My Padawan

20: True love

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As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the tranquil landscape of Naboo, Anakin and Isadora sat by the shore, the gentle lapping of the water providing a soothing soundtrack to their conversation.

Anakin carefully gathered strands of Isadora's hair, his fingers deftly weaving them together in a simple braid. "You know," he said softly, his voice carrying a hint of wistfulness, "I've always wondered if I'll ever find love."

Isadora turned to him, a tender smile gracing her lips as she reached out to touch his cheek. "Anakin, you already have," she replied, her eyes sparkling with affection. "You're my love, my dear friend. You've always been there for me, through thick and thin."

Anakin's heart swelled with warmth at her words, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "And you're mine," he whispered, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering sincerity. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Isadora. You've brought so much light into my life."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the gentle rustle of the breeze mingling with the rhythmic sound of the waves. In that fleeting moment, amidst the beauty of the Naboo sunset, Anakin felt a profound sense of peace wash over him. He may not have found love in the conventional sense, but in Isadora, he had found something far more precious—a deep and abiding bond that transcended mere words.

As Isadora lay on the soft grass, the night sky stretched out above her like a vast canvas adorned with shimmering stars. The gentle rustle of the breeze whispered through the meadows, carrying with it a sense of serenity that enveloped her.

In the distance, she heard footsteps approaching, and she turned to see Anakin's silhouette against the backdrop of the night. His presence stirred something within her—a mixture of apprehension and longing.

"Isadora," he called softly, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation.

She sat up, watching as he drew closer, his features illuminated by the faint glow of the moon. "Anakin," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

He settled beside her, his gaze fixed on the twinkling stars above. "I couldn't help but notice you out here," he began, his words measured yet tinged with sincerity. "It's a beautiful night."

Isadora nodded, her eyes returning to the celestial spectacle overhead. "It is," she agreed, a sense of calm settling over her as she drank in the tranquility of the moment.

Anakin hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately," he confessed, his tone soft yet resolute. "About us, about everything that's happened."

Isadora turned to him, her expression curious yet guarded. "And what have you concluded?" she asked, her voice barely audible above the gentle rustle of the grass.

Anakin met her gaze, his eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions. "That I've been a fool," he admitted, a hint of self-deprecation coloring his words. "That I've let my jealousy and insecurities cloud my judgment, and I've hurt you in the process."

As they lay side by side, the cool grass beneath them, Anakin and Isadora gazed up at the twinkling stars scattered across the night sky. A sense of nostalgia washed over them, mingling with the gentle breeze that danced through the meadow.

"Remember when we used to do this back on Naboo?" Anakin mused, his voice tinged with fondness as he pointed to a particularly bright constellation.

Isadora chuckled softly, the memory of their childhood escapades flooding back to her. "How could I forget?" she replied, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "We would spend hours out here, dreaming of adventures among the stars."

Anakin nodded, his gaze fixed on the heavens above. "Those were simpler times," he remarked wistfully. "Before everything became so complicated."

Isadora sighed, a hint of melancholy coloring her voice. "I miss those days," she admitted, her eyes tracing the familiar patterns of the night sky. "When it felt like anything was possible, and our dreams were within reach."

Anakin fell silent, lost in thought. Isadora watched him, a flicker of concern crossing her features as she waited for him to speak.

Finally, Anakin broke the silence, his voice tinged with raw emotion. "I went looking for you," he began quietly, "because I knew what it felt like to be haunted by nightmares."

Isadora turned to him, her gaze searching his troubled eyes. "Nightmares?" she echoed softly, sensing the weight of his words.

Anakin nodded, his jaw clenched as he struggled to find the right words. "When my mother died," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper, "I was plagued by nightmares—visions of her suffering, her voice calling out to me in pain."

Isadora's heart constricted at the pain etched into his features. "I had no idea," she murmured, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his arm.

Anakin forced a tight smile, though it failed to reach his eyes. "I never told anyone," he admitted, his voice heavy with regret. "Not even Obi-Wan."

Isadora squeezed his arm gently, a silent gesture of understanding and support. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked softly, her eyes searching his for answers.

Anakin met her gaze, his expression haunted by memories he had long kept buried. "I was afraid," he confessed, his voice trembling with vulnerability. "Afraid of what it meant, of what others would think of me."

Isadora's heart ached at the pain he carried, the weight of his secrets and fears. "You don't have to be afraid," she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. "You have me."

Anakin's gaze softened, a flicker of remorse crossing his features as Isadora's words washed over him. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice tinged with genuine regret. "I know I haven't been... myself lately."

Isadora's heart swelled with empathy as she reached out to gently touch his arm. "It's okay," she reassured him softly. "I understand. We've both been through a lot."

Anakin's lips curved into a grateful smile, his eyes reflecting the warmth of her understanding. "You're right," he admitted, a weight lifting from his shoulders as he acknowledged the truth in her words. "Thank you for being patient with me, even when I don't deserve it."

Isadora smiled back, her gaze meeting his with unwavering compassion. "You're not so bad," she teased gently, a playful glint dancing in her eyes. "Even when you're being a total dickhead."

Anakin chuckled, the sound of her laughter bringing a sense of lightness to his troubled heart. "I'll try to be better," he promised earnestly, his voice laced with sincerity. "For you."

And as they sat together beneath the star-strewn sky, their laughter mingling with the soft rustle of the evening breeze, Anakin and Isadora found solace in the simple comfort of each other's company—a silent promise to navigate the uncertainties of the future together, one step at a time.