Chapter 5
It must have been another long day at the shop.
That is good news since Vader's payments go into assisting them, especially Anakin. Not so long ago, Vader brought other baby supplies along with a small toy starfighter for Anakin to play with. It only poked at her heart to see her little pilot giggling as he made fake air sounds, happier than ever.
Adding onto his gesture of giving Anakin the necessities he need at that age, Vader have purchased better clothing for them, at least better in Tatooine's standings. She wears a long, light-colored tunic or dress that covers her from the neck to ankle, with long sleeves and a loose, flowing fit to accommodate the hot climate. She also wears a head covering or scarf to protect her hair and face from the sun and sand.
Anakin wears a simple white tunic and pants, but compared to those slave garments, he is at least treated more fairly. Vader have been adamant that they spoil themselves and need not concern about the favours he does for them. The man was simply a dream come true.
Gone are the days of depending on the attire that Gardulla was "kind enough" to gift them. Gone are the days where she had to give every little meal to her son so he could survive. Now, they can eat a full meal, have good clothes, and spend the days doing whatever they want.
Accepting Vader into her home at first was out of common courtesy and attempting to be selfless, yet from the beginning, something about him makes her feel so painstakingly... safe.
She smiles as she looks down at her son burying himself into the sand. The little boy has grown a liking to it. Anakin's innocence is refreshing to the extreme. She only feels bad for other slaves who have to continue about their own duties for the ruthless slavers like Gardulla.
Only when the sun begins to set, Shmi takes her precious baby boy inside and set him down. Anakin looks up at her with those adorable blue eyes, and the two bake in another presence, Shmi slowly waving his starfighter around, earning small laughs from him as he claws for it.
As expected, in another hour or so, Shmi hears the sound of a speeder which announces one thing: Vader's back.
Setting him to the side, Shmi walks to the porch and sees the ever muscular and agile form of Vader, but he is not alone.
Behind him, a slightly older man is flanking him. He must be a decade or two older than her. But Shmi can't help the feeling of her heart stopping...
Shmi can't help but the intense feeling of her cheeks reddening. What is this? She have never felt like this before. He is simply... wonderful.
After they get closer, Shmi walks up, wrapping her arms around Vader. Once it became obvious that he wouldn't hurt her, the two often hugged one another.
Even now as a free slave, she still has to proceed with caution on Tatooine. Messing with the wrong crowds can get one killed no matter of status. Hopefully, Vader understands that, no matter of the things that he could do.
"Shmi, this is Cliegg Lars," Vader greets, motioning to the man, "he has been dropping by my shop for the past few weeks." He offers a slight scowl to the man. "He also took it upon himself to hunt with me today so we came to mutual terms of a family's meeting. We'll be dropping by for dinner in his Homestead if you wouldn't mind."
Family? Shmi grows slightly disappointed for a reason unknown. Given the age difference between them, the man must be happily married. Damn it, that is a confusing thought. Why should she care so much? After all, this is just a random stranger on Tatooine, someone who she just met.
Managing to keep her voice steady, the woman nods slightly and quirks a eyebrow, "Of course, we would be honoured to join your family tonight."
Cliegg smiles.
Damn, she can't stop looking into those eyes...
Seeing that she's looking for far too long, the woman walks back in and grab her son as well as his toy starfighter. She approaches the speeder that they have just disembarked, keeping firm hands on Anakin. She doesn't like speeders personally, even though Vader had convinced her that are a effective way to navigate.
Vader and Cliegg continue to talk while Shmi has to look away while getting on the speeder. She didn't know what to make of her feelings right now.
'Pull yourself together, woman, you are a mother!' The thought pours into her in the instant, and Shmi wholeheartedly agrees, even though the feeling in her chest wouldn't go away. This is just wonderful, feeling inappropriate feelings for a man who must be double her age.
"...Some pirates are borderline on the gray area," Vader declares, now driving. "Still, if you ever confront one and they so happen to be persistent to help you, keep a weapon armed at all times."
Hmm, what a weird topic to discuss.
"Oh, I think I saw a few of them in the cantina once," Cliegg replies, shrugging slightly.
"That is worrisome," Vader replies. Oh, does he seriously consider pirates as cause of worry? He'd stood in front of Gardulla the Hutt and managed to negotiate with her without losing his head. "Pirates typically use others for their own benefits. Mostly, their choices are influenced by ways to gain more profit. Yet, when the price is satisfying enough, they quickly become more reasonable."
"Sounds like you are speaking from experience," the man huffs.
"They have no allegiances aside from profit. Travelling among the Outer Rim opens your eyes to many things. To be frank - the aspect of slavery evaporated - Tatooine can be a place of happiness. Remove the slavers and you would have a decent system."
It's true. Despite the harsh deserts and lack of water, the last many weeks of freedom have been nothing if not fulfilling for Shmi and her son.
The conversation ends there, a silence passing through the air, as they finally arrive to the Homestead, getting off of their speeder.
Shmi watches as a little boy run out of the Homestead.
"Daddy! You're back!"
None of them notice how a certain man is looking at him from the corner of his eyes...
It has been a long time since Vader has seen Owen Lars in person. He is... different. He is a boy just like his younger self, having small white robes fitting his size.
The painful reminder of what would happen to him before Luke started off his journey brings about yet another shell of guilt down the man's heart. He may have not commanded the Larses death at least not directly, but they didn't deserve what happened to them.
Admittedly, there was a time where Anakin blamed the Larses for not protecting his mother, but that had been quickly quelled when he had time to realize that they made sure her last years amongst the living was some of her best and seeing his and Beru's relationship were something that inspired Anakin at the time to marry Padmé.
Vader clenches his eyes shut as father and son stops hugging one another, though he didn't have it within him to interrupt the scene. This could have been him with both of his children if not for his ambition getting in the way...
Cliegg turns away from his son and indicates to the individuals behind him softly. "Owen, this is Vader, Shmi, and Anakin."
Owen's eyes go wide as he slowly approaches and looks at the little bundle in her arms who coos at seeing him. Vader raises a eyebrow at this. He feels a connection forming around the two already. The Force pulsates silently.
"Can I hold him?" Owen asks enthusiastically, not even giving his father a chance to respond. "Can I?! Can I, daddy?!"
"Owen," Cliegg says softly, taking on a parental tone. "You're quite young and holding Anakin incorrectly can lead to him getting hurt."
The boy pouts slightly and crosses his arms across his chest, grumbling about the unfair galaxy.
Behind him, two individuals exit the Homestead. An aged tanned woman is tanned, black hair with blue eyes. Standing alongside her is a light-skinned male, having brown hair as well.
"Don't fred, sweetie," the aged woman says softly, "I'm sure as Anakin get older, he would need a friend around him to watch him. Think about that."
Owen smiles at that before turning to regard Vader, borderline fear in his eyes.
Cliegg gives his son a sheepish smile while rubbing the boy's shoulder in reassurance. "Vader here may seem scary, but he is just a big softy once you begin to know him."
"I assure you, I'm friendly," Vader says softly, refraining from giving the other man a pointed glare. After a few seconds, the child smiles at him, letting him know that there is no reason for worry.
"Oh, I do hope that he hasn't been bothering you in the past few weeks," the woman says softly, coming closer to stare at Vader.
Before Vader can respond, Cliegg comes forward and wrap one arm nonchalantly around him. "Mom! I'm his favourite customer," he offers, a grin across his lips.
"So he tells himself," Vader declares, earning chuckles.
The older man grins. "Ha, Cliegg here still knows how to embarrass himself even at this age."
Owen laughs while Cliegg gives his father a pointed stare.
"Dad!" Cliegg pouts as if he's still a child and not a middle-aged man, "visitors!"
The sound of a growling stomach causes each of them to turn around, and Shmi looks down at her son with some sheepishness before stating.
"I think that's his way of telling us that he's hungry," Shmi declares with awkward finality, obviously unsure how she can fit in.
"Of course, sweetie, follow me," the woman says.
Vader takes the boy from her hands. The Larses and Skywalkers enter the Homestead. The woman hooks instantly, all the while chatting about topics that even Vader cares little about getting involved with.
They get situated, deciding to wait for the woman to return to the table before starting any real conversation. While Cliegg and Lef exchanges some words, Owen plays with his datapad, and Anakin with his toy, Vader simply sits there, meditating as always.
Around a hour later, the two women return, having food on their plates. On each of the plates, there is tubers, haroun bread, and cream of womprat soup. Gredda walks to the back before returning with the jawa juice to pour into each cup before securing it onto the table.
The others conversate, and Vader tilts his head to Shmi who looks for a second before nodding. Walking up to the boy and sitting down next to him, Vader offers a mini Force suggestion to him, sternly yet gently telling him to calm down. The boy does, complying as Vader brings his food to his mouth with the utensil.
The woman smirks at her husband. "You know, Lef, he kind of reminds me of Cliegg when he was a boy. Somehow, he was quieter during those days."
"Hopefully he wouldn't grow up the same, Gredda," Lef quips to his wife with a smirk, looking at his son pointedly. "Always annoying his parents!"
Shmi stiffles a giggle at Cliegg's face turning red.
"Hey!" Cliegg exclaims. "I happen to be less troublesome now than I was as a child!"
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, my dear boy," Gredda snips. "You are still a pain in the ass even after all these decades."
Cliegg roll his eyes, saying in a equally humourous way. "You are just saying that when you know I was a miracle that ever happened to you and dad."
"Assumptions, son," Lef declares, a twinkle in the older man's eyes.
Shmi comments with a slight smile. "You three seem to have a good relationship."
"Of course, even though he annoys us, we wouldn't trade him off for anything in the galaxy," Lef says.
Cliegg gives him a playful scowl. "You two are nagging old hags, you know that."
Vader continues to feed Anakin, choosing to remain out of the conversation.
However, his presence is still not forgotten, despite how Vader's focus is on one thing at this point.
"So, Vader, how is your marriage?"
Vader looks up to him and frowns, causing the boy to continue to eat the soup with his hands, dirtying his face. "Marriage?"
"Yes, you and Shmi are married, are you not? You're the boy's father?" Cliegg says in utter confusion, quirking a eyebrow at him.
Shmi looks up at both men, surprised.
Vader's eyes widen. He didn't even want to think about the implications that Cliegg must be thinking.
"No, Shmi has only taken me in," Vader immediately dismisses, maintaining his calmness despite how... disgusting such a thought of marrying his own mother is, "and in return I'd guaranteed their freedom some time after. I have taken the role of father figure for the boy but we are not connected in that way."
Besides, how can the man know of their mysterious relationship, let alone everyone at the table? Not even Shmi knows yet of the uniqueness of their relationship...
"Where have you come from then?" Lef queries, eyes arched in curiosity.
"...The Unknown Regions," Vader replies simply, stealing down a quick glance to his boots to ensure his lightsabers are safely concealed. "I was a mercenary who have served a powerful crime boss until I chose to leave and came to Tatooine."
Deciding to deal with the mess Anakin made, Vader grabs a portion of the small cloths on the side of the table serving as napkins and begin to wipe at his face, cleaning him up. The boy scowls and pulls away slightly at this but didn't resist further.
"Since then, he freed me and my son from slavery," Shmi continues. "There is no romantic entanglement between us and never will be. Just him watching over both of us and keeping us protected."
"Ah, I see..." Cliegg smiles.
"Slavery is just wrong," Lef states, shaking his head as he looks at her. "I'm sorry that you have been through that, my dear."
Rubbing the scar on the back of her neck, Shmi responds with a faint smile. "It's nothing."
Those many years would always be on her mind but she would push through for her son and stay strong. Vader wishes that he could have been as strong.
Cliegg looks at him. "Well, you didn't give me a mercenary type of vibe, Vader, how come you didn't tell me, buddy?"
Vader replies without argument, raising his eyebrows. "Why should I? It was nothing of importance."
Cliegg grunts. "Must you always be so blunt?"
Vader retorts sarcastically. "Must you always complain about everything, Lars?"
Of course the man doesn't take him seriously.
"Vader, you may seem to be distant at first, but if there is anything to go by in the last few weeks that I have learned from our time together, you are just trying to make your way through this galaxy. Given you have freed two slaves, you obviously care more than you like to admit."
Vader knows he is right. Multiple times he could have severed the friendship between them but he continues to allow the man to come, staying after shop to listen to Cliegg's quips, allowing him to accompany him halfway home, and even going half-price a few times for the man for whatever he purchases.
And no matter how infuriated Vader tries to act around the man about his presence, he loves to spend his time with him. For now, in some sort of twist of fate, Cliegg Lars is practically his best friend...
Friend...
Damn...
Unwanted thoughts flood him yet again. Obi-Wan attacking and cutting him down on Mustafar after he'd attacked the older Jedi Master... Erv Lekauf after jumping in front of him from the rogue Emperor Hand's Sheyvan and six Force-sensitive clones of Sa Cuis... Ahsoka's refusal to join him on Malachor after seeing the monster he has become...
Everyone who Vader had been friends with had either been caused to suffer more or die due to his actions. The thought of what he could do again to anyone who attempts to befriend him is not pretty.
"Do you ever fear about seeing him again?" Cliegg queries.
"He was many things, including manipulative and charismatic." Vader grit his teeth, the muscle in his jaw throbbing. "If I see him again, I don't know what I'll do."
That is far from the truth. When he sees Sidious again - when the opportunity arises - Vader will put that rapid animal down before his Empire rise. Some Jedi may counsel holding him in a cell and keeping him locked away, but he knows the truth. Holding him behind a dungeon isn't enough, no matter how heavily guarded it is. Only a fool would risk that. He can do untold amount of damage even locked away. Cutting him down is the only option. He's too dangerous to be left alive. Master Windu was right about that much.
Not wanting his anger to rise to uncontrollable lengths again to where he may harm everyone in the room by loss of controlled, Vader finishes in a tone that cut into ice itself.
"My past is a extremely touchy matter and I rather not discuss it."
Cliegg nods slightly, seeming to respect that. As did everyone.
Seeing Anakin is finished eating his food, Vader takes his plate to the kitchen and walks to the vacant seat and begin eating his own components on his plate.
Owen walks over to Anakin, and Cliegg states firmly. "Son, he is just a baby and you holding him too tightly can hurt him."
"I will be careful, dad," Owen replies, beginning to make funny faces to his younger self, causing giggles to come from the boy.
Anakin holds out his toy starfighter to him and Owen grabs it, before waving it around, making some flying noises while Anakin laughs, obviously enjoying the older boy's company.
Vader's eyes actually sparkle with some amusement.
What would happen between them as they grow up in this altered timeline?
Arthur's note: Yes, Shmi definitely has a crush on Cliegg. She is still a young woman after all, and now that she have met him earlier, what will this mean?... ;) On top of this, Anakin loves sand this time around. How would this impact him in his adult years?
Next chapter, we will see some new characters who I'm pretty sure y'all don't even know exist as it is a big galaxy but they did appear in the Phantom Menace, but I'm not going to spoil who they are, even though they are not well-known. Have any predictions? Here's a hint, they were on Tatooine throughout the movie. Lol
May the Force be with you all always.