Archive of Our Own ^beta

Even when he was a young boy, Luke knew living in the desert of Tatooine was not an easy thing to do. From the desert itself and the bandits and scavengers that roamed it, all the way to the gangster that ruled it, the whole continent was one hazard after another. It was one place where ‘it takes a village’ pertained to every aspect of life. Surviving was no exception. 

When he was a kid, his role was just to follow where his aunt and uncle led. To not speak up when Jabba’s goons pressured them for their ‘taxes.’ To be a well behaved little boy who never questioned anyone. It was an action that he couldn’t bring himself to continue as he grew into his teens. 

The first time he was completely unable to sit by in silence, he was barely thirteen and the goon he spoke up to was delighted to make him regret it. His name was Fortuna and he was trying to intimidate Luke’s Aunt and Uncle by saying that they were trying to steal from Jabba. Owen was adamant that they hadn’t shorted him, that the money was right. The man, Luke was sure, was happy to refuse to believe him. 

“I know it’s right.” Luke insisted from his uncle’s side. The eerily pale man turned narrow almost pink eyes on him and smirked.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. We aren’t thieves.”

He grinned showing teeth that were unnaturally sharp. As if he has sharpened them to make his intimidating presence all the more threatening. A feat that worked expertly as Luke did all he could not to flinch back from the eerie smile. 

 “You know what kid?” He remarked with a delighted glint in his eyes. “I think you are a thief. And you know what we do to thieves.”
Before any of them could react, he had reached out, grabbed Luke by the arm and without any hesitation brought a large knife down on his wrist. A clean, quick motion that severed the hand from its anchor. 

Luke screamed and fell to the floor. His aunt was on her knees beside him in a second, gathering him into her arms. He paid no more attention to the pale man’s interaction with his uncle. He just held his profusely bleeding stump to his chest and sobbed into his aunt’s shoulder. 

They, luckily, lived in a village that was always there for one another. They all knew how vile the Hutts were and every one of them chipped in to help Luke heal. They supplied bacta, splints, even the money to go to Mos Eisley and get Luke a prosthetic. Without the village, none of it would have been possible. Luke had no idea where he would have ended up without them. If he would have even survived without them. 

Unfortunately for him, he was a Skywalker and Skywalkers never knew when to back down. It wasn’t immediately, but when the opportunity arose he refused to allow what happened the last time he spoke up to one of Jabba’s goons stop him from doing it again. 

It had been three years since he had lost his hand. He had only just turned sixteen, but his childhood was long gone. He was essentially a man, and he wasn’t going to stand around as lowlives threatened his family. Especially when one of the gangster’s men, Greedo, a bug eyed man with a balding head and a perpetual pinched look on his face, had the audacity to grab his aunt’s chest. It was an obviously tight grip that had Beru cringing and trying to curl into herself. Luke witnessed it and then saw red .

“Hey! Sleemo! Let her go. We paid your bosses stupid taxes, now leave!”

The man pushed Beru away from him and turned bulging eyes to Luke. “What did you say boy?”

“I said stop assaulting my aunt and get lost.”

His pinched look turned into a sneer. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Luke Skywalker.” he replied, puffing his chest out in an attempt to make his tiny stature seem bigger. 

His response just had the man sneering more. Sneering and stalking towards him. When he reached his side, he reached out and gripped his jaw. He jerked Luke’s head from side to side and then smirked down at him. Luke gave a defiant glare right back. 

“Skywalker, huh? I knew your father, boy. He was an insolent little trouble maker, just like you. Thought he could upset the status quo too. Got himself tossed into the wastes for it. You want that future too, kid? Banished isolation? You want to succumb to the desert or get picked up by pirates stashing their loot?”

“I want you to take your money and get out of my house.” Luke replied through gritted teeth. 

The man laughed, released his painful grip on Luke’s jaw and patted his cheek. “Okay. Okay, I’ll go, but we may have to double your taxes next time. For your attitude and defiance, of course.”

He practically swaggered from the house, hand reaching out to slap Beru’s backside loudly as he did so. Luke could have killed him. Would have killed him even. If only he had been armed. 

The second he was gone, his aunt slid wide, sad and worried blue eyes on him. “Luke…”

“I know. I know, Aunt Beru. I shouldn’t have said anything. I shouldn’t have risked it.” he clenched his metal fist at his side. “I just couldn’t not! He could have really hurt you!”

“Oh, sweetie.” She pulled him into a tight hug. “You could have been hurt too, and you’re much more important than me.”

“No I’m not.” he muttered into her shoulder. 

“You are too me.” She kissed his hair. “You have been from the moment that your Uncle and I took you in.”

Her words reminded him what Greedo had taunted him with. His words about his father were painfully contradictory to what he has always known. His aunt and uncle had told him that his father had died defending them. They had a grave for him alongside his mom’s and grandparent’s. Greedo’s taunts made it seem like that was an impossibility. 

So he lifted his head and frowned questioningly at her. “Aunt Beru?”

“Luke?”

“Is, is what Greedo said true? About my father?”

Her eyes became even sadder and she reached out to hold his face in one hand. “Sweetheart…”

“Is it?”

Her eyes closed very briefly as she nodded. “Yes. Yes, it is.”

“Why, why didn’t you tell me?”

“You are so like Anakin, Luke.” she told him in a near whisper. “None of us know what became of him for sure. He, he likely did die out there, sweetie, but we just….”

“Didn’t want to chance that he was alive!”

“Didn’t want to lose you too as you tried to look for him.”

“Aunt Beru,” his words came out choked. “Aunt Beru, knowing him is all I’ve ever wanted.”

“I know, Luke.”

“And, and he could be alive .”

“There is a very, very slim chance of that sweetheart.”

“It's still a chance!” he exclaimed. “It's still something.”

He took a deep breath and squeezed his metal fist again. “Do you know where the banishment grounds are? Or where my dad would have gone if he did make it off of this barren wasteland?”

“Luke…”

“Do you?”

“Baby, it's been fifteen years. You aren’t going to find anything.”

“I have to try .” he stressed desperately. “Please Aunt Beru, I have to try .”

She gave a heavy sigh and nodded. “Okay, I understand why you have to, Luke, but please. You have to promise to be careful.”

“Of course I will, Aunt Beru. I promise.”

She worried her lip between her teeth for a moment and then with another sigh nodded once more. “I know that the banishment lands are somewhere beyond the Wastes. Far enough away you aren’t meant to find it back on your own. As for where he’d go, Anakin has always wanted to go to Coruscant. He always used to talk about wanting to get out of here, he has always wanted to see the cities.”

“Thank you.” he breathed out in relief, stepping close to hug her again. “I’m going to find him, Aunt Beru.”

She squeezed him tightly. “Sweetheart, what if all you find is disappointment?”

“No matter how it ends, no matter what I find, I won’t stop looking until I know what happened to him.”

From that day on, he’d take multiple trips a week on his rusty speeder out into the desert. Like his aunt had suggested, it was ceding nothing but disappointment. There was no sign of his father. No sign of anyone. At least not until the fourth trek out where he struck gold. Literally. 

There was an outcropping of rocks that, if his grandmother’s stories were to be believed, hid the entrance to a cave system. Luke was certain there were threads of truth in the tales his aunt told him. Tales his father would have grown up hearing too. Maybe he had sought shelter there. Maybe he’d left clues that he was alive, or where he was going next.

He did find a cave system, but it contained no glaring clues as to what happened to his father. What it did contain though, was literal treasure. Deep within a cave crevice were piles of glittering gems and coins. Not all of the coins were wupiupi, but a very large amount of them were. Most were foreign and unfamiliar from lands far beyond his continent’s sandy borders, and sadly entirely useless in Tatooine. Luke was shocked at the find, knowing immediately that he had most likely come across a pirates hiding den. 

Pirate’s loot or not, Luke followed his first instinct. An instinct to take every piece of wupiupi and many of the sellable gems and jewels. He took everything he knew could be used to his own completely out of the way hiding place. The money was like a miracle. His village could use it to pay Jabba’s stupid taxes and actually comfortably make ends meet. More than that, they could thrive .

Taking it was a no brainer. His family was shocked, and a bit cautious by his find, but the whole village new better than to question a miracle like the one he brought them. It would have likely been a consequence free miracle too, if Luke wasn’t stupid enough to go back to the same damn caves.  

He wasn’t looking for more treasure. He had more than enough. No, he was still determined to find signs that someone had once lived in the caves. That, maybe, his father had lived in those caves.

It really was a foolish decision. He knew it was an absolute fool's errand and dangerous on top of it. Despite his pull to the caves, his mind wouldn’t stop telling him how idiotic he was being.

 ‘Let's go into a cave that you know pirates have accessed.’ it whispered in the back of his head.  ‘Where pirates have stashed their treasure. Treasure you’ve stolen. Smart idea Skywalker. Real smart ‘

He should have listened to that voice. Should have realized how true that was before he entered the cave and ended up with a blaster aimed at his face. No, not a blaster. Three of them. 

He froze immediately and held up his hands. The front man holding the weapon was a little taller than him with short cropped brown hair and rounded, yet piercing, hazel eyes. Behind him stood what looked like a pair of twins, taller and darker than the one in front and somehow even more intimidating. 

“Who are you?” the brunette man demanded. 

“My name is Luke.” he replied in a tight voice. 

“Luke.” he nodded his head over his shoulder. “You're the reason a big chunk of our property is gone, Luke?”

He squared his shoulders and raised his chin, though his hands didn’t lower, as he nodded. “I am.”

“Ballsy.” the twin on the right with a small tattoo on the side of his head and a goatee snorted, earning a grin from his brother and a sigh from the lead man. 

“I take it you were coming to get the rest?” he inferred dryly. 

“No.” Luke said with a shake of his head. 

“Why should I believe you?”

“I took what I needed to keep my village safe from the Hutt family. I’m here to search deeper in the caves.”

“For what?”

“Signs of my father.”

The brunet arched a pale brow. “You’re looking for your father in a cave?”

“Yes.” he nodded. “The Hutts banished him. I’m trying to find signs he’s still alive. Signs that he got off this wasteland and made it to the Continent of Cities.”

The man sighed again. “Alright, kid. Here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to take me to the rest of our stash and I won’t kill you.”

“I don’t care if you kill me.” Luke told him bluntly. “I’m not giving you that money back.”

“You honestly don’t care if I kill you?” the pirate asked with an amused smirk as he raised the charge on his blaster. 

Luke shrugged. “It’ll happen sooner or later in this desert. I won’t give you the wupiupi. My town needs it to survive Jabba’s increasing ridiculousness. I am, however, willing to lead you to the gems and other sellable items.”

“Oh?” Luke could have sworn the man was trying not to smile. “What exactly would you get out of that? Since you aren’t trying to barter with your life.”

“You have a ship right? A way off this barren continent of nothing?”

The twins snorted as the brunet man nodded. “Of course we have a ship, kid.”

Luke couldn’t help his wide grin. “Okay then! Excellent! You help me get to Coruscant to find my father, and I’ll take you to your gems and saleables.”

“But not the money, hmm?”

Luke nodded. “Not the money. My people are for once in a good spot. That money will pay Jabba’s kriffing taxes for almost a year. So, it's either your gems and such, or nothing.”

“You know how Commander feels about Jabba.” the twin on the left said. “He’d probably support this kid’s ideals.”

The brunet glanced over to the twin who had spoken and let out a yet another heavy sigh. “Okay, let's make a deal then, shall we? You take us to our loot, and we will help you get to Coruscant.”

Hope blossomed in his chest and he asked eagerly. “Really?”

“Yes.”

Luke glanced between the three of them and then asked, “What about what the handprint guy said? About a Commander?”

The front pirate gave a small smirk at the question. “Well, yes. This is all contingent on the Commander supporting the idea. He says no, we may just kill you after all.”

“Feel free. As long as you don’t mind losing the things I took.”

“Damn, this kid really is ballsy.” temple tattoo twin said through a laugh. 

“Also, I’m not a kid!” he finally refuted with a glare to the man who had last spoken. 

“Highly doubt that.” their ringleader replied. “If you aren’t a kid, how old are you then?”

“Eighteen.” Luke replied firmly and the man snorted. 

“Try again.”

Luke glared in defiance for a moment, though it didn’t seem to deter the pirate’s amused expression. Finally, when he was certain the man wasn’t going to believe the lie, he sighed and  nodded. 

“Okay, fine. I’m sixteen. But here, that’s not a kid.”

“Damn, I coulda sworn you’d say twelve.” the twin with the handprint on the white chest plate he wore over a red shirt remarked with a grin.

“I am not that small.”

The twins shared an amused grin and the brunet’s smile increased fractionally. He then tilted his head curiously and asked, “Alright, Luke was it? If you’re really not concerned about your life, are you ready to meet the Commander?”

He thought about asking to stop by his home. Asking to say goodbye. He knew though that his aunt would never let him go anywhere with a bunch of pirates. So he nodded. 

“Yes. I’m ready to meet your Commander, though I do want to send a message home?” Even if he didn’t want to give her the chance to stop him, he couldn’t let her question what happened to him either.

“We can see to that.” the pirate told him with a nod before he began to lead Luke into the unknown. 

He had expected to be led back out the way he’d come and then presumably to a speeder that would take them to whatever far off shoreline their ship was docked at. What he wasn’t expecting was to be led deeper into the cave and then underground. Not only underground, but to some sort of hidden underground water where an incredibly huge, sleek, black ship floated. 

“There’s water here!” he couldn’t help gasping. 

“Trade secret, kid.” the handprint twin told him with a grin. 

“This leads to the ocean!?”

“It is the ocean.” the other twin corrected. “Or at least an inlet of it.”

“No way.” Luke breathed, huge eyes stuck on the glittering blue that spread out as far as he could see before him. 

“Sees the largest, fastest ship in Imperial waters; is entranced by the water itself instead.” handprint twin snorted. 

“Excuse you! I’m from the desert! Water like this is far more impressive than even a ship!”

Though, it was one hell of a ship. It was made of sleek black wood, which he was sure was naturally that color. It was longer and taller than Luke could have ever imagined. Giant red and black sails were folded down against the masts. On the front edge in bold, bright silver letters were the glowing words, The Executor.

“Ominous name for a beautiful ship.”

“We call her The Lady, or Lady X.” the brunet informed him. “Commander felt the same way that you did.”

He nodded his head towards a towering man approaching them. Luke’s first impression was simultaneously exactly, and not at all, what he was expecting. 

The most noticeable thing about him was that he was tall . Towering didn’t even begin to describe his outrageous height. Height that was bolstered by the wide brimmed hat he wore. 

It was black like every other inch of his clothes, and tilted to the left of his head so it left a swooping, rounded silhouette. The half cape he wore draped over the opposite shoulder and snapped at his waist as he walked. Combined, they gave him an intimidatingly asymmetrical figure that moved slowly and with purpose. Really, it was less of a walk and more of a strut. 

The intimidating part didn’t surprise Luke. Nor did what looked like a burn scar curving up his left jaw. What surprised him was that the tip of his nose, lips and jaw were all the skin you could see. Even his hands were covered. If it weren’t for the small glimpse of golden skin on his face and even more golden hair at his nape, you’d almost question whether he was flesh and blood at all. 

No. No, that wasn’t quite true. The piercing blue eyes that shone out from the mask covering his face couldn’t be less than human. Human, and mildly terrifying. 

What really surprised Luke was this strange sense that Luke knew him. He knew that was impossible, but there was just something so painfully familiar about him that it ached. He couldn’t even begin to place what it was, no matter how much he wanted to. So he just watched him approach them, nerves and eager apprehension growing with each step the man took. 

When he reached their sides, he fixed those intimidating eyes on the brunet pirate and asked pointedly, “Piett?”

Luke assumed that was the man’s name because he nodded towards the Commander. 

“Commander Vader. This is Luke. He has something interesting he needs to say to you.”

Luke almost gasped, and for the first time fear filled him. This man was Dread Pirate Commander Vader . There likely wasn’t a person on the whole planet who didn’t know who he was. He was the most famous, and most feared, pirate of all time. Stories of him went as far back as his grandmother's time, and Luke had no idea how this incredibly young looking man could be him. 

The fear he felt at his name, confusion at it or not, only increased when that penetrating gaze was fixed firmly on him. He couldn’t help swallowing thickly as the Commander’s eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of him. 

“Is that so?” Vader practically drawled. 

“Yes.” Luke said as steadfastly as he was able to with those eyes staring seemingly into his soul. He cleared his throat, squared his shoulders and continued without looking away from Vader’s gaze. “I found the stash you had in this cave system. I took the wupiupi and saleable items. I’m willing to lead you to the gems and other such things, but the wupiupi is staying with my village.”

The man crossed his menacingly large arms and tilted his head before repeating himself. “Is that so?”

“Yes.” Luke said once more, this time even more resolutely. “They need it to keep themselves safe from Jabba. I’ve already told your guy I don’t care if you kill me. The money stays with my family.”

The pirate contemplated him skeptically. “But you don’t care about the gems?”

“I only kept them just in case I could sell them and get passage off here to Coruscant.” he shrugged a shoulder. “Giving them to you will get me that.”

“So that's the deal then?” the Commander smirked, though his eyes were hard. “You give us gems and we help you abandon the people you seem to care so much for?”

“No!” Luke exclaimed. “I'm not abandoning anyone! I want to go to Coruscant to try and find my father.”

“Why?”

“Because the Hutts tried to kill him, but I don’t think he’s dead. Especially not knowing how far out these caves go. I have to at least try and find him. I want the chance to really search. You want your gems. We both get what we want.”

“You don’t think I can find them without you?”

“I know you can't.”

Vader studied him with those icy eyes even longer then he had before and then gave a curt nod. “Alright. You have yourself a deal.”

Luke couldn’t help as the tension dropped from his shoulders and he practically sagged. “Thank you, sir! I won’t get in your way onboard at all. I’ll be happy to help in any way as well.”

The man just nodded and walked off with a swishing snap of his cape. 

With Vader gone from their proximity, the brunette, Piett he assumed, clapped his shoulder. “Welcome aboard the Executor Mr, oh. I didn’t catch your last name.”

“Skywalker.” Luke replied before adding, “and I didn’t get yours at all.”

“Captain Firmus Piett.”

“I’m Fives.”

“Echo.”

Luke smiled at them cautiously and then nodded his head towards the towering Commander’s form. “Does he normally take in stragglers like me?”

“Kid, we’re all stragglers like you.” Piett told him. “That's what a pirate is.”

“Especially Commander Vader’s men.” Fives grinned. “Trust me, you’ll fit right in.”

Fitting in with the crew of the Executor was exactly as easy as he was assured it would be. The Captain had brought him right on board and to the heart of Vader’s flagship where he introduced him to all the men who made the ship run. Which, it turned out, were many more men who looked very, very similar to Fives and Echo. 

They were all very nice and welcoming. Even when they learned that he had stolen from them. They ribbed him with friendly teasing instead of the anger that Luke had expected. 

“Don’t even worry about it.” Echo assured him. “Fives and I actually shot the Lieutenant when we met him, and we were still welcomed on board.”

The Lieutenant in question was one of the many men that looked very much like Fives and Echo, though his hair was a brilliant blonde. His name was Rex and he was also just as welcoming as they were,  and easily gave Luke a sly grin.

“Sometimes, I’m not even sure it was an accident, and we still kept them.” he drawled. “You’re in good hands, kid. We try not to judge.”

With that assurance, Luke was happy to take the three of them with him to retrieve the hidden loot. They stayed cheerful and kind as he took them to his hiding spot deep into the Dune Sea. They even swore to keep it secret. 

“Everyone needs their places, kiddo.” Rex told him softly. “We don’t want to take yours from you.”

“Even if I took yours?”

“Well, technically it's the Commander’s.” Echo corrected. “And besides, you’re one of us now. Our hiding place is your hiding place.”

It was comforting they weren’t mad at him, and that they thought of him as one of them. Even though his stay was temporary and he was confused by them and the entire crew. How had they met Rex, when they look almost exactly alike? In fact, why did they all look so alike. 

He didn’t want to insult them, so when they returned to the Executor he went to Piett about his confusion. The Captain replied with a chuckle.

“They’re clones.”

“Clones!”

The Captain nodded. “There is an island in the Dark Ocean that was experimenting with cloning. Their efforts, as you can see, were incredibly successful. The Empire shut it down, though were reluctant to incorporate the clones into the Empire as citizens. Most are part of Commander Vader’s fleet, likely because of the way the government treated them.”

“How big is his fleet?”

“Very big, kid.”

That didn’t really answer how many clones there were, but he assumed it was a lot. Especially as most of the Executor were clones. They may look the same, but were all entirely different and Luke found himself eager to get to know each of them. They seemed eager to know him as well, or at least eager to watch his utter delight as they left the caves and moved out to open water for the first time. 

The Sea was one of the most beautiful things that Luke had ever seen. The sparkling, glittery blue looked more exquisite than every single jewel he had just returned to the pirates. It was awe inspiring and Luke almost wished he could touch it. The whole crew, their Captain included, seemed incredibly entertained by his utter rapture. 

It was a novelty that didn’t wear off, even as he grew close to Fives and Echo as he helped them go about their duties. Between learning more about the brothers, their lives, and the ship he was temporarily calling home, he took every chance he could to stare at the water. He probably always would. 

Something he wished he could also be doing was learn more about the Lady’s elusive Commander. He wanted to know all there was to know about the man. How was his legend so old but he was so young? What sort of man was he really? Most importantly, why did Luke feel like he knew him? Unsurprisingly, Vader didn’t make learning any of that easy. 

No matter how close he was getting to the crew, none felt like talking about their Commander and the man didn’t exactly make himself available. Luke didn’t think he was avoiding him. He was pretty sure the Commander didn’t really know he existed more than being the annoying desert rat he was tricked into taking to the Capital. Which was a little disheartening because Luke was drawn to him far more than he would like to admit. 

Vader was just busy. He had never expected the Commander of a large fleet to be so hands on . Vader never hid off in an office below deck. He was out helping with everything it entailed to navigate the Seas. He never said a lot, but he was always right there alongside his men. Luke thought it was really admirable, but he wanted to know the kind of person Vader was outside of being a Commander. 

He got his chance for their first conversation of many the second night out on the open sea. The night before he had been exhausted and practically collapsed into his bunk. Now though, he was no longer crashing from adrenaline and one of the longest days of his life. Without a sudden lack of energy, the ship rocking him too and fro made him feel sick instead of relaxed. He couldn’t sleep, so decided instead to go and look at the moon lit water. 

He found Vader on deck as well. He thought maybe the Commander had come up for the same thing, since he didn’t appear to be doing anything to control the ship. Until he heard the man curse and saw a small tool fall from his fingers. It was a tool Luke instantly recognized. 

Vader was fixing an artificial hand. Or trying, but was seemingly having a difficult time. Luke didn’t know what possessed him to do so, but he spoke up quietly, alerting the man to his presence. 

“Do you need a hand?”

Vader’s head jerked to him, intimidating eyes fixing on his face immediately. Luke smiled nervously and raised his own prosthetic. 

“I know a thing or two about prosthetic hands. It looks like you’re in need of a second pair. I can help, if you want.”

Vader studied him for so long Luke began to fidget. Eventually, the Commander nodded. 

“Very well. Better than once more shocking myself.”

“Your nerve transmitter is damaged?”

“Yes. I’m not sure how, but I must have damaged it today.”

“There was that mishap with the sails..” Luke remarked as he sat at the Commander’s feet. “I can imagine that could have done it.”

Vader just hummed and held out his arm. It was a sleek black and gold masterpiece that Luke did his best not to be jealous of. Instead, he decided to awe over it. 

“This is such amazing mechanics! Where did you get it?” he gushed as he accepted the tools from Vader’s other hand. 

“I made it.”

Luke’s mouth fell open and he looked up to meet the Commander’s eyes. “You did? One handed!”

“One of my Captains helped, but mostly, yes.”

“That's impressive!” he gushed. “This is brilliant mechanics. We only were able to get something basic for mine. Tatooine doesn’t have that much to offer, you know?”

“I do.” he admitted quietly, honesty Luke wasn’t expecting in his tone. He was silent for a moment as Luke worked on unblocking the nerve connector. When he did speak again, it was with a soft question. 

“You are very young to have lost your hand. What happened?”

“One of Jabba’s goons took it in payment for ‘stealing from Jabba’ three years ago.” Luke replied with a disgusted scoff. “That's why I took your wupiupi. I couldn’t let him do it to anyone else, or try to hurt them like they tried to hurt my aunt.”

“I understand.” Vader said, causing Luke to once more glance up to meet his eyes. 

“You do?”

“Jabba’s reign is long running and his touch far reaching. There aren’t many who don’t know about his cruelty.”

Luke frowned. “Then why doesn’t the Empire do something?”

“Because they don’t care.” Vader replied bluntly. 

“Oh.” Luke looked back down at the hand between his and scoffed. “They’re not a very good Empire then.”

“No. They’re not.”

Luke sat awkwardly for a moment, his entire focus on the artificial hand. After an almost tense few minutes he blurted out, “I am sorry it was you I stole from! I’m not sorry I stole it, I just wish it had been from someone who deserved it.”

“You don’t believe I deserve it?”

“If you had deserved it, you would have killed me.”

“You are a child.” he replied bluntly. “I would not kill a child for protecting his family.”

“I’m not a child.”

“I doubt you can be older than twelve.”

“Hey! Why does everyone keep saying that! I’m sixteen!”

If he could see Vader’s eyebrows, he was certain they’d be raised. “Are you? I was joking about being a child.”

“Sixteen isn’t a child. At least, not on Tatooine.”

“Yes.” Vader remarked softly. “That is true. Though, you are far too young still to have a whole village as a responsibility, or to go out into the unknown to find a father who abandoned you.”

“He didn’t!” Luke exclaimed. “He didn’t. The Hutts banished him. I thought he was dead, but if there is even a slim chance he is alive, I have to at least try to find him.”

Vader stayed silent after his vehement exclamation so Luke focused entirely on fixing the pirate's hand. When he finished the repair to the upper forearm, he grinned as the man moved the elegant golden fingers without even a hint of a grimace. 

“Better?”

“Much. Thank you, Luke.”

“Of course!” he grinned even wider and then asked cautiously, “Were the Hutts how you lost yours too?”

Vader shook his head. “No. An Imperial Count.”

Luke blinked at him owlishly. “Like, actual nobility?”

“He seems to think so. I don’t consider anything about him to be noble.”

“He’s still alive!”

“Unfortunately.” the pirate drawled. “He doesn’t leave his cushy, over the top inland home any more, so as long as he stays away from me I don’t really care. It helps that he’s ancient and I’m surprised he can walk at all.”

Luke laughed, a surprised bark of a sound and then covered his mouth with a wide eyed expression. “Sorry! Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting you to say something like that.”

“Did you take me for a robot?”

“What! No!” he met Vader’s eyes firmly as he shook his head. “You seem really intimidating. Larger than life really. Someone who just, doesn’t joke? I guess? You know?”

Vader hummed but said nothing about his embarrassing blundering. Instead, after a moment of silence, he told him, “You are really good with mechanics. Maybe you would like to help with a few mechanical projects on board.”

Luke beamed and gave an eager nod. “I would like that! A lot! Thank you, Commander Vader.”

He nodded, stuck his newly fixed arm into a pocket, and pulled out a small cylindrical container. “Here. Take one of these at night. It will help with the seasickness.

Luke flushed, but thankfully grabbed the small container. “How did you know?”

“Believe it or not, Luke, I was you once. Slightly older, but you. A desert boy suddenly at sea. Trust me, that will help.”

Luke beamed up at him and squeezed the small cylinder. “Thank you, Commander.”

He nodded. “I will see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow!”

From then on, Luke was with Vader far more than even the crew. Working with Vader transformed sailing from an interesting new experience to something amazing . The Commander seemed happy to teach him even more about mechanics. Even the mechanics of the ship, all though most of it wasn’t the same sort of engineering Luke was familiar with. He was still happy to learn it though. Especially the way Vader taught it. 

The man was very soft spoken. Every word he said was said with purpose and meaning. He spoke in a way that fluctuated between overly formal to cursing in Huttese as he swore at something that wasn’t cooperating. Luke wasn’t sure the Commander even knew he was doing it. 

That strange combination of accents was what he used to teach Luke with. When it was just them, his words sounded much more familiar. Almost like he truly belonged in the desert, like Luke. Whenever he was more interested in a subject, more excited, his formalities would slip. Luke liked it when his posh accent dropped and he could truly see the Commander, even through his mask. 

A mask Luke was coming to find that the man never removed. No matter what he was doing. No matter how hot and sweaty he must be under it. He never took it off. Like it was some sort of security blanket for him. Luke didn’t understand it, but he didn’t question it or begrudge Vader whatever comfort he took from wearing it. He just wished the Commander didn’t feel like he had to hide his face. Mostly because he was sad his friend seemed to think he had to. 

It was a surprise realizing he considered Vader a friend. Though, mentor, and father figure if he was honest, was probably a more accurate choice of word. Especially as a couple days after he took Luke under his wing as an almost apprentice, he began to react to him in a way Luke had always imagined a father would. 

He was protective over him. When the Domino twins (as he came to know Echo and Fives as) asked if Luke wanted to learn to sword fight, Vader cautioned them to the point of almost being a threat. Not only did he threaten them with his safety, he watched the lessons like an overbearing mother bird. 

He was also incredibly enthusiastic with his praise. He would always compliment Luke on a job well done. No matter if it was mechanics work, or a particularly well done sword lesson. He wasn’t shy about letting Luke know when he was proud of his success. 

More familial than either of those, he was incredibly comforting. Whenever Luke got seasick, or homesick, or began to doubt his hairbrained plan to run off to Coruscant, Vader was right there. He offered medicine, condolences and encouragement without being asked for any of it. Luke didn’t want to admit it, but he loved all of the affection the Commander bestowed on him. 

Even more than not wanting to admit that, he was afraid to truly concede that he was beginning to care for Vader as a father figure. To the point where, if he couldn’t find his actual father, he wouldn’t be as heartbroken as he would have been before he met the Commander. He felt guilty for thinking so, but Vader cared for him. He cared for Vader. That was real, and it mattered much more than any fantasy Luke could create. 

Vader had felt drawn to the young Tatooine boy from the moment he met him and he blamed it entirely on his name being Luke . Luke, the name of his son. Luke, his beautiful star who the Hutts killed. Luke, who each and every day he saw more and more in the brilliant mechanic he was bringing to Coruscant of all the damn places. 

He never, ever would have agreed to bring anyone to the Imperial capital continent were they not a living ghost of his child. He would have refused. May have even killed them for the impudence to think that they could steal from him and then demand things right after. 

Luke though, Luke was just like Vader had been. He was brave and determined to keep those he cared about safe. He was a Tatooine desert boy desperate to be with family that was gone. Vader couldn’t bring himself to deny the boy his chance, however slim. 

The first time they really talked, Vader became even more drawn to the child. As well as uncomfortably hopeful. As he got to know the boy more, that hope just grew. There were way too many connections lining up for him not to be. 

Luke’s father was banished by the Hutts. His aunt told him Coruscant was where he had always wanted to move to. That he had wanted to open an actual mechanics shop and get away from Tatooine. All of these things were so specifically about Vader himself he couldn’t help but let the hope fester.

He couldn’t bring it up to Luke for many reasons. If he was wrong, he’d be disappointed beyond belief. Desolate, even, and he didn’t want to show that to the boy. If he was right, Vader would be overjoyed but he couldn’t tell Luke then either. He can't imagine the boy would feel the same way. 

The gnawing question was eating at him though, so he had to ask his Captain. Piett was the one who brought Luke to them. If the boy had told anyone his whole name, it was him. 

Piett, as always, didn’t disappoint. He nodded immediately when Vader asked and replied with, “His surname is Skywalker, Commander.”

Vader felt like his entire world was simultaneously collapsing and soaring. He was so overwhelmed that he couldn't remain standing and fell like a broken puppet down onto a bench behind him. 

“Commander?” Piett asked nervously. “What's wrong?”

“Skywalker is my name,” he whispered. “Luke is my son.”

“Your son!”

He nodded. “I thought he was dead. Yet all this time he was alive. He was alive and I abandoned him.”

“Sir, you didn’t abandon him.”

“Yes.” Vader glared up at his Captain. “I did. I should have found my way home. I should have defied the Hutts and made sure they weren’t the lying scum I knew they were. I should never have left him there.”

Piett’s expression turned pinched but he didn’t argue with his declaration. Instead he asked simply, “You are going to tell him, yes?”

“No.”

“Sir, sir Luke is only on this ship because he’s looking for his father.”

“And he will be disappointed when he realizes it's me!” he snapped as he pushed himself back to his feet. “No. I cannot tell Luke. It's better he never knows.”

Despite his resolution to keep it secret, he could not stay away from his son. His son, who was more brilliant than should be possible. His son, who was kind and sweet and had the entire crew wrapped around his finger. His son, who Vader was impressed by more and more as each second passed. 

In fact, he not only didn’t stay away but he grew closer. He spent almost all of his free time with Luke and even a significant amount of his working time. The boy didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he eagerly helped him with any and everything he could. He was energetically becoming one of them, and the closer they got to Coruscant, the more Vader’s heart hurt. 

He didn’t want to let his son go. He didn’t want to lose him, especially to hunt for someone he would never find. He couldn’t bring himself to tell him, but he couldn’t bear to see him leave his life forever. 

Somehow, for once, life was smiling on Vader. He was showing his son the maps in his office, letting him see how truly massive the planet was for the first time. Luke was entranced by them. Entranced by all the places Vader was telling him of. At least, until he seemed suddenly nervous as he looked up to stare at Vader’s face with a frown. 

“What?” he asked the boy softly. 

“I don’t want to go to Coruscant any more.”

Vader dropped the compass in his hands and almost gaped at him. “What?”

“I don't want to go on a desperate chase through a huge continent full of thousands of people for someone who may not even be alive. I want to stay here. With you.”

“Luke, what about finding your father?”

The boy frowned and then said softly. “Maybe someday I’ll find him, but, but really I don’t know if he’d even be able to compare to you. You’ve taught me more than anyone else ever has. You’ve been there for me, shown me more, than anyone. I don’t want to hunt for a fantasy. If you are okay with it, I want to stay here with you.”

Vader should have told him the truth then. He knew he should have. Luke seemed to care for him almost as much as he cared for Luke. He was scared though. What if the boy realized what a disappointment his father truly was and left? 

That thought was enough to keep Vader from saying anything about their connection. It was also what prompted him to caution the boy, no matter how much he just wanted to jump on the chance to keep him there. 

“Luke, we’re pirates. Life isn’t always this peaceful.”

“Oh, I know. I’ve seen some of the brothers’ scars. I’ve seen your scars, the ones you let me see. Like your arm. I know it's dangerous. It's not any more dangerous than Tatooine, and, and I feel more at home here than I ever did in the desert. Here, I can defend myself. Here, I have you. ”

“Yes.” Vader promised. “Yes, Luke, you will always have me.”

“So, can I stay?”

“For as long as you’d like?”

Luke beamed sunlight and the grip on Vader’s heart lessened. He wouldn’t be losing his son anytime soon, and they no longer had to head towards Coruscant. That day couldn’t have been better. 

The men, too, were delighted by Luke staying and the change in course. Now that they were headed back home to Mandalore, the air on board the Lady was even lighter than it had been. The crew were jovial and laughing. Happy and carefree. It was an energy that Luke fell into easily. 

Seeing his son laughing as Rex once more bested him in a sword fight was a wondrous sight. It would have been even better if the boy wasn’t trying to fight with a pitiful, abomination of a prosthetic hand, though. 

The sight of him trying to maneuver a sword with said awful prosthetic prompted him to do something Vader should have done the first time he saw the atrocious thing. He began to build Luke a new one. 

As soon as he resolved to do so, he dived headfirst into making a hand for his son. One very reminiscent of his own. Though the black metal he used for his was replaced by a brighter, whiter gold. There was no darkness to his boy, and he wouldn’t let there be any on his person. 

There would probably need to be adjustments made as he had done all the measurements by eye to keep it a surprise. Though he was pretty sure that he got it incredibly close. After working almost nonstop on it, he managed to finish it a few days before they reached home. He could only hope that Luke would like it. 

When he presented the finished hand to his son, the boy stared at it for a long moment before surprising Vader by launching himself into his arms. 

“Thank you! Thank you so much! You have no idea what this means to me!”

“I couldn’t let you continue to use that awful thing you have.” Vader told him softly as he accepted the hug tightly. “It was nothing.”

“Of course it was something.” Luke said as he peered up at Vader with huge blue eyes. “You made this just for me. That is, it's everything. ”

Vader didn’t try and dispute him again, just tightened the embrace and hoped desperately that the feeling of happiness surrounding them never went away. 

Of course, Vader wasn’t ever lucky enough to fully get his wishes granted. The very next day, the jovial feeling on the Lady was stolen away by a surprise attack. 

Cannon fire startled Vader from teaching Luke the fine aspects of his new prosthetic. They wouldn’t be able to attach it until they reached their home base, but Vader was happy to use his own as an example. Luke was happy to learn as well, and they fell into their own little world. 

Vader would have been much happier if that world hadn’t been interrupted. Especially in such a violent manner that had Luke staring at him with wide, startled eyes. 

“What was that!?”

“An attack. Stay here.” he said as he pushed himself to his feet. 

“What! No!”

“Yes, Luke.” Vader fixed him with a glare. “Stay here. You’ll be safe here.”

“I know how to fight!”

“I don’t care.” he sat his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “I care that you are safe. So stay here .”

He should have known that Luke wouldn’t listen to him, because Vader never would have listened either. He should have known he would be out there alongside Echo and Fives fighting with fever to keep the people he cared about safe.

Luke doing exactly that was no surprise. Neither was the inevitable blaster shot careening right to his son. A shot Vader would never, ever let hit him. 

He was so far away. Too far away to run to Luke’s aid. Instead, he grabbed a hold of one of the ship's halyards and swung himself up and over just in time to take the shot himself. 

It hurt, but Vader didn’t care. He took the pain with ease and shot down the bastard who dared try and kill his son. Only after the assailant fell did he allow himself to do so as well. 

“Vader!” Luke’s distraught call answered his fall, the boy’s face suddenly appearing in his line of sight. 

His eyes were huge and terrified. His hands were shaking as he pressed them into the bleeding hole in Vader’s chest. He looked distraught, and his voice was thrumming with fear. 

“Hey, it's okay. You’ll be okay.”

“Luke, Luke, look at me.”

“I am, Vader! Or, well, at a lot of your blood because you took a shot to the chest ! Why the hells would you do that!”

“Luke, look at me. ”

Luke jerked his eyes up to meet Vader’s. “What! I’m trying to save your life.”

“Take the mask off please.”

Luke’s eyes went huge and he shook his head. “No. No way. We aren't doing this. We aren’t acting like you’re about to die. It isn’t happening.”

“Please, Luke.”

He let out a sob and lifted one bloody hand to push the mask up and off of Vader’s forehead. His brow furrowed immediately after doing so. 

“Vader…”

Vader lifted a hand and gripped the one not pressed into his wound. “I should have told you this long ago, and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I knew a couple days after you fixed my hand. I kept it to myself because I was scared you would be disappointed.”

“In what?” Luke whispered in a hoarse voice. 

“My name is Anakin Skywalker, and I am your father.” he whispered back before his eyes slipped closed and he fell into darkness. 

Luke knew he should be shocked. He knew he should be surprised, and maybe even a little angry. As the battle came to a close around them though, all he could feel was panic. 

His father was here, right before him, and dying. He refused to lose him after only just getting him back and looked up to meet Rex and Piett’s saddened eyes with a look of utter desperation. 

“He can’t die! We have to do something.”

“We’re still a day's sail away from home.” Piett said sadly. “Luke, I don’t know what we can do.”

“We have to do something! We can’t just leave him like this! We can’t let him die. I can’t lose him, Piett, I can’t!”

“What about the cryo freeze?” Rex suggested. “Coric could apply as much bacta as we have and then freeze him and monitor him. He could make sure he is stable enough for Kix to save when we dock.”

“It's a risk….” Piett cautioned and Luke shook his head. 

“I don’t care! It's a chance, right!’?”

Both Captain and Lieutenant nodded so Luke did too. 

“Okay. Do it.”

He very reluctantly let Echo and Fives take his father from him. The only reason he did was because he knew it would save his life. As they took him below deck, he remained kneeling beside the pool of blood completely lost as to what to do next. 

Rex knelt down before him and placed a hand on each of Luke’s arms. “Come on Luke, let's get you cleaned up.”

He nodded and let the Lieutenant lead him to a ‘fresher. He didn’t really pay much attention as the blond washed all of his father’s blood off of him. Nor as he helped Luke change. He didn't even pay much attention to anything other than his fear even as he was gently led deeper into the ship where his father was now. 

Vader was as safe as he could possibly be for now with bacta patches slapped over his wounds and encased in a slab of frozen carbonite. He looked at peace and could have passed for looking like he was sleeping. If he wasn’t completely frozen of course. It was a painfully deceptive sight.

Luke couldn't resist the urge to reach out and place his hand over his father’s. It was cold and marble like, like the flesh had never once been alive. Tears leaked from his eyes and he bent forward to rest his forehead on their hands. 

“I’m so mad at you.” he whispered. “You should have told me. I wish you had told me. I don’t get why you didn’t. I loved you even without knowing. Knowing would have only made everything better. Would have made things make more sense .”

Of course his father didn’t say anything. He was completely still and maybe even beyond saying anything ever again. The thought made Luke choke on a sob. He would have let it out, would have broken down, but footsteps coming his way stopped him. 

He turned his head to see Piett approaching, a worried and sad look on his face. He stopped beside Luke and did his best to turn the expression to one of comfort. Luke was surprised how well he succeeded. 

“We’ve done our best to keep him alive. Kix, the head medic at Base, is extremely good at his job. Between him, Coric and the healers they’ll have him as good as new.”

“Do you think so?” he asked in a scared whisper.

“I have to believe so.” Piett murmured. “Any other alternative is unthinkable.”

Luke nodded heavily and then asked in a cautious tone, “Did you know? About him being my father?”

“I did. He knew as soon as I told him your surname. I tried to get him to tell you, Luke, but he thought you would be disappointed by the truth.”

“Never .” he swore vehemently. “Never, Piett. He’s my father and I love him. He, he was my father before I knew he was my father.”

He turned his head to meet the Captain’s gaze. “I can’t lose him. I can’t .”

He fully lost the fight with the desperate tears, pained sobs shaking his whole form. Piett didn’t hesitate to reach over and pull him against his side. 

Luke fell into the comfort the Captain offered and cried until he had no more tears left to cry. When he was done, he felt hollowed out and lost. 

“I’m not leaving his side.” he whispered into Piett’s shoulder. “Not till I absolutely have to.”

“I expected as much.” Piett told him softly. “Fives and Echo are going to bring you down some food and a cot. We’re here for you Luke, okay?”

He just nodded numbly and went back to staring hopelessly at his father’s lifeless form. It was a position he kept all the way until they reached their home dock and a serious looking clone and blonde woman with blue tattoos took him away to try and save his life. He followed them off the ship almost in a trance, once more lost at what to do next.

“You can trust Kix and Che.” Rex assured him as they stood on the dock and watched their forms vanish into the bustling town. 

“I know. Where can I wait?”

“You should get some real sleep.” Piett suggested. 

“Not until I know he’ll make it.”

“Luke…”

“Let him wait until the Commander gets out of surgery.” Rex insisted. “He’ll never rest not knowing he’s safe.”

Piett relented and led him through the town to a building that was obviously a medical facility. Neither left him there though. They both sat on either side of him as they settled in for another long wait. 

Rex was right. There was no way he could sleep. His body was exhausted and trying to pull him down, but his mind was racing with every horrendous possibility. It was only blind hope, something he was very good at, that kept him from falling into another panic. 

That hope spiked desperately when the medic entered the waiting area and beelined right for them. 

Luke was on his feet in an instant, Piett and Rex right behind him. 

“Kix?” Rex asked cautiously. 

“The Commander will be alright.” he said almost before Rex finished saying his name, 

The words caused an invisible string on Luke to snap and he sagged heavily into Piett who caught him with ease. 

“Can we see him?” Luke asked desperately, as he leaned into the Captain. 

“Not now, I’m sorry. He needs rest.”

“Kix, vod, Luke is Vader’s son.” Rex implored softly. “Can we at least get him a bed in the Commander’s room?”

Kix looked in between Rex and Luke and then nodded. “Okay. Of course, Luke. As long as you let the Commander rest.”

“I will.” he declared firmly. “I just have to see him.”

Piett squeezed his shoulder. “We’ll check in on you both in the morning, okay?’

Luke smiled at them and nodded. “Thank you, both of you. For everything.”

“Of course.” Piett replied as Rex nodded. 

“There’s no need to thank us, kid.”

With one last wave to them, Luke let Kix guide him through the medical facility. Apprehension filled him the closer and closer they got to his father’s room. An apprehension that vanished the moment Kix opened the door. 

It was replaced with relief . His father was there, alive and breathing. He may have been covered in bandages and wires, but he was no longer stone. Was no longer suspended in limbo. He was there and he was going to stay there. Luke wasn’t losing him. 

Luke went right to his side and touched his flesh hand gently. It was warm and he smiled softly. “We have a lot to talk about father,” he whispered. “So, you have to wake up soon.”

“He will.” Kix promised him. “By the afternoon, I’m sure.”

“Thank you for saving him.”

“Of course. The Commander may seem aloof, but he is the whole Torrent Fleet’s first and intimidating Commander second. We all care for him and would do anything to keep him safe.”

“He thought I would be disappointed he is my father.”

“He isn’t very good at noticing when others care about him, or thinking that they should.” Kix squeezed his shoulder. “So you have to make him see.”

“Don’t worry. I will.”

“Not until you both get some rest.” he gestured to the bed beside Vader’s. “Sleep, Luke. You look exhausted.”

He reluctantly followed the medic’s orders and laid down. He would never, ever admit that he fell into an exhausted dreamless sleep the moment his head hit the pillow. 

He had no idea how long he slept. He did know he was woken significantly more rested although also instantly worried. Likely because he was woken by his father’s pained groan. 

His eyes shot open and he was launching himself out of the bed and to Vader’s  side in an instant. “Father? Hey, it's okay.”

Vader’s blue eyes fluttered open to meet his, a relieved, but pained, smile crossing his features. “Luke?”

He reached out and grasped his hand. “I’m here.”

“How?” he swallowed thickly and cleared his throat before continuing. “How am I here?”

“Rex had the idea to put you in carbonite. It gave us the chance to get here and let your medic save you.”

“Smart.” Vader smiled again and met Luke’s eyes. “Thank you, my son. For saving my life. And for being here.”

“There is nowhere I’d rather be.” he squeezed his father’s hand gently. “And I’m so mad at you for thinking otherwise.”

Vader gave him a sad smile. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“It's okay.” he leaned forward and rested his head on Vader’s shoulder. “Just, why did you? Not tell me, I mean?”

“I feared you would be disappointed in me. That you would realize I failed you. That I abandoned you. That you would want more than a pirate as a father.”

“No!” he sat up abruptly. “No, father! I told you weeks ago, I already saw you as a father. Knowing you are is the best thing I have ever heard.”

“I should have known that, too.” Vader sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, Luke. I never wanted you to learn the way you did. It wasn’t fair to you.”

“It's okay.” he leaned back on his shoulder. “I forgive you.”

His father kissed his brow and then ran his fingers through his hair gently. “Thank you, my son.”

“Of course. Though, I’m confused about something.”

“What's that?”

“Vader is a name that has been around for decades .”

“Ah. Yes, it's more of an inherited title.”

“A what?”

“The previous Commander Vader found me in the same cave Piett found you. Starving, dehydrated and dying. He saved my life and brought me to his fleet where he began to teach me everything he knew. When he decided to retire, he passed the title on to me. I’ve only been Commander Vader for ten years.”

“The men know?”

“Of course they do. It's a very well kept secret used to confuse both enemy pirates and the Empire. The mask helps with the mystery and deception, as well as allows the Fleet to claim they have no idea what Vader looks like.”

“Wow, that’s really genius.”

“The Vader before me was the second. His father was the first. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon have become a family to me, especially because I, well, I thought mine was gone.”

He sat up to meet his father’s eyes again. “You did?”

He gave a sad nod. “Yes. Jabba’s goons told me they had killed you. All of you. I, I was devastated. It's why I never tried to come home, and I am so, so sorry Luke.”

“No, don’t be sorry!” he hugged him once more, head resting against his firm heartbeat. “I understand. The past doesn’t matter. You’re here now?”

“I am, and I’m never letting you go again.”

“Me either.” Luke agreed. “I can’t lose you again.”

“You won't. In fact, I think ten years is sufficient enough as a Pirate Commander. I think it's about time I retired.”

Luke sat up quickly with a wide eyed expression. “Really!”

His father nodded. “Yes, really. I have my son back, Luke. You are my priority now and forever. A pirate fleet isn’t the best place to raise a kid.”

Luke didn’t point out he wasn’t really a kid anymore and instead asked, “and the fleet?”

“I think Piett would make a very nice Commander Vader, don’t you?”

Luke grinned and nodded adamantly. “He would. So, so you’d want to leave the Lady? Settle down?”

“I do. I don’t know about you, but a father-son mechanic shop sounds much more appealing to me. Would you want to stay here with me?”

He gave an excited, eager nod. “Yeah! Oh, can we bring Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen here too?”

“Of course.”

Luke beamed even wider and laid himself back onto his father’s shoulder. “Thank you. I could never have asked for a better father.”

“Nor I a better son. I love you, Luke. I have always loved you. You were my motivation for trying to leave Tatooine. You were my motivation for everything I have ever done. Having you back in my life is the greatest gift I could have been given.”

“I take back what I said the day I fixed your hand.” he remarked with a  grin against his father’s shoulder. 

“What’s that?”

“I’m really glad I stole that money from you.”

Anakin Skywalker laughed and once more kissed his son’s brow. “Me too, Luke. You were the best thief I ever had to deal with. In so many ways.”

“I knew I’d find you.”

“Of course you did. We’ve got that Skywalker luck.”

“I thought that was a bad thing?”

“Not this time, Luke.” he leaned his head against Luke’s. “For once, it's a very, very good thing,”