A/N: ***MENTIONS OF SELF HARM***

A little shoutout to Ladyvader23's "Darth Vader Goes To Therapy" in this chapter! I 1000000% recommend her story; you've got the perfect brew of beautifully-written father & son feels, nail-on-the-head characterization, and humor that will leave you giggle-snorting in public XD Thank you so much for sharing your story, my friend!

Also just a friendly reminder that I'm not necessarily looking for constructive criticism on my work- thank you to those who took the time to try to help me improve my writing, but I know my brain, and I'll fixate on it and feel really insecure for a while.

Thank you!

As the sun set over the thick, vegetated forest, Luke settled into his bed for the night, more than happy to feel the warmth of Kho at his side.

Kho, his pet.

His pet.

He smiled as he reached out to pet the creature's head, beginning to coo to her as she trembled- again or still? Luke couldn't be sure.

Poor thing, in a new place with new people, unsure if she would be mistreated again or not. Luke ran his fingers across her scars, wishing he could erase them with his touch.

However, these marks of abuse were permanent, inside and out.

Luke knew that all too well.

He continued to stroke Kho from her head all the way down her spine, helping her tremors to lessen in intensity. Eventually the vibrations of her body morphed from fear to some level of contentment, and Luke soon realized she was purring.

Luke loved making her so happy, making her feel so safe even in a new, uncertain environment.

It was only a few short moments before Luke realized how safe her presence made him feel as well.

And not only safe in the presence of the cat, but in the presence of his father as well, even more strongly than usual after being given the creature.

Although he only meant the best, Luke's father was...not the best source of comfort in this situation. He always stumbled on generic reassurances, but his strong grip around Luke certainly made up for it. He never really allowed Luke to speak, only assured him with facts he found on the Holonet, but they always showed he cared. He wasn't always the most nurturing, but did Luke feel safe in his presence? Always.

However, ever since his father discovered Luke's secret (well, one of two), Luke couldn't help but feel insecure and vulnerable around him. Luke almost felt like he was see-through. Every second he was with him, he felt like his father was about to say something else revealing, especially anything regarding Ziggora. He was beginning to feel his father's trust for him slip away, little by little. It was only a matter of time before the reserve dried up, and his father would no longer trust Luke.

Maybe he could tell him…

No, no, he absolutely couldn't. That would never happen, could never happen. If his father found out, Luke didn't know what he would think, say, or do...especially in reprimand to Luke.

Oh, how much trouble Luke would be in if his father found out how long Luke had been keeping this from him.

And how shattered his father's heart would be.

The silence.

Luke needed the silence, and he needed it now.

However, Kho brushed up against him, rubbing her head against his side as she purred...the side Luke had sliced up so often, the side he felt the itch to slice again.

But he couldn't leave Kho, not now. Not when she was so vulnerable, so scared, so...so…

So broken.

Luke realized he was to Kho what his father and Han were to him: there.

But no, no, he didn't need them, he was just fine on his own. There was no one, aside from Ziggora's other victims, who would understand what Luke was going through, and Han and his father were no different. Force, why couldn't he have planned a better escape?

But as Luke looked down to the kitty rubbing and purring at his side, he realized he couldn't leave her, he wouldn't.

Just as Han and his father wouldn't leave him, not even if Luke tried to push them away like he had been.

Luke sighed as he continued to pet Kho, gently scratching behind her ear.

"They're trying so hard, Kho," he said to her. "But they just don't get it." She purred, leaning against his hand, seeming to try to comfort Luke. "But they're trying, and I guess that's what matters. Besides, my father found you." Kho leaned in and gave Luke a gentle kiss with her tongue, continuing to comfort him. He smiled down at her, feeling the expression reach his eyes.

"I love you, Kho, already," he whispered, scratching behind her ear. She meowed, reciprocating Luke's words in her own language. Luke continued to smile, leaning forward and giving her a kiss on the top of her head. He shifted her closer to him, as close to his being as possible.

"I know it's scary right now," he said. "But I promise it will get better. You're safe. You're so safe."

Vader found himself clenching his gloved fists in increments as he waited for the therapist to emerge from her office. He had researched every therapist this planet had to offer, and this woman, Mebal Izaberk, seemed like the best fit. She not only had extensive experience and education in psychology alone, but she specialized in trauma victims, specifically those who have survived sexual assaults.

Vader just hoped this would work out, as he wanted to sweep Luke into a professional's office as soon as possible. He murmured a small prayer (or was it a curse?) to the Force as he waited.

At that moment, the door to the office labeled "Mebal Izaberk, LPC" opened, and a rather short Twi'lek emerged.

The moment Vader laid eyes on the woman, he had a strong feeling from the Force this was the therapist who would help Luke the greatest. Despite Vader's obviously-intimidating presence, she extended both arms out to hold Vader's hand gently in both of her own petite hands, already giving off a serene, motherly aura. She clearly did not harbor even an ounce of fear.

"Hello, Lord Vader," she greeted, "I'm Mebal Izaberk, I'm glad to meet you." Although Vader's immediate reaction would have been to recoil from the touch, snapping at the speaker verbally and physically, he found himself relaxed. He couldn't help but be reminded of his mother. Vader inclined his head at her.

"I am glad to meet you as well, Miss Izaberk." The woman laughed a little.

"Please, call me Mebal," she corrected, smiling warmly. "Come in, I have a seat waiting for you."

As they stepped into her small office, Vader found himself almost settled already by the dim lights and a soothing, unfamiliar floral aroma, and he knew his son would feel similarly.

"I'm happy to have you here, my Lord," Mebal said as the pair took a seat. Vader nodded at her once again.

"Thank you," he said, unsure of how to properly respond. She smiled again, but Vader didn't find himself feeling defensive. Perhaps this...Mebal, would prove herself useful.

"So," she began, "You are looking for a consult, correct?"

"Yes," Vader answered.

"And are you the patient?" Vader almost laughed. Therapy? For Darth Vader? Who did this woman think he was?

However, with a cringe, Vader did recall the time he was forced to attend "a session" by the galactic justices, but that counselor didn't last ten minutes in his presence. Hopefully this woman wouldn't make the same mistakes at a mere consult appointment.

"No," he clarified. "My son is the patient." Mebal nodded as she grabbed her clipboard, quickly etching something onto the paper.

"And what is your son's name?"

"Luke," he answered simply, not wishing to reveal his last name and be forced to explain the conundrum that was their family. Mebal smiled.

"Such a beautiful name," she remarked. "It means 'light' in ancient basic." Vader smiled a touch beneath his mask.

"That would make a great deal of sense." Mebal continued to smile.

"You actually just answered one of my questions," she said. "I was going to ask what he's like." Vader found himself faltering trying to describe his son. He is wonderful, good…

"He is everything." Mebal's expression melted. Perhaps this open display of emotion would prove helpful to Luke. After all, the boy was more in-touch with his emotions than Vader would ever be, and this woman seemed to be very open about hers as well.

"That is so beautiful," she gushed lightly. "Thank you for sharing that with me." She scooted forward in her seat with her clipboard in her lap, fully attentive, and clicked her pen.

"So, Lord Vader," she began. "I have some questions for you, and I know you have some questions for me. Would you like to begin?"

"Yes," he said, still getting used to people asking him if he'd like to do things and not simply quaking in their boots as Vader gave them an order. Nevertheless, Mebal still smiled.

"Go right ahead," she invited. Vader pulled out his own list on his datapad, scrolling to find the document listed "Questions for therapist" (mentally subtitled "the one who will be lucky enough to finish this list").

"What sort of licensure do you have in trauma counseling and mental health?" Vader asked. Mebal proceeded to explain that she'd begun her career studying education but soon realized she was better suited for another calling, as her true passion was found in understanding the minds around her and learning how to help them. Now she holds a master's degree in psychology with a special interest in trauma (and a rather long explanation of how she obtained it), and how she was dubbed an LPC.

Vader nodded once, remembering such information from his extensive research on the woman. Her honesty gave her even more credit.

"What approach do you take with victims of trauma?"

"It depends on what type of trauma we're looking at, but I typically use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy." She went on to explain its definition, use, and how it has helped others in the past. Vader jotted down notes on his datapad, also remembering seeing DBT in his research.

Vader dropped his gaze as he saw his next question, the one that would breach Luke's confidentiality. However, Vader knew it was necessary for Luke's recovery to share this information. After all, this woman was a professional, and she was bound to confidentiality. He sighed as much as his respirator would allow, and brought his gaze back up to the Twi'lek.

"What experience do you have working with...sexual assault victims?" Mebal visibly tensed, and her expression morphed to a sympathy she couldn't seem to tame.

"I have a great deal of experience working with survivors. I have been working with them since the start of my career." She then paused, seeming to grow a touch shy. "I am a survivor myself."

Vader felt the air still, and he faltered for what to say. In the best way, he was pleased to hear that this woman shared an experience with Luke, most likely establishing trust between the two at a faster rate, but at the same time felt...uncomfortable, almost in her honor. Was this...empathy?

"I see," Vader said, at a complete loss of what to say. How was one supposed to respond to that?

"I take it your son is a survivor also?" Vader inclined his head as he kept his gaze to the floor.

"Yes." He paused for a moment before his next question, hoping Mebal would have something with which to fill the air; however, he simply continued. "How has this experience...influenced your counseling approach?"

"My personal experience has shaped how I council my clients by offering personal stories to relate to the client's situation," she explained. "It motivated me to pursue this career." Vader inclined his head.

"I believe your first-hand understanding of this issue would help my son trust counselors," Vader said.

"Is Luke unsure of therapists now?" Vader nodded.

"He has never been seen for psychiatric matters...at least not on his own accord." The Twi'lek nodded.

"I see," she said. "Well, if you chose me to be his counselor, I can work to help him gain trust in therapists again," she offered. Vader's heart ached as this woman continued to remind him of his mother.

"What other questions do you have for me, Lord Vader?" He glanced back at his datapad, realizing he would need information from Mebal first before she could answer them properly.

"I have others that may segway from your questions." She nodded, bringing her clipboard to the front of her on her lap. She ran her finger down the page while clicking her tongue.

"To start, what sort of behaviors have you noticed in Luke that prompted your coming to see me?" Vader sighed as much as his respirator would allow, continuing to feel awful for breaching Luke's confidentiality, but reminded himself this was necessary for his son to heal.

"He has not been eating," he explained. "He has lost a significant amount of weight. He becomes startled easily, and he becomes emotional very easily as well. He has also been...harming himself." Mebal etched something onto her clipboard.

"Harming himself how?"

"I have discovered small cuts on his stomach." Mebal nodded, jotting down more notes on her clipboard.

"How long have you noticed these symptoms in him?" Vader sighed, not in the mood to explain the conundrum of the Skywalker family and how they came to be reunited to someone he just met. Hells, anyone for that matter.

"We have only been in each other's company for about two standard years," he explained simply. "I have noticed these symptoms in him the entire time we have been together, but they do seem to be escalating." Mebal continued to etch notes into her clipboard, this one particularly long.

"Do you believe this all stems from the assault, or has Luke experienced other traumas?"

"No," Vader said, regret weighing heavy on his tone, knowing he played a significant role in Luke's overall distress. "He fought in the Galactic Civil War." She nodded as she continued to write.

"I see," she acknowledged. "If Luke and I work together, we could also talk about working through that trauma if you two would like."

"I believe that would benefit him immensely." Mebal finally looked back up at Vader, smiling a little.

"You already partly answered my question, but is there anything else I should know about Luke?"

"He is very selfless and will apologize profusely," Vader said immediately, admittedly a little harsher than intended. "Do not allow him to do so. He will put up a fight, but you must remind him he needn't be sorry."

The Twi'lek nodded in empathetic understanding.

"That is very common in survivors of trauma," she explained. "I can definitely work with him on that." Vader inclined his head in approval.

"Good." Mebal smiled.

"It's clear you care for him a great deal," she said. "It seems like he has a strong support system already." Vader tensed, unsure if that statement was truly accurate.

"I do my best to try to help him, but I am willing to accept help from a professional." She smiled again.

"What have you done thus far to support your son?" Vader faltered as he did when Piett asked him the same question.

"I have...assured him of his strength," he said. "And held him when he has become emotional. I have also summoned a friend of his to stay with him for a while." A sad smile grew on Mebal's face, seeming to sense his hesitation. Could she be Force sensitive? Or just very good at her job?

"Those methods must have helped him greatly," she assured. "Validation is essential to the healing of trauma survivors, and physical contact never hurts either. I'm sure a friend is very beneficial as well." Vader felt a pang of pride in his chest as she validated him. Maybe having a therapist wasn't so bad.

"I have also provided him with a tooka cat," Vader explained. Mebal's expression melted again.

"That is so sweet," she gushed. "How has he taken to the cat?" Vader smiled a little.

"Very well, he has taken a great liking to her." Mebal smiled as she jotted down another note on her clipboard.

"Pets are a great help to survivors, and anyone for that matter! Have you noticed any difference in Luke since he has been with the cat?"

Vader thought back for a moment- although it had only been a few days, he had noticed Luke's mood lighten, and saw his smile return.

"Yes," he affirmed. "I have seen him much brighter than the first time in months." Mebal continued to express her own happiness at hearing this as she continued to write notes.

"What other questions do you have for me, my Lord?" Vader glanced back down to his own notes.

"How soon will Luke and I begin seeing results?" Mebal hesitated as she began her next sentence.

"Lord Vader," she began. "As much as I'd like to tell you that your son will begin feeling "better" immediately, it will take some time and effort from us all. And there won't be a "cure," Luke will always live with this trauma. However, we can lighten the burden through our support. Does that make sense?" She paused as Vader digested these words. No cure? But with the right amount of therapy, wouldn't Luke feel better?

But Vader supposed he understood how trauma in general could not be "cured," only managed. He knew he would never "get over" his entire life as a slave, nor the rest of his trauma buried deep within his treacherous heart.

"I understand," Vader affirmed. The Twi'lek smiled one last time.

"Any other questions, Lord Vader?" He smiled a little.

"When can you start?" Mebal lit up, her eyes widening and brightening.

"Oh my goodness," she whispered. "You would like me to care for your son?" Vader inclined his head in affirmation.

"Yes," he confirmed. "I believe you have the appropriate qualification, wisdom, and a first hand experience that will greatly help my son heal from this deep wound." Mebal smiled wider than she had during the entire session.

"Thank you, sir," she said, still clearly astonished. "I am honored." It was now Vader's turn to smile lightly as he rose from his seat.

"Are you available to meet my son next week?"

"Of course," she agreed. "Will Monday at 13:00 work?" Vader nodded. He stuck out his hand to shake hers one last time, finding himself partially wishing she would take his hand in her own two again.

"I look forward to working with you, Lord Vader," she said in closing. Vader inclined his head as he shook her hand.

"Likewise." He then exited the office, and as he strode down the hallway towards his ship in the docking bay of the building, he reflected on his conversation with the therapist.

Personal experience, Vader thought. That would prove useful. Although Vader vowed he would never return to therapy ever again, he supposed if he hypothetically had a consultant who had been through some similar struggles (although he was positive hardly anyone had endured the hardships Vader had in his almost five decades of life), he would be more likely to speak about them.

He prayed to the Force that Luke would feel the same, as he would never forgive himself if Luke felt the way he did now for the rest of his life.