The Unseen

Chapter 16 - Family Together

Obi-Wan hadn't thought the trip to Tatooine would take long, but he hadn't counted on the Lars' reluctance at letting Luke go. He hated how he had to pull the boy away from them, knowing how much it was hurting Owen and Beru, but it was necessary. He knows that Anakin will be more than willing to let Luke visit his uncle and aunt, but Anakin needs his son more than his stepbrother needs his nephew. Really, there wasn't anything to debate.

While Owen was stone-faced and Beru held back her tears, Luke was practically bouncing with excitement. He never knew much about his father, and to hear that he would finally be able to meet him – because he's alive – caused no small amount of rejoicing. "Are we gonna be there soon?" Luke asks for what feels like the millionth time.

Thank the Force Obi-Wan has had experience with Skywalkers in the past. "Soon enough," he answers as calmly as he can. The shuttle has yet to emerge from hyperspace, and Luke's questions are only increasing the longer they wait. He's asked everything Obi-Wan could ever have imagined and much more that he didn't. Does Leia like flying? That was one of the more seemingly random inquiries.

Luke flits around the main hold before going to the cabin and coming back again. This time, he doesn't ask anything, maybe because the alarm goes off on the control panel, signaling the end of their journey. As the ship reverts to real space, Luke squeals at the first sightings of Alderaan. Obi-Wan lets him ramble with excitement – trying to ignore how painfully it reminds him of the way Anakin used to be – as he transmits the authorization code and flies down towards the landing platform at the palace.

"Am I a prince like Leia is a princess?" Luke wants to know as the shuttle lands.

"I'm sure we can talk to Viceroy Organa about it," Obi-Wan answers, somewhat distractedly as he completes the shutdown procedure and rises to leave the cockpit. Luke is already holding his bag of possessions and bouncing from excitement.

As the ramp lowers, Obi-Wan gets a look at everyone who is waiting to greet them. Vader is standing the center, arms crossed. Ahsoka is one on side while Leia is on the other. Bail is between Leia and Breha. Luke, for all his prior excitement, suddenly seems a tad shy when he sees everyone standing there.

"Come on," Obi-Wan urges him, amused. "Your father is there." He motions towards Vader. "No, he's not as scary as he looks."

Luke still sticks close to Obi-Wan, eyeing his surroundings, wide-eyed. It dawns on Obi-Wan that the boy probably isn't used to this much greenery. The planet is so different from anything he's ever known, after all. Anakin was much the same after coming to Coruscant. He's shaken from his musing when Vader steps towards them, probably sensing his son's unease.

"Luke, my son." There's a faint tremor in his voice which is audible through the vocoder.

The change in Luke is instantaneous. His face lights up, and before Obi-Wan can blink he's flung himself at Vader with the cry of "Father!"

If Vader is taken aback by the enthusiastic greeting he received, he doesn't show it as he catches Luke and hugs him tightly. Much as he tries to deny it, Obi-Wan is confident that he'll make a full recovery – mentally and emotionally more than physically – if he remains close to his children. While Obi-Wan and Ahsoka can offer Vader the stability and support that he needs, the twins are the only ones who can bring him back from the self-destructive edge he's ready to fall over.

"How was the trip?" Bail questions, as he and Breha approach.

"It was good, thank the Force," Obi-Wan informs them. "The Lars were not exactly happy about letting Luke go, but they understood. They only want what is best for him."

Breha nods, understandingly, face filled with compassion. "I imagine they must be struggling, even if they only raised him as a nephew." She sighs, turning her head to watch as Vader finally lets Luke go, and he immediately moves to embrace his twin. Obi-Wan has a feeling they'll get along splendidly. "It would have been nice to raise them both together," she comments wistfully.