trans_9 | BEACH BAD, BEACH BAD [OPEN]

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BEACH BAD, BEACH BAD [OPEN]

To say Vader was out of his element was the understatement of the millennium. He'd taken refuge under a large umbrella and was seated in his his chair as though it were the Emperor's own throne. Under the pretense of meditating, he was keeping a three-foot radius of space around him sand-free.

His beach towel would stay immaculate until he got someone else's blood on it.

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"Well of course, not over you two," Luke said, becoming more incredulous by the minute. "I mean... you'd be my family. But I'd still rather be a Jedi than not."

This seemed to pacify Vader and he settled back in his chair, the storm diverted...for now.

"Your life always came first. Always. I made you a galaxy that you and your mother and sister could live in. It was for you."

Perhaps if he says it enough, it will stop being terrifying and start being true.

"We lived just fine in the galaxy we came from," Luke said simply. "But that won't matter unless we're able to stop the Ohm."

"Surviving is not living. They had to right to throw you into that prison that is Tatooine," Vader said.

"You should only have the best of the Galaxy."

"I turned out all right."

"BUT I NEED YOU!" Vader exploded, shouting as loudly as his ruined lungs would allow. "I have given everything for you, why do you not want it? I want you to be happy with what I have created for you and you do not want it! You do not want anything to do with me! Why is it that you do not want me to be your father as badly as I need to?!"

"I'm happy!" It took a considerable part of Luke's control not to snap. "I'm happy with Mara and Ben and our friends. I'm happy being a Jedi."

"Very well," Vader hissed. "If you are so content with me gone from your life then I will not presume to intrude! I can stay at arm's length from you and your perfect wife and perfect son and perfect Jedi Order if that is what you wish!"

Luke sighed, and drew on the Force to maintain his calm. Even Jedi Masters lost their patience with recalcitrant parents sometimes, but Luke knew that if he reduced himself to shouting it wouldn't be pretty at all.

"I'd be happy if you were in that, too," he said at last.

"Would you?" Vader asked. "I know that Kenobi raised you to hate me- would you be able to overcome his conditioning when you see me every day? If not, I will not stay. I will let you be a Jedi if this is what you have chosen."

"Obi-Wan didn't teach me to hate you." That earned Vader another incredulous look. "You're my father, I'd love you regardless."

I'd love you regardless. Those words were enough to stir something in Vader's formerly shriveled and blackened heart. They echoed in his mind, enough to distract him from correcting his son on Kenobi's certain treachery.

"But he raised you to defeat me."

"He and Yoda trained me to defeat the Empire," Luke corrected. "You aren't the Empire. And in the end, even, you brought Palpatine himself down."

Vader shook his head.

"I sense the truth of your words, and yet...I cannot believe that. I would choose you over the Emperor," he said slowly, as though it were the most difficult choice he could ever make, "but...how could it come to that?"

"You chose love over the Dark Side," Luke replied. "You chose your family over Palpatine. I can tell you, if you want to know. Or you can talk to Leia." He shrugged. "I don't know how much will be changed by revealing what's past for me, but future for you." He turned his head and drew his knees up to his chest, a very boyish pose. "I guess a lot's been changed already just by both of us being here, huh?"

"Why would the Emperor make me choose? He would want you at my side as badly as I do..." Vader shook his head. "The Force does not show me the future as clearly as it once did, you will have to tell me how it came to that point. Though..." he paused. "Do you believe we can be returned to our own galaxies and that...it would be possible to act on our knowledge?"

He would turn Tatooine inside-out looking for a certain toddler if that were the case.

"I'm not sure what'll happen when this is all over." Luke thought about returning to a galaxy without Mara and felt his heart constrict a bit. "As to the Emperor... he wanted me to turn, and I wouldn't," Luke said simply. "I chose to a Jedi like my father."

"You would emulate the man who failed you," Vader said, resting his fingers against his temples. "Skywalker was not able to save Padme- he was weak. You do wrong to choose him as your idol."

"I'm proud of who my father was," Luke repeated calmly.

"I hate him," Vader finally said, very softly. "Someday, you will realize the error of your ways and hate him as well."

"I don't think I could do that."

It was the horrible, deceptive feeling of hope again- Luke could probably feel it this time, one small spark illuminating the darkness utterly before vanishing again.

"You are capable of anything," Vader replied, cagily.

"You're family. No matter what my family does, I'll love them."

And that was true. Even Jacen, after he'd become Caedus, even after he'd taken Mara's life... Luke had wanted to help Jacen come back to the good side, because he was family. Forgiveness would have come in time.

Vader's eyes shone. Progress!

"No matter what the Jedi may have told you," Vader said, gently resting his fingers on Luke's hand, "I also...care deeply about you."

He could not bring himself to say 'love'.

"I would lay down my own life for you, even against the Emperor."

Luke smiled. Progress.

"I'm gonna go find Mara and Ben," he said, unfolding and standing. "I'll see you in a bit. Try to enjoy yourself while we're all here?"

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sin-and-misery.livejournal.com - 2010-06-17 02:41 (UTC) - Expand

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