Don't leave my side ever again

Chapter 10- The sad truth

I was standing almost trembling at the sight of vader staring right at me even though I couldn't see his eyes, but I knew that through those visor, his eyes were directly at me waiting for an explanation. I fidgeted with my fingers, putting words together for a good explanation for him while Bossk rubbed his neck as he coughs a bit from the choke, soon feeling him nudge me on my shoulder telling me to start talking.

I glared slightly towards Bossk, seeing him shrug like he doesn't care about me glaring at him. "Well? Are you going to tell me?" Vader's serious voice snaps me out, I nod a yes towards him and took a deep breath trying to relax a bit. "I'm going to tell you since the beginning" I start, Vader makes a sound approving what I said, so I start from the beginning. As I explained, I could tell he was getting mad at the jedis, specifically the one and only, Obi-wan kenobi. Bossk added some things that I missed out while I was explaining the escape from the jedi base.

A couple minutes passed.

"And...that's when Kira pushed the button, sending the pod Bossk and I were in away from the ship..." I look away closing my eyes "the ship that exploded...killing her inside" My voice lowered at the end, my heart dropped everytime my mind replayed that moment of the ship exploding with Kira inside. Hearing troopers whisper and others utterly shocked at this horrible story made me think that it was better to tell vader about it alone, but heck it was too late for that now. Vader clenched both his fists tightly, the sound of his gloves tightening by the second, his breathing let out small growls, which made them scarier because of the robotic sound from the mask.

I felt horrible, lost, I didn't have anyone except Bossk I guess, I couldn't really trust him to the fullest since he worked with Aurra sing, the one who betrayed me and left me with the jedis, Since then, I've been having trust issues towards Bossk, thinking he might do the same thing, that's why I decided not to put too much trust in him just in case.

I move my head to look at vader when I got stunned by him already standing inches away from me, watching him start to crouch down "v-vader? Am I in troubl-" I studder till my words were cut off as I gasped, feeling vader bringing me to his embrace. I was honestly shocked, not really expecting this at all from the lord of the empire, but I guess that means I wasn't in trouble...? "Boba fett, you are not responsible for her death, therefore, you are not in trouble" he spoke, His voice cracking the slightest and full of sadness, he had to stay strong so that the troopers or just anyone sees him like this, I knew his heart, his mind, were broken and destroyed.

Darth Vader slowly pulls away from the embrace and place both hands on my shoulders making me look at the visors where his eyes were. "I appreciate everything you and your father have done to protect my daughter, keeping her away from those jedis, feeding her and giving her a place to sleep..." He lowly sniffles, moving his arms a bit, causing me to shake a bit. "You are a good kid, Jango raised you well and I can see that you have potential" he sounded proud of me, even though I wasn't his son, it was nice to hear him say those words.

"Thanks Vader" I thanked with a small smile, that's when the next thing Vader says completely catches me off guard, surprising me. "Do you want to train to become a bounty hunter just like how your father ever was?" He asked. I was honestly shocked, Not knowing how to react, say or do, what I did knew was about the promise I gave my father before dying and that was to continue the bounty hunter legacy. I gave Vader a determined look and nod "yes" I answered. Vader examined me carefully as he then lets go of my shoulders and gets up to look at Boosk, Bossk took a step back, thinking Vader was going to do something to him, but didn't.

"I can see you are already a bounty hunter" he said "so my question for you is, how would you like to work for me as a bounty hunter?" That question made Bossk raise a brow in disbelieve, working for Vader was one of the best things that could happen to us right now, we got everything we needed here, a place to stay, weapons, ships, just anything. I glance over to Bossk, waiting to see what he might say to this offer. "I accept, lord Vader" he accepted, slightly bowing to Darth Vader "good, then you might want to meet me later for missions" he informs. The Trandoshan looked excited to start working for him, but he also had to get weapons and armor himself up, that's when Vader ordered two troopers to take him to get ready for later missions. "See ya around, Boba"  Bossk waved.

I waved back, wishing him good luck as I watched the Trandoshan disappear in the distance until the doors shut close behind them. I turn around to Darth Vader, noticing him staring out into the deep star-full galaxy. I huffed feeling a bit awkward just standing there doing nothing "you should be great full kid" Vader referred to me, I raise a brow confused "huh?" I asked. Vader turns his head to the side and spoke "Kira sacrificed herself just to save you and the Trandoshan, that took a lot of courage and bravery to do, that's why I say that you should be thank-"   "But I am" I cut him off, placing my hand on my chest as I continue "Yes, you're right, that took a lot of courage and bravery to do and I'm honestly so proud of your daughter, she meant everything to me, Sir..." I spoke in all honesty.

Vader fully turns around "everything to you?" He wanted to know what I meant by that. "Yeah, My only friend, my inspiration, my happiness, my crus-" I moved both of my hands to shut my mouth up, feeling my face heat up a bit 'Dank farrik!!' I thought I messed up big time 'how can I say she was my crush to her father?!? Am I looking to get my ass forced out into the galaxy?!' I panicked in my mind till I snapped as I hear Vader's chuckle coming through his mask. I slowly move my hands off my my mouth, still feeling my face warm, probably blushing a bit. "S-sorry Lord Vader" I apologized.

"Hm?" He made a sound as 'what do you mean?' "By saying that Kira, your daughter, was my..." I looked away, placing my hand on the back of my head "c-crush" I finish. Vader shook his head "there is no need to apologize Boba, its okay. Those things can happen, its natural" he said. I nod in agreement "yeah, I know" I drop my hand from my head and looked at him "I just wish I could've been a better friend to protect her, to tell her, made her come with us, then none of that would've happened" My voice was full of regret, wishing that I could turn back time to change the past and made a better future for everyone, even my father.

Darth Vader sighed "I miss her too, but we can't change the past, what's done it is done, but what we can change, is the future" he held a fist near his chest. He was right, but in order to do so, I have to move on from the past so I can focus on the future, the empire's future

My future.

End of chapter 10