Edit: 5/17/2020 dialogue tags fixed
"I'll be fine watching him."
Ben's ears prick up at the sound of Owen's voice. He'd only been dozing, but he'd effectively blocked all noises out.
"You've been watching him for the past few days." Beru's voice replies. Ben sits up slowly, hoping the couch won't creak as he strains to listen to the two.
"And I'll be fine watching him again."
"People have been wondering about you."
Ben blinks, thinking hard about what the two are talking about. He shakes his head and stands before following the voices into the kitchen.
"Is everything alright?" He asks, watching the two jump slightly. "I didn't mean to startle you." He tells them with a small smile gracing his tired features. Beru smiles back at him and waves her hand.
"It's fine. Everything's fine. Owen just won't listen to me."
Ben raises an eyebrow as the woman turns a stern face to her husband.
"You like going out. It'll be fine."
Beru sighs and looks at Ben.
"We're running low on a few things so we need to go to Mos Eisley to get them. However, Owen won't let me watch Luke while he gets the supplies."
"Oh?" Ben asks, though his question is lost in the intense staredown going on between the two. He smiles a bit wider as he looks between them. "And I'm guessing that Owen is perfectly alright with staying home?" The two nod, still not looking at the Jedi. "Even though you've gone the past few times and Owen's always watching Luke?" Another nod. Ben hums as he thinks about it. He tries to pretend to spend a long time thinking about their options, but he already has one in mind. "What about a third option?"
The two swing their heads to him with surprise on their faces.
"You don't mean-"
"Are you sure you'd-" They're speaking over each other and Ben nods. He's surprised to find himself bouncing a little on his feet as he thinks about the prospect.
"If you would trust me with the boy for the time you're gone, I would love to watch him." He says this to both of them, but his eyes meet Owen's. Ben can feel the slight guilt flow off the man, but he keeps his smile. "I know you don't want me near him."
Owen flinches a little at the soft, sad sound of Ben's voice.
"I also know that spending time with those you love is very important." A lump grows in his throat that he pushes back harshly. He won't cry. Not right now.
Maybe later.
"If you're sure you want to stay with him, then I see no reason why not," Beru speaks up, a wide smile on her face and Ben watches Owen glance at her. Ben knows that the man can see the excitement in the woman's eyes. They probably haven't really had much time to themselves since Luke arrived.
That causes a pang of guilt to soar through Ben.
"Of course. I promise to look after him."
Beru prattles off things he'll need to do for the child as she rushes off to get the list of things they'll need and the list of things Ben will need to know.
"I'm sorry."
The apology causes Ben's brain to screech to a halt.
"What do you have to be sorry for?"
Owen's face takes on a look of bewilderment before opening his mouth to speak.
"Here's everything you need to know Ben!" Beru's excited voice stalls her husband. She thrusts the list at Ben before grabbing her husband's hand. "You'll be fine and we won't be gone too long." Those are her parting words before the two leave.
Ben looks around the home, unsure of what to do with himself. The list doesn't have anything he needs to do that would involve the home. It's just for Luke. It tells him when to feed the child, what he likes to eat, what to do in certain situations.
Ben's heart hurts for a moment, but he's surprised to find that it's not because of sadness. He's genuinely happy for the boy and the Lars'. Maybe he made the right choice. Maybe he really has brought someone happiness.
Maybe he's actually done some good.
Luke's crying breaks Ben out of his thoughts and he all but runs to the boy. The child is red-faced with tears streaming down his cheeks.
"It's alright," Ben whispers as he lifts the boy out of the little crib Owen and Beru have set up for him. He changes the boy's diaper before checking the list. He finds that it's not near the time when Beru would normally feed him, so Ben holds the boy close to his heart and walks about the house. "There's nothing to worry about." Luke's crying has quieted a little, but there are tears still falling from his cheeks.
Ben finds himself back in the front room. He sits on the couch and brings the boy further up. Luke whimpers and rubs a wet face against Ben's tunic. The man just chuckles and rubs Luke's back.
His bag is still sitting by the couch and feels a whisper dance across his mind telling him to look inside.
Ben blinks a few times before looking at Luke who's gazing right back at him.
"Any idea why I should look in the bag?" Luke gives him a tired blink and shaky exhale. Ben hums and nods, as though contemplating some great knowledge. "Yes, I thought so too. Do you think I should look in it?" Luke gnaws on his fist and Ben nods. "You're absolutely right." He tells the boy, shifting on the couch so he's able to reach into the bag. "A prompting from the force should never be ignored." He rummages through the bag, items clinking every so often. Ben chuckles. "I sound like my Master." He mumbles, pausing as he takes in the realization.
Luke gurgles past his hand and Ben makes an indignant noise.
"I'm not old." He scolds the baby before his hand clasps an object in his bag. Something flies through his mind and he lets out a sad laugh. "I don't even remember putting this in here." He tells the baby. Luke's eyes have finally dried and he looks up at Ben with clear eyes. "We've got to move for a bit, so I apologize." The baby pays his words no mind as he keeps staring at the man holding him.
Ben places the object on the small table resting close to the couch. He presses a few buttons, double-checking that he's got his settings where he wants them, then turns the object on.
Stars shine in Luke's eyes as he gazes around in wonder. Ben's smile is soft as he too looks around. He lifts a hand and makes sure Luke is watching.
"We're here." He points to the orb, once again longing for things of the past. "This planet is called Tatooine." He informs Luke who now has one hand in his mouth and the other grasping for planets and stars. "You're father was born here." Ben's heart stops and his mouth dries. "He was a good man. More than that, he was my brother." Ben's voice has dropped to a hush, but Luke doesn't seem to pay any mind to the sad man's thoughts.
"You would have liked him, I think." Ben sighs and lowers his gaze. "He would have loved you. He would have done anything for you." He pauses, a shaky breath leaving his mouth. "He did do anything for you." Ben shakes himself out of his misery at the sound of a soft gurgle leaving Luke's mouth. Ben can feel the drool dripping onto his hand that grips the child.
"So, pick a planet." He stands and lifts the boy higher, allowing him to reach for any planet as they fly by. The tiny hand touches one and Ben smiles. "Ryloth, huh?" He sits back down and cradles the boy close. "I've got a story for that one. It was during the war, by the way. The planet was…" The process continues, one after another as Ben's voice grows softer and softer the more he talks. Planet after planet, story after story, until finally, his voice gives out and sleep calls him.
He doesn't remember drifting to sleep. He remembers laying down to tell another story with the weight of Luke pressed gently against him.
The holo remains on with a planet highlighted as they both drift to sleep.
Beru desperately wishes for a holo of that moment.
Owen is happy to oblige.