm sorry, baby. Please forgive me." I pleaded softly.

Looking at me again, she smiled slightly and rolled her eyes, "Of course I forgive you, you doofball." She playfully shoved my chest. "I just wish you would've told me, that's all."

I smiled and tucked a stand of hair behind her ear, "Next time I will, I promise."

She giggled and smiled deviously after I said that. I rose an eyebrow and chuckled, "What's so funny?"

She stroked her chin as if she was in deep thought, "On second thought, I don't think I'll forgive you just yet. I'm not sure if you deserve it."

I knew what game she was playing now and I smirked down at her. At least for now, I decided to play along. I grabbed her neck with my left hand and slowly tightened my fingers around the sides of it, but not so that I was hurting her. I listened as her breathing became heavier and she started to squirm beneath me. My eyes never left hers until I leaned into her ear and whispered straight into it, "And how do you know that I won't just make you forgive me?"

Since our chests were touching I felt (y/n) shiver as my words laced the inside of her ear, which also caused her breathing to hitch for a moment. I moved my head back from her ear so that I was almost touching her nose. She grabbed my wrist that was gripping her neck with one of her hands but I immediately used my mechanical hand to pin her wrist to the bed next to her head. Her heart, along with mine, was beating faster the longer I stayed on top of her and holding her down like this. I was taken back to that night at the party, when I had her up against the stall in the washroom. Thinking of that night and where we are now drove me absolutely crazy.

But I eventually sat back up slowly and amusedly chuckled, slowly crawling off and letting her go.

Her eyes widened and she scoffed in disbelief as I plopped next to her on my back, "Seriously? You're gonna do that again?"

I shrugged and turned my head towards her, "Hey, you're the one that's not forgiving me, so obviously you don't want anything to do with me now."

She groaned and hit me with one of the pillows that was behind her head. I laughed and hit her back with it, "Unless you're ready to forgive me?" I questioned while still smiling, hoping she would say yes.

She gave me a sarcastic grin and rolled over to turn away from me, "Not a chance, Skywalker."

This time I groaned and leaned my head back to look at the ceiling. She knew I wanted her and was using my own tricks against me, just like last time. I suppose this is our thing now, where we just play the game of teasing each other until one of us breaks and admits what they want to the other. And I, for one, planned to get her to break first.

She was probably thinking the same thing but I felt confident that my natural charm would get her swooning in no time.

Time skip~

"Hurry up slowpoke!" I heard (y/n) call to me from where she stood at the door to our quarters. I rolled my eyes as I finished putting on my robe and packing a bag for the mission.

"Well, I'm sorry that I don't wake up at the crack of dawn like you do." I said sarcastically.

(y/n) just smiled at me though and waited to close the door until I left the room. Last night we slept in the same bed but didn't actually touch, and that was torture. It was amusing how much we took these games seriously but as she would say, my pride is too fragile for me to fall before her and give up. Even though we're about to go on a mission, I'll have to think of a way to spice it up for ourselves.

We entered the council room side by side and stood next to Obi-Wan who was also ready to go. (y/n) and I both nodded in greeting and waited for our instructions.

"Good morning, thank you all for being here on time." Mace spoke while glancing at me. I almost laughed because I thought it was funny at how annoyed he was that I'm usually late.

He continued, "We need you three to examine the planet Ryloth for any suspicious activity. We have heard that some of the locals have been found dead in their own homes. More of them are dying and we think this could be an assassin at work."

All three of us nodded, "We'll be sure to find whoever is doing this." I said confidently.

"Indeed, I have no doubt that we will be successful." Obi-Wan agreed.

"Good." Mace nodded and waved us off. We all left the Council room simultaneously and I considered how this mission would turn out. The three of us have always made a good team and I had faith in our skills, but it was a bit worrying that this supposed 'assassin' hasn't even been seen by anyone. It'll definitely make this more challenging but I know we can handle it. Both Obi-Wan and (y/n) have always had my back and I don't know where I'd be now if not for them.

I smiled in contentment as we walked to the big ship the three of us would be taking to Ryloth.

(a/n): Chapter 22 done! I hope you guys are still liking this so far💕