Author Topic: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
ZekksGoddess  1424 posts
Registered: Oct '04
41719_Zekk
Date Posted: 3/31/08 4:57pm Subject: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette - Date Edited: 3/31/08 4:58pm (1 edits total) Edited By: ZekksGoddess
Lifeday Candles
By: ZekksGoddess

Disclaimer: All things Star Wars belong to George Lucas. Although, I suppose that means 'Berniers' is copywright to me, now.
Timeframe: Before/During YJK
Summary: Lifedays are times for family celebrations.
Characters: Zekk, Peckhum
Genre: mush!
AN:Look! Something happy with Zekk in it!
My first Monday Mush Mania attempt.
______________________________________________________________________



“Twenty minutes.”

In response, there was a vague grunt from the corner.

Zekk grinned down from his cross-legged position atop a pile of heavy boxes. “Nineteen minutes.”

Grunting again, an old man rolled over on his cot to glare up at him. “Boy,” he grumbled, his voice thick, “Don’t you know old people don’t like to be reminded they’re getting older?”

“Which brings us to another matter…how old are you going to be?”

“Old enough.” He responded briskly, closing his eyes as though trying to close the conversation.

Zekk pointedly ignored the hint.

“Come on Peckhum, I need to know how many candles to light.”

Peckhum pulled the blankets closer to his face. “Don’t need candles.”

“It’s your Lifeday; of course you’re going to have candles.”

Sighing, the grizzled old spacer sat up, letting his blanket fall down onto his lap.

“Really, Zekk” he said firmly, fixing the younger boy with a hard look. “I’m old, old enough to have had enough lifedays to stop caring ‘bout ‘em. I don’t need… candles or anything.”

Zekk frowned from his high perch. He knew Peckhum wasn’t really annoyed, it was just the old man’s nature to keep things simple, living day to day life as usual without much of a break in the routine. Of course, Zekk had taken it upon himself to dote on Peckum now and then, for becoming his friend and something of a grandfatherly figure to him, if not for taking him in instead of sending him to an orphanage.

“It’s an awful nice thought, of course.” Peckhum continued groggily, “but if you really insist, just a simple ‘Happy Lifeday’ would do.”

Zekk cocked his head, still frowning although the hints of a smile lurked at the corners of his lips. “But Peckhum,” he murmured slowly, “don’t you want to know what I got you?”

Peckhum wiped at his bleary eyes with the back of his hand, looking up at Zekk quizzically. “You got me somethin’?

“Course I did.” Zekk answered nonchalantly. “It’s your lifeday.”

“Really, you didn’t have to go an-“

“Fifteen minutes”.

Sighing, Peckhum pushed back the covers and swung his legs to the floor. He prided himself on staying pretty limber for such an old man, but it seemed that every day, it took a little more effort to get his joints going.

Grinning again, Zekk jumped down and disappeared into the kitchen.

Peckhum’s eyes passed over the small apartment. He and Zekk’s bedrooms were actually one big bedroom, but piles of boxes, old parts Zekk had found scavenging, and who knew what else made a makeshift wall to separate the two. It was a small apartment, with a small living area and an even smaller kitchen.

He could remember the first years he’d lived there by himself. Naturally, as a supply runner, he had lived a fairly lonely life, and the apartment had certainly reflected that.

Now, though; Zekk brought home his finds from scavenging and the odd knick-knack he thought Peckhum might like, and there were a few things Peckhum had brought home for Zekk.

It was very different having Zekk around. Peckhum wouldn’t say it aloud, but he certainly wouldn’t want to go back to living alone. He liked the life they’d settled into together, two lost souls who’d found a family with one another.

“Alright, Peckhum!”

Peckhum started at Zekk’s voice. With a last glance over the apartment, wearing the smallest of smiles, he crossed the couple of steps to the kitchen to find that Zekk had cleared them some table space, and set up the kitchen for the occasion.

Streamers of green, blue and yellow hung from the ceiling, and the arms of Peckhum’s big armchair. In the center of the table, there was a small cake, just enough for two people to dig into. Zekk sat at the other side of the table, quietly- although Peckhum could tell the boy was eager for a reaction.

Peckhum shook his head, lowering himself into his chair. “You’ve got too much spare time, kid.”

Zekk nodded at the cake, smirking. “I guess it doesn’t matter about the candles- they wouldn’t have fit anyway.”

“Candles shmandles. This is just fine.”

Zekk jumped up from his chair, returning a few moments later with a decent sized box wrapped meticulously in shiny blue material. Looking at the wrapping job, Peckhum raised an eyebrow at his young friend.

Zekk grinned and shrugged. “Let’s say I had some help finding these…she insisted on the wrappings.”

Peckhum chuckled; carefully pulling the paper away from the box- it looked expensive. Pulling out a small utility knife, he went to work on the box, muttering something nearly inaudible about Zekk and lifedays.

Zekk just grinned and studied the older man’s face.

Finally managing the last fold of the box, Peckhum pulled out a new pair of boots.

“These…they still make these?”

“Guess so.” Zekk shrugged with a suddenly shy grin. “You must’ve been right about quality boots, though- took forever to find them and get hold of them to actually get a pair.”

Peckhum chuckled, still shaking his head. That boy never failed to surprise him. It must’ve been nearly three months ago Peckhum had ripped open the seam on a pair of cheap boots and found himself nostalgic for the old Berniers he’d had when he was young.

And here in front of him were a brand new pair of Berniers, shining, and strong with the ‘new smell’.

“You’re somethin’ kid, you know that?”

Zekk looked down, obviously pleased.

And then, Peckhum got up from his chair and hugged the younger boy, surprising them both. Zekk hugged him back, and they both pulled away feeling a little embarrassed.

It was new to them both, having a family.

But a family it was.

Their family.

 

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RK_Striker_JK_5  20161 posts
Registered: Jul '03
49046_Tenel Ka (81109)
Date Posted: 3/31/08 5:02pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
*Grins* Awesome. Nice to see something happy with Zekk. That was cool of him to get Peckhum those boots. He's a good kid. Not many people remember that about him. Nice to see it here.

 

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Goddess-Jaina-Redick  1430 posts
Registered: May '05
44297_501st Stormtrooper
Date Posted: 3/31/08 5:08pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
This was great!!! grin I really liked the way Zekk was so eager for Peckhum's lifeday to come and then to give him his gift. It was cute. love

Awesome job! grin

 

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Jade_Pilot  5058 posts
Registered: Dec '05
46068_Rianna Saren
Date Posted: 3/31/08 6:25pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
Yes, this is great! Wonderful response to the challenge!

Well done! applause

 

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earlybird-obi-wan  5884 posts
Registered: Aug '06
48019_Fan Art - Obi-Wan and Siri
Date Posted: 3/31/08 9:11pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
Lovely response to the challenge

 

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VaderLVR64  31008 posts
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered: Feb '04
49060_Obi-Wan Kenobi (811092)
Date Posted: 4/1/08 8:13am Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
That was SO sweet. I loved it.

It was new to them both, having a family.

But a family it was.

Their family.


How true. love applause

 

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Golden_Jedi  3835 posts
Registered: Jun '05
43875_Han - Scruffy Lookin'
Date Posted: 4/1/08 8:31am Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
That was so sweet! applause

 

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jedi_of_ennth  2017 posts
Registered: Mar '05
47553_Zekk
Date Posted: 4/1/08 10:18am Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
*obligatory fangirl flailing at the thought of kid!Zekk*

I do so love fics that explore the relationship between Zekk and Peckhum. Peckhum is one of the most endearing underused characters in the EU. I love the old man, and I love the way he and Zekk take care of each other. Cute little fic. grin

 

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Emerald_Lady  750 posts
Registered: Dec '06
47553_Zekk
Date Posted: 4/2/08 2:25pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
Zekk cocked his head, still frowning although the hints of a smile lurked at the corners of his lips. “But Peckhum,” he murmured slowly, “don’t you want to know what I got you?”

Peckhum wiped at his bleary eyes with the back of his hand, looking up at Zekk quizzically. “You got me somethin’?

“Course I did.” Zekk answered nonchalantly. “It’s your lifeday.”


AWWWWWWW. love This is so cute/wonderful. grin

He liked the life they’d settled into together, two lost souls who’d found a family with one another.

I really like this way of putting it--I'd never thought of it in quite these terms before, but it's so true. happy

Zekk sat at the other side of the table, quietly- although Peckhum could tell the boy was eager for a reaction.

Peckhum shook his head, lowering himself into his chair. “You’ve got too much spare time, kid.”

Zekk nodded at the cake, smirking. “I guess it doesn’t matter about the candles- they wouldn’t have fit anyway.”


laugh I love their banter. grin

Zekk grinned and shrugged. “Let’s say I had some help finding these…she insisted on the wrappings.”

*obligatory squee-ing at the implication of young!J/Z* love

Peckhum chuckled, still shaking his head. That boy never failed to surprise him. It must’ve been nearly three months ago Peckhum had ripped open the seam on a pair of cheap boots and found himself nostalgic for the old Berniers he’d had when he was young.

*sniffle* That's our boy. I love how thoughtful he is, and how he noticed and remembered something like this so that he could get it for Peckhum.

This was very sweet. grin You wrote Zekk and Peckhum's relationship so well; it's just how I would imagine it if we'd gotten to see more of it in canon. happy

 

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Klimt_Of_Tornesdal  572 posts
Registered: Dec '99
40190_Mara Jade
Date Posted: 4/2/08 2:37pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
ZekksGoddess posted:
“Twenty minutes.”

In response, there was a vague grunt from the corner.

Zekk grinned down from his cross-legged position atop a pile of heavy boxes. “Nineteen minutes.”

Grunting again, an old man rolled over on his cot to glare up at him. “Boy,” he grumbled, his voice thick, “Don’t you know old people don’t like to be reminded they’re getting older?”

“Which brings us to another matter…how old are you going to be?”

“Old enough.” He responded briskly, closing his eyes as though trying to close the conversation.



Oy, I know the feeling so well. Mine's in a couple of weeks, and I don't even wanna THINK about that number. laugh Nice work Goddess.

 

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ZekksGoddess  1424 posts
Registered: Oct '04
41719_Zekk
Date Posted: 4/5/08 5:47pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
RK_Striker_JK_5:
Nice to see something happy with Zekk.
I figured it was time to give the poor guy a break from the angst, right? tongue

That was cool of him to get Peckhum those boots. He's a good kid. Not many people remember that about him. Nice to see it here.
He was such a sweet kid- ah, I love little Zekk and his cuteness. Thanks!


Goddess-Jaina-Redick:
This was great!!!
Thank you!

I really liked the way Zekk was so eager for Peckhum's lifeday to come and then to give him his gift. It was cute.
Zekk's such a thoughtful kid, huh? happy


Jade_Pilot:
Yes, this is great! Wonderful response to the challenge! Well done!
Thank you! Very much! grin


earlybird-obi-wan:
Lovely response to the challenge
Thank you! happy


VaderLVR64:
That was SO sweet. I loved it.
Thank you- I really appreciate it. blush


Golden_Jedi
That was so sweet!
Aw, thank you!


jedi_of_ennth:
*obligatory fangirl flailing at the thought of kid!Zekk*
*giggles*

I do so love fics that explore the relationship between Zekk and Peckhum. Peckhum is one of the most endearing underused characters in the EU. I love the old man, and I love the way he and Zekk take care of each other. Cute little fic.
Thanks, <b>Joe</b>! I was trying to think of something I could do for the challenge, and then I got to wondering where Peckhum had disappeared to, or what plothole had overtaken him in canon, and vavoom- here we are. happy


Emerald_Lady
AWWWWWWW. This is so cute/wonderful.
Thank you!

I love their banter.
I love writing it. happy It's so much fun.

*obligatory squee-ing at the implication of young!J/Z*
YAY! You caught it! dancing I wondered if anyone would. grin
I just had to slip it in, I couldn't resist.

This was very sweet. You wrote Zekk and Peckhum's relationship so well; it's just how I would imagine it if we'd gotten to see more of it in canon.
Thank you very much! It's too bad we couldn't see more of it in canon, but now that Peckhum's mysteriously disappeared from the EU, I don't think we'll be seeing any interaction between them at all...


Klimt_Of_Tornesdal:
Oy, I know the feeling so well. Mine's in a couple of weeks, and I don't even wanna THINK about that number. Nice work Goddess.
grin Well, thank you very much. And happy early birthday!

 

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Lusa_Thul  1846 posts
Registered: Sep '04
23724_Modal Nodes<br>Figrin D'an
Date Posted: 4/7/08 2:56pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!

I really don't have a much more coherent response than that. It was wonderful.

 

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iamobiwan1970  2222 posts
Registered: Aug '05
16486_Kyp Durron
Date Posted: 4/7/08 3:15pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
Sweet...sweet...sweet! grin I love young Zekk's thoughtfulness and the interaction of those two. applause

 

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Jade_Max  5782 posts
Registered: Jun '02
Date Posted: 4/10/08 7:03am Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
AN:Look! Something happy with Zekk in it!

laugh

That hooked it for me peace

What a fun little Viggie. It was great to see Zekk happy about something... and so like him to remember something offhand that Peckhum said and store it away for life day wink

Fantastic "happy" Zekk fic!

 

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ZekksGoddess  1424 posts
Registered: Oct '04
41719_Zekk
Date Posted: 5/13/08 1:50pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
Lusa_Thul:
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!
I really don't have a much more coherent response than that. It was wonderful.


Well, I find your incoherence rather flattering. Thanks! blush


iamobiwan1970:
Sweet...sweet...sweet! I love young Zekk's thoughtfulness and the interaction of those two.
Thank you muchly!


Jade_Max:
AN:Look! Something happy with Zekk in it!
That hooked it for me .

grin

Fantastic "happy" Zekk fic!
Thanks very much! happy

 

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Neo-Paladin  3521 posts
Registered: Dec '04
14777_Binary Sunset
Date Posted: 5/21/08 6:44pm Subject: RE: Lifeday Candles - (Zekk, Peckhum), MMM vignette
This was a fun and sweet story! It was fun seeing a slice of life that was happily plesant.

 

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