Letting out a shuddering breath as he typed in the comm numbers, Anakin gave Obi-Wan a nervous smile as his old master gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “If you can’t do it yet, that’s alright Anakin. You don’t have to do this today.” He murmured gently.

Always the caretaker, always nurturing.

How had Anakin missed it for so long?

“I have to deal with it eventually,” He stated instead of considering that question, smiling meekly. “And there’s no time like the present as they say.” Anakin murmured, licking his lips nervously.

Obi-Wan gave him a long stare before breathing out and nodding, squeezing his hand another time before stepping back to sit down on one of the chairs in the comm room they had taken up.

Not that there was a long line for the comm rooms anyhow, it was the middle of the night anyhow and Anakin would frankly rather be in bed. ‘Thank the Force Rex promised to take care of the twins if they needed anything.’ Anakin couldn’t help but think. He loved his babies but he needed sleep sometimes and if he got to bed only to be woken in an hour…

Hitting connect, Anakin settled in to wait for Padme to take the call.

It took two rings before Padme took the message, the young senator appearing in one of her many grand dresses, sitting on something while staring at Anakin as the former husband stared back at her.

Or well, Anakin had sent in the divorce papers, he was still waiting on her to agree to them.

And yet, she said nothing, simply stared at him with large eyes.

The silence was painful and Anakin cleared his throat. “Um, hi… hi Padme.” He stated softly, reaching up and rubbing the back of his neck, wishing he was anywhere but here in this moment. He’d rather be in bed or even blowing up another bird on accident.

“…Hello Anakin.” She whispered, sounding tired but he caught an edge to her voice.

She was angry.

Well, so was he, even if he was mostly tired, he was also angry.

Finally, Padme spoke after another prolonged silence. “How could you have?” She pursed her lips and even in holo he could see that her eyes were shining.

So that’s how she wanted to take it.

Narrowing his eyes while shifting, crossing his arms over his chest, Anakin glared right back at her. “How could you ignore our kids? How long did it take for you to figure out we were gone?” He snapped out, gritting his teeth when she glanced away temporarily, as if shameful.

Too long then and she didn’t want to admit it.

No wonder she hadn’t called the court on him.

She totally could, he knew that. But if she did that, she would not only drag her own and his name through the mud but also Naboo and if there was one thing Padme Amidala did not want to do, it was to loose the position she had so rightfully gained.

She would always fight for Naboo, she had been their most popular queen, a queen the people wanted to keep even when she was too old.

Anakin felt exhaustion suddenly sweep through him and he let out a loud, tired sigh as he ran his flesh fingers through his hair, glancing down at his feet. “I’m not sure what you want me to say Padme. I still love you, but its clear that your priorities lay differently,” He stated bluntly, ignoring how he could see Obi-Wan wince from the corner of his eyes. “Your people first, those you can help second…and your family last. Me and the kids, last.” He stared at her.

“That’s not true!” Padme stood abruptly from her seat, her voice loud. “You and the twins aren’t la-”

“Yeah?” Anakin cut in, his tone biting. “Then why did the handmaidens have to step in for you? Why didn’t I see you more than maybe an hour a week? Why didn’t the twins get to see you for more than an hour a week?” He glared at her. “Why did it take you what must beyond far beyond that night to notice that we were gone?”

Padme opened her mouth but didn’t seem to know how to respond, twisting her hands together in front of her.

Absently, still staring at Padme, Anakin noted Cody stepping into the room, hurrying over to Obi-Wan and leaning in to whisper something, his voice far too low for him to hear. He also noticed that Obi-Wan was nodding in agreement to whatever the commander was saying.

Cody left as quickly as he arrived. “I could drag you to court.” Padme suddenly said, swallowing thickly.

Staring at her in return for a long minute, Anakin took a deep breath. “…Fine. If that’s what you want to, do it.” He tilted his head slowly, snorting when her eyes went wide with shock.

Honestly, he went to war, she had too, did she think he’d fold for a threat like that?

“Anakin, please, lets just talk about this like adults… you don’t have to do this or divorce me to get me to listen.” She stated softly, her voice and eyes besceeching.

“Parents love and care for their children,” Anakin bit back, though mostly he was just tired. “A babysitter isn’t suppose to be there all the time. If you don’t get why I left, then just drag me to court already but until you’re ready to talk properly about an arrangement because I’ve already taken my choices.” He reached out, ignoring that Padme was calling for him as he terminated the call, leaning on the holo display with a deep sigh.

Obi-Wan came over, resting his hand on Anakin’s back, rubbing lightly. “…Lets go to bed. It’s late and we’ll need the rest for tomorrow.” Obi-Wan stated softly, carefully grasping his former padawan’s elbow to pull him along and away from the comm system.