TATOOINE
"So don't just dream of flying for the academy, make it come true." the Imperial Academy recording spoke into the nearly empty garage. A young blonde boy sat in the middle of the room, softly repeating the words said in the hologram as he tinkered with the family speeder, eyes sneaking to the speeder covered in the corner. His blue eyes fell closed and hands rested on his knees as his lips pursed together sadly. Luke Skywalker sighed and his shoulders slouched as he wondered of his sister's wellbeing in the Empire, it'd been five years since she joined the Empire and she hadn't really communicated with them a lot since then. In the first few weeks after her leave, Luke believed that she would come back for him and he'd tell people that she'd take him to see the stars. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, months into years and Luke had finally lost hope in her return; he didn't like to receive short transmissions where she half-heartedly tried to make him feel better because his longing to join her got worse.
The kids at Tosche Station loved to poke fun at him for his sister's absence. Rene had always been the one to accompany him everywhere and she'd be the one to tell the kids to back off, finger pointed out at them and cold brown eyes landed on them and they'd back off. Fixer had been the biggest problem his whole life, berating him for his lack of parents and now for Rene leaving him behind: "Look, fellas, his parents didn't want him and even his rotten sister left him in the dust!" Now, it was like Luke never could really catch a break- he couldn't get away from the constant degrading; both Biggs and Rene had left him on Tatooine to fend for himself.
"Exploration starts in the Imperial academy." The tape that droned on until the music reached it crescendo along with Luke, who spoke in sync subconsciously.
"You've gotta love it," Luke muttered to himself, voice distant. He brought himself back to the present and started to work on the speeder again. This year was his to claim, he would resubmit to the Academy and then he would leave for real- he wouldn't let Owen hold him back. Although, he did worry about Beru. Would he upset her for wanting to leave, or would she understand and allow him to run towards the only escape available to him off this dustball? Beru was compassionate and so caring while Owen was. . .nothing more than his uncle.
At a young age, Owen made sure that Luke knew who he was and where they stood. At the age of two is when Owen demanded he be addressed as 'sir' or 'Uncle Owen' when he accidentally called him 'dada'. It took a long time and a few lashes on the hand for Luke to call him sir and his sister Rene didn't like it at all. For as long as Luke could remember his sister defied everything that Owen set as rules and she did it willingly. They'd clashed heads more than the Tuskens and the Jawas do over who gets to sell and take property, she would point out chores he could do himself, she would stay out later than he had agreed with her, she would come to Luke's side when Owen decided he was an easier target. All Owen could do in response was mutter, "no good kid, just like your father" and Rene would proudly proclaim that she wanted to be her father and so much more. Luke believed that Rene did all these things that defied Owen so Luke wouldn't be on the receiving end of their Uncle's rage.
It really hasn't been the same since Rene left. Luke admittedly didn't have the courage to stand up against any of the people he proclaimed his 'friends', and they usually didn't have the courage to say anything to Luke when Rene was around. It'd been so long that they probably didn't fear her ice cold eyes and clenched jaw upon the mention of "wormie", no they'd poke fun at her. But still, that'd be so much better than being all alone.
"Skywalker!" Luke almost jumped out of his skin upon the call from outside, he took a deep breath and called back: "I'm in here, Windy!"
Not long after his call, Windy swaggered into the garage. There was a grin on his pale complexion and his brown eyes had their usual mischievous glint and his brown hair was either slicked back with sweat or gel, Luke couldn't tell but he looked good and he looked joyful. That's really all that mattered. Windy gave a small teasing wave of his fingers. "Hey, Skywalker,"
"Hi, Windy." Luke said with a nod and a small twitch of his lips, returning to his work.
"Now that we've got that out of the way, come on. We've got a little business with everyone, we're going out to Beggar's canyon." He placed a hand on Luke's shoulder, tugging him slightly. The smaller counterpart gave him a look, thick eyebrow raised and a skeptical look on his face that made Windy sigh. "And I-I need to borrow your sister's speeder, my skipper is actin' up and she managed to navigate the canyon, it's gotta be lucky!"
"Lucky," Luke scoffed, feeling quite offended but not all too surprised that Windy would use him for Rene's speeder. "I'm not allowed to touch, Uncle Owen says that he wants to sell it since Rene's not home anymore, it's gotta be in good condition."
Windy rolled his eyes, crossing his arms, "Who gives a Bantha's behind! Come on, Skywalker, live a little!" He shook him.
"How'd you get here anyway?" Luke asked, ignoring his topic for now. If Owen even knew that he had a thought about taking Rene's speeder out then he would be a dead man, he would take him by the back of his tunic and surely make sure he'd never defy his orders. But his uncle loved him… he did this because he loved his nephew. Beru told him various times that this was how his uncle expressed his love but...why did he put so much responsibility on him? None of the other kids had to worry about taking vaporators older than the Clone Wars, remembering which piece went where. Luke just wanted what every other kid had a childhood, something he could look back at with a smile.
Windy sighed, picking up various tools from Luke's bench and idly messing with them. "My folks came over in the landspeeder to see your uncle and aunt and I hitched a ride." He explained.
"Ah," Luke muttered.
Windy gave him a side eye, tilting his head which caused some stray black hairs to fall into his line of sight. He leaned against the bench and recognized Luke's distant gaze, with the tip of his boots, he kicked Luke's leg to catch his attention. "Hey, what're you looking all guilty for?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing." He hid his face in his work, wishing his hair was longer in order to mask the guilt on his face.
Windy hummed, unconvinced. "You've been acting like a wounded puppy since Biggs left." He pointed out, looking at the tapes scattered across the bench, he reached out for one and secretly looked at Luke with sympathy. This was a tape of many of the Imperial Academy recordings he had received over the years, something Luke would reference to his voice holding the utmost pride in it. Everyone was rather done with Luke's little rants about how great of a pilot he was, how great he had done on the test; it was stopped rather quickly by Fixer's mocking voice booming over him. Luke wasn't the most..expressive person on Tatooine, he could grow rather dull to be around- somber; he'd go on about how his uncle was treating and how Biggs wouldn't have let that type of stuff go past. Windy wished that he was Biggs just so the kid would shut up once in a while. Although Windy didn't blame him, his sister was out there and his uncle wasn't the best but he cared for Biggs too, Biggs was his friend so what gave the right for Luke to be so selfish?
"Look," Windy rubbed the back of his neck and placed the tape back down. "Let's get your mind off things and go out enjoy the fresh air!"
"I can't. Uncle Owen wants this fixed-"
"And you'll listen to this thing for the millionth time." Windy waved the Academy tape in the air, teasingly, grinning at Luke's irritated glance. "You're still seeing star novas, huh, Luke?"
"Windy, give it back." Luke whined, standing up and holding out his hand.
"The great Luke Skywalker: hero of the universe!" Windy teased, holding the tape just out of Luke's reach. The blonde muttered a curse to whoever was short in his family for passing that certain gene down to him, it always gave everyone else the upper hand. "When are you going to grow up?"
"Get your head out of the clouds, Luke, I'm not going to achieve much here." Rene had said, eyes kind and sad but held firm to her beliefs. The air outside was somber and Luke's heart was heavy, unrelenting and unwilling to let go of the only blood family he had. Yet Owen hadn't felt the same, his booming voice and disappointment was clear- he was final in not wanting Rene in the house while she had somehow betrayed them. Luke would never forget the motherly touch she gave as she raised his chin to look her in the eyes. "I'm not leaving you, uncle Owen doesn't want me here anymore. Just don't forget I'll always come back, kay? "
Watching her go had felt like lowering a body into a grave, lower and lower his hope dwindled until it was just a little knot inside his gut. Life had returned to normal for everyone else, the abrupt disappearance of Rene only affected some of the few that were close to her- especially Luke. He had suddenly tried to fill a hole in himself when she left, snapping out at Owen and only helping Beru. It hadn't lasted long and his already strained relationship with Owen was even worse by the time he realized he was letting himself get carried away in his emotions. Nevertheless, Luke had been affected by her sudden move to join the Empire and he hadn't ever truly been the same since.
"Hand it over, Windy, or I'll take it." The farm boy demanded, voice final and sharp.
Windy stared at his friend for a long moment, slowly shaking his head with a sigh. "Here, take it." Luke snatched it like it was the last bit of water on Tatooine. Windy placed his hands on his hips. "What're you getting so touchy about?"
"Just. . .open the door, I'll get Rene's speeder." Luke sighed in irritation. He walked over to the tarp covered speeder, pulling it back to reveal the glistening silver and matte streaks of black painted down the sides. Unfortunately, the inside didn't match the beautiful exterior, disgusting clashes of blue and green painted the torn seats and the mirror was broken in half but the bar still dangled a Japor Snippet supposedly made by their father when she was very young, something on Tatooine that was supposed to bring you luck. Luke wondered what most of her escapes entailed.
"Why are your parents here anyway?" Luke broke the silence as he jumped into the speeder.
"Oh, talk about the moisture harvest and complain about the crop prices, my mom wanted to speak to your aunt about something. Who cares, I guess it's a mercy visit, y'know?"
"Uh, yeah." Luke chuckled softly. "Aunt Beru is always eager for company, I think Owen keeps her cooped up too much."
"Hm." Windy hummed, leaning against the entrance.
Luke smiled softly, "Come on, Windy, this is the last chance I've got to have fun before the moisture harvest."
Windy happily jumped into the speeder, the two boys enjoying their ride.
It didn't take long for Windy and Luke to reach Tosche Station and when they did, Luke almost regretted it immediately. He didn't want to see Fixer today; he knew that the tall ginger would surely poke fun at him, as he always had. Fixer came from one of the wealthy families on Tatooine (people knew this only to be because Fixer's father and Jabba made a deal with each other long ago) and he had always held himself in such high regards that he didn't know anyone had real feelings. He was everything Luke was not, he could afford any clothes he wanted, he had a strong jaw and sharp dark eyes, well built, and he owned the little shop in Tosche Station. When you had Fixer, you also had Camie who was- in Luke's opinion - dumber than a womp rat. She was beautiful, yes. Camie was a soft looking woman but she didn't know what to do without Fixer by her side, it was as if she were a droid and her master had put her on stand-by.
Windy was quick to jot up the stairs and interrupt the laughter Fixer had created, "Fixer, hey, Fixer!" He ran a hand through his hair. "Skywalker's here."
Fixer sighed, his head falling forward and then tilted up to meet Windy. "So what? Don't bother me with a small fry." He hardly spared Luke a glance when he came into the station. "Where's the juice, I want one."
Camie grinned and grabbed one next to her. "Here, catch one." She tossed it in the air and Fixer caught it with ease, causing the room to erupt in laughter.
Luke stood off to the side with discomfort and slight annoyance, it was obvious that the "juice" wasn't just any juice but a liquor. It wasn't any surprise to him that the group had gotten drunk because that's pretty much all they knew how to do, he didn't blame them either- they hadn't gotten the same education as him. Well, of course, that education came from Beru and she taught him things that she knew, what was right and what was wrong. She taught him the same maths, the reading, cooking, and other types of things. The one thing he didn't learn from Beru was art, Rene had sat with him and taught him one day once he'd gotten upset. Of course, these lessons didn't last long due to Owen's complaining of it "being a waste of time" and "not meant for a boy". Luke always had troubles with his reading and maths but he loved to draw, his art was a way he could express himself without having the burden of thinking of words; he could draw the Tatooine suns or Jawas. The farm boy was free to express himself with color and scenery instead of words. Luke in those moments was just free.
"So, where's the party?" Luke asked, looking around the room that seemed to die down with his appearance.
"Wherever I am, Luke. Right, Camie?"
Camie let out a giggle, placing her hand on his chest. "Right, lover." They brought each other in for a kiss, one that made Luke turn away with disgust.
"Hey, guys, guess what Skywalker was doing-" Windy spoke up.
Luke's cheeks brightened and he tried to stop him, "Hey, Windy-"
"-he was in his garage playing an Academy recruitment tape!"
The room erupted once again and Luke felt ashamed. It was childish, he knew that, but he couldn't help but dream for an escape off Tatooine. Somewhere he could fly and just feel free, the Academy seemed like it was the only thing left for him to use.
"You never change, Skywalker." Fixer said, tipping his can towards Luke. "Is that all you want in life, to parade in a fancy uniform?"
Luke narrowed his eyes, "What you want isn't much better, Fixer." He snapped.
Luke struck a nerve making Fixer's grin drop and a dangerous expression take over. "You watch it, boy." He warned. "Just because you got lucky on some crummy test doesn't mean you're a junior space explorer."
Luke's jaw clenched and he scoffed. "I'm sure I-"
Fixer talked over him and spoke to the whole room with pride. "You know what I did when they made me take those exams?"
"What?" The room asked as a collective.
"I walked in, filled out my name, and walked back out again." They laughed and Fixer met Luke's burning eyes again. "The same can't be said about Rene though, huh, she had to show off?"
"She has some skill to show off, unlike you, Fixer." Luke snapped again, hands clenched at his sides and his face gradually turning red.
Fixer himself looked enraged, he stood to his full height. "You think you and your rotten sister are better than us, Luke? You think you're Biggs?" He walked towards him, placing his liquor on the table.
Camie glanced between them, biting her lip. "He just wants to go because Biggs is there."
Luke glanced at her with disdain, knowing what she was impling. All of Mos Eisley thought so, that Luke couldn't be his own person outside of Biggs; that his best friend was all that was interesting about him- nothing more. Luke could be his own person. He had been his own person ever since he was a small boy. His uncle had ensured he could fend for himself. Luke was grateful for that, and everything else he had done for him. Owen had taught him hard work and discipline, and was known to brag about that to other parents around Anchorhead. The only person Luke Skywalker should depend on was himself.
"Yeah, I'd like to go to the Academy. Why shouldn't I?" Luke spoke up, eyes darting sharply around the room.
"Because it's for suckers, Skywalker." Fixer crossed his arms over his chest. "They want to stick you in a uniform and give you orders. At least here, in the power station, I am my own boss."
"Anyways, my dad says that they're just getting people to draft them into the StarFleet." Windy informed.
Fixer seemed to have enough of the conversation, looking down at Luke over his nose he sneered: "Do you think anyone out there cares about Luke Skywalker?"
Luke winced at the way his name rolled off Fixer's tongue like it was a poison, white hot pain clenched at his chest as he thought that no one cared about Luke. He didn't have very many people in his circle and he was sure his annoying personality is what drove them away but maybe, just maybe, if he escaped from Tatooine he'd be able to meet people that didn't find him annoying. That he would find family.
"You leave home, nobody knows you." Camie shrugged, looking smug.
'No one would know you either.' Luke wanted to say but he restrained himself, keeping his eyes leveled with Fixer's. "So what's on the program today?"
"Speedruns, Skywalker, speedruns." He picked up his drink again, taking two huge gulps and let out a belch. "See how much time I can run off the back stretch."
"There's no way you can shave more off your time, Fix. You've almost beaten Rene's time!" Windy exclaimed, eyes wide with awe.
Luke blinked and tilted his head, Rene's time was the fastest they've ever recorded. She had vanished into the Stone Needle, they all believed her dead and Luke's heart dropped and then she had suddenly drifted back into view, whooping and cheering as her friend Kekla shaked in the passenger seat. Fixer came in second, seemingly shocked by Rene's victory and the fact that she had successfully navigated the Stone Needle. Kekla was beyond upset that Rene had risked both their lives in an attempt to bash Fixer's ego, which caused Rene to only laugh and pat her on the back. Luke sat in the back of the speeder, watching his sister in awe while Kekla shouted at her, cursing her for being so reckless while Rene looked back at him with raised eyebrows and a grin. In many ways, Luke felt like Rene was both his mother and father. She was caring and encouraging while she was also stern and very set in her beliefs, Rene was just the figure that Owen couldn't fill and Beru was living up to.
"Well Rene isn't here and I am. I'm as good as her- even better!." Fixer raised his chin, smirking.
"If you're so good, why don't you thread the Stone Needle like Rene and Biggs did?" Luke challenged him.
"Luke!" Camie breathed, glaring holes into his head.
"That ought to take five seconds or better off your time!" Luke continued.
Fixer rolled his eyes, "I'm sure Biggs and your sister are the only ones to get through the Stone Needle at racing speed."
Luke started to chuckled which just caused Fixer to grow more irritated, "I'm just saying, if you want to improve your time-"
"You're insane, Luke!" Camie barked. "Why don't you guys go out and hit some womp rats? This speedrun stuff is going to get someone killed."
Fixer turned his anger on her, "What's the matter, Camie? You don't think I can do it?"
"What, Fixer-" Camie blinked in shock.
Fixer scoffed, standing up once again. "I can do anything Rene Skywalker can do!"
"I never said you couldn't, Fixer." She said sheepishly.
"It's dangerous, Fixer, that's all she was sayin'." Windy was fast to come to Camie's defense.
Fixer shot him a look. "I don't need any short cuts. Hey," He poked Luke's chest making the boy frown deeper. " you wanna try and keep up with me?"
Luke smirked, raising his chin in defiance. "Yeah, alright, you're on."
Fixer blinked in surprise while Deak, who had been rather silent the whole time, gave a little whoop. "Wormie versus the Fixer, what a set up!"
Luke turned on his heel, standing tall. "You can ride with Fixer, Deak. Let's go, boys!"
Rene was waist deep in her speeder when Luke walked in, shuffling in the entrance with his nerves brimming over the edge like a sink an inch too full. He didn't know how to approach this, how he should ask her. It wasn't like he was going to go around Beggar's Canyon just yet but what she did in the Stone Needle was a wonder and he was curious, so he himself could beat someone in the races some day.
"What do you need Luke?" She asked within the speeder. Luke gave a little jump, sheepish to move from the doorway but shuffled forward anyway, his brown tunic suddenly becoming very interesting as Rene took notice of his silence and slipped out, leaning her hip against the silver. Her gaze was assessing and if Luke were anyone else they would've grown uncomfortable but he was used to her always grabbing for something more, asking him what was wrong. Rene crossed her arms, eyebrows up as she smiled just the tiniest bit. "You have a nervous shuffle every time you walk into a room."
Luke frowned, "What?"
Rene let out a little laugh, "When you enter a room you do this," she placed her hands in front of her, cupped, and shuffled her feet. "And then wait until someone notices." Luke blushed and shrugged, unable to offer an explanation. He smiled at her nervously and she frowned. "What's wrong, Luke?"
"Um, Rene, how did you navigate Stone Needle?"
Rene suddenly looked very uncomfortable, shifting on her feet similar to how she teased Luke for. "Luck, nothing else but luck." She turned back to her speeder and reached in, straining herself.
Luke's face pinched with dissatisfaction and he sighed softly, he went to turn when Rene spoke up. "I believed in myself, had a little hope. Those two together can be quite dangerous." She started to tinker again and he knew the conversation to be over, once again he turned and left his sister to his own devices.
Luke's nerves were brimming over the edge as Windy joined his side yet again, frowning in confusion. "Luke, I couldn't find your binoculars anywhere-"
"Who cares, Windy, get in!" Luke cut him off and Windy was barely in the speeder when Luke took off, sending the taller farmer back against the seat. Windy straightened, looking over at his friend like he was crazy: "What are you doing, Luke, you'll get us killed!"
"I'm standing for Rene," Luke said through his clenched teeth. He knew Rene wouldn't want him out here doing this in the first place but he just needed to keep that pride within the family. For a few moments, if he survived, Luke Skywalker would truly mean something to the universe. He would be someone and maybe someone would finally care.
The speeder came to a stop next to Fixer's and the man grinned wolfishly. "Here we go, Skywalker. One lap around the back stretch whenever you're ready." He said over the comm, turning his eyes back to in front of him.
Luke clenched his jaw, taking a deep breath and preparing himself. Windy seemed to finally realize what this race was truly leading to. "Wait a minute, you and Fixer in the bottle neck together? Count me out!"
"Then jump out." Luke said flatly. Windy gave a groan and moments later they were sent off. Luke's eyes were set in front of him but he didn't truly see, it was all happening too fast and he trusted himself with his instinct. That was until Windy decided to shout, "Look out!"
"Will you shut up and- oh, look, now Fixer's got the lead!" Luke said in irritation, pressing a button that caused the speeder to go faster than before but Fixer had gotten a lot of space between them. The passage was too narrow for Luke to get past him and if he got any altitude to pass over him, he and Windy would become a painting in the canyon wall, not so pretty one at that. His eyes brightened at the spotting of an opportunity to get a lead but it was through the Stone Needle. With a low growl Luke turned and brought the speeder into overdrive.
Windy blinked, shaking more than he was before. "Luke! You took a wrong turn, you idiot, you're going towards...the Stone Needle! This was your plan all along!"
"Yep! We shave five seconds off our time." Luke tried to explain but Windy was beyond consolation.
"Oh, I should've been nicer to my mom! My parents, oh I didn't even say goodbye to them! And Fez, who will take care of Fez? Luke, turn us around!"
"It's too late now!" Luke shouted as the Stone Needle came into view. The Stone Needle was an area that was open but the canyon was spotted with vast stone peaks, they were never in the same spot and you had to weave, drift, and change gears. Luke suddenly felt very doubtful of his own skills as the line of the first needles came closer.
"I believed in myself, had a little hope. Those two together can be quite dangerous."
Luke took a deep breath and tuned in with what that little gut feeling was saying and it was saying: LEFT! The speeder took a sharp left and Luke's eyes narrowed to focus on that feeling getting them through and not Windy's screams about how he never wanted to see Luke again, cursing him and his family pain. The farm boy didn't really care nor did he hear him, he listened to that little voice in his head that seemed to have a lot more wisdom than Luke or anyone on Tatooine because the time he came back to reality, they shot through the entrance of the Stone Needle and drifted into view of the finish line. There was no celebration for Fixer yet which only meant.
Luke reached over and slapped Windy on the chest. "Windy, we made it! Windy, open your eyes!" He demanded.
Windy's dark eyes cracked open and he immediately busted into tears. "I'm alive, I don't believe it!" He sniffled and took notice of the black smoke rising from the front of the speeder. "Look, your stabilizer is shot!"
Luke knew as soon as he saw the black smoke that Uncle Owen would chew his ear out and possibly ground him for life. He sighed and saw the finish line coming closer while Fixer only just made his turn. "We've gotta win this!" The speeder started to rock and jump as the stabilizer tried to work only to bring them further from their goal. The speeder started to drift and Luke's hope was slowly dwindling, he moved the steering in hopes to not run into a wall and when the speeder finally came to a stop, Luke gave a sigh of defeat. Looking around he noticed something wonderful.
"Windy, we-we won!" Luke started to laugh, his head thrown back and eyes closed from how much he was smiling. "We won!" A joyous woop left his mouth as he felt a happiness fill his chest like sand kissing his chest, the orange and yellows suns beating down on his face and masking over the red that formed from how hard he was laughing.
"We...won…" Windy said in shock, face pale and eyes wide. He slowly looked to Luke who couldn't stop laughing. "You're crazy. I'm getting a ride from one of the others."
Windy stumbled out while Fixer came to a stop and the others came down with shock written on their faces. Luke slumped lower in the seat and stared up at the clear blue skies with content on his face, hands cupped over his stomach. "Oh, Biggs. . .I wish you were here to see this."
Luke sighed and quickly made his exit before anyone could question him, especially Fixer who didn't seem too happy with losing to another Skywalker. The suns started to lower past the horizon and he became increasingly worried about Owen's outburst due to his failure to come home on time and for the state of Rene's speeder. Unfortunately, Luke couldn't possibly fix this disaster before the suns fully vanished over the horizon so he could only hope that, for once, Owen would take it easy on him. It was a foolish wish but he would wish anyway.
He remembered the one time he had stayed out with Biggs and some of the others, hanging out on the peak of Beggar's Canyon where they laughed and danced around like a bunch of fools. It had been a night that Luke could easily call one of his bests, both him and BIggs to fall back with mirth, staring up at the stars that were slowly forming and Luke had been at peace. That was until he realized that Uncle Owen never allowed him to stay out so late, Biggs had taken him home all the while Luke sputtered and cried. And surely, Owen was there at the entrance of their home.
He had been grounded for the rest of the season and Biggs could only explain himself when he snuck into Luke's room weeks after.
In a similar fashion, the speeder came to a stop in front of the house and Owen was a silhouette against the light leaking out from the house. Luke simply stared at his uncle while the man's knuckles turned white due to how hard he was fisting his tunic at his sides. The blonde took a nervous swallow, eyes shooting down and his hand shakily reaching out to turn the speeder off completely. With the silence, Owen took that as his cue.
"You're out of your mind, boy!" His voice boomed and any Tusken within the 50 kilometers radius would hear his outburst. Luke's muscles tensed and even though he was feet away he was afraid that Owen's hand would strike him, his eyes widened into saucers. Once bright blue eyes were now dull with fear- fear of his uncle. The dragon within Luke Skywalker's chest made itself known but only to him, only could Luke himself understand the anger he felt as Owen continued. "You're no good, that's what you are! Causing trouble, worrying your aunt half to death, doing what? Fooling around with your little friends and breaking one of our only speeders! Get out of that speeder and look me in the eyes when I talk to you!"
The volume of Owen's voice told Luke everything he needed to know 'Obey me or face the consequences'. The boy clambered out of the speeder and stepped towards his Uncle, with each step Luke felt as though he was growing closer to someone that could kill him if he wanted to. Not wanting to receive harsher punishment than usual, Luke desperately tried to meet Owen's eyes but every time his own grew closer to the fire within his Uncle's brown eyes, his anxiety wouldn't allow it. That had sealed his fate.
Owen reached out with a newfound burst of rage, his hand clamping around Luke's thin arm, swinging him to the ground. Luke gasped softly, blinking in shock, memories of when he was only three conjured up to something similar that had happened. He couldn't help the terrified yelp he released when the larger man stepped forward, Luke's arms shot up to block his face from view.
"You're pathetic just like your sister and just like your father. All you cause is trouble, problems!"
"Owen!"
Both their heads shot to the entrance of their home, standing with disgust on her features was Beru Whitesun. Luke wanted to sob for his savior, the clear hot tears that collected in his lids finally fell down his cheeks and created a trail down his face to under his chin. Her usually kind and gentle features pinched and she rushed to Luke's side, cooing at him before turning her anger apon Owen.
"What is wrong with you?" She snapped.
"This boy, that's what!" Owen's accusing hand went to Luke and he let out a breath, fearful.
"He's a boy, Owen, you have to teach him kindly!" Owen protested, her hand squeezing Luke's hand gently.
Owen scoffed, "He's a man now, Beru. He's 19, well on 20 soon!"
"I don't care!" Beru sighed in exasperation, turning back to Luke and talking in a gentle tone. "Come on, dear, let's get you inside." She helped him up and Luke didn't dare meet his uncle's burning gaze. After Beru assisted Luke inside, she must've returned back to Owen because he could hear their argument from his room.
Luke stared at his ceiling for hours, his eyebrows pulled together and lips wobbled as he finally let it all out. His hands clenched the rough blankets on top of him, using the texture to keep him in reality, to keep his mind at ease that he was very much in real life. But the ease was also a curse, because the more Luke was on Tatooine the more he realized that he was unloved and unwanted here. He couldn't accomplish anything here, he couldn't even make his own Uncle love him so what was keeping him on Tatooine for all this time?
Beru.
Beru had been the only reason for most of Luke's actions, he wouldn't leave Tatooine unless she was protected by someone that wasn't Owen. Someone that could love her and treat her the way she deserved, not someone that lashed out. Bitterly, Luke thought that there might be a chance for Uncle Owen to change his ways. Possibly that he would become nicer if Luke wasn't around...the boy-man had to get off Tatooine so everyone could have a better life.
With a shaky breath, Luke turned on his side and tried to fall into a slumber. It didn't take long, he supposed, because soon he was in a meadow with the soft sun beating down upon his skin. He no longer wore his usual, worn out tunic but a soft pastel grey sleeved shirt and long black pants that felt like silk. Luke couldn't explain his feelings with anything but euphoric as he fell back against the soft grass with a loud laugh, a smaller brunette haired girl pushing him down with a grin of her own.
He grabbed her waist and pushed her off him, the girl letting out a huff of air as she sat up and Luke looked around. In the distance he could spot Rene speaking with an older blonde, in his early 50s or late 40s while another elder woman smiled towards Luke and the girl. The old woman gave a wave and hesitantly, Luke raised his own hand waving in kindness to the other.
"Well, that was rude," Said the girl next to him. She looked to him with soft brown eyes and a button nose, lips thinned as she seemed to analyze him back. "But you don't seem to be having a great time."
Luke let out a bitter chuckle, closing his eyes as he remembered Owen's bites. "You could say that."
The girl snorted, picking a strand of grass out of his hair and falling back next to him. "Don't worry, outside of this dream, I'm not doing too great either." Her voice was distant and stern as she stared out at the sky, Luke's own cracking open to regard her in confusion. "Vader...the Death Star...all of it is going to end with someone dead and I feel so much weight on my shoulders because this was my mission. I could be the very reason that we don't succeed."
Darth Vader? Luke had heard of this person before but it was only legends and myths, there were rumors that Vader had once choked ten men at once. It had made Luke shiver under his blankets and refuse to go to sleep because he feared that he'd see the Dark Lord over him, choking him with a lift of his hand. It got to the point where Luke didn't even want to go to his room until...finally Rene had sat with him, promising that no such thing would happen and they held hands until he was asleep. It was the truth, nothing visited him in his sleep or cursed him with such nightmares.
Luke frowned though, she had called this a… "Dream?" He repeated, leaning against his elbows and eyeing her oddly.
The girl twirled her hand, picking at the fuzz on her pure white dress. "Of course this is a dream, I've only been to Naboo once and I surely don't know you." She laughed almost indignantly.
"Well, I don't know you either and this is my dream." Luke shot from his spot and waved his arm around the area. "I've never even been to this Naboo place!"
The girl blinked up at him in shock and sat up slowly. She seemed to think about this for a moment, weighing her options before she spoke again: "Are you okay?"
Luke blinked, his body frozen. "What?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Are you okay?" She asked again but even softer.
Luke's lower lip wobbled and he looked down, then said sharply: "I'm fine." His voice betrayed this though by cracking and revealing just how not okay he was.
"You don't sound okay." The girl lugged herself up and placed a hand on Luke's arm. "It's okay to not be okay, I don't know if anyone's ever told you that."
Luke looked into the girl's eyes and bit his lower lip, almost embarrassed for what would come out next. "No one's ever really asked me that." The girl looked disturbed by this as Luke rubbed the back of his neck and explained. "No one really cares about me-"
"That can't be true!" the girl smacked his arm with the utmost anger.
"It is!" Luke snapped back, he walked forward and waved a hand behind his back. "I don't know you and in a few minutes, I'll wake up."
The girl was silent and then spoke once again but it was sad: "Well, it was nice meeting you then."