AN: Everyone knows I don't own Star Wars. This was written as a birthday gift for my mom.
"What You Have Now"
By EsmeAmelia
Beggar's Canyon wasn't the same without Biggs.
Luke rode the same swoop bike through the same rocky walls that provided the same much-needed shade from Tatooine's double suns, he still smelled that familiar scent of dust and rock and heard the familiar whir of the swoop bike as it vibrated under him, but it was what he didn't see and hear that stuck out. He didn't see the blur of Biggs's bike next to him, didn't hear his friend's good-natured taunts, didn't have to push through the narrow parts of the canyon side-by-side with Biggs's bike.
He brought his bike to a gradual stop and gazed up at the line of sky between the canyon's walls. In the days counting down to Biggs going to the Academy, he'd begged Owen over and over to let him go too. Luke and Biggs learning to fly together, exploring countless new worlds in the stars, seeing things like grass and trees and rivers and other natural things he'd heard of, but never seen. He ran his boot through the sand, trying to imagine that stringy green stuff called grass under it.
There were even some worlds where water fell from the sky, so much water that the people didn't even need moisture farms.
He let out a sigh, starting to wonder if Owen actually meant his promise that Luke could go to the Academy "in two or three years, maybe." That line of sky between the canyon walls looked unreachable even as he raised his hand, looking like he was touching it.
Biggs's last night before leaving danced in Luke's mind. The Darklighters and Larses had dinner together at the Darklighers' house, like they had many times before. Little was said about Biggs leaving, as if the adults were determined for the night to be as normal as possible, yet there was a sense of foreboding hanging over the visit, as if everyone knew that talking about Biggs's coming departure would make them all break down crying.
But Biggs had taken Luke aside before the Larses left, whispering a secret to him like how they'd often whispered secrets to each other as kids.
"I've got a plan, Luke," he'd said. "The Empire's gonna teach me how to fly, and then I'll use that knowledge against them."
"What?" Luke asked, blinking at his friend.
Biggs's face bore that mischievous grin he often wore when he was about to attempt some crazy stunt and invite Luke to join him. "There's talk of rebellion, Luke. Against the Empire. After I learn how to fly, I'm gonna ditch the Empire and find the rebels."
Luke felt like he had been knocked on the head and sent into a daze, unable to answer in any way except widening his eyes.
"I'm serious," Biggs said as if Luke had expressed concern or rebuttal. "I'm not gonna be the Empire's pawn. I'm gonna find the Rebellion and I'm gonna help take down the Empire for good." He patted Luke on the shoulder. "If you're ever allowed to leave the farm, maybe you could join me. Think of it, we could bring down the Empire together."
Bring down the Empire together. Those words danced in Luke's mind now as he leaned against his swoop bike. It felt like a child's dream - after all, the Empire was just so big. How could any small group of fighters bring down something that controlled the entire galaxy?
Yet he had to admit, there was something tempting about the idea.
. . .
"Luke!"
Luke swallowed, stopping his swoop bike once he reached the top of the canyon. There, riding an eopie, the twin suns highlighting his shape, was old Ben Kenobi. "Hey, Ben," Luke said.
"You seem troubled, Luke," said Ben.
"It's nothing."
"When people say it's nothing, that always means it's something." Ben gave a warm smile. "You can tell me if you want."
Though Owen and Beru didn't seem to like Ben, Luke found himself telling Ben about how Biggs left yesterday - but he left out the part about Biggs wanting to find the Rebellion.
Ben let out a sigh once Luke finished, his eyes getting a distant look. "Saying goodbye to friends is always difficult. I lost my best friend too, a long time ago."
"What happened?"
"He died," Ben said simply, gazing out into the distance before clearing his throat. "But you don't need to hear about my sorrows right now. After all, there's a chance that you and Biggs might meet again someday."
"Yeah," said Luke, though he frowned as he did so, "someday. If Uncle Owen ever lets me go to the Academy."
Ben looked at Luke with sad eyes. "My friend was a lot like you. Headstrong, eager for adventure, longing for independence." He took a deep breath and for a moment Luke wondered if Ben would start crying. "Don't be too eager for independence, Luke. Sometimes it's important to be thankful for what you have now."
"Like what?"
"Like your aunt and uncle, for example. Sure, they might drive you crazy at times, but they do it because they love you and they worry about your safety."
"My safety," Luke snorted. "They don't think I can take care of myself."
"You're sixteen," said Ben. "Sixteen-year-olds tend to think they're immortal, but later they learn that they aren't." Again he got that distant look. "Your aunt and uncle are hoping that you won't have to learn it the hard way." His eopie grunted, as if reminding them of its existence. "I should be getting home. You should too." He gave Luke a small smile. "And don't lose hope. Perhaps someday you will see your friend again."
. . .
Dinner with Owen and Beru passed quietly. Part of Luke wanted to talk about Biggs and part of him didn't, but Ben's words kept dancing in his head. "Sometimes it's important to be thankful for what you have now." If Luke ever did get to go to the Academy, would he miss this? Would he miss the simple evenings having dinner with his aunt and uncle?
"Hey," Luke found himself saying, "after dinner, would you like to have a catch?"
"A catch?" asked Owen, cocking his head.
"Yeah," said Luke. "A catch. Like how we used to throw the ball around at sunset when I was younger. I kinda feel like doing that again."
Beru gave her warm, motherly smile. "I think that would be lovely."
. . .
The setting suns illuminated the family as they threw Luke's old ball around. No objective, no scores, just throwing the ball to each other over and over, getting lost in the moment.
"Sometimes it's important to be thankful for what you have now."
As the stars started to become visible, Luke found himself glancing at the sky, wondering where in the stars Biggs was now, then wondering how Biggs was adjusting to his new life, then wondering if Biggs missed him, then wondering if Biggs was actually serious about finding the Rebellion. For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine himself and Biggs both fighting for the Rebellion, bringing down the mighty Emperor together.
Then Beru threw him the ball and he went back to the game. He would go to the academy someday, he promised himself, but for the moment he could, like Ben said, enjoy what he had now.
THE END