Quiet
Han smiled at Leia and gave her arm a quick pat before rising to leave the circle of firelight. He couldn't help stealing a quick glance over his shoulder and chuckled as he saw Leia enthusiastically talking with Lando. Lando – another unexpected surprise. His old-time convenient ally had taken out the Death Star. It seemed most of his acquaintances had a certain destructive ability…
Han shook his head and smiled wryly before walking out into the darkness, and his smile faded as the light receded behind him. He felt worn – weary – tired of the conflict he had unwittingly joined seven years ago.
Somehow he just couldn't believe it was over.
Han took a deep breath and shoved the thoughts aside. After all, this is what he'd come out here for – to forget the havoc and destruction, to get away from the reminders… Even the celebration was too close, too surreal. Couldn't he just have a moment of peace and quiet?
The former smuggler wandered aimlessly until he came to a small – albeit empty – clearing, then leaned back against one of the huge trees at the edge and stared upward, looking at the stars that flickered elusively among the swarms of returning fighters.
This would probably shock Lando, he thought wryly. Han Solo, dare-devil pilot, tired of the fight or anything to do with it.
Han caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye and stiffened before turning to see what it was.
Luke stood at the top of a small rise not far off, hands folded behind him, staring at the stars much like Han himself had been doing moments before.
So I wasn't alone after all.
Han stood and walked slowly over to stand beside Luke, who stood gazing upward, and for a moment Luke stood there in silence, seemingly unaware of his presence.
Then he spoke. "Hello, Han."
Luke's voice was quiet, weary, and carried the weight of years he hadn't yet reached.
Han nodded slightly. "Hey kid." He caught the flicker of a smile out of the corner of his eye before the Jedi turned to gaze upward again, eyes focused on the place where the Death Star had been blown out of existence, so Han remained silent, somehow sensing Luke wanted to say more.
Finally Luke spoke. "My father was there, you know."
Father? Han glanced over at his friend in surprise as Luke continued quietly, "He'd been there for a while, ever since he knew I would be here. He didn't know about Leia…" Luke's voice drifted off as he turned to seat himself on a tree trunk. "I didn't either until recently."
Han couldn't help the cocky smile that flashed across his face as he seated himself beside his friend. "Well, I guess it worked out for both of us."
Luke let out a slightly strangled laugh. "My sister the princess, my brother-in-law the smuggler…"
"Hey," Han interjected, "we haven't gotten that far yet. And it's ex-smuggler," he added under his breath.
Luke chuckled again, this time sounding a bit more genuine. "You mean after all this you don't plan to take off again?"
"Not without Leia, anyway," Han found himself admitting, and blinked. Had he just confessed that he was in love with Luke's sister? He shot a quick glance at Luke to find him looking back with a small half-smile on his face. His eyes twinkled slightly, but Han could see an understanding there that made him relax slightly before leaning back again to look upward. "Just the same, I don't think I'll be leaving any time soon."
Luke smirked. "Good."
They both leaned back, feeling the quiet bond of comradeship as they watched the stars.