Chapter Text
The moon was full, the night was cool and quiet, and young Luke Skywalker couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t seem to find a comfortable position when he normally had little trouble drifting off. Something he couldn’t place nagged at him to get up and go outside. But that was foolishness, and he didn’t want to get into trouble. He well remembered how upset Uncle Owen had been the last time he’d snuck off to watch a meteor shower. But still, he felt this was important, urgent.
Deciding he might as well do something if he wasn’t going to sleep, he grabbed a travel bag and proceeded to pack some water, cookies, his comlink, some bantha jerky, a blanket, and a favorite toy ship. He put on a coat and put a small blaster in the inner pocket, ensuring the safety was on. Maybe watching the sky would calm him enough to try sleeping again.
Luke found his feet automatically taking him up a small incline to a flat swath a sand, all around him open and expansive. He spread his blanket on the ground and lay on his back, not bothering to remove his coat or his shoes. Without realizing it, he began to fall asleep. Until someone touched his shoulder gently, startling him awake and bolt upright, eyes wide in fear. He fumbled for his blaster but then found he couldn’t move his arm. Some invisible force paralyzed it. However, he found he could still move his legs and his other arm, so he awkwardly clambered to his feet and picked up his bag.
It was then Luke noted the bright, amused eyes watching him, the brownish-gray hair, the half-smile he was being given. "Ben," Luke smiled, laughing with relief. "I think you scared me half to death."
A gentle chuckle was offered in response, and Luke found he could move his arm again. "My apologies, young Luke," Ben intoned solemnly. "I just didn’t think it wise for you to fall asleep out here. It would seem you and I had the same idea tonight, though I question the safety of your being so far from home."
Luke sat cross-legged on his blanket, which Ben had taken the liberty of sharing. Luke noted that Ben didn’t appear to have water, food, or the other necessities he was taught to always carry when traveling. "Hard to appreciate the sky too close to home," he explained. "Too bright there."
"Ah," Ben nodded. "Of course. I should have realized that." He looked up at the sky and seemed to withdraw into his own world.
Luke was familiar with such moods. Uncle Owen was sometimes like that as well. But if it dragged on too long, he would become uncomfortable, especially if he could tell that the reason for the brooding was melancholy. He rummaged in his bag and dug out the jerky, turning Ben’s wrist gently and laying a strip on his palm while proceeding to gnaw on the strip in his other hand. The remaining jerky was left within easy reach of them both.
Ben gave a faint smile in acknowledgement of Luke’s thoughtful gesture, nodding his thanks and tearing off a piece to munch slowly. "You are wiser than I am. I didn’t think to bring food. But then, I didn’t expect to be out here so long, either. Sleep is eluding me."
"You, too?" Luke frowned sympathetically. "I have water, too. You can have it."
"Thank you, young one, but you’d better keep it. I have water at home and will likely manage until I get there."
"Okay. If you’re sure."
Ben and Luke ate in silence for a bit before Luke spoke up again. "Remember the meteor shower that happened a couple years ago? I was out here, too, to get a good view. Uncle Owen nearly killed me, he was so mad. I actually mean that. I was staring down the barrel of his blaster 'cause he thought I was an intruder. He said I was reckless with my life, but he taught me to use a blaster and he says I’m a natural. I tried to apologize and I honestly hadn’t meant to upset him. I hope he doesn’t actually kill me this time. He’s not gonna accept the reason that I couldn’t sleep."
"Luke," Ben barked harshly, "of course, he isn’t going to kill you. But I’d wager he’ll be angry, yes. And I do remember that shower. I was out to watch it as well. They are somewhat uncommon."
Luke shrank back a little, but looked steadily at Ben. "I’m sorry, sir. Please don’t be mad at me. It’s going to be bad enough with Uncle. But yeah, I told him they weren’t that common but he didn’t seem to care. I’m glad you get it."
Ben took another strip of jerky and patted Luke’s shoulder soothingly. "I am not angry with you. Do not worry. I was just alarmed at the suggestion that your uncle would deliberately shoot you. I’m sure he’d never forgive himself if he did."
Luke heard unmistakable regret in Ben’s tone and experienced the emotion as though it were his own. Luke was not surprised by this. Sometimes, he got flashes of other people’s emotions when they were strong. "Yeah. I know he doesn’t hate me. Not really. But it can be hard to remember that when we don’t agree or he’s too hard on me."
"Well, I tell you what. Would you like to come with me to my place? No need to cause a stir at your place at this hour. There’ll be time enough to get you home tomorrow and deal with consequences then." Luke sighed in relief, and it was Ben’s turn to feel that emotion vividly in the Force.
"Oh man, that’d be great. I really don’t wanna face him just now." Luke drank the water he brought and packed up the rest of the food, standing up and beginning to fold his blanket.
Ben helped him put the blanket away and got to his feet as well, picking up the bag and slinging it over one shoulder. "I’ll carry it. It’s no trouble."
Luke thanked him and they walked companionably as he pointed out constellations he knew and planets he’d memorized. Ben taught Luke a couple new star patterns and how they were called different names by different cultures. "Have you seen other places?" Luke queried wistfully. "Surely you have a home, a family? I mean, I know you have a home here, but I’m pretty sure you weren’t raised here."
Ben merely shook his head sadly. "Tatooine must be my home now. As for family, let us just say I lost it."
"Lost? How?"
Ben felt concern and sympathy flowing over him. Another shake of the head, this time curt and annoyed. "It is not your concern and further, I do not wish to say."
Luke flinched as though slapped across the face, moving a little apart from Ben and looking away. He sighed dejectedly. Once again, he’d said the wrong thing. But then he turned back to Ben, looking hopeful. "I’m sorry you lost your family. But if they don’t live here, why not leave? I can’t, 'cause I’m just a kid, but why should you suffer if you don’t have to? I know as soon as I can, I’m leaving."
Ben stopped walking, stared down at Luke a long moment, then said quietly, "The Empire. And what’s more, I don’t exactly have the means to leave. No ship, no money, and no home to return to even if I had those things. And so it is not just you who has no choice at the moment."
Luke had no words. Instead, he opened his arms and hugged Ben around the middle, sorrow and pity permeating the Force.
Obi-Wan, for his part, had long since grown accustomed to his current circumstances. Sure, he wouldn’t mind leaving if the opportunity presented itself. Certainly, the fall of the Jedi hurt to think about. But contrary to what people thought, he was not so alone as he appeared, and in his heart, the boy currently projecting so much compassion and love was family. He knelt down on the rocky ground and returned Luke’s embrace, projecting calm, gentle comfort, and gratitude toward him.
Releasing each other, Luke smiled at Ben. "If I ever work out a way to leave this rock, I promise I’m taking you with me. My other friends - they have families. And they don’t really want to go anywhere. You and me - we’re different. We’ll find some other place we like and be happy together. If anything, we know about farming, so we’d at least have food, right?"
Ben chuckled. "I’m afraid it’s more complicated than that, youngling. But if I somehow scrounge the finances together and find the means to fly, I will remember you and extend the same offer. Do we have a deal?"
Luke nodded enthusiastically and shook Ben’s hand. "Whoever finds a way first will take the other along."
Ben nodded soberly and squeezed Luke’s hand, using it to help himself up before letting it go.
The pair made it to Ben’s door without incident and he returned Luke’s bag. Luke looked at Ben’s couch and covered a yawn, suddenly exhausted. He glanced sheepishly at Ben, who smiled kindly. "We did come a long way," he said gently. "You can sleep there."
Luke shook his head. "But it’s your bed. I’ll be okay on the floor. I’ll just…use my blanket."
"What?" Ben snapped incredulously. "You’re a guest. The floor is not your place."
"But-" Luke looked from the bed to the floor and back to the bed. "Ben, you said you have no home. You said you lost your family. The least I can do is let you have your bed. It’s not gonna kill me to sleep down here." He began to get his blanket out.
"Well, if you’re sleeping down there, I should share in the discomfort. It’s just not right for a host to have better."
"No." Luke shook his head in frustrated exasperation. "Look, I really don’t mind. It’s a price I’m willing to pay. I want to help. If we have to be equal, why don’t we just share the bed?"
Ben blinked. That hadn’t occurred to him. But in the next second, he realized why. "We can’t. That’s…improper."
"But I’m sure there’s enough room. If I just use it, there’s a lot of space going to waste. Neither of us seem to want the other to sleep on the floor, so what other solution is there so that we both get our way?"
Ben was simultaneously embarrassed and impressed. Outmaneuvered by a nine-year-old with no diplomatic training, and all because the boy cared for him and respected his authority enough to play by his rules. Still, his objection carried weight, so he pressed the point. "Luke, I’m old enough to be your father. What you propose makes sense in theory, but isn’t it rather awkward when viewed from that angle?"
"No," Luke answered immediately and matter-of-factly. "I trust you. I’m safe with you. It would be nice to be close to you. But if you’re not comfortable with the idea, we can just go with the first plan. I’ll stay down here. 'Cause I’ll tell you right now that if I take your bed and wake up tomorrow and see you on the floor, I’m gonna feel bad."
Ben sighed and picked Luke up carefully, cradling him securely against his chest. He stroked the boy’s cheek as Luke stifled another yawn, his eyes closing contentedly. Ben deposited Luke on the bed, helping him remove his coat and his shoes. He watched as Luke made himself comfortable and began removing his robe and boots. He folded their clothing and placed it on a table. His lightsaber was placed on a shelf alongside a carved black snake, a dewback plush toy, and his comlink. Stretching the stiffness from his joints, he climbed carefully into bed. Lying on his back, one arm touching one of Luke’s, he had no difficulty finding rest.