MIXED UP ⌲ HAN AND LEIA

six; han and luke's conversation

This part doesn't have many hanleia moments until the end; it's mostly just Han and Luke talking about some important stuff that was never really addressed in the film. But I thought I would include it anyway. :)

— MILLENNIUM FALCON COCKPIT —

The rebellion heroes had decided to make a short stop before continuing on with their always-surprising missions and journeys across the galaxy. Although the Empire was crumbling, new issues seemed to pop up endlessly. While Leia and Chewie were off meandering somewhere in the Falcon, Han and Luke sat alone in the cockpit.

Luke glanced at Han, grinning playfully. "So....you and Leia, huh?"

Han nodded slowly (feeling slightly embarrassed). "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Thought so. She's changed a lot in front of all of us, of course. But, when she's with you...." Luke shook his head in an admiring kind of way. "She completely unwinds. It's like she's a different person."

Han smirked. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Depends on the situation," Luke said with a smile.

Han leaned back into his chair, sighing. "She really is royalty. But she's a strong woman, too. I have a love-hate relationship with Corellia—but if I saw it blown to bits like Alderaan was, I think I'd fall apart."

Luke didn't respond, staring at something Han couldn't see—and he didn't quite want to see. Han didn't understand the Force in an elaborate way, but he knew that when Luke was like this, something powerful and anomalous was going on—something the entire galaxy was incognizant of. The thought of it made the scoundrel a little apprehensive. He shifted in his chair slightly, clearing his throat.

"So....how long have you known about Leia being your sister and all?"

Luke's focus changed back to Han abruptly. "She told you?" His voice was a bit more distant than before.

Han frowned. "Uh, yeah,"

"Well....it's a long story, really," Luke whispered, his eyes glancing down at the ground. "An old friend who knew our mother told me before the Battle of Endor. That's the simplest way I can put it."

Thousands of questions buzzed in Han's head, some of which he immediately tried to block out. He couldn't help but think of Luke in a different way—and it wasn't just because he was Leia's brother.

Luke had grown up.

For a while, Han had felt the need to stay with the Alliance so he could look after the young ex-farmboy. Now, Luke was a hero—a Jedi Knight. A protector of the galaxy. It made Han feel like Luke was looking after him more than anything else. Han was unaware of what had happened while he was in carbonite; but, whatever it was, it had scarred Luke in a way that could never be taken back. And Han could see the darkness in his eyes—the regret.

"Does Leia know?"

Luke raised an eyebrow out of confusion. "Know what?"

"What happened to you. When I was frozen in carbonite."

A thousand different emotions flashed on Luke's face, most noticeably panic and surprise. Han could tell that he was trying to hide them and failing miserably.

"What....what are you talking about? H-how did you know?" Luke asked, his words quick and shaky.

"Anyone who knows you like I do can see it in your eyes, Luke. You try to hide it, I can tell—but that doesn't pass by me, and it probably doesn't pass by Leia, either. Does she know?"

Luke sat frozen for a second, holding his breath, before breathing out shakily. "Yes. And you should probably know, too."

Han crossed his arms. "I don't know if I want to know, kid." That was the truth.

Luke ignored his statement. "Darth Vader's my father."

The words were blunt, filled with no emotion—just a monotone jumble of letters that had a meaning Han couldn't quite understand. His eyes widened. Before he could respond, Luke glanced at him with piercing, hurting blue eyes—and Han felt as if he was paralyzed, with the inability to speak or move. The young Jedi was almost like a brother to him, a friend who he could argue with and laugh with no matter the circumstances. And to see him in pain was nearly unbearable.

Han didn't want to ask any questions. He didn't want to press Luke beyond his limits, which were already clearly being tested. A thought crossed his mind about Leia—the woman he loved. Vader was her father, too.

"You and Leia...." Han whispered slowly, his words trailing off.

Luke sighed. "We're....we're okay, Han. I've told Leia everything I know about our father—the good and the bad. When he died, he wasn't Darth Vader anymore; he was Anakin Skywalker."

Han looked puzzled, trying to make sense of what Luke was saying. "I've heard that name before."

A smile filled with bittersweet nostalgia appeared on Luke's lips.

"Everyone has,"

At that moment, Leia appeared at the entrance of the cockpit. She leaned against the wall, her arms crossed.

"What are you boys up to?"

Both Luke and Han turned around. They had gotten into such a deep trance talking to each other, they had nearly forgotten anyone else was aboard the ship.

"We were just....settling some things," Luke said, smiling at Han happily. Han couldn't help but smile back at him. Luke seemed surprisingly relieved, and it made Han glad.

Leia grinned. "Oh, is that so?"

Luke got up slowly. "You got it. I'll be in the lounge if you need me...." he smirked. "Han really loves you, you know. Take care of him for me."

Han's face turned a gaudy red. Luke quickly walked out of the room before he could receive an embarrassing remark back from the scoundrel.

"I will, Luke, don't worry!" Leia shouted, her tone playfully lighthearted. She walked over to Han and took his hand, pulling him off of his seat.

"You're not leaving my sight, hotshot."

Han smirked. "I can't complain."

Her hand trailed up to his face. "So....everything okay with you and Luke?"

"Yeah. We just needed to talk about some stuff, but we're okay now, I think."

Leia nodded and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm glad both of you are doing alright."

Han looked down at her with adoration.

He hadn't known Luke and Leia for a terribly long time—but, nonetheless, he felt like he had the greatest friends in the galaxy.