Basically a universe where Vader raises Luke on Coruscant until he is sixteen and an assassination attack happens that targets both Vader and Emperor Palpatine. Palps died (thank god), but Vader survived and ends up in a coma for like ten years, leaving poor Luke to take the throne. In this one-shot, our dear Sith Lord finally wakes up.
Vader was sure that if it were not for the respirator that constantly forced oxygen into his lungs, he would have stopped breathing altogether.
His lips moved before he could even command them to. "L-Luke?" were his ears deceiving him or had he actually heard himself stutter for the first time in years? His permanent use of the vocoder always made it impossible to even worry of such a thing but he doubted that now, disbelief clouding his thoughts as he took in the young man in front of him.
He had certainly grown even if he now only reached his shoulders, but still was classified as short by human standards. Vader was not surprised. After all, it was her built that Luke had inherited.
The once feathery blonde strands had darkened significantly, morphing more into the light brown shade that Anakin Skywalker had once proudly boasted. Well, he couldn't exactly see color to be sure but that seemed to be the only logical explanation as to why Luke's hair appeared darker in his red lenses. And he had a suspicion that the boy – no, man – was paler than Vader had last seen him. Was it because of the dark ceremonial robes that clung to his frame or was Luke not receiving enough sunlight?
He frowned, making a mental note to inquire about it later.
At last, his gaze found itself on Luke's face, ignoring the tug of pain that occurred when his dry lips unconsciously curled into a proud smile. Everything practically screamed Skywalker but Vader could still make out the faint touches of the Naberies. Padme's nose stared right back at him, as though attempting to awake the memories once possessed by a dead man. For once, he paid them no mind. This was his son! His grown up son!
"Father", Luke choked, clearly struggling to bite back a planet's worth of tears. Vader did the same and flinched at the sheer maturity now embedded in Luke's voice, as though to jab a reminder of how much that he had missed.
"You have grown well", Vader said softly, the words more of a realization to himself than a compliment to Luke. The young man's eyes brightened and a shy smile formed on his face. At that moment, Vader swore on his dead mother's grave that he saw a familiar sixteen-year-old once more.
"So, are we just going to stand here or what?" Luke joked, trying to ease the situation. Vader had to admit that it worked as he let out an amused snort before pulling his son into an embrace, the latter wrapping his own arms around him in return.
The moment he did, Luke began to cry, tears of joy and relief splintering on his chest plate. Vader still continued to hold him, gently rubbing circles on his back, despite aware of how easily something could short-circuit. It was at least five minutes later, when Luke finally looked up, with no new tears glistening in his eyes.
"I missed you", his son whispered and Vader tightened his grip protectively in response, hoping that would remind Luke that he would continue to be here. "As did I, little one", Vader replied quietly.
"You don't get to call me that anymore", Luke protested, sniffing and Vader snorted inwardly at that.
"You are still years my junior, son" Vader state fondly.
"Whatever you say, old one", Luke said easily. Vader gaped behind his mask, deeply offended. How dare his child-
But before he could open his mouth, Luke spoke first. "Well", he started, mischief and cheekiness glinting in his eyes. Vader actually dreaded what his son would say next. "you are still years my senior", he pointed out innocently.
Vader bit back the urge to scoff, relenting immediately. He had no doubt that Obi-Wan was having the time of life watching him now, wherever the old fool was.
"Your Majesty?"
Vader let go of Luke instantly, the young man gracefully turning around to face the newcomer. It was an older man, presumably in his early 50s, standing awkwardly at the door of the med bay, clad in a uniform only an Imperial Officer would wear.
And as Vader studied him longer, the more he was willing to bet his entire ship collection that he knew this man.
"Yes, Piett?" Luke asked, causing Vader to feel as if his jaw had landed on the floor. For once, he was grateful that his mask existed.
Now, Vader could see it.
The Admiral had aged, perhaps more than he should have. It was obvious the years hadn't been kind to him because of the extreme levels of stress he repeatedly faced. If Vader had done his calculations accurately, Piett was definitely not in his 50s. The Force told him that most parts of his head were grey, others as white as snow. Lines of time had formed on his face but he still held himself just as well as his younger self, but despite it all, Vader could not believe his eyes.
Just how much had changed in only a decade?
Then Piett noticed his presence. "It is fortunate to have you back, 'milord", Piett acknowledged with a bow. Vader just nodded, too shocked to say or do anything else. "I apologize for interrupting this family reunion but", Piett paused as if unsure to continue but did so anyway. "she has no stopped asking for you".
She? Curiosity ignited in Vader like a candle as he processed this. She?Just of whom was Piett speaking of? Then, his attention landed squarely on Luke.
Something quickly clicked inside him and he instantaneously understood. Perhaps this she was someone of romantic ties to his son? A wife, maybe? That was by far the only thing that could explain this. He was hit by the painful reminder that his son was now a man, a man that was undoubtedly old enough to have a love interest.
He stared at Luke's right hand, his eyes proceeding to search for the shape of a ring, in order to prove his assumptions correct.
But there wasn't.
Perhaps they were not married yet? Vader wondered, relief flooding him at the thought. If this was just a girlfriend, that meant Vader still had the chance to witness his son's engagement. If he had missed out on so much, he might as well look forward to Luke's wedding.
"I thought she was still sleeping", Luke said with a sigh, an exasperated but seemingly fond hand raking through his hair. "Fine, I guess that it will be alright for her to be here".
"Very well, Your Majesty", Piett answered, and left from their field of vision, leaving them alone once more.
"My name is Luke", he heard Luke mutter under his breath. "Not Your-"
"How long have you been involved with this woman?" Vader inquired, trying to sound casual.
"W-What?" Luke spluttered.
Vader crossed his arms. "I was not born yesterday, son". But he had woken up yesterday, he mused to himself.
A split second later, Luke's eyes blew wide, clearly in sudden realization and…horror? Vader assumed that he had imagined it when the young man proceeded to burst into laughter, causing Vader to raise his nonexistent eyebrows in surprise.
What in the galaxy did his son find…so amusing?
"Would you care to explain yourself?" Vader snapped in annoyance.
Luke looked at him, his face bright red from all the laughter and said. "It's just…", Luke trailed off with a wheeze. "we're not dating!"
Then, he continued to laugh, roaring with mirth and humor, unable to hold himself back any longer.
"Who is she then?" Vader asked and then raised his voice. "For Force's sake, cease your pointless-"
A knock sounded and the two of them turned to the doorway, the current Emperor of the galaxy struggling to collect himself. Piett had returned, but this time, he was not alone, his companion standing behind him. Whoever it was, was obviously not very tall as it was completely impossible to obtain a glimpse of her.
If it were not for her blinding Force-Signature, Vader would have assumed that Piett had returned alone.
Luke then crossed the room, swiftly making his way to the doorway. He knelt down and landed his gaze on the person, whispering something to her behind the Admiral, words to soft for Vader to hear. A brief moment later, Luke rose before whipping around.
Vader watched with confusion as Luke led a young girl to him.
She appeared to be about 4-5 years of age. Her dark hair was carefully pulled back into three messy buns at the back of her head, a hairstyle that Padme would have frowned upon given the chance. Her round brown eyes were fixed on Vader, a childish curiosity that could rival a tooka's burning in those irises.
She showed no fear at the sight of him, not intimidated the slightest unlike numerous children her age would have been. Instead… she stared at him with more fascination than terror.
Before Vader could vocalize his mental question, Luke spoke before him for the second time. "Father", he began as a grin broke loose on his face. "Meet Rey Skywalker, your grand-daughter".
A/N
Rey is adopted, btw. I might include another chapter of this AU in the near future. Please leave a review to tell me what you think. Reviews really make a person's day and help them improve any flaw they have. They help me write. (:o) Constructive criticism is welcome as well. I suspect there might be some spelling or grammar mistakes, point them out if you can't take them. Trust me, even I have no idea what I end up typing in the middle of the night.
Oh, and one more thing. A Shrunken Skywalker is now a separate book.
