A/N: Hey, friends! Thanks for stopping by! Same warning apply, please tread with care.

"Here," Vader said as he pressed a warm mug of hot chocolate into the boy's hands once they reached his quarters. He sat beside him on the bed, wishing Luke would look up. Force, he thought he hated being unable to feel the boy's presence, but perhaps he would welcome it if it meant he would be spared from feeling Luke's terrible pain.

"Thanks," Luke mumbled, accepting the beverage. If Vader couldn't speak to him correctly, at least he could provide him with his favorite drink; hot chocolate never failed to bring him joy.

For a long moment, he just watched the boy; he took in his slouched posture, the tired lines of his face, and his faded blue eyes stained red.

How could Vader have done this? He seemed to be doing well with Luke; the boy found comfort in his presence last time, did he not? What had Vader done wrong?

After a rather long silence, Luke, unsurprisingly, broke the ice with an apology.

"I'm sorry, Father," he said, his voice still husky from his tears.

"Whatever for, son?" Vader tried to ask gently, still hoping his words weren't filtering as commands. Luke sniffled, wiping away a stray tear from his eye. A laugh void of any real humor escaped his throat.

"I've been so dramatic," he said, setting his hot chocolate on the bedside table. Vader shook his head, carefully setting a hand on his shoulder to prompt him to look up.

"Luke, you are not dramatic. Emotional outbursts are a normal response to trauma," he recited from his research. Luke sniffled once again, mopping his face with his sleeve. He nodded.

After another spell of silence, Vader spoke words he knew Luke would prefer to avoid; however, he had no choice if Vader was to follow through on his promise to do whatever it would take to help Luke.

"Child, tell me why I upset you." The boy sighed, burning a hole in the floor with his fixed gaze, again seeming to look for something he could not find. He closed his eyes, sending a tear slipping down his face.

"You said 'when I'm back to normal,'" he repeated. Vader nodded, keeping silent to give the boy room to speak. "There isn't really a 'normal,'" he explained. "I'm…" Luke choked up again and Vader reached for his hand. Luke accepted the invitation of support, but held his gloved hand only gently. "I'm not normal."

"Child," Vader said. "There is nothing wrong with you." He winced at the rough delivery, but Luke seemed not to notice. Force, he hoped Luke had not begun to think of this sub-par support as his typical quality. He was trying, but Force knows he could only provide adequate assistance. If only she were here.

"Yes there is!" Luke insisted. "I practically jump out of my skin when I brush up against someone, I can't go a day without having a complete meltdown-"

"Luke," Vader restrained him gently. "Those are not the traits of someone abnormal, those are the qualities of one who is healing." Luke's eyes began to shimmer with tears once again.

"But it's been so long," he whispered. "It shouldn't take this long."

"Convalescence has no timeframe, son," Vader insisted. "You must understand that." Luke shook his head.

"I'm a Jedi," Luke said, his words beginning to tremble. "I know I'm better than this." Vader felt a blow to his core as he remembered uttering the same words to his beloved all those years ago after he lost his mother.

"Luke, look at me." But he wished he hadn't told him to do so, for the boy's face was red and blotchy, and his eyes were still that painfully faded blue. Force, how it pained Vader to see him like this. "I once believed the same sentiment to be true, but I eventually found it to be very false." He paused. "Your mother showed me so."

Luke's eyes flickered with hope at the mention of his mother, but quickly retreated to exhaustion as he seemed to reconsider his current situation.

"But Ben-"

"Did not understand your situation, son," he said. "Do not let the system that failed me fail you as well." Luke sighed, shaking his head as he looked away.

"I can't," he whispered. Vader shook his own head.

"Yes, you can," he implored, tightening his grip on Luke's hand. "Understand that if nothing else." Luke shook his head again.

"I don't need an exception," he said. "I'm just like everyone else."

"No," Vader pushed, admittedly harder than intended. He knelt down in front of the boy, taking his two petite hands in his own and looking into his haunted blue eyes. "Luke, you are...strong. Very strong. But one should not attempt this journey alone. Accepting help does not make you weaker. You only must allow yourself to accept such support."

Luke looked down to his lap, gently returning Vader's grip.

"Would you…"

"Anything, Luke." The boy visibly bit back a sob, finally looking up at Vader.

"Would you hold me?" Vader felt another blow to his core. Here was the most powerful Jedi, the most fearless warrior, sitting before his former opponent now asking to be cradled like a youngling.

Vader stood, still holding Luke's hands, pulled the boy to his feet, and into his chest.

And Luke just began to cry.

It began as soft, hiccup-like sobs, then quickly grew into those awful, gut-wrenching wails.

Vader knew this was the time to comfort, to reassure, to tell his child that everything would soon be set right. At least that's what chapter four claimed in the parenting book he had downloaded.

Despite already having read the book and practically committing that part to memory, Vader couldn't even begin to conjure the proper words to comfort his child. He wished he could tell Luke that he was alright, that everything would soon be set right, but speaking those words would break his promise of honesty to Luke.

Vader not only wished for the skill to comfort his child, but he wished for words with authenticity.

As a galaxy full of wishes and worries ran through Vader's mind, he supposed all he could do was hold the boy tighter and send a prayer to the Force to help his son.

After settling the boy into his quarters with another warm cup of hot chocolate and what felt like empty reassurances, Vader had finally gotten Luke to calm down. Force, his heart still dropped to his stomach as he replayed the image in his head of those dark-shadowed eyes.

He hated seeing Luke like that, but more than anything, he hated his own powerlessness that came along with it. There was no formula to follow, no step-by-step guide to alleviate such emotional pain. Not to mention that reassurance and support was not Vader's strong suit.

He needed to do something, and quick; there was only one person he trusted to handle such grave situations.

Vader found having to remind himself to knock on the door to Piett's quarters aboard the Executor instead of storming his way through. Funny, occupying the identity of a Sith Lord for two decades not only obliterated one's soul, but one's basic manners as well.

He supposed he should add "eternally terrify others" to that list, for the second he stepped aboard the Executor, he could feel the temperature in the room drop a multitude of degrees.

The blast doors opened with a swish, revealing a mildly terrified Admiral Piett. Vader couldn't say he blamed him for such a reaction.

"Lord Vader," Piett said, clearly surprised but quickly masked the emotion with his usual officer-like stony expression.

"I apologize for arriving unannounced, Piett," Vader said, hardly any real regret in his tone.

"N...no problem, milord," Piett assured. "Please come in."

Vader offered his former officer an incline of his head and stepped inside the man's rather small quarters.

"May I…" Piett fumbled, clearly unsure of how to welcome and host one in Vader's physical condition.

"No," Vader said admittedly a touch too roughly. He added a reluctant "thank you" in an attempt to soften the blow he never meant to deal.

Piett nodded and gestured to the living area furnished with standard furniture. Vader almost expected finer items and a larger room, but reminded himself of how committed Piett was to his job as Admiral of the Executor, and certainly still was as Head of the Imperial Party.

"Please sit, my lord," Piett offered as he took a seat. Vader accepted the invitation, sitting adjacent from his former officer.

"What brings you here, Lord Vader?"

Stars, how was Vader to explain this without breaching Luke's confidentiality, yet while still communicating his urgency? He sighed as much as his respirator would allow.

"Firmus," he began, making Piett's eyes widen at the use of his first name. "You were my most trusted officer during the war. I come seeking an opinion."

"Of course, sir," Piett said through thinly-veiled confusion. "May I ask what this concerns?" Vader allowed himself to fall silent for a moment.

"My son."

Piett visibly tensed, seeming to sense this was far more important than any other matter could possibly be.

"I see," said Piett.

"I trust your clear judgement has remained intact, as well as your discretion." Piett nodded silently. "Good," Vader emphasized unintentionally. "I am calling upon your judgement."

"As a subordinate, sir?"

"As another who cares for my son."

The air fell still as Vader watched Piett digest these words. Ever since Vader had introduced Luke to Piett, Vader could sense Piett's gently fond feelings toward the boy. The moment Luke complimented his ship, it was all over; Piett was charmed by Luke's kindness (as everyone was) and took an immediate liking to him. Surely Piett would wish to help Luke, hence why Vader arrived at his doorstep in the first place.

"I take it Commander Luke is...not well?" Vader nodded carefully.

"He has experienced a trauma of which I had no knowledge," he explained.

"And he disclosed this to you recently?" Vader winced inwardly as a pang of guilt rang through him, remembering the regrettable method he had used to bring up the matter.

"No," he said simply.

"When did he come to you regarding this?"

"He...didn't. I...discovered it for myself."

"I see." Vader allowed himself to fall silent before finding the courage to speak his next words.

"I am worried about him, Firmus." Piett nodded in agreement, clearly worried as well.

"I believe that is natural for a father," Piett supplied. "Pardon me, sir, but what opinion do you seek?" Vader sighed.

"I am having difficulty finding ways in which to properly care for him," he explained. "I...hoped you had a thought on the matter." Mild surprise flickered on Piett's face, visibly shocked his former boss asked him for help.

"Well, it is clear you care for him a great deal," Piett began. "You have proven you will stop at nothing to protect him."

"Always," Vader responded with an instinctually fierce flare.

"Then I don't believe you need to be concerned if you will approach this properly. He knows you care for him a great deal, so I believe it will not matter how you go about supporting him."

Vader took a moment to absorb these words. Of course he cared for Luke unconditionally, and he would do whatever was necessary to ensure his safety and comfort, but how?

"I do not believe I am caring for him properly," Vader explained, defeat creeping into his tone.

"What have you done thus far?"

"I have...held him," he tried to describe, despising hearing those clumsy words. "And assured him of his strength." Piett nodded in agreement.

"I believe that must have helped him greatly." Vader could only sigh.

"I hope it has." Piett considered this for a moment, and then visibly had an idea.

"Perhaps he could speak with a professional?" he suggested.

"I do not trust therapists," Vader snapped.

"Does he have...a companion, with whom to speak instead?"

"Yes, I have offered for him to speak with me," Vader emphasized.

"O...of course, my lord. Pardon me for asking, but has he accepted this offer?" Vader thought for a moment, running through memories of his interactions with the boy since this came to light, and realized Luke hadn't truly spoken to him about how he was feeling.

"No," Vader admitted in a low voice. "He has not."

Piett hesitated before his next words, seeming to wish not to disrupt the already-shaken equilibrium.

"Do you believe speaking with a friend may encourage him to speak more openly about his struggles?" Vader knew Piett was right, but who would Luke speak to that could provide him better care than Vader himself?

He immediately dismissed the thought of the boy's sister, as he was sure Luke wished to keep this information from her, and Vader didn't wish to confront her. However, he did know of one friend of Luke's who could be useful, as this individual was loyal to a fault, but Vader wished more than anything never to lay eyes on him ever again.

"Yes," Vader responded simply.

"Perhaps speaking with this individual would help Commander Luke?" Piett suggested. Vader nodded as he continued to consider this.

"I believe so." He raised his head from its solid state looking directly to the floor and offered Piett an incline of his head.

"I appreciate your suggestion, Piett," Vader said, dancing around a proper "thank you." Piett inclined his head in return.

"Of course, sir. Anything I may do to help your son." Vader rose, adjusting his cape as he stood.

"Sir?" Piett asked as Vader began to simply stride to the door, unsure of proper etiquette on leaving a social interaction.

"Yes?"

"Will you...keep me updated on young Commander Luke? I am concerned for him as well," he admitted. Vader couldn't help but smile a touch under his mask.

"I will. You have my comlink number." And with that, Vader turned to leave, but stopped as he felt the need to say something else to fill the air…and to make a confession.

"I...appreciated your presence aboard my ship, Firmus," he said, trying to express that he admittedly missed Piett. The man smiled, nodding at Vader.

"Thank you, milord."

"And I appreciate your opinion." Piett smiled once again.

"Of course, my lord. I do hope your son's emotional state improves." Vader inclined his head one last time at Piett, turning to leave.

"Goodbye, Firmus."

"Goodbye, sir."

As Vader left the room and strode down the hall, he reflected on his meeting with Piett. He was grateful he made the decision to go see his former officer, for Piett offered him a good idea. Perhaps speaking with a friend would help the boy.

However, it wouldn't be easy for Vader.

If he went his entire life without seeing this individual and that insufferable freighter, he would be more than satisfied. However, if his presence meant helping his son, he supposed he could tolerate him for a few standard days.

A few.

Thanks for continuing to read! Fun fact: I didn't have intentions for Piett to appear in this tale, but as he seems to do in all of my other stories, he appeared anyway XD I hope you enjoyed the good admiral's cameo!