A/N: ***MENTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SELF-HARM AND FLASHBACKS*** Please tread with caution.

"I'll be right there," Luke called to Han from the bathroom. He blew out a deep breath after he pulled out the drawer holding his razor and grabbed the sharp, shiny object. He carefully lifted his shirt, poised the blade over his flesh, and made a swift slice in the skin.

Luke cringed slightly, but was very used to the pain by now, even welcomed it. He closed his eyes and lost himself in the blissful silence that quieted his raging thoughts for a moment.

However, a pounding on the door quickly shook Luke from his thoughts, causing him to make a rather deep slice. He hissed at the pain, but wished he'd bit his lip as he knew Han must have heard.

"Kid," Han said warningly. "Whatchu doin' in there?" Luke sighed as he realized he didn't have a choice but to face Han.

With a deep bow of his head, Luke pressed the button to open the door, concealing the razor in his pocket.

Han met him with features assembled in some mix of concern and anger.

"Luke," he warned. "Lemme see." Luke bit his lip, but wasn't about to back down, especially after what Han had done.

He swept past him, making it clear he was not happy with his friend.

"What?" Han asked, offence obvious in his tone. Luke fought the urge to growl- of course Han didn't understand...no one did. He sighed heavily, slowly turning around to face his friend.

"You...you told him," Luke breathed, turning around as he fought tears. "You told my father what I was doing."

"Luke-"

"No, I trusted you, Han. I told you not to tell him." Luke took in a shaky breath, trying ever so hard to hold himself together. Damn, why did he even tell Han in the first place?

However, Luke supposed he would prefer his father knowing about his cutting than him knowing about...about…

"Please tell me you didn't tell him about Ziggora." Han immediately shook his head.

"No, that one stays with me." Luke exhaled deeply, finding a little peace in his friend's words. However, he fell right back into agitation as Han continued to argue.

"Kid, you're taking a razor to your stomach and slicing yourself up- I couldn't just not tell your ol' man," Han explained with a sharp edge of defense in his tone.

"No, you could have kept your mouth shut!"

"No, I couldn't have! You're a danger to yourself."

"I am not! " Han's features contorted into sarcastic defense, that look that screamed Han knew he had the upper hand, the one Luke loathed. Han crossed his arms over his chest.

"Oh yeah? When's the last time you ate, huh? When have you given yourself more than five seconds to sit down?"

Luke's frustration grew so deep as to flush his cheeks. He bit down on his tongue as he saw tears begin to blur his vision. As much as he despised it, he felt one slip down his face. He jabbed an angry finger at Han, ready to give anything to clear the lump in his throat. Force, he hated all of this, every single bit.

"I trusted you," he whispered in a quivering voice. "And you went behind my back." Han's features immediately morphed to concern.

"Kid," he breathed. "I-"

"No," Luke stopped him, putting up a hand to halt any further weakly-justifying words from Han. He sighed. "I'm going to bed, and I'd like some space. Please leave me." Han immediately shook his head.

"Uh-uh," he said. "Not gonna happen, not on my watch. Either I'm staying or you're comin' with me."

"I said I'd like to be alone," Luke insisted again. Suddenly, Han seized Luke's arm, his grip leaving no room for argument.

"C'mon, junior," he said as he began yanking him from the room.

"No!" Luke protested as he struggled in Han's grasp. "Let go!" Han only tightened his grip as he tugged Luke more firmly.

"You ain't got a say in it this time, kid," he said. "You're comin' with me."

After some rough pulling, even with Luke digging his heels into the floor, he was shoved into Han's quarters with a firm push.

"On the couch," Han commanded. Although it practically physically hurt to acquiesce, Luke obeyed his friend, but not without a hard scowl.

Luke plopped down on the couch and Han motioned for him to lie down as he grabbed a blanket.

"You're sleepin' in here tonight," Han said with no space in his tone for any protest. Luke huffed a sigh of annoyance, but eventually listened, lying down on the couch. Han carefully draped the blanket over him. Funny, Luke almost felt his anger melt away as the heavy blanket enveloped him, almost like a hug.

After a moment of relishing in this calm feeling, Luke felt he could look at his friend without saying something he would later regret.

"Thanks, Han," he said. His friend offered him a smile and a clap on the shoulder, a sign of good faith.

"Night, kid. I'm right here if you need anything." Luke gave his friend a ghost of a smile.

"Goodnight." After Han's rustling of situating finally ceased, Luke allowed himself to truly relax under the warmth of the blanket, melting into the soft couch.

However, despite feeling the most comfortable and safe he had felt in a long time, after about four hours of sleep, Luke bolted upright with a scream escaping his throat.

Han immediately woke, scrambled from his bed, and rushed to Luke's side.

"Luke!" Han exclaimed as he immediately showed up next to him. Luke could only focus on his breathing and bringing himself back down to reality, away from the strong hands, the cold table, the...the…

In, out. In, out.

Han reached out a hand in invitation for Luke to hold, which Luke readily took. He squeezed tight.

In, out. In, out.

"Luke?" Han said warily. "Do you know where you're at?" Luke nodded, in Han's quarters. However, he squeezed his eyes open and shut on increment to bring the room back into focus, to chase away the fluorescent lights, the potent smell of medical supplies, the...the…

"Yeah, I'm in your quarters," he answered. Han visibly deflated in relief, and Luke finally looked over to him.

"I'm okay," he assured. "Really." Han gave him a wary look.

"You don't look like it," he argued. "Want me to get you some water?" Luke shook his head.

"No, thanks," Luke declined politely. Han's wary expression didn't fade.

"Alright," he drew out, clearly still unsure. "Let me know." He gave his shoulder a gentle rub and rose, beginning to head towards his bed.

"Han?" Luke called. Hells, what was Luke doing?

"Whatchu need, kid?" Luke sighed as he wished he had just kept his mouth shut. He bit his lip as he cast his gaze to the ground.

"Could I stay up there with you?" he asked in a small voice. Although surprise flickered across Han's features, concern dominated his face, and he nodded.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "'Course, kid. C'mere."

Luke quickly climbed into the bed; although it was large, Luke scooted close to Han. Luke wanted, or rather, needed physical contact.

Despite how surprised Han was to have Luke leaning against him, he accepted Luke's request and opened his arms to him, inviting him to cuddle.

"Could I stay here for a little while?" Luke asked meekly. Han pulled him in close, giving him a non-verbal answer.

"Yeah," he affirmed, running a thumb over Luke's bicep and leaning his head against Luke's.

"Always."

Just as he powered off his datapad for the night and concluded his research for a female therapist for Luke, Vader heard the most peculiar sound. Was that...meowing? From a cat?

He rose and strode down the hall to the door, opening and shutting it carefully so as not to wake the boy.

When he stepped foot outside, he heard it again- meowing. He damned his respirator's noisy breathing as he tried to listen for the creature, but made use of his heightened sense of sound. He heard something from his left, and slowly walked over to the garden. In the midst of the blue Ryoo flowers, he found exactly what he had suspected: a tooka cat.

It had a matted, greenish-blue fur coat with violet speckles, a very unique appearance. It was clear by the lash marks across its flank and incredibly skinny body it had been abused. It bared its sharp, carnivorous teeth at Vader and stalked backwards.

Vader approached the creature carefully, but it quickly turned away at the sound of Vader's measured breathing. Vader held out his hand, palm up in invitation to the frightened creature.

"It is alright," Vader assured, uncertain of how to properly beckon such a frightened animal. "I will not harm you."

After the creature continued to tremble, Vader carefully reached out with a tendril of the Force, soothing the tooka just as he soothed his son. He sensed a female presence, a terrified female presence. After connecting with the creature deeper, he felt pain, terrible pain. A wave of loneliness and betrayal seemed to drown her, most likely causing her to be so frightened now.

Vader couldn't help but think of his son as he saw this terrified creature before him. Broken trust, isolation, overwhelming fear, and a deep wound that would never fully heal.

After a moment, the tooka ceased her shaking, stuck her nose in the air to assess Vader, and gingerly stepped towards him.

Vader knelt down with his hand still held out to the tooka, and after a long moment, the cat accepted the invitation and nudged up against Vader's gloved hand. Ever so carefully, Vader brought up his hand to pet the creature over her head and down her spine. She seemed to like that, as she purred and leaned up against Vader again, nudging his hand to encourage him to pet her again.

This was very new to Vader- he had never possessed anything even close to a pet before. Well, if you didn't count a mouse droid. Even his own guarded, treacherous heart started to feel this creature burrowing her way inside.

Then, the Force whispered to Vader: he had to take the cat to Luke.

Vader thought back to his research and remembered reading a section of a book about how domesticated pets could be beneficial and provide comfort and happiness to those processing trauma. Maybe this cat would prove useful.

Ever so carefully, Vader reached out his arms to scoop up the creature. Although she immediately recoiled, she eventually crawled into Vader's arms as he began scratching behind her ear.

Once he secured the tooka, Vader gently wrapped the creature in his cape, hopefully providing her some warmth and keeping her hidden.

Force, he hoped Luke would like this tooka; if he didn't, Vader wasn't sure he could let her go anyway.

"Child," Vader called down the hallway the next morning, beckoning his son from his quarters. The boy poked his head around the corner, a quizzical look on his face.

"Yes?" Vader turned around to shield the tooka from Luke's sight.

"I...have something for you. Come." Luke's face still displayed confusion, but nonetheless, he came down the hallway.

"Are you alright?" Of course the boy asked about Vader's wellbeing first. His selflessness was becoming infuriating, knowing the toll it took on him. But nevertheless, it made Luke his son, so Vader couldn't be too upset with him.

Vader turned his back to Luke as the boy strode down the hallway, concealing the creature within his cape.

"Father?" Vader couldn't help but smile a little beneath his mask, just imagining the look on the boy's face when he saw the creature.

"Close your eyes." After a suspicious look, Luke obeyed.

Ever so slowly, Vader turned around, keeping the creature wrapped in his cape, but pulled it back enough to reveal the creature's face.

"Open."

If Vader could have captured this moment on a holo, he would have kept it forever: it was absolutely priceless.

The boy's eyes widened as he put his hands together over his mouth, his lips breaking out into a full, beaming smile.

"Oh my goodness," he whispered, reaching out his arms to cradle the creature. "A tooka." Vader nodded.

"For your recovery." Luke's eyes lit up, his smile turning a touch sad, but nonetheless shone bright.

"Thank you," he said, still astonished. "He's beautiful."

"She," Vader corrected gently. Luke's smile only grew as he held the tooka as close to his being as possible.

"She," he repeated. "She's beautiful. Where did you find her?"

"She was wandering outside the castle. She seems domesticated." Luke pursed his lip as he saw the angry scars dashing her side, running his finger over the marks.

Vader set a careful hand out to pet the creature's head. "I thought her presence may prove soothing to you." Luke nodded immediately, his gaze never straying from the creature.

"She's perfect," he said, beginning to stroke the creature's fur. Vader didn't realize Luke was crying until a single tear fell onto the cat's fur.

Oh no. Did Vader do something wrong? Was this a bad idea? He swore he read something about pets aiding trauma victims' recovery.

"Child?" he asked carefully. "Have I upset you?" Luke chuckled, mirth breaking through the thickness of his tears.

"No," he assured. "Not at all. I'm just really happy." The boy smiled brighter, sending tears spilling down his cheeks. He looked up to Vader, finally pulling his eyes away from the tooka.

"Thank you, Father," he said, sincerity saturating his tone. "So much." Vader smiled a touch under his mask as he reached out to cup Luke's face in his hand, stroking his thumb over his cheek and wiping away a stray tear.

"Anything for you, my son." Luke smiled at this even brighter as he continued to pet the tooka. He looked down to her with adoration, clearly enamored with her already.

"Do we have supplies for her?" Luke asked. Vader cocked his head.

"Such as…?"

"Like food, a bed, toys, things like that?" Vader felt himself freeze as he realized how underprepared he was for such a pet. Damn, why did he make such a rash decision?

But as he looked at the boy stroking the cat, a rare smile still on his face, he knew he hadn't made any mistake.

"I can buy some tomorrow," Luke said, continuing to run his hand over the creature's fur. "We can make do with what we have now." Vader felt himself relax at that, knowing he hadn't failed his son and this creature completely.

"Would you like any help?" Vader asked. Luke shook his head.

"I think we're okay for now, thanks." Vader realized with a smile Luke was referring to both himself and the cat.

"What, a party without me?" Vader bit back a growl as he saw that damn smuggler stride down the hallway, his trademark arrogance in each step. However, Vader drew in as deep of a breath as his respirator would allow, remembering their deal. Besides, the boy was happier than he had seen him in months- he couldn't possibly disrupt this calm equilibrium.

As soon as Luke turned around with the creature still in his arms, Solo's face lit up.

"No way!" he exclaimed. "Wire Wiz- I mean, Vader, was this your idea?" Vader inclined his head, appreciating Solo's correction.

"I found her wandering outside the castle. I believe she may aid Luke in his recovery." Solo bopped his head a few times in agreement, a smile blooming on his face. Vader wasn't sure which was the source of the smuggler's pleasure- the animal, or seeing Luke so happy.

"Good plan," Solo agreed. Luke began to gush about the creature to the smuggler, offering for him to pet her. Ever so carefully, Solo held up his hand for the tooka to sniff. Once Solo was deemed acceptable, the cat nudged her head against his hand in approval, asking to be petted.

"I think you made a friend," Luke said with a smile. Solo mirrored him as he ran his hand over the creature's back.

"Guess so. What are ya gonna name her, kid?" Luke visibly considered this for a moment, cocking his head to the side in contemplation. Then, all of a sudden, his face lit up with a wide smile.

"Kho," he decided. "It means "healing" in ancient basic." Solo nodded in approval.

"I like it, pretty appropriate," Solo agreed. "So are we gonna just stand out here or what? Let's show her around." Luke gave him another rare smile, asking him if he'd hold Kho for a moment.

Luke turned toward his father, reached out his arms, and clung to him in a tight embrace.

"Thank you," he whispered. Although stunned for a moment, Vader set his hands on the boy's back and patted him.

"You are very welcome, my son." Luke broke from the embrace, looking up to Vader and giving him another one of the smiles Vader had missed so incredibly much. Vader brushed a stray lock of hair out of Luke's face and smiled under his mask.

The boy turned and followed Solo to his quarters, most likely setting up a living area for the tooka.

As Vader watched his son's small form grow smaller and smaller the further he became, he couldn't help but smile. His methods were finally proving effective to the boy's healing, and he was sure this creature would provide him with great comfort.

Vader was doing it- he was finally helping his son.

A/N: Ahh okay two things!

1). KITTY!
2). The scene where Luke cuddles with Han after a nightmare was totally inspired by a similar scene in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." Peeta is my man XD

Fun fact: Luke was right about the origin of Kho's name! "Kho kom zoo" mean "healing" in Hmong.