Chapter Text
It's a miracle you make it all the way back to Palpatine's apartment. You have to hold onto the walls to keep from bumping into things. You make it to the bathroom and sink down to your knees in front of the toilet. Your stomach clenches and you throw up everything you've put into your body in the past few hours.
You barely hear him approach over the sound of your retching. His hands gather your loose hair, fingertips brushing softly against your skin. You can't thank him yet, your body insisting on expulsing even more. You cough as it finally seems to end.
"Are you done?"
You nod, wiping your mouth.
Then your head whips back and you yell at the sting in your scalp.
"Did you have fun?" Palpatine asks, gripping your hair as if willing to pull it out. His breath is hot against your cheek and you close your eyes, unable to look at him.
"No…" you whimper.
"No?"
You shake your head and tears form in your eyes. You’re so tired, so sore… it's all becoming too much.
"Did you give yourself to another man again?" His voice is little more than a growl.
"N-No…"
"You couldn’t find anyone willing? Couldn’t find anyone eager to spread your legs?"
"I didn't… I didn't want to…" You sniff as tears start rolling down your cheeks. “I-I was just drinking… You told me to stay away for a few hours… I was just waiting until I could come back, nothing more.”
"You did well to return. And before midnight, too. Did you keep track of time for me?"
"I did, as you told me to."
"Good girl." He pulls harder and you let out a sob. He looks down at you, a malicious smirk on his face. "Did I scare you, my dear?"
You nod as best you can with your head tipped back.
"Yes. You should be afraid."
"Don't… don't…"
"Don't what? Hurt you?"
You swallow, tasting bile. "Please…"
He chuckles mirthlessly. "Where did you learn to ask so nicely?"
You close your eyes, sobbing softly.
He grabs your leg, digging his nails into your skin. “This is mine. I decide who touches you.”
You try to apologize but can’t get any words out.
“Do you understand?”
You nod, tears streaming down your face.
He lets go of your hair and pulls you against his chest. You sob into his shoulder, surrendering to your exhaustion.
Palpatine rubs your back. “You should remember you're not the only one who can get a little too angry.”
You nod, trembling all over.
“You'd do well to avoid my rage."
“I-I’m sorry…” You hate how someone else is seeing you cry, how you let yourself be vulnerable.
“I know you are.” He kisses the top of your head. “You’re far from foolish.”
"I need you…"
"Yes, you do. And you'd do well to remember it. I'm the only one strong enough to handle you. The only one who can give you limits and protect you from going too far."
You nod and hold him.
"If you’d try to replace me, I don't know what I'd do." He rubs your back. "You made me so angry, darling. That wasn't very smart of you."
"I'm sorry… I thought you'd like it…"
"You were doing it for me?"
You nod.
"You silly girl. I tolerated it at the party because there wasn't another man touching you without my permission. I could appreciate the sight of you with that woman. But this…" You can feel him tense up.
"I was never going to do more. I was waiting for you, to tease you, that’s all. I wouldn't…"
“And you won’t. I meant what I said. Until you learn to behave, I will dictate your every move. Understood?”
You nod.
“Good girl. Very good…” He strokes your face. “Because if you can’t handle it, then maybe we should break off this whole arrangement…”
"No, please, no…"
He chuckles. "Don’t worry, sweetheart. I was only teasing.”
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
“Oh, you poor thing. You must have been so frightened. But it’s alright now. Come, look at me.”
You pull back and look up.
Palpatine watches you cry silently for a while before wrapping his hand around your throat. You flinch but try not to move away. “You look pretty like this. In my hands, all mine. Right where you belong.” He smirks, enjoying the sight of you. “Now, you’ve done enough speaking for a while. You’ll be putting your mouth to better use." He brushes his thumb over your bottom lip. “I want to see what it looks like around me. Get yourself cleaned up and come to bed. I will deal with you there."
###
You don’t know how much longer you can keep your eyes open. You barely slept at all last night and you’ve been silently following orders for the past hours, such as cleaning the toilet you soiled. Maybe Palpatine will be distracted by work later in the afternoon, so you can take a quick nap.
You carry a tray of refreshments to the office room and set it on the desk.
“Ah, wonderful.”
You wait for your next task, your eyes cast down.
“Come here.”
You bite your lip as you approach him and he makes you straddle him. The soreness in your legs makes tears well up. Not because the pain is that bad, but because you’re so tired and so frustrated with everything hurting. And that’s not even taking into account your hangover.
His hands slide over your body and you close your eyes, worried he might want you again. You don’t know if you have any strength left.
“Look at me.”
You open your eyes.
“How lovely you are.” He kisses you and you try to muster the energy to return it. He sits back and cups your face. “Oh, darling… You’re quite tired, aren’t you?”
You nod, trying to stay composed.
“I enjoyed you thoroughly last night. What’s more, I haven’t given you any time to rest since you headed out yesterday. Poor thing.”
You fail to keep your tears inside.
“Oh, my… They just keep coming, don’t they?” He wipes your tears away, not for the first time today. “You’ve learned your lesson. There’s no more need for punishment. Instead, I see a lady in need of proper care.” He pulls you against him, rubbing your back as you rest your head on his shoulder. “It’s alright, darling. You can sleep now.”
You close your eyes and he gently rocks you as you drift off.
###
You awake in the comfort of the bed. You open your eyes and notice that the curtains are drawn. How long have you been asleep?
You rub your eyes and pull the soft bedsheets higher, wanting to stay warm and comfortable. But you don’t get the chance to as the curtains open, pouring daylight in. It doesn’t look like an afternoon sun.
“Good morning.”
You sit up as Palpatine enters the room with a glass of water and a pitcher. “Morning?”
“Yes, you’ve slept all day and night.” He hands you the glass and you sip from it. He sets the pitcher down on the bedside table. “Are you still hungover?”
“Not really.”
“Good. Still, I will see to it that you drink enough water today. You’re dehydrated after emptying your stomach and then serving me.” His fingertips brush over the bruises on your neck. “And hungry, too, no doubt.”
You nod.
“We can’t have that.” He leaves and returns a little while later with a tray of food. He sits down next to you on the bed and holds up a bite of an egg dish for you. You eat it and see that there’s also a bowl with fruit and a small plate with chocolate, cake, and other sweets. “You’re free to enjoy the sweets, as long as you finish the eggs and fruit. You need the nutrition to regain your strength.”
You nod and take a piece of chocolate. While you eat, Palpatine starts rubbing bacta lotion on your neck, his touch delicate to avoid hurting you. When he’s done, he takes your wrists one by one, treating the bruises from when you were tied up. “Uncover your legs for me.”
You pull the blankets away, baring your legs. His fingertips glide over your skin, passing by every bruise and cut he created.
“Oh, darling… We both got a bit carried away, didn’t we?” He starts putting the healing lotion on each of the blemishes. “This is not the decadence I promised you.” He presses a kiss to your thigh. “And I miss the sight of you writhing with pleasure. Let’s work to get that back, mm? Let’s make you beg for more instead of less.”
You nod, finishing the last of your breakfast.
“Good girl. I’m going to take such good care of you.”