Outside 33 Apocalypse Ave [early morning]

[tatooine_doofus]

"Come on, Artoo," Luke muttered over his shoulder as he made his way slowly up the walk towards his father's house. "Let's get this over with so I'm not yelled at all the way to Connecticut. Hell of an impression that'd make on Jo."

He took a deep breath, held it, then knocked quickly on the door. "No one's home!" he said, beginning to walk away

Comments

[sith_happened]

"Try again," his father said icily, opening the door.

[sith_happened]

Anakin clenched his fists. "Luke," he said, frustrated, "the last time he was here he came within an inch of killing Rory. I don't talk about it. I figured you had enough sense to realize that when I sent you back to the dorms I had a damn good reason for it!"

[tatooine_doofus]

"Because you don't think I could handle it!" Luke retorted, clearly hurt. "I know you don't think much of my training, but I'm a Jedi, too, and I got out of the mistake I made in the cell without having to call for help, thanks so much. I can take care of myself! You don't get to be a father just when it suits you!"

He blinked back tears, not really knowing where that last outburst had come from.

[sith_happened]

Anakin stared at him, mouth agape. "I couldn't handle it," he admitted in a low whisper. "I'm not ready to find out just where my line is if my family's in danger, or if I even have one yet."

He thought of his conversation with Angelus.

"I'm pretty sure I still don't and that's not a path I'm particularly eager to travel again because my son decides to be reckless. So if you could be just a little less like me it will make both of our lives a lot easier."

[tatooine_doofus]

"No," Luke said sharply. "Don't you make your choices in that be related to anything I might do. That's not fair."

He focused intently on his boots. "You don't think that's not already a nightmare I have?" he whispered. "That you're just going to have a bad day and all of this will be gone?"

[sith_happened]

Anakin stared at him intently before nodding his head. "Fair enough," he said softly.

He took a deep breath. "Luke?"

[tatooine_doofus]

Luke finally met his father's eyes. "Yes?"

[sith_happened]

"I'm sorry," Anakin said, almost too quietly to be heard. "For all of it. It was never my intention to hurt you, or Leia, or your mother..."

His voice went a little shaky before he brought it back under rigid control. "So when I see you having the same reactions to things that I did, I get...twitchy. I'll work on controlling that impulse."

[tatooine_doofus]

Luke's eyes were still locked on his father's face.

He couldn't think of a single thing to say.

[sith_happened]

"Which reminds me," Anakin said, clearing his throat and dropping eye contact to reach for a small wrapped package, "this is for you. There will be other gifts in Connecticut, but this one--" Anakin chewed on his lower lip. "You deserve to have this now."

And having it presented in Rory's home could hurt her and Anakin would do just about anything to prevent that from happening.

[tatooine_doofus]

Luke opened the gift slowly, then stared at the small holoprojector in his hands.

He took a deep breath, then flipped it on. A familiar picture from flight class floated before his eyes.

His gaze flickered immediately back to his father, asking for confirmation.

[sith_happened]

Anakin nodded. "That's your mother when I first met her," he said softly. "Padmé Naberrie Amidala. She was fourteen."

[tatooine_doofus]

He couldn't help himself. "What is she wearing?" Luke asked.

[sith_happened]

Anakin chuckled. "The royal costumes for the queen of Naboo were a bit...excessive, huh?" he said. "I'm pretty sure that skirt lit up, too."

[tatooine_doofus]

"...why?"

[sith_happened]

"I've worn basically two outfits my entire life," Anakin said. "Don't ask me to explain fashion."