Star Boys - A Skysolo Story

Chapter 3 - Observation and Analysis

For the rest of the week, Han pondered the words of his copilot. Did he like Luke? And if so, what did that mean? Han found himself wondering into places Luke frequented in hopes of catching a glimpse of his blonde hair.

God that hair. That hair did things to Han that he didn't want to admit.

Through watching him, Han discovered that Luke was actually quite popular with the female pilots. The kid didn't seem to realize this however, as he never seemed to react in the way one might expect him to when a young and attractive woman is flirting with him. He would brush off obvious signs of affection and simply laugh at pick up lines as though he believed they were joking.

Han also managed to catch a few male pilots flirting with the kid. The results were the same. Either Luke was extremely selective in regards to who he was with, or he was so naïve that he didn't realize anyone was interested in him. Han remained in the shadows, watching Luke from afar, until one day a male pilot got a little too close.

Luke had been doing some routine repair on a few of the droids and had asked a fellow pilot to bring him a tool he needed. The pilot returned with the tool, but rather than hand it to Luke he held it above his head, just out of reach.

"Are you sure you know how to use this thing?" The pilot asked.

"I grew up using them, I know what I'm doing." Luke held out his hand, obviously frustrated.

The pilot feigned shock. "What on Tatooine? Well did you know that on Hoth they actually work quite differently? Something about the temperature! I can have one of the boys explain it to you if you want!"

Luke cocked his head, unsure of whether or not the pilot was joking. One one hand, Luke didn't want to give the pilot the satisfaction of knowing more about this than him. On the other, if the pilot was right, Luke didn't want to suffer the embarrassment of all of his fellow pilots thinking he only understood the backwards and rural ways of his home planet.

"How do they work on Hoth?" He asked.

"Let me show you!" The pilot proceeded to press his chest against Luke's back, reaching his arms around the smaller man. Luke blushed, obviously uncomforbable.

"C-can't you just tell me?" He sputtered.

"'fraid not sweetheart," the pilot answered, enjoying this way too much. Han watched from behind an X Wing, seething with anger. The last straw, though, was when the pilot began to grind into Luke, causing him to yelp. The pilot slapped a hand over Luke's mouth.

"Shhhh. You're ok," he whispered, still grinding into Luke.

Han stepped out from his hiding place and quickly made his way to them.

"Hey asshole?" He called out. The pilot looked up, fear on his face.

"Do you always try and screw guys who aren't big enough to put up a fight, or is today a special occasion?"

The pilot let go of Luke, who crumpled into himself. Han's heart practically broke in two. He was just trying to do his job. He shouldn't have to worry about getting harassed by creeps looking for an easy screw.

"H-he wasn't fighting! We were just having a little fun! Right Luke?" The man looked back to Luke, in hopes of affirmation. Han walked delicately between Luke and the pilot.

"Now I might be nothing but a common Correlian smuggler, but it doesn't look like he enjoyed it."

The pilot swallowed hard.

"What's your name?" Han demanded.

"T-tomax Balbri."

"Well Tomax, I think you and the princess might need to have a little chat."

Tomax opened his mouth to argue but Han held out his hand, stopping him. This punk wasn't getting off the hook. Not for this. Not for Luke.

"Don't dig yourself deeper than you already are."

Tomax nodded and walked away quickly. Han watched, making sure the man left, then turned to Luke who was now on the floor, squeezing his legs into his chest. Han knelt down so he could meet eyes with him.

The kid looked scared. Han didn't blame him. From what he had seen, Luke didn't know how to deal with healthy affection. He couldn't imagine how he would deal with unhealthy affection.

"Kid? I'm not gonna ask if you're ok because you obviously aren't but...is there anything I can do...to make you feel better?"

Luke reached out an arm and grabbed ahold of Han's vest, gently tugging until Han was seated beside him.

"S-sorry. I just...my legs are shaking and I don't know if I can stand right now."

Han gazed at Luke, heart swelling with empathy and affection.

"Kid, you're fine. I'm not gonna expect you to be one hundred percent after that."

Like nodded, his eyes reveling a head full of swirling thoughts.

"Thanks Han."

"You bet kid. Hey, is there somewhere you want to be? Somewhere you'll feel safe?"

Luke pondered this for a second.

"My quarters, but like I said I don't know if I can stand."

Han nodded.

"I can get you there if that's what you want." He reached out, then hesitated.

"Is it okay if I touch you? Just your shoulders and the backs of your knees."

Luke was obviously confused but nodded. Han scooped him up quickly.

"Show the way, kid"