the ground underneath him didn’t even acknowledge his presence, the grass didn’t stir, he made no footsteps in the cool earth as he stood. silent and entirely intangible. and yet, the force moved around him as if he was really there. anakin looked up almost immediately at the sound of his son’s voice. his son. it was still something he had to get used to, that he could just sit and talk to him like this after everything. growing accustomed to his spectral form didn’t come without its complications. including the faint prick of something resembling — in the simplest terms — sadness, at luke’s words. it was an uncomfortable feeling, one he hadn’t often felt until recently. though he hadn’t felt much of anything, as vader, in years. until luke came into his life. anakin didn’t answer immediately, but even as a ghost he retained his default frown that graced his features. ( wrong ? why would there be anything wrong with him ) luke, the one who had so compassionately offered him forgiveness… maybe it was the father in him talking, but he couldn’t imagine seeing a flaw in him. but anakin knew it was never that simple. maybe something had happened. he didn’t try to touch luke — offer a comforting hand on his son’s shoulder — anakin wouldn’t dare. the unfortunate reincarnation wouldn’t let him, but it wasn’t just that. even though he had been redeemed, he carried the guilt of his life around him like a weight. it was the same guilt that pulled his hand back to his side. ( don’t overstep. ) it wasn’t very often he got to talk to luke. at least, not as much as he would like. after everything, he still had that desire for attention, for human contact.
“ nothing is wrong with you. “ clumsily, anakin tried to provide support. “ normal is only a point of view, “ he supplied, and after a moment he offered a faint smile. a playfulness in his blue eyes that was a reminder that anakin was here, not vader, and with him came his personality. “ after all, i don’t think skywalkers are known for being normal. “ an attempt at being relaxed, in hopes to alleviate the leftover burning of guilt.