Work Text:
"Everything stays right where you left it
Everything stays
But it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways, when everything stays"
"Luke?"
Luke Skywalker rolled out from underneath the car, upon hearing his sisters voice. It was an average afternoon for him — he'd just finished lunch, got back to work and was thinking about what bring to game night with his friends. Until Leia suddenly showed up out of nowhere.
"What's up? I thought you were too busy with the kid."
"The kid has a name, you know. He's your nephew!"
"I remember his name!" Luke chided defensively. "But why are you here? Doesn't Ben need to be picked up from school?"
"Han's handling that, I need to talk to you about something." Leia's tone became serious, beckoning him over. "At first, I thought I was overthinking it but now I don't think that's the case."
Luke cleaned the grease off his hands, tossing the rag aside. Leia was not cryptic; no, she preferred to be direct and clipping with her words. So then, why was his sister acting weird?
"I was talking to Dad about dropping Ben off because I have an event tonight and…" She hesitated with her words for a moment before shoving the phone into his hands. "Just read it."
Okay. Now that was very weird but Luke didn't ask. He nodded skeptically and began reading the text messages between them.
When will you drop Ben? Does he need dinner and should I just order him takeout?
Around seven pm. And I'd rather you didn't but it's fine. Thanks for agreeing to watch him Dad
No problem. Can I ask you for something though?
Yeah?
Pick up some of that tuna pouch cat-food that Threepio likes. I've been leaving out the chicken one in his bowl but he's not eating it. Maybe he wants a different flavor.
"But Threepio died years ago," Luke mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Why is he talking about his food?"
"Why do you think, genius?" Leia looked scared; Leia did not get scared. Or at least, not like this.
"I'm sure it's just a mix-up, you know.." He didn't sound too sure himself. "A senior moment, that's what it's called."
"Luke," She called out to him, staring at him dead serious in the eyes. "This isn't the first time this has happened."
"What do you mean? No, what are you saying?"
"Last week, he got lost while going to pick up Ben from practice. Apparently, he ended up driving all the way to the other side of the city and didn't even realize it until Ben called me and asked what happened!"
"Han went to see him and said he found Dad's wallet and car keys in the fridge! And another time, the stove had been left on!"
Leia's voice had gotten louder, something that deeply worried Luke. She'd always been prone to stress but never once had she sounded like she was on the verge of tears.
"Luke, I went to see him this morning."
"He asked me the same thing multiple times. 'When is Obi-Wan coming by?' , he asked me at least thrice at different times. I saw him staring off into space quite a bit too."
"…Leia, you don't think…"
"I do. I do." Suddenly she crumpled and buried her face in Luke's chest, hugging him tightly. "I don't know what to do."
Luke didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to say it either.
Neither of them wanted to say the quiet part out loud.
Luke moved back in with his father. Of course, he made up a lie that he had a disagreement with his landlord and needed to move in for a while; Anakin Skywalker was a very stubborn man and if Luke told him the truth then it wouldn't end well. At least, not right now.
"You should move back in permanently. I hear that rent prices are much more steeper now and landlords nowadays are even worse."
They were having breakfast together which was just Luke drinking an energy drink with whatever fruit he could find while Anakin sipped on coffee, reading glasses on as he skimmed through his tablet. Sometimes he read the news and other times he watched videos on the highest volume possible; Luke did not have the heart to tell him to turn it down.
"And stop having awful drinks this early in the morning," He grumbled, giving his son an apathetic look. "That shit is full of sugar and is going to decay your entire body."
"It's fine, Dad," Luke responded with an eye-roll. "And I don't want to bother you by staying over."
"Nonsense, how could you be bothering me? If anything, it'll make this place seem more alive. It's always so dead here unless Ben is here."
Ah, yes. He forgot that his father had a problem with serenity. It made him so annoyed and restless which Luke never understood. Was Anakin Skywalker mentally forbidden from relaxation?
"Maybe you could do something else? Like, there's a bunch of activities for people your age."
He felt a shudder going up his spine from the glare his father gave him — maybe he shouldn't said that last bit.
"I'd rather peel of my skin with a mandolin than attend a 'seniors yoga class'. It even sounds ridiculous."
"Besides, I've been working on some newer projects. Found myself a nice new engine to upgrade. There's some serious power on it but I think it's possible to go higher. Plus, I've been looking at some new wheels. Might tune up the Mustang with 'em. You should come help me, it'll be fun."
"Dad, I don't think you should be working with such heavy machinery…" Luke bit into the hard skin of his apple, petting Artoo, who just jumped up the counter. "The doctor said your back is only going to get worse if you keep hunching over the workbench like that."
"Have you been talking to your sister?" Anakin moved slightly so Artoo could jump onto his shoulders, looking over at Luke with exasperation. "You're starting sound a lot like her. Stop worrying about me, I'm a fucking grown man in his seventies. Do you see this Artoo? My children think because I'm an old man, they need to bother me about everything."
Artoo blinked over at Luke, meowing at him before curling up around Anakin's neck — his favorite morning napping spot.
"Okay, okay, geez," He grumbled, grabbing his keys heading for the door. "Grumpy old man."
"What was that?"
"Nothing! I'll be home at seven!"
Luke didn't see what Leia was so worried about. In the three days since he'd moved in, his father didn't seem to be out of the ordinary. He was his usual self; sarcastic, direct and compassionate self. He made Luke's favorite foods on the first night and called him to come for lunch everyday. He'd talk to his father like normal save for the prying questions about his recent… oddities.
Perhaps Leia overreacted and there was nothing wrong with Anakin Skywalker.
At least Luke prayed and hope that was the case.
Unfortunately, Luke was wrong.
It started off with smaller things; Anakin asking where Threepio was and why he wasn't eating food, misplacing items randomly in the strangest of places and struggling to clean the house sometimes. He also noticed how easily agitated Anakin got; sure, his father always had a bad temper but this was different.
At least Artoo was with him and gave him comfort whenever Luke couldn't. He figured there was a relationship between a man and his cat that he couldn't understand.
He didn't want to think about how consistent they were becoming but denying it wouldn't help anyone.
Something finally seemed to crack a few days later. Luke was coming back from Ezra's, leaving his dad a message that he'd be late. Anakin just responded with a thumbs up, like usual.
He came stumbling in close to one am, yawning like a lion as he entered. He figured his father was already asleep but for some reason, the lights were still on. Weird.
Luke heard the faint sound of a car engine and tools clinking in the distance, immediately understanding where Anakin was. What was he doing up so late? He should've been asleep at least two hours ago.
Warily, he walked up to the indoor garage entrance, opening the door slightly. Inside, he saw his father leaning against the inside of the Mustang's engine, looking extremely irritated. He watched Anakin focusing on the engine but noticed how his hands shook, like a violent terror had overcome him.
Suddenly, the car groaned and shut off. Anakin started cursing in Arabic while throwing his screwdriver away. Okay, now Luke was very worried. He barged into the garage, picking up the tools he'd thrown against the wall.
"Dad! Are you alright?"
Anakin suddenly turned around, looking at Luke with confusion. God, had his dark circles gotten worse without Luke noticing?
"Why are you awake right now? You should be sleeping."
"I just came back and heard you shouting, what's wrong?"
"Don't worry about it, angel. Just go back to bed."
Angel? Wasn't that the nickname for their mother?
"Dad, it's okay. Just tell me what happened.."
"I didn't mean to wake you up," Anakin's voice became shaky, his shoulders dropping. "I'll come to bed in a bit. Goodnight, love."
Oh. Oh no, this was bad. This was very bad
Luke couldn't bring himself to speak as he watched Anakin leave the mess behind and head for his bedroom before crying. Crying quietly into his palms while shakily leaving a missed call for Leia.
He was losing his father and there was nothing he could do.
"He thought you were Mom?" Leia asked in a trembling whisper, leaning over the kitchen counter.
After Luke called her at one am, she sleepily said she'd come over the next day to hear everything. Luke thought it better she was awake enough to process it properly. Hence, their current position; Anakin was taking an afternoon nap in the lounge with Artoo using him as a human heater while the twins talked in low voices.
"No, I think he was hallucinating her or at least, he confused me to be her. From a different memory, I think," Luke spoke as he continued to peel potatoes, trying to stay steady. "But that's not all. His hands were shaking and he was struggling with something really simple, but it seemed so…"
"Difficult." Leila finished his sentence, a grim look on her face. "We have to take him to a psychiatrist and get him some serious help before it gets worse."
"You try to find someone, I'll talk to him. He'll take it better if we ease him into it rather than strong-arming it."
"I'll talk to him tonight, after the dinner," Luke affirmed Leia's worries with a smile. "Why don't you sit with me? It might be better if he hears it from us together."
"Maybe." She sounded unsure, rubbing her temples together. "It may ease him. Oh, Dad…"
"What happened?"
The twins simultaneously yelped, Luke dropping the potato. It rolled around the floor as the twins stared at the figure of their father, standing by the kitchen entrance with a confounded expression on his face. Beside him, Artoo entered the kitchen and made himself comfortable on the counter-top.
"Dad!" Leia shook herself out of her initial shock, moving out of the seat she'd been occupying. "When did you wake up?"
"Few minutes ago," He replied after stifling a yawn. Anakin walked over to see what Luke was doing, clearly lost as to what was happening in his kitchen. "What's all this for?"
"Dad, don't you remember?" That was a stupid question, Luke mentally smacked himself. "Han and Ben are coming for dinner, it's Saturday. I'm making fries for the shawarma and burgers cause you asked for it…"
"Oh. Did I?"
Anakin barely seemed to ponder on it for more than a second before moving on. Leia looked at Luke with a sigh, which he could only respond to with silence before returning to his potatoes.
Talking about confronting their father was easier than actually doing it. Luke tried to corner him before the Solos (excluding Leia) arrived but his words failed him; he ended up asking Anakin to help him with the homemade hot sauce, which was a huge mistake in retrospect.
It was too spicy to be edible for anyone but Anakin. Luke couldn't stop crying, despite assuring him that it was the best sauce he's ever had. Anakin seemed pleased with the verdict and left the kitchen to join Han and Ben in the living room — that's when Luke dashed for the ice cream, eating spoonfuls until the burning sensation died down. He needed to get back to dinner.
Once he was done arranging everything, Luke finally stretched his arms out. Leia had come in while he was halfway through and told him to take a break with the others. The break ended as quickly as it started when Luke overheard Anakin asking Ben to explain what 'chud' meant. He was not staying for that.
"Food's ready!" Luke shouted from the dining table, pouring himself water. Summer was so unbearably hot in California.
"IN A MINUTE!" Ben's voice shouted back.
"BEN, STOP SHOUTING," Leia responded from the kitchen with a groan. "COME EAT FOOD."
"BUT HOW'S HE SUPPOSED TO HEAR YOU IF HE DOESN'T SHOUT?"
Han thought it was his turn to chime in. Luke could feel her frustration radiating from the kitchen, her footsteps heading towards the lounge. For some reason, Anakin thought he also had to say something from the staircase.
"WHY ARE WE SHOUTING?"
"UNCLE LUKE SAID FOOD IS READY!"
"OKAY."
Luke was regretting his life choices.
Dinner was a lively affair. Leia talked about workplace drama at her firm before revealing the fact she may be up for a promotion. Anakin was the most proud one at the table, interrupting his meal to get the vintage wine. Artoo, meanwhile, was enjoying his view from his special chair next to Anakin's, going in-between his lap and the chair.
Shortly after, Han started teasing Ben about some girl.. Rey, Luke vaguely remembered. Leia scolded her husband but didn't exactly change the topic either.
"If you like her, you need to be a gentleman. All women like a man who can treat them with respect and care."
"Then why'd you marry Han?" Anakin grumbled while drinking from his glass, causing Luke to snort a bit. Leia only deadpanned in response — didn't help that Han snickered too.
"He has a point."
"Please stop talking."
Han only smiled and leaned closer, kissing her the temple of her forehead. Leia gave up the facade and kissed him back on the cheek while Ben let out a fake gag. Luke joined him, playfully nudging his nephew with the snicker. He looked over to his father, expecting to him to be rolling his eyes but for some reason, he looked.. wistful.
"Dad, are you okay?"
"Hm?" It took him a moment before he responded, fingers busy with petting Artoo, offering Luke a small smile. "Yes, I'm alright. I was just thinking about your mother, that's all."
Luke felt his shoulders slump a bit. It felt like too much time and no time at all had passed since her death. There were days when he missed her a bit more than usual and days when he felt at peace.
He wondered what his father was thinking about.
"You met Grandma Padme when you were a kid, right? How'd you know way back then?"
Ben broke the silence, looking at his grandfather with curiosity. None of the adults interjected even though they knew the story by heart.
Anakin, mused for a moment, before chuckling softly. "Have I not told you about our first meeting?"
"Don't think so."
"Well, you're right. I was nine years old, I think," Anakin answered, Artoo jumping off his lap. Han and Leia sat upright, attentive while Luke took another sip of his wine. "Your grandma must've been fourteen at the time, in a higher grade than me and a fancier school too."
Luke loved this story. He remembered the first time his mother told it to him when he was struggling to sleep one night; the smile on her face as she retold the details was etched into his memory.
"We met while I was helping Mom at Watto's."
"The diner, right?"
"Yep. She came in with a bunch of her friends after school. Apparently someone told them that the pancakes at the diner were must-try so she came. She came up to the counter and…"
"And…"
Anakin suddenly trailed off mid-sentence, frowning. Leia raised an eyebrow, Ben and Luke watching him with concern.
"I.." His voice came out unsteadily, tethering on panic. "I can't remember."
Luke and Leia immediately looked over at each other, the color draining from their faces. At the head of the table, Anakin seemed dazed until he finally spoke, getting up from his chair.
"Sorry, I'm just.. going to.. sit outside for a bit."
Luke tried to say something but throat felt dry. Instead, all he could do was watch his father tremble slightly in his step as he stepped into the courtyard. The jingle of the cat collar followed Anakin outside, leaving the four of them with empty dinner plates and half-glasses of wine.
"Dad?"
Han and Ben took the job of washing up, a sign for the twins to go find Anakin. Their father was sitting on one of the larger wicker-basket seats, a small cigarette in his hand with a crumpled packet and lighter laid out on the garden table. Tendrils of smoke curled around the air while Anakin seemed to stare off into space while Artoo was sleeping on his lap.
"Are you smoking?!"
Leia's voice came accusatory, distracting Anakin from his train of thought. Luke couldn't help but notice how he looked like a teenager caught by his mother rather than an old man. Artoo meowed unhappily, laying back on his owners lap while Anakin only sighed, taking another drag.
"I'll have you know that I rarely smoke now. It's only once in a while, when I need to clear my head."
"Dad," Luke piped up, moving to sit beside him. "We need to talk."
Leia followed him in suit, sitting down on her father's opposite end. Cornered by his children, Anakin only sighed as he took another drag of his cigarette, exhaling the smoke before letting out a weak laugh.
"I.. I think I know. I know what you're going to say."
Leia silently reached for his hand and squeezed gently. Luke sighed, lowering his head in dismay.
"It's dementia, isn't it? I've been showing symptoms for a while now, right?"
The twins didn't reply, their silence giving Anakin his answer. He put his cigarette out before falling back on the cushions, staring up at the sky.
"If I were younger I would've fought with you and said no way, but now…"
Neither of them could say anything but that didn't stop tears from falling down their faces. Leia buried her face in Anakin's shoulder as he moved to embrace her.
"Dad.." Leia looked up and sniffled, wiping her tears away while Luke moved closer to them, joining in their hug. "Please, let us take you to a psychiatrist. Let us help you, please."
Luke wanted to cry. He felt like he already was, tightly gripping onto his father while trying not to break.
"I'll go."
"It's just… I'm scared."
It was such a simple admission but it made the twins nearly bawl into wails. Anakin had also started sobbing a bit in between words, forcing a weak smile on his face. Artoo, sensing his owners discomfort started purring softly and rubbing up his face against Anakin's, causing him to smile a bit.
"I don't want to forget either of you or my life with Padme. I'm scared that I may not recognize you after a while," Anakin chuckled with a sob catching in his throat. "I'm sorry, I…"
"Don't be sorry, Dad." Luke mumbled in a raw voice, meeting his father's blue eyes. "I'm also scared but I'm not leaving you. I'm gonna be here, the whole time."
"I'm not going anywhere either," Leia pulled away, declaring as steadily she could. "Even if you forget us, we'll remind you. And we'll always remind you."
Artoo meowed as though to say 'I'm not going anywhere either!' before cuddling into Anakin's hold. Anakin could only let out a strangled crying giggled as he held onto his cat and children.
If his father said something, Luke didn't hear it. He didn't care. The four of them spent another five minutes under the moon, embracing each other tightly as they prepared for what lies ahead.