Chapter Text
Pulling the blanket over the small body, Luke couldn’t help his smile as a big ear twitched in response. Grogu was exhausted after running around outside all day, learning to use the force to boost his jumps and get some more mobility.
Luke’s datapad he had read Grogu a bedtime-story from chimed, making him wince hoping the kid wouldn’t wake up. But after just another ear-twitch Grogu settled down again.
Luke reached for the device with a sigh expecting another message asking him to make a public appearance, or to make a statement for the latest bill that was still being discussed in the Senate. He regretted giving his comcode to that one New Republic aid that had known his mother, wanting to be able to ask them questions and learn more about her having already sourced the public archives. But that hadn’t only shown her as a Queen and a Senator, not who she had really been as a person.
The number he had handed out in confidence had somehow found itself shared with half the Senate who was now bombing him with demands, just because he was ‘the Hero of the Republic’. That his sister was right there and had actual political interest didn’t seem to matter, since she had not ‘killed’ Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine.
Luke would just change his comcode, but sadly he was stuck on a remote planet far from civilization and after the last experience away it would be a while before he ventured back to a civilized planet let alone Coruscant. He could also not just turn off the com in case of an actual emergency happening. All he could do for now was block the offenders, delete the unwanted messages, and hope they figured out that bothering him would gain them nothing.
But when he actually checked the message there was no need to block someone because it was from one of the few people he actually wanted to have contact with, his sister. She would also be more terrifying than the Emperor himself should Luke block her.
‘Hey Luke,
how are you doing? Han says hi, we miss you. For our birthday next week do you want to come over? I have a small event in the evening, just a few peopleI trust. You don’t have to be there, but you are welcome. We could also just go out to brunch in the morning? Get back to me soon.
Love Leia’
Luke read the message again trying to find the hidden meaning behind it. Because there had to be one.
No one invited Luke just to see him. He was dull, boring, the only thing special about him was that he was a Jedi, which was just genetic, and that by pure luck he had gotten the title ‘Hero of the New Republic’. And even that only kept people interested for so long until they realised Luke wasn't smart like his sister and knew little about politics and the world.
No, when Luke opened his mouth he talked about the Force in ways no one could follow, since he himself didn’t really understand it himself. Or if not the forceLuke babbled about the one thing he was actually knowledgeable about: Machinery. But who cared about how he could fix a broken moisture vaporator in under two hours? No one outside of a Tatooine moist farmer.
So giving his lacking qualities, no one really wanted to be with Luke because he was interesting. Even Leia had on multiple occasions told him to please stop talking, since she couldn’t endure his disjointed rambling anymore.
So why saddle herself with his presence on her special day? Because Luke didn’t really care much about his birthday. It was just a way to measure time for him, not something to celebrate.
Although… She was a political figure. People constantly scrutinized every move she made. If she were to celebrate her birthday in his absence there would be talks, and her political position would be weakened. But she also knew that Luke had never outgrown the Tatooine farm and didn’t mix well with politics. So giving him the options to just go out together made it seem safe for him, and still showed that their relationship was close. Because why else would she offer going out for food instead of eating at her home where Luke was the most at ease?
Sometimes he just wished people were more direct, and didn't make him work so hard to figure out their intentions. If Leia had just said ‘please come and support me’ he would have never said no. Now he was a bit apprehensive. Not that he would deny her anything, it just felt bad, being tricked.
His fingers hovered over the com, a message telling her he would be there already halfway tipped out. But then he looked at Grogu, sleeping peacefully, safe. Trusting Luke wouldn’t fail him.
As if he wasn’t already failing him with the lackluster training Luke was giving him. Luke was trying, but that was all. He had no idea what he was doing and if it was a miracle he had not messed up yet.
Luke was not ready to teach anyone. Heck, he had never really received any training himself, leaving too early and returning too late, just in time to say goodbye. It was just because he knew how overwhelming things were without any guidance that he was even teaching Grogu as inadequate as he was. Because there was no one else. Luke was the last one.
He wished Ben was still alive. He would have done a much better job at this than Luke. Would have made sure Grogu felt safe and protected, and learned the right things. The least Luke could do when failing at everything else was protect Grogu.
‘Hello Leia,
I’m sorry I can’t leave my student unsupervised and bringing him to Coruscant would put him at unnecessary risk. I’m sorry I can’t make it.
Love Luke’
And he really was. He hated to disappoint her like that, but it was the right thing.
Her answer was instand.
‘Oh, I’m sorry I should have thought about that. Can’t you ask his parents to watch him? You said they visited a while back? I really miss you’
And that was another whole can of worms. Grogu’s father who had found them, hidden as they were and nearly gave Luke a heart attack by that fact alone. For as happy as he was for Grogu that he had a loving family it was a concern for safety. If a single Mandalorian could do it, then the remembrance of the Empire could as well. Which was why Luke was even more determined to stay with Grogu for protection.
Because it wasn’t like Luke could call Grogu’s father to come watch over him in his absence. Luke didn’t have a way to contact the man even now. When the man showed up Luke didn’t get to meet him and say sorry for just taking his kid, and leaving overwhelmed by meeting another force-sensitive. He had basically kidnapped the kid.
Instead the Mandalorian had run into Ashoka, ‘I’m not a Jedi kid’ Tano who had sent him on his way for Grogu’s own good, since attachments for Jedi led to the Dark Side.
Attachments were something Luke was also spectacularly failing at since he was very attached. To Leia, to Han, to Chewie, to Grogu and yes even to Ashoka when she occasionally dropped by. So Luke tried to stay detached, be a good Jedi even though it was hard. Which was also a big reason why he had not met with Leia and Han in so long, because if he saw them he knew he would not be able to not love them. And with that set a bad example.
A soft little coo as Grogu sat up rubbing his big eyes, head tilted in question. And now Luke had even managed to wake up the child with all the sadness he was projecting into the Force. Lifting his tiny arms Grogu demanded to be picked up and held against Luke’s chest. Despite how much he was failing, Grogu never seemed to run out of patience with him, filling the Force with happiness whenever he saw Luke.
Sobs wrecked his body as he held Grogu. He shouldn't do this. Shouldn’t burden the child with this but he was weak and couldn't stop.
Grogu reached out with his little hand patting Luke’s chest.
‘Sad?’ he questioned softly.
Luke shook his head. ‘It’s alright. I’m sorry for waking you, little one’
‘Sad!’ Grogu repeated, ‘no sad. Sad bad.’
‘I’m sorry’
‘Grogu help?’ the kid asked hopefully.
‘I’m afraid this is not something you can help with. Just something I need to work through. But thank you very much for the offer.’ Luke returned, sending warmth through the still fragile bound that had started to form between them.
Grogu sent warmth back instantly, but his ears were pulled back in concentration.
‘Buir makes me happy. Buir will make you happy too.’
‘I fear that is not how it works.’ And not only because of the aforementioned lack of a com code. Luke was lucky the Mandalorian had not punched him for taking Grogu and banning him from seeing his kid - even if it had not been his decision. That was much more courtesy Luke should have expected from a race that was apparently the Jedi’s mortal enemy right next to the Sith. Something Luke also had not known when he ran into the Mandalorian the first time on the Empire’s cruiser.
‘No, sad bad,” Grogu insistently punched against Luke’s chest. ‘Will call Buir.’
‘You have his comcode?’ Luke asked in surprise, but Grogu just tilted his head in confusion. ‘Comcode? I will ask the Force to send him.’
“Grogu, that's not how that… it really isn’t-’ under the big hopeful gaze Luke just couldn't bring himself to say that it wouldn't work ‘sure you do that buddy.’
The disappointed toddler would be Future Luke’s problem. For now after a moment of concentration Grogu’s face smoothed out and he cooed happily as he sank into Luke's arm, slowly falling back asleep.
Leaning down Luke pressed a soft kiss on the kids forehead because he was a bad Jedi and no matter how hard he tried he could not stop getting attached.
~*~
Future Luke had much bigger problems than a kid pouting about failing to call his father with his mind. They had been in the middle of a walk, when Grogu’s head snapped up and he cooed in excitement. Seconds later Luke knew why when he could make out the blank spot at the edge of his mind, hinting at a muffled force presence.
The Mandalorian was coming.
But why now? After being sent away by Ashoka he had made no attempts of visiting again to Grogus dismay. It couldn’t be. Had Grogu really called him here across the galaxy? Was that something the Force could do? And Luke had not known that, falling behind his student when it came to Force abilities?
Grogu was indifferent to his blight, excitedly babbling as he waved in the direction of the approaching ship, waddling forward to greet their guest. Scooping him up, Luke moved there as well, at least wanting to make a decent expression since he had failed so miserably the first time.
The ship, a very sleek Naboo starfighter Luke itched to get his hands in, was approaching, lacking any grace. Was the Mandalorian injured? Bleeding out while he piloted the ship? Holding Grogu close and shielding him as best as he could without the cloak he regretted not wearing today, they braced the cloud of sand and dust that was whipped up by the harsh landing.
Luke was debating if Grogu would stay at a safe distance if Luke sat him down, worried what he would find, when the Mandalorian swung himself out of the cockpit landing with ease unlike the previous flying, spear in one hand, blaster in the other, helmet focused on Luke.
Now he understood why many were afraid of Mandalorians and why they had been capable of killing Jedi during the war. Luke himself felt a shiver going down his spine and even as blank as the Mandalorian was in the force he could tell the fury from body language alone.
His hand landed on his lightsaber on instinct, not yet pulling it, not wanting to provoke, but ready. The only saving grace was that no matter what happened to him Grogu would be safe, the Mandalorian caring for the child.
A fact proven by the Mandalorian’s own words: “Where is the child?!”
It took all of Luke’s self control not to step back when the Mandalorian took a step towards him.
He couldn’t understand why. He had faced the Emperor, Darth Vader himself and had been calm. But he had believed in his father back then, that there was good in him, that he was not an enemy. Confronted with the blankness in the Force he couldn’t tell if their shaky alliance for the child had shattered and the Mandalorian returned to his old ways.
“Bu!” Grogu wiggled with excitement from where Luke had pushed him in his own tunic to shield his sensitive ears from the dust of the landing.
For a moment the Mandalorian stood frozen, then with a dull thud the spear fell from his lax grip before the whole Mandalorian collapsed, landing on his knees in the sand of the makeshift landing area. Suddenly Luke’s initial assessment of a near fatal injury seemed pretty likely again.
Grogu cooed frantically with worry and Luke sat him down where he instantly waddled forward until he could hug the Mandalorian’s knee.
“You’re alive.” The voice modulator filtered it out well but Luke was sure the Mandalorian’s voice shook. At least his hands did when he reached out carefully, running a finger down Grogu’s ear making it twitch.
Grogu patted the Mandalorian’s knee, radiating worry in the Force. The Mandalorian picked the child up, hugging it close to the chest, trembling. “I thought- I thought-”
Taking his hand of the lightsaber, deeming the situation safe Luke stepped closer sinking down to crouch next to the pair. “Grogu is fine, eating to many frogs for my liking compared to the exercise I get him to do, but otherwise healthy.”
The chuckle that got him was distorted by the helmet and first sent another wave of apprehension before Luke realised what it had been.
“He loves his frogs.”
“He does. Can I ask, why did you think he was- did something happen?” Luke had not heard any bad news coming from the New Republic recently. But he was also not that well connected to the outside world.
The long silence before the Mando spoke next made him feel uneasy. “I had nightmares. I didn’t want to come, didn’t want to jeopardize his training,” damn Ashoka, way to make a man feel guilty. “But they keep coming every night. I just had to know.”
Luke’s heart went out for the other man. He could imagine the panic he must have felt. Before he could stop himself he had placed a hand on the other's shoulder, or well the metal shoulder pad. But the mandalorian didn’t lash out at Luke’s audacity, just seemed to sack into himself even more.
Poor guy. Maybe Luke could teach him how to meditate even for non-force sensitives that helped relax and come to terms with your inner fears. Find the spark that had started the avalanche of fear that created the nightmares, since your subconscious wanted to tell you something-
Luke winced, the Mando’s head snapped up. “What?”
“I’m sorry.” Luke couldn’t help but say.
“Sorry for what?” The relaxed body language of the Mando grew tense again.
“I may know why you had these nightmares,” Luke winced as he could see the Mandalorian pull Grogu to his side away from Luke, as if he was dangerous. “Grogu said he would call you. I thought he was joking, a child missing his family,” the Mando twitched, “but I think he accidentally used the Force to call you as clumsy as it was. Only for it to manifest as nightmares to urge you to come check.”
‘My fault?’ Grogu asked, regret tinting his Force-presence and Luke did everything to reassure him. Grogu did nothing wrong, it was all on Luke for not knowing this was even a possibility.
“I’m sorry. I should have taken it more seriously and considered the possibility of this happening and warned you accordingly.” Biting his lip anxiously. “On that note, would it be possible to get your com code. Just in case! I don’t think something like this will happen again but just to contact you if necessary.”
“You want to contact me? Regarding Grogu? But attachments are bad for him?”
The guilt Luke felt made his shoulder pull up. “Still as his parent it would be better if I could at least inform you about important things.”
“I don’t have to give him up completely?" And he was trembling again. Luke had really fucked up by taking Grogu without a explanation.
“I’m sorry. It is my fault. I should have asked for your com code before, but with the situation it slipped my mind. While attachments are not ideal,” understatement, “him worrying about you isn’t either. We would have to find a healthy balance but I think it would be better-”
His nervous rambling was cut off by the Mandalorian’s own hand landing on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
It made Luke cringe. He shouldn’t be thanked for common decency.
But the Mandalorian did, happy for the chance to stay in his kid’s life. And now Luke could also understand the accusation and old stories of the Jedi being child snatchers. If they separated children from their parents no matter how good the intentions, with no way to connect the Order and ask after them, the Jedi would obviously be the villains.
So attachments weren’t good leading to the Dark Side, but just separating the kids and parents was also not acceptable. There had to be something in between, something everyone could live with.
Something Luke tried to establish in the next few days while the Mandalorian stayed, unable to just leave the child just yet. And Grogu seemed happier, more attentive during lessons, and laughed more. How could this be a bad thing?
Beside the awkwardness as Grogu insisted Luke and the Mandalorian spend time together with him, his previous words about his Buir making Luke happy ringing in Luke’s ears. And when Grogu pushed their hands together with ‘Luke Sad. Buir Sad. You make me happy. Now make each other happy. Force said so,’ he had never been happier that the Mandalorian was a Force-null as Luke’s face burned.
But beside the awkward hand holding the one time things had been good, the Mandalorian undisruptive, and not setting Luke on edge. Maybe because he didn’t talk much, and if he did say something it was simple, without any hidden meaning.
So Luke didn’t mind and regretted even more not exchanging com codes sooner so the man could visit. Or at least things had been fine until it was time for the Mandalorian to leave, reassured the child was safe he could return to his normal life.
Only Grogu was screaming, crying out, protesting, clinging to the Mandalorian, who had in all the days never shared his name, as he wailed. Now Luke could understand why the Jedi Order when it had still existed insisted on a hard cut as young as possible. To prevent heartbreak like this over and over again. If Grogu was so devastated every time his father visited and left the emotions would take a toll and over a long period of time could lead to resentment and yes maybe even the Dark Side.
Luke in his own attempt to reassure himself that emotions and attachments weren’t bad in moderation had created a situation that hurt Grogu. And his own distress as he held back tears, Grogu clutched to his chest as the Mando boarded his ship did little to help the little one calm down.
With one last wave they watched the ship take off, rising to the sky. Luke wished he could be this free. Take to the sky, leave all the worries behind.
The ship had cleared the treeline.
A blinding pain shot through Luke’s chest, not even able to gasp with how blindsided he was by it. It tore through him, sent all his nerves on fire, was so much worse than when he was in the Emperor's chamber getting electrocuted. At the same time it was so much easier to bear as his body still responded, as he sank to his knees letting go of Grogu before he could accidentally crush him.
What was happening? He had not been attacked. There was no one to attack him. Trying to reach out with the Force, pain shot through his head, making any attempts of concentration impossible.
A worried wabble from Grogu, the sound of a crash- wait?
Blinking through tear filled eyes he could see the sky was empty. Looking further up there was no ship entering the atmosphere, looking down he could see some smoke in the distance.
Shit.
Despite the pain, he made it back to his feet stumbling forward. With each step it seemed easier to bear. Grogu was at his side demanding to be picked up as Luke started to jog towards the crashside.
Arriving he found it was less of a crash and more of a really hard landing, leaving the ship scratched and dented but pretty much functional. Mando himself seemed fine as well as he stood beside the ship assessing the damage.
“Everything alright?” Luke asked a bit breathless, but without any lasting effects of the pain beside the shock.
“Fine.”
Luke waited but Mando didn’t continue. “Your ship crashed.”
“Just a rough landing.”
“But why?”
Mando turned away uncomfortable. “Pain in the chest. I will be out of your hair soon:”
Luke gasped. “You too?!”
“Too?” Mando eyed Luke. What was the likelihood of them being in pain at the exact moment when the Mandalorian attempted to take off?
‘Told you not to leave.’ Grogu insisted
‘What do you mean?’ Luke asked the child.
‘Happy together. Force said so. No separation.’
‘Grogu Darling. Could it be you asked the Force for help again? Just when calling your father?’
‘Happy together,’ Grogu insisted.
Letting out a deep sight Luke wondered how he was going to explain to a Mandalorian that he was under the influence of the Force without it exploding in his face.
“What did he say? You two talked.”
“I’m sorry. It seems he thinks we would be happier together. And relayed that to the Force so now-” he couldn’t finish it.
“You mean if we have a certain distance we will be in pain.”
“It is only a theory for now we would need to test it but that is how it seems. I will try to fix this naturally,” Luke insisted as he took in the Mandalorians crossed arms. “It is just I have never dealt with a situation or Force powers like this so it will take some time. But I will fix it.”
To his surprise there was no rage, no outburst, the Mandalorian just scooped up the child softly tugging at his ear in scolding. “Alright. I will stay then.”
And that was it. The Mandalorian was staying for now.