Chapter Text
The first time Luke Organa met Anakin Skywalker it was completely by accident. Luke had been working his regular shift in the diner, a small and not too fancy place simply called Tanya's Diner, after the diner's original owner, whom Luke had never met personally. These days the diner was run by Owen Lars and his wife Beru, who were friendly enough people, and quite kind to Luke since he had started working for them during his Junior year. Now a year out of University and with an unfortunately underutilized yet expensive piece of paper for a degree, he was happy for the work. Had to work off the debt somehow.
Leia had already managed to turn her internship into a middle management position on a state-wide campaign on a Liberal Arts degree and her own ingenuity. Luke wasn't resentful of her drive and success, but he was a bit envious at her paychecks...
But, like he'd said, not too fancy a place. Clientele were mostly working people, blue collar, and young families. The odd out of town-er looking for a reliable burger and fries. So to say it was a shock when Anakin Skywalker walked into the place was a bit of an understatement. Especially dressed as he was, in a full on suit and tie, briefcase in hand. Beautiful smile, perfect hair...
Anakin Skywalker was a dangerous man. But his gaze softened when it fell on him and he strode over to where he stood at the counter, confidant as anything.
“I'm looking for Owen Lars.”
“Huh?” Oh great, Luke, you can't even talk properly. “Oh, yeah. Owen's out right now. I think he just ran to the bank. He'll be back soon. Maybe twenty minutes?”
“I'll wait.” Anakin reached past him, almost brushing his shoulder, as Luke stared with what could probably be described as a deer in the headlights look, to grab one of the diner's menus. Right. Those were there. He was standing in front of them, staring like an idiot.
Anakin set his briefcase down in a nearby booth and sat next to it to peruse the menu.
“Um. Could I get you a drink? Sir?”
Anakin peered over the top of the menu for a moment, his eyes hard and calculating before breaking into a slow, languid smile. “Get me a coke.” He said simply. Amused.
Luke scurried off to fulfill the order.
By the time Owen got back, Anakin was on his second coke and halfway through a basket of onion rings. Luke wouldn't have pegged the eponymous Skywalker as an onion ring fan, he seemed more like the Steak and Lobster type, but there was no denying what he was seeing.
He had told Anakin that the onion rings were his favourite too and Anakin had only raised an eyebrow at him before he managed to scurry off again. He really was hopeless. Making a fool of himself in front of the rich businessman. And known (highly suspected) gangster but he didn't need to think about that part right now.
“Anakin!” Owen called when he noticed the other man. “What a... pleasant surprise.” His voice suggested it was anything but a pleasant surprise. Luke may have begun to panic a bit. The diner was nearly empty at this hour, the only people in it were a couple of teens and an old man drinking his coffee. The only other person on shift was the cook. If Owen had gotten involved in Skywalker's business and he was here to collect... Would he be collateral damage? A witness? No, people weren't slaughtered en masse in diners. It just didn't happen.
“You know why I'm here.” Oh. Dear God no. “We should talk privately.”
“Hey!” Luke stepped in. Why was Luke stepping in? “Is, uh, is everything to your taste, sir?”
Anakin looked annoyed at him, but his look turned to a quiet amusement. “Maybe so. Maybe not. What do you care?”
“If Mr. Lars is in trouble, I can help him, I have some money saved up.” Not a total lie, “I could ask my sister. Or my parents. I could...”
“Luke--” Owen started, but Anakin cut him off by raising his hand in the air.
“Say I don't want your money. Say I want something... a little more intimate.”
Luke couldn't tell if he was serious. His eyes bore into him. He swallowed hard as he felt his face heat up. He fiddled with his apron. “I--”
“Quit it, Anakin, you're scaring the boy.” Owen said sharply.
Anakin laughed. It was a melodious sound, quite beautiful, but it cut Luke quite deeply. Clearly it had been a joke. Why was that disappointing again?
“You're a brave kid, I'll give you that.” Anakin rose from the booth, pulling his briefcase up with him. “But Owen is my step-brother. I'm here for a family matter.”
“Oh.” Wait... what? Owen Lars was related to Anakin Skywalker? He was his step-brother?
As he passed him by, Anakin ruffled his hair. Like a dumb kid. Well, at least he had only made a scene in front of a few teens and an old man. And Anakin freaking Skywalker. Good Lord.
He needed a coffee.
*
The second time Luke Organa met Anakin Skywalker was not an accident. It was five days later and Saturday and his only morning shift of the week. He was about twenty minutes away from the end of his shift when Anakin Skywalker walked in again. No briefcase this time, and dressed a little more casually. He had a grey suit on instead of black and he had foregone the tie.
“Um. Owen isn't here today so...”
Anakin shook his head and leaned against the counter. “I'm not here to see Owen.”
“Then... do you want a coke? Onion rings? Something else?”
Anakin laughed. “Something else.” His expression changed into something a bit more subdued. “I should apologize to you. For before. I shouldn't have teased you like that.”
“You came all this way to apologize for teasing me?”
“No, I came all this way to ask you out. Owen told me this is the only day you get off at a reasonable time.” A smile played on his face, and a glimmer of something danced through his eyes. Oh boy was he a charmer. Oh but he was a dangerous man. Allegedly.
“You'd better not be teasing me again.”
“Now why would I do a thing like that? No, really, I am sorry. You're just very cute flustered.” Luke found himself quite flustered again. Not great. But Anakin put a hand on his shoulder. “I'll take that as a yes though.”
*
Anakin's car was nice. Probably the nicest car he'd ever been in, and that included riding in the limo with Leia and their friends to Prom. Anakin's car was not a limo, but it was sleek and it shined, and it was all black. He had no idea what it was, but it had some sort of star on the hood.
Anakin drove like a demon. Luke loved it. Even as Anakin drove the car out past the city limits. Luke was still almost certain he wasn't going to end up murdered.
“You don't work tomorrow.” It wasn't a question. But there was a question there.
“You want to keep me out all night?”
“Maybe.” He was giving an ironic half-smile, the one he had worn at the diner. The one that was probably meant to be casually flirty, but paired with Anakin's smouldering gaze, went way beyond that.
Luke's heart beat faster, but he wasn't afraid.
“Do you have anyone waiting on you at home?” Anakin asked, seeming genuinely curious.
“I live with my sister.”
“Your sister?” The trees flew past them as Anakin effortlessly navigated the freeway.
“Her name is Leia. We're twins.” He shrugged. “Its cheaper to live together.” Even if Leia got the only real bedroom in the apartment and Luke was stuck with the glorified closet with no natural light. She was the one paying most of the bills and the rent. “Uh, what about you?”
“I'm an only child. Well, except for Owen I guess, but our parents didn't get together until we were nearly grown, so I don't know how much he counts. You know I'm not married.” Luke did know that. “I live alone.” His eyes glimmered with something unreadable, “My place isn't as fancy as the big boss's but I make do. A penthouse suite is a penthouse suite, right?”
“Uh. Right?” Luke wouldn't know anything like that. He'd grown up in a fairly middle class suburb in a fairly middle class family with two kids and a dog and a backyard. “I guess I don't really see the appeal of a fancy apartment dozens of storeys above the ground.”
Anakin laughed. “You are right there, kid. It wasn't my first choice either.”
“What was your first choice?”
“Hm. Maybe a castle.”
Luke couldn't help but laugh at that. “It'd suit you, that's for sure.”
“Oh yeah? Well. Maybe.” Anakin pursed his lips, and Luke noticed he was turning onto an exit he didn't recognize.
“Where are we going?”
“That's a surprise.” Anakin replied, but his voice sounded tight.
“Is something wrong?”
“No.” Anakin sighed. “Yes. But it's nothing you need to be concerned about.”
“That just makes me more concerned.”
Anakin looked at him softly, but with bemusement. He sighed again and pulled onto a street towards what looked like an old city marketplace.
“Its my mother.”
“Oh?”
“She's dying.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Don't be. I shouldn't have told you.” He pulled the car onto a side street that looked like it led to nowhere.
“But you did.”
“Yeah. I did.”
Anakin came to a stop in front of what Luke couldn't decide was a house or an industrial building. It was unmarked in any case.
“What is this place?” Luke asked.
“I'm just making a delivery.” What kind of delivery? Was it the kind he shouldn't know about? Was even knowing about this place going to get him put on a hit list somewhere? “You can come in if you want. Grab a bag from the trunk if you do.” OK, so it was probably not that kind of place.
Luke grabbed a bag from the trunk. It was one of those reusable tote bags that people used for groceries. Everything in it was wrapped up in plastic, so he couldn't tell what it was. It wasn't too heavy, but there were only the two bags, so they each only carried one.
“Anakin Skywalker!” Anakin was greeted as he walked through the door. The woman hugged him and took the bag from him. Luke handed her his bag too. “Are you staying a while?” She asked, eyeing Luke somewhat suspiciously, which made him bristle a bit because he was clearly the least suspicious person here.
“Not long,” Anakin replied, somewhat regretfully. “Just fulfilling my duty.”
“Well, the kids certainly appreciate it.” Kids?
Once they were back in the car, Luke had to ask. “So Anakin Skywalker donates to needy children? Is that what I'm hearing?”
“Its not like that. Trust me. I'm not a good person.”
“Really? Because it seems like--”
“No!” Anakin snapped, before breathing in deeply. “Its really not what it looked like. Please don't think better of me for it. In fact, as better of me you feel you should think, that's how much worse you should think of me because it really, really isn't like that.”
“So... You ask me out, show off your charity work and now you're begging me to think less of you? No offence, Skywalker, but what is your end goal here.”
Anakin sighed deeply, leaning his head against the steering wheel.”You're a good kid. You seem to like me, for God knows what reason.” He shrugged, his eyes looking desperately sad. “And I like you. You feel right, like I can trust you. And I'm... God Luke, I'm so fucking lonely.” He looked at him, almost pleading. “My mother is dying and she wants... She wants to see me happy before she... And I'm not. I just... I can give you money. Not like that.” He added at Luke's affronted look. “Just, I can give you things. I can do things for you. I have a lot to offer if you're willing... If you want...”
“What do you want me to do?” Luke asked, voice barely a whisper.
“Just be with me. I won't make you do anything you aren't comfortable with. I'm not that kind of monster. You don't have to worry about me, I won't... I won't hurt you. Just... just be with me. Please. I can give you so much if you...”
Luke put his had over Anakin's, trying to pull his gaze to meet his own. Anakin was almost crying. It was unnerving. It was intimate. Luke pressed forward to wipe away an unshed tear. Then he pressed in further to lay a kiss on Anakin's lips. They were softer than he expected. Though maybe it was wrong of him to expect anything other than a human man after all. Anakin leaned into the kiss desperately. How long had it been since someone had kissed him. He felt the tears of the older man falling on his own face. The kiss deepened, though which one of them had done it, Luke didn't know. He knew Anakin's hand had reached around the back of his head and was pulling him deeper, closer. His tongue was on his lips, in his mouth, soft and elusive, he wanted it more. His other hand pulled out from under his own, running up his thigh over the car's console, his thumb sliding down. He instinctively moved his legs apart...
And ended up banging his knee against the gear shift. He pulled away.
“Ow.” But Anakin was laughing again, so he supposed it had been worth it.
“Do I take that as a yes then?”
“I...” What was he agreeing to? “So what, you'd be like... my sugar daddy?” It was embarrassing to say out loud, but Anakin nodded encouragingly. “I...” Was he really planning on agreeing to this? His parents would say this was a terrible idea. Leia would say this was a terrible idea and that he was an idiot. If they knew. And if they knew they would be terribly worried. Anakin Skywalker was a dangerous man. Who probably gave bombs or illegal drugs to needy children. But...
“I'll do it.”
*
Anakin Skywalker's home was an eclectic mess. He'd promised to take Luke out to the fanciest place in town to wine and dine “but not tonight”, he'd said. “They'll notice me with you, we need to take it slow. And we need to get you a nicer wardrobe.” Luke wanted to be offended at that, he really did, but looking at his own worn khakis and scuffed shoes he had to admit that he was right.
Besides if Skywalker was the one paying, he was free to buy Luke whatever he thought he needed.
Luke should really have felt bad about the idea of some older man coming in and “taking care” of him financially, but to his own surprise he didn't. The idea felt kind of nice if anything. He didn't want to think on what that meant.
In any case, they were at what Anakin was calling the “low-profile” stage. What stages there were and how long they would be and if they would get to the next one, Luke didn't ask. He just let Anakin show him around the penthouse, telling him to “make himself at home” as if that were even possible.
“If you're keeping me overnight, I need to call my sister.”
“Go ahead.” Anakin, replied, falling into an armchair in the den he had led Luke to, in front of a fake but intricately detailed fireplace. He looked exhausted.
Luke didn't know if he was supposed to leave the room to make the call, but he figured he didn't want the older man to think he was hiding something. So he sat in the adjacent couch, which was so very comfortable, and made the call.
“Luke where the hell are you? I know you're not out with Ezra because I'm out with Ezra and you aren't here.”
“Hi Leia, how was your day. Mine was great, thanks for asking.”
“Haha. Very funny Luke. Where are you.”
“I'm...” With a friend? On a date? With notorious (alleged) gangster and millionaire business executive Anakin Skywalker? “Out. I'm staying over at a friend's place. A new friend. You don't know him.”
There was a beat of silence on the other end of the phone. Then, “Luke did you hook up with someone?”
“Kind of?”
“Well be safe then.”
“Why would I be unsafe?”
“I mean use protection dumbass. Condoms. You do remember sex ed right?”
“Goodnight Leia.” He pressed the end call button, but it didn't stop Leia from texting him a guide on how to use condoms “just in case.”
“Interesting sister you have there. Almost makes me wish I had one.”
“Why?” If anything wouldn't it make him thankful he didn't?
But Anakin shrugged. He did that a lot for a usually put together confidant businessman. “You seem close.”
Which was fair. They were close. “Maybe its just a twin thing.”
“Hmm. I should make you something to eat. Just because we aren't going out doesn't mean dinner is cancelled, yeah?”
Luke certainly couldn't deny that he was rather hungry, but he also couldn't deny that Anakin looked more ready for a nap than dinner. But he also also couldn't just make his own food in someone else's kitchen. Someone he had met five days ago and was now... dating? Their only date had consisted of speeding around the freeway and going back to his place after an emotionally charged conversation where he agreed to let Anakin be his sugar daddy. And no, that wasn't any less embarrassing to say in the comfort of his own head.
But the concept sure felt nice.
Oh. Right. Food.
“We could order something in?” Luke suggested after a moment, bringing a wry smile from the older man.
“Mmm. Not a bad idea. Order whatever you want, but make sure the lobby knows about it.” He pulled something from his pocket and tossed it to Luke. It was a credit card. “I'll need that back.” Of course he would need it back. “I'll get you one of your own soon though.” Oh. Ok. Luke had to admit, the idea of going out on his own to shop with a card marked 'Anakin Skywalker' made him feel more than a bit fluttery.
He ended up ordering pizza, after going back and forth with Anakin about the toppings for a solid few minutes at least. They both liked meat, both hated pineapple, but that was where the similarities ended, so they ended up with nothing but meat, with Luke adding a salad to the order to make up for lost vegetables.
They had talked quite extensively in the car. Luke knew a thousand different meaningless (but not to him) things about the other man and he had given back about the same, but he had kept himself from asking the big question. He didn't want to ask the big question.
Was Anakin Skywalker really a ruthless, murderous gangster?
He certainly didn't seem like it, half-asleep in his armchair, listening to Luke blather on about his senior thesis project. But things weren't always what they seemed. The older man had even said it himself. He was a monster. Maybe Luke was being foolish for not just taking his word for it and hightailing it out of there as soon as he could. But then again, he was probably already a fool for going with him in the first place. Maybe he should have told Leia who he was with, just in case things turned out badly.
“Luke?”
“Yeah?”
“You stopped talking. What are you thinking about?”
“Uh well...” He probably shouldn't lie. He probably couldn't lie, at least not convincingly at this point. “You, mostly.”
“Is that right? Well, I suppose I am pretty interesting. What are you thinking about me?”
“I'm thinking... that I like you.” Not a lie. “I'm thinking about what's going to happen with us.” Not a lie. “I'm thinking you look absolutely divine sprawled out like a king in your armchair.” Not a lie.
“Not wondering if I'm going to kill you then?” His heart skipped a beat. How did he? Or was he answering a question Luke didn't want to ask?
“You won't kill me.”
“Are you sure?” His glare was sudden and sharp. He'd gone from half-asleep to alert and predatory in what felt like less than a second. He perched on the edge of the armchair as if ready to strike.
“I'm sure.”
Not a lie.
Anakin studied him passively for a moment longer. “I am a killer. Just so you know exactly who you're getting involved with here. I do kill people. All the rumours you've heard are true. Don't try and delude yourself into believing anything different. It'll only end in heartbreak.”
That was more brutal honesty than Luke was probably ready for. But then the pizza arrived and he was given an excuse to leave the room. At least to catch his breath for a moment.
It'll only end in heartbreak. For him or for Anakin? For all he seemed to be, he had sounded emotionally raw beneath all the bravado.
He signed for the pizza, noting the delivery kid wince as he saw 'Anakin Skywalker' on his card. Huh, Luke supposed he'd been that kid earlier in the week himself. Now here he was in the man's home, with his card. Deluding himself. He thanked the kid and made his way back into the house.
Anakin had gotten up, and appeared to be pacing the room when Luke returned. “I uh. Got the pizza?” Anakin was frowning. He didn't look happy, but he didn't look quite the wrong side of angry yet either. So that was a good thing.
“You're still here.” Did he think he would leave? Why would he leave at this point? Was it even safe to do so? “You can go you know. I'm not worried. Nobody would believe you anyway. So. You can go. Hey, you can even take the pizza.” It was an honest attempt at humour so Luke gave him a smile for it.
“I can't eat a whole pizza alone.”
“Oh no?” The tension leaving the older man's body was palpable. “What kind of fresh from Uni kid are you that you can't eat a whole pizza? You know when I was your age I...” He trailed off. Luke didn't press it. Merely set the pizza down, sat on the couch, and pulled the older man down to sit beside him. Anakin let himself be pulled down.
Luke cuddled into his side, just ever so slightly. “This Ok?” He asked. Anakin's arm went around him pulling him closer and he all but buried his face in Luke's hair, leaving a long kiss on his head.
“Its more than ok.”
Luke barely tasted the pizza, but he felt every movement of Anakin's body beside his and had it committed to memory. He hadn't been with anyone since... Well since ever, really.
“Will you sleep with me?” Anakin asked, after dinner was done and they were still cuddling on the couch like lovesick teenagers. “Not sex. I'm too tired. Just. With me?”
“Of course.”
Anakin's bedroom was about what he had expected after the day he'd had. Dark. With red and black silk bedding, on a king sized bed with an intricate darkly coloured, almost black, matching footboard and headboard. There was little in the way of personal effects. But there was a dresser, a closet, and two end tables on either side of the bed. Bookshelves too, and a mirror on either side of the room by the doorway.
“You can wear something of mine if you want. Or just strip down if you aren't too cold.” Luke ended up wearing his undershorts to bed. Anakin watched him undress appreciatively before shucking his own suit into his hamper. “Damn kid, you look good.” Unfortunately Anakin ended up pulling on full length sleep pants over his own legs, but even just seeing him shirtless was enough. “I get cold.” He explained, slipping into the bed.
Somewhat unsure, but gone far enough that it would be worse to back down, Luke followed suit, again cuddling close to the older man as Anakin put his arm around him, much like how they were sat on the couch but. More. He pressed flush against his body. His mostly naked body. He maneuvered Luke so that the younger man's head rested right beneath his chin and nuzzled into his hair.
Anakin seemed to have no trouble falling asleep with Luke in his arms, and even while his thoughts were racing, Luke somehow didn't have much trouble either. It just felt... so nice.
His last half-formed thought before he fell asleep was that he was falling in love with Anakin Skywalker. And that he was definitely, totally, irrevocably fucked.