Flowers
a Star Wars story
by Hermione Eveningfall
"Etchooo! Etchshhh! Eshhhh!" Anakin groaned after snapping forward with a series of sneezes. Padme giggled behind her hands, crossing her legs and shaking her head.
"You should have told me you were allergic to pollen!"
Anakin sniffled, the sneezy expression still on his now bright-red face. "I...eh...ehh...etchhhhshhh! Etshhhh!" he cleared his throat. "Ib sorry, bud dormally it does'd bother be...I forgod to pud my shield ub agaid."
Padme smiled...she knew exactly why he'd forgotten to do that, but did not want to embarrass him any further. She picked one of the daisies in front of her, and fingered the soft petals. The fields around them were filled with flora and fauna, colors of light pastel pinks, blues and yellows to deep reds and purples. The scents of the flowers were wonderfully sweet, and Padme felt as though she could spend hours sitting here. However, judging from Anakin's clear discomfort, she knew he did not feel the same way.
"You still should have warned me, Ani. Here." She reached into the pocket of her gown, retrieving a handkerchief, and offered it to him. He gratefully accepted it, not caring about the fact that the edges were embroidered with lace. "Thags." He blew his nose, making it sound almost like a trumpet. "Ugh. I ab really sorry about this," he apologized, and she merely touched his arm. "They usually ared't this bad...ekshhhhsh! Eshhhhhh! Heshhhhshhh!"
"Well, let's get you back inside before you end up hurting yourself," Padme insisted, struggling to her feet and helping him up as well.
"Thank you for not laughing too much," he told her, allowing her to help him make his way rather blindly through the field. "It's really embarrassing."
"I'm sure it is. But we'll make sure you'll clear up quickly." She smoothed his Padawan braid, and gazed ahead as the palace came into view.
"I always knew you were an angel, Padme." Anakin whispered in her ear, making her tremble. She turned away so he could not see her blushing, and quickened her pace.
He followed and gently took her shoulders, turning her toward his gaze. Eyes locked, he bent to kiss her...their lips almost merging..."SSSHHHOOOOO!" Anakin's head barely turned in time. Padme chuckled. "Let's just get you better first, eh?" she said warmly.
He gave her one of his famous half-smirks and shrugged, offering an arm for her to take. "My lady?" he asked, and she beamed, accepting it.
"Why thank you." With that, they continued on their way.
Since I'm having a bit of trouble getting myself to write as quickly as TG does, I'm taking her advice and attempting to do one-a-day either ficlets or drabbles. This is my first one, and it's Anakin/Padme in case you couldn't tell. ;o) So---*takes deep breath* Please let me know what you think! All feedback is appreciated. Oh, and I got a bit of help from a friend of mine-- FrodoBaggins252. She helped me with the ending paragraph :) Thank you!