Resistance Subsides
By: Cariel
Je sais que je suis bien horrible; mais je vous aime beaucoup.
Je suis trop heureux de ce que vous voulez bien rester ici.
Promettez-moi que vous ne me quitterez jamais.
(I know all too well of my own misfortunes, but I love you with the tenderest affection.
I am too happy of this that you want well to remain here.
Promise you will never leave me.)
-Jeanne Marie Leprince de Beaumont La Beauté et la Bête
There was a lieutenant with cropped red hair, a thin nose and facial features similar to Moteé’s whom Dormé spotted on a few occasions watching Vader a little too closely for Dormé’s taste. Without the Force, Dormé could not read the woman’s thoughts or emotions, but the looks were enough. It was not that she spotted Vader paying her any special attention. It was not the chance that the woman could be moonlighting as a Rebel spy that caught her attention. The offhand possibility that the woman might have taken interest to Vader set Dormé off in a torrent of jealous rage. If she could not be there for her dearest friend, then she would be damned if anyone else took her place!
Using her security access, she dug up all the information she could on the woman. Finding nothing that would realistically convict her of treason, she nearly lost hope. But then, an interesting fact sprung out at her: a food allergy.
Only a few hours before he scheduled departure, Dormé reprogrammed a refectory droid to include extra legumes in that evening’s meal. Where a satisfied smile ought to have graced her expression when she heard about the unfortunate death, she frowned, for Dormé’s thoughts were consumed with the dearest friend she was leaving behind. She felt as if she had not only failed her mistress but her friend as well. It had been her actions, her inability to resist her desires, which had ruined everything.
She knew the transport was leaving soon and that she had to go, but she found it impossible to go on.
Dormé had specifically chosen to wear a gown, for it had been ages since she was last out of uniform. She did not feel wholly herself in the imperial-issued garb and as she was off-duty, this blood-red gown was her choice of clothing. She was oblivious to the reactions of the officers as she lugged her suitcase through the halls.
Setting down her suitcase, Dormé gave in to her despair and wept openly. As she gave in to her tears, she resolved that no matter what the future held for her, she would always esteem Vader as a friend and endeavour to be satisfied with this, but even this thought would not bring her from her despair, for how could she be of any help to him so far away?
She fancied she heard his resolved footsteps nearing and she wiped her eyes, knowing she should not tarry or else the transport would leave without her. Sighing, she was about to pick up the suitcase once more when a gloved hand went to her shoulder. Dormé did not dare to hope it was he coming to say goodbye because it would be too painful to look on him again, but the haunting whisper echoed in her mind.
Please, don’t go.
Slowly she dared to turn and look to confirm her mind was playing tricks on her, that she had not heard Anakin's voice in her head, requesting she stay. Her preconceptions proved incorrect and as she took in his commanding form, her eyes filled with tears once more. Had she imagined his words? It had been too strong...undeniable, yet she looked to him for confirmation.
He was really there. But the question remained if she had but dreamt this... Her heart soared with renewed hope as touched her cheek.
Then he spoke the aloud what she had sworn she only imagined.
‘Stay...please,’ he beseeched.
Those haunting, yet promising words she longed to hear. She did not notice the metallic quality to his voice through the helmet which kept him alive. The words were too precious to deny.
She gave in, crushing herself against his side, her head resting against his armoured chest as her arms wrapped tightly around him.
'I want nothing more in the entire galaxy,' she said resolutely, tears coming to her eyes, but this time for joy. Though Dormé still did not know what the future held, she no longer cared so long as she was by his side.
But after holding her some minutes, he drew took notice of her luggage and ordered one of the droids through his comm to collect the items and bring them to his quarters.
Dormé was surprised to hear this and looked to him questioningly. She gazed up at him, taking in everything she had been forced to avoid for what seemed like centuries.
‘There is no point in continuing the facade any longer,’ he said resolutely. ‘There is no reason to hide what we already know.’
It felt like her heart started beating again, as if she had been merely a phantom going about her daily routine, halfway between the living and the dead. She would not have to leave.
Some of the passing officers took notice and it was hard not to with Dormé in her crimson gown and the sound of Vader's breathing mechanism. There were whispered questions regarding Dormé and the actions of their Dark Lord, but the superior officer was quick to shut them up lest they encourage Vader's wrath.
Never, never again, she assured herself, for now they would be together. She smiled at his words which filled her with such joy and contentment she could find no words to express them.
It was here in his arms that she felt complete and realisation came upon her as well. For so many years, she had watched him. She listened to him as he spoke of the atrocities the Jedi continually committed against him. How even his own master had held him back, then manipulated and so atrociously wounded him. All those years, she witnessed Padmé slighting him or dismissing his concerns, blaming it on stress or lack of a proper night's rest, not even allowing herself to consider the truth of the matter.
Dormé realised her fierce desire to protect her mistress and his relationship was not only stemmed from her penchant for epic forbidden romance stories, but out of a fierce desire to protect him...not that he would ever be in need of her, or so she would have herself believe.
My dark angel, how I love you.
Once again, his voice, unaffected by the flames of Mustafar, whispered to her in her mind. Elated, she wanted to kiss him, but with the helmet, this proved an impossibility so she placed her lips to his armour.
Oh, never in her wildest dreams had she thought this would come to pass.
'You are my love and my life...forever,' she boldly pronounced, unaware that anyone should overhear and not caring if they did, for this was real and true and his arms around her gave her the courage to speak it.
After all they had suffered, to be able to find each other was something Dormé had never thought possible. Even when they were unaware of it themselves, their hearts had already found a similar rhythm. With all the betrayal and death surrounding them, they had finally realised they were not meant to suffer anymore and it was all right to give in to the desires.
And what passion culminated in these desires! It was more than she felt she deserved, the love he gave to her, but she relished it more than anything in the galaxy and was only too eager to return it in full. There was as much seizing as there was surrendering; it was a perfect balance. Dormé had never experienced such elation and could not help dreaming of it which caused the hint of a smile on her lips.
It was not a few minutes after he stole a kiss that she awakened, her dark eyes settling on his studious gaze. Awaking in his arms without guilt or regret, to see him looking on her this way made her heart swell with joy. Whether consciously aware of it or not, she stole a kiss in return.
Things could not possibly be more perfect.
And to think there will be so much more of this to come, Dormé thought wistfully as he eagerly returned her kiss.
They continued to enjoy their time together until the sound of a comm chimed in the next room. Frowning, he drew away from the kiss, cursing in Huttese.
She groaned in annoyance at the blasted thing when he pulled away. She wanted to ignore it and clung to him.
‘If it is anyone but my master, I'm going to kill them,’ he muttered in annoyance as the chime repeated itself in its urgency to catch his attention.
His words reminded her of her place and she resigned, sighing.
‘I'll be right back,’ he assured her before leaning in to give her another kiss. ‘I won't be gone long, I promise.’ A mischievous smile played about his lips as he rose to slip on a robe before heading to the next room to answer the annoying chime.
With the brief interruption, Dormé pouted, but his kiss and mischievous smile lightened her mood. From the bedroom, Dormé could not make out Emperor Palpatine's voice, which pleased her as that meant Anakin would not have orders to carry out.
When he returned, she recognised his impish grin.
‘See I told you I wouldn't be long,’ he said, sliding back into bed next to her. ‘Now, where were we?" he remarked, leaning in for another kiss.
‘Did you...kill him?’ she asked breathlessly between their heated kisses.
‘Let’s just say…He will not be interrupting…us...anymore… Nor…will anyone else…if they...value…their lives,’ he murmured between kisses as a hint of a smirk played on his features.
It was his words, not his lips on her neck that caused her to chuckle. ‘Good,’ she replied, her voice thick, for she did not want to waste a minute with her Dark Lord.
His smile widened at her reply as her simple statement and as she pulled him into her arms, he readily returned her embrace.
’Oh Anakin,’ she sighed, taking him into her arms again, ‘I love you, love you...’
The comm in the other room was undeniably going off once more, but Dormé did not hear it.
Cursing softly in Huttese, he closed his eyes, sighing deeply. It was not until he pulled away, apologising, when she too heard the comm unit going off.
‘I'm sorry. It is my master and he demands my presence,’ he admitted regretfully as he once again grudgingly disentangled himself from her.
When he said it was his master, she offered him an apologetic look hoping they would not have to be parted for too long. The last mission had taken much longer than expected.
Once more, he paused to give her another quick kiss before quietly departing from their chambers to answer the comm.
From the other room she could hear their distinct voices, but was unable to make out what they were saying.
When he returned, cursing, her expression fell, thinking it meant he would have to leave.
His words confirmed it.
‘I need to look into an attack being made on a weapon's outpost nearby. I do not think its anything serious, but my master insists I tend to it personally. I don't suppose you'd care to join me?’
When he gave her the option of going with him, her eyes lit up. ‘Oh, yes, of course, I'll go with you!’ Dormé rose from the bed and went over to her suitcase, which had not even been touched since the day before, and rifled through it for her uniform which she began to put on.
Approaching her quietly he slipped a hand to her arm as he moved to stop her. When he slipped his hand over her arm, she looked at him curiously, momentarily considering that he might have changed his mind about her coming with him.
‘There is no need to wear that anymore,’ he remarked, ‘it’s beneath you.’ His tone was gentle but serious and he accented it by touching her cheek. His tender smile made her heart soar.
Dormé tossed the uniform back in the suitcase, pleased by this. She had never much cared for it, but respected her position and duty to be honoured to wear it. Now it was beneath her. She did not have to ask for reassurance that this was the case, she felt it.
‘What about that lovely gown you wore yesterday?’ he suggested
The mention of her favourite gown brought a mischievous grin to her face. ‘I think that would be perfect,’ she said, pausing to give him another kiss before changing.
Once dressed, Dormé set about doing her hair and decided to forgo pining it all up. After all, she figured, it really wouldn't go with this gown. Might as well leave part of it down, she thought, appraising herself in the mirror.
Turning around, she watched him for a moment as he put on his armour. Though she normally would rush straight over to assist him silently, she could not help taking a moment to observe him from afar.
This was her Dark Lord and what a noble figure, she noted, her breath taken away as if it were the first time she ever laid eyes on him. So gallant and true...and all hers... Her eyes shined with adoration and deep affection.
Once he finished hooking his belt and looked back at her, matching her gaze, she smiled at him.
‘So lovely,’ he murmured.
He seemed to be of the same mind, for she too wanted to take advantage of what time they did have together and was soon drawing her into fiery kiss which she ardently returned.
A/N: I can't wait to read Vader's version of this story, Jody! *prods you into typing up your chapters*
on to chapter six
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