Chapter Text
There truly must’ve been something special about Piett for Vader to apologize to him. Since Vader’s first public appearance no one had ever heard him apologize to anyone but the Emperor, and clearly it wasn’t out of respect. Does Vader care about me? The thought made Piett blush. He was rather quickly making his way back to the bridge, no, you’ll have time to think about later. You have a job to do, he told himself. He reached the bridge and rushed over to his station. He drowned himself in his work, finishing tasks days ahead of schedule, never letting his mind wander. He would’ve stayed longer than the shift change if it wasn’t for a coworker letting him know. He thanked them and started making his way to his room.
Does he care about me, Piett thought again, entering the room. Do I care about him…?
Oh. The thought never occurred to him before. Even if Vader did want to be with him, did Piett really want that? You know what? Fuck it! Yes, I do, he thought, I think I have for quite some time now. Piett groaned as he sat down at his desk. He was going to get himself killed. He’ll deal with that later, now he had to think about how to seduce the Supreme Commander of The Imperial Navy.™
Maybe I could give him something, he suggested to himself. No, what would Vader even want?
He’s been stressed lately, he thought. I’ll just ask him if he’s okay, start simple. I doubt the Emperor ever asked that.
He settled on the decision. The next day, during his report, he’d simply ask if the man was alright.
He stood up and went to get ready for bed, no more thinking for tonight. He didn’t have any dreams that night.
Piett woke the next day, fueled by his determination. He could do this! He would do this! he started his daily walk to the bridge, mind going over the different ways he could ask someone if they were okay.
“Firmus!” Max called, rushing to catch up to Piett. “Where have you been? You canceled on me twice.”
“I’m sorry Max, but this really isn’t a good time, I have work to do,” Piett said, still making his way towards the bridge.
“Bullshit!!” Max yelled, heads turning in there direction. “You finish all your work before it’s even assigned!!”
“Max, you’re making a scene,” Piett stopped, not expecting his friend to shout, he was usually very level-headed.
“Oh please,” Max sighed. “With the shit you’ve been doing what I’m doing hardly matters. We need to talk! Now.”
Max grabbed his arm and dragged Piett towards the maintenance room. When they arrived Max pushed inside and closed the door behind the both of them.
“What is it, Max?” Piett sighed.
“Vader ask for a report from you. You specifically!” Max scolded. “I told you to lay low! It’s like you want his attention.”
Piett hesitated.
“You do, don’t you,” Max said. “Firmus, what the fuck!? He’s going to kill you!”
“I disagree,” Piett replied, defensively.
“What do you mean you disagree?! All of two people are immune to Vader and one of them is the god damn Emperor!!”
He hesitated again, just hearing the Emperor’s name made him hateful.
“With all due respect, Max,” he began. “You can’t stop me.”
“Firmus!!” Max shouted after Piett as he left. Piett ignored him and finally made it to the bridge.
Well that whole situation definitely hadn’t help his morale, but Vader wouldn’t kill him, he knew that for certain… somehow. But now wasn’t the time to be thinking about that, he just need to get through his shift and initiate his plan. A lot of the crew had been over worked since the destruction of the Death Star, the entire fleet was focused on capturing the perpetrator, Skywalker. That was likely why Vader was so stressed as well, but they were very close to uncovering the rebel base, and Skywalker would be there with the rest of the rebels. Piett entered the bridge, started his work, though he had gotten most done early, and waited. It didn’t take long for a fellow officer to approach him.
“Captain,” they said. “Lord Vader requested a report from.”
Piett nodded and took the data-pad and began reading it while on the way towards Vader’s quarters. Oh my! He thought. We found it! The rebel base! The realization made him walk faster, Vader would be very pleased with this. He reached Vader’s chambers and, as usual, they opened before he could request access.
“Report, Captain,” Vader said, well, more like demanded.
“Sir, we’ve discovered signs of rebel activity in the Hoth system,” Piett began and continued, reciting the details of what they’d discovered.
“Set a course immediately,” Vader ordered. “And have General Veers prepare a ground assault.”
“Will do, sir,” Piett replied and hesitated to add on. “And one more thing, my Lord.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“I… I just wanted to ask, if you don’t mind, that is…” Come on, just say! “I was just wondering if you… were alright?”
Vader didn’t reply.
“You just seemed rather… stressed lately.”
Vader hesitated again. Oh no… Oh no! This was a mistake! I should’ve just mined my own business!!
“Your… concern is noted, Captain,” Vader spoke, finally. His voice less harsh than usual. “Rest assured, I am fine…”
Piett was shocked, Vader had actually answered, he couldn't’ stop smiling. “Very good, my Lord!”
“You are dismissed, Captain.”
Piett gave a quick ‘yes, sir’ and left, smiling all the way. Ozzel’s face when Piett relayed the orders was priceless, as was the other officer’s.