Hi all! I'm new to writing for Han/Leia and really enjoyed creating this! I posted it with the April 2020 HanLeiaChallenge because I thought it fit in well.

Reviews are welcome and appreciated! Enjoy!

Needless to say, I don't own anything.

Chapter 1: Bring Him Home

"He places his hands on her shoulders. It could be thirty years ago. They both know there's a good chance he won't make it back. They pull each other tight, holding for dear life." - The Force Awakens

30 Years Ago- Endor

It was long after dusk on Endor. Judging from the previous week's gay festivities, the Ewoks would have much sleep to catch up on. The nighttime sky shimmered with the multitude of stars in the galaxy. Only one fire on Endor was aglow with activity, though with an audience limited to three people.

They walked toward the ordained rebel general, hand in hand. Her, donning her signature white dress cinched at the waist with a gold belt and with a long cream jacket and sandals. He, sporting his signature button-up and vest, this time sans holster and with his hair slightly slicked back. They walked completely in sync through the forest and up to the third person in their party.

They took their places, facing the other with the general between them. At the general's first statement, they joined hands.

The third person spoke from his memory, reciting the words he had repeated many times for many couples. This pair appeared to be no different. The groom couldn't move his eyes from his captivating bride. The bride stared right back with an adoring gaze.

Their hands were clothed in smooth, youthful flesh, yet weathered through war. Their faces, deeply set at the eyes with the trials and challenges they've faced. Their eyes, opened and scarred by images and experiences they never predicted. Time had changed them.

And yet here they stood, together on the other side. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a wedding ring. He took it, the ring adorned with sapphire gems in a twisted gold setting, and slipped it on her finger while reciting his promise to love, honor, and cherish her. She repeated his words, pledging her love till death do they part.

The general raised his right hand, gesturing to the bride and then the groom.

The words sparked action. The groom let go of his bride's hands, but only to move to caress her cheeks. The bride latched onto her groom's arms, pulling him close with her fingertips digging into his skin. He tilted her head, leaned in, and poured all the passion, intimacy, commitment, and love he could into his wholehearted kiss. She matched his devotion in earnest, savoring all they were together. He shifted, moving his arms to her back, intensifying their kiss.

When she felt adequately sated, she reached for his hands and brought them to her sides. He pulled back, only slightly, so she could witness the absolute elation on his face. He snaked a hand around the back of her neck and let her head rest on his chest. With his other arm around her back, he pulled her impossibly closer.

The Force Awakens: Present Day

It was as if no time had passed, and yet it seemed forever since she felt this warmth, this shared understanding. The tips of her fingers kneaded into the muscles of his arms, unafraid of showing how clingy she felt in this moment.

Han felt her grip tighten, and he felt no hesitation to press her head even tighter against his chest, his fingers lightly stroking the base of her neck, reacquainting himself with his wife. He let his chin rest on her head briefly before diving his nose into her hair, immediately hit by the blessed aroma of… her. His lips felt the strands as he pursed them over the top of her head. He could have comfortably stayed like this forever, safely cocooned in the arms that he called home.

In their embrace, she felt their collective grief. Grief for what they lost in each other, and what they lost in their son. And she wanted it to end.

She spoke, quietly. She knew he could hear her. She knew he was the only one who had any chance of hearing the sentiment laced in. "If you see our son again," she paused, well aware of the implications of her words, enshrined in hope. "Bring him home."

He swallowed and tugged her impossibly closer. His eyes drifted to the horizon, devoid of the hope she had in hers. He wanted to believe it, but couldn't. She always had more faith than he did. Faith in the rebellion, faith in their son… faith in him.

As they finally broke their embrace, his hands drifted to her waist and shoulder. Her hands slid down his arms. Their touch turned light, not in a hesitant way but instead conveying gentle soothing. Like the tender touch of a butterfly landing on soft skin.

She tilted her head to once again meet his eyes. Those eyes that drove her crazy; crazy with frustration, with anger, and with love. A deep love. It honestly frightened her that after this time apart she felt her love so strongly. Indomitable, steadfast, resolute. He felt it too. She knew that. She saw it the very second she clasped her eyes on him at the bottom of the ramp.

"General Organa."

The pilot's distant voice didn't break their moment, but rather deescalated and brought them back to the here and now. Han was leaving early the next morning, but would he return?

Han turned his chin to meet the new player in their scene, his eyes rolling and his upper lip stiffening as he shouted across the yard. "Hey," he retorted, mostly in jest, mostly. "That's Organa-Solo."

That wasn't her legal name, but she rolled her eyes at him with a quiet smirk, letting it go.

She answered her pilot's call only slightly stepping away from her partner. "On my way, Poe."

He noticed the way the pilot's eyes narrowed and how he walked backwards a few steps before fully turning back towards headquarters.

Before she could fully turn to follow, Han spoke.

"He's checking up on you," he gritted out, now finding his hands devastatingly empty without her body in his grasp. He wished it was. He shifted his hands quickly between his waist, his holster, and crossing them against his chest.

She tilted her head back to him with a wry smile. She knew his tone and his unspoken jealousies. "He's protective. Been with us since the beginning," she defended, her voice playful. She hesitated before vocalizing her next thought. "Best pilot I have."

She knew that would get him, but she didn't expect the immediate forceful retort.

"Second best." He stepped up, straightening his shoulders unconsciously bringing himself to his full height. He pulled back from the hard edge his voice took as he reminded her sincerely, "You'll always have me."

She did. And she always would. Smiling tightly, she turned back to him over her shoulder as she walked away.

"I know."