Vader watches his son as the boy starts to cry. Whatever is going on in his son's head must be putting him in extreme distress. Grabbing the boy's flesh hand he grips it gently, so gently as if he is afraid to hurt the boy. He receives a grip in return, not one reaching for support or comfort. But, one that is reaching for help, one that is in pain.
"Father, help me," the boy whimpers. "Please."
Luke is in pain, terrible pain. Then he wakes sitting up, cringing back in pain. He hears a respirator, the respirator of his father. He feels a gloved mechanical hand gripping his left hand. A hand is now on his right shoulder.
"Lay back, son. You will hurt yourself more," the voice of his father says.
Glancing at where the voice came from he says in barely a whisper, "father."
"Rest son, don't attempt to exert yourself."
Luke does not listen to his father and instead lunges at the man, embracing him.
Vader's mind races as his son embraces him in a hug. He has not had a hug in a long time, not since he had been placed in the suit he now wears to survive. Gently, he returns the embrace. Terrified that the boy will crumble into nothing at his touch.
"Father," Luke says again, pulling away and looking the man in the eyes. Or at least where Vader's eyes are behind the mask.
Vader guides his son back so that he is laying down on his back. He takes the boy's hand again unsure of what to say, or what to do.
"I," Luke struggles to find the right words. "I saw- I saw how you fell."
Vader freezes. "What exactly did you see?"
"I saw you meet my mother. I saw what happened at the Tusken camp. I saw you and your Padawan. I- I saw what happened on that planet with lava." Luke shudders at that memory, his father was so full of anger and hate during those events.
Vader looks away, letting go of Luke's hand. Why had his son hugged him if he had seen the horrible things he had done? He feels a hand grab his arm now, looking down he sees Luke's hand there.
"Don't be ashamed of what you have done father. But, please. Please, come back. To the light. I can feel the struggle in you growing more and more please."
"It is too late for me son, there is no coming back from what I have become. From what I have done."
The door to the room swooshes open revealing the doctor.
"I see you are awake, young one." They turn to Vader and say, "I hope I am not interrupting anything, my lord. I was returning to get another blood sample, to double check something."
"You did not interrupt anything important doctor," Vader says.
"Good," they turn to Luke. "Now young man, are you alright with me taking your blood? I hate to say you don't really have a choice but it makes it easier on me knowing your position."
"I am fine with it doctor, thank you for asking," Luke responds.
The doctor draws his blood and leaves the room swiftly. The door closes behind them with a thud that sounds louder than it is.
The father-son duo stares at each other, neither having the ability to form words to communicate how they are feeling. They instead reach out with the Force toward the other, attempting to figure out what to say and how to communicate their feelings.
Luke speaks first, "Father, I… what is going to happen to me now?"
"You need to heal, we can discuss what happens to you after that at a later date. You need rest son," Vader says to his son.
Vader begins poking the boy's mental shields gently, in a way asking for permission to create a connection with him. Vader is more surprised than anything when Luke grants complete access to him. He looks through his child's mind looking for anything to be massively concerned about. He simply sees the past that Luke witnessed.
I am sorry. I am so sorry for not being there for you.
Vader sends through the established connection, surprise fills him at the bond between the two. A bond so strong already is incredible, his son cares for him.
Luke gently places his hand on Vader's, sending love and forgiveness through the bond.
Again the door opens revealing the doctor. "Sorry to disturb you again so soon. I was wanting to run some tests to see how well you are."
Luke groans at this, he is not a big fan of being in a medbay in the first place much less having to go through the tediousness of tests.
"Am I able to do so at the moment? The sooner I conclude them the sooner you can get out of here."
Luke glances at his father sensing amusement through the growing bond.
You are definitely my son if you hate receiving medical attention that much.
"You may proceed, doctor. I shall leave you to conclude your tests," Vader stands and strides to the door leaving.
Traitor!
Luke sends through the bond, his father is leaving him ALONE to deal with this. That was just rude.
The doctor begins checking all the machinery connected to Luke, adjusting some things. "How are you feeling," they asked.
"I'm fine, just a little tired and hungry."
The doctor stares at Luke with an eyebrow raised in skepticism. "Is that so? No offense, but I have interacted with enough of you young warriors to know you will say anything to get out of here. But, if you are hungry that is good, I can have a meal sent for you in a while. It won't be much but it will be something. I cannot give you that much food right now as of all the things we had to do to treat you. Too much to eat might cause you more harm than good. I had to keep one part of what was discovered while treating you from Lord Vader." They look at Luke seeing an expression of shock. "If you are wondering, I do not regret keeping it from Vader. After seeing how he was treating all the information I decided it would be best for you. Honestly, it would be easy to deduce but I don't want to risk your healing. Tell me when was the last time you ate an actual meal?"
"I…" In all honestly Luke hadn't had an actual full meal for a while. The last time was on Tatooine, with his aunt and uncle.
"That long huh?"
"How?"
"Your hesitation says it all, and your medical charts. That is beside the point right now, at least when was the last time you ate?"
"How long have I been out?"
"About 2 days at this point."
"So, probably about 12 hours added on top of that. I didn't have much time to think about eating at that point," Luke admits.
