They walked silently through the forest, Han's arm securely around Luke's shoulders, grounding him. The night air was still though the atmosphere was filled with such life. It was as though it truly understood the gravity of the moment.
Upon arriving at the Falcon, Han carefully let go of the Jedi's shoulders, checking to see if the other could stand on his own. Just as it appeared that he could, a slight tremor ran through Luke's body and he fell, to be caught by the quick-draw hands of Han Solo.
Luke stood up again brushing Han away when he reached out. He made it safely to his bunk in the Falcon when Han spoke up.
"Listen kid," he explained carefully, "I know you're pretty far from in the mood ta talk about what happened, but I gotta know if ya got any medical issues I need ta take care of for ya, okay?" His face showed clear concern and when Luke rolled over, his face softened upon seeing it.
"Okay"
It was a quiet, almost inaudible response, but it caused Han's face to light up in a blinding grin.
"Knew you'd understand. You'd do the same for me."
Luke smiled weakly before his faced blanched recalling the night's events. Han grabbed onto the other's hand, squeezing it tightly.
"It's over. I'm right here."
After a couple seconds Luke's eyes filled with tears and he opened his mouth to speak. For a while nothing came out, tears beginning to fall freely down his face. Han hated to make him remember whatever caused this much pain, but as he was soon reminded, it was necessary.
"It hurt so much, Han."
"What did?" he implored brining Luke's face up with his hand, "Hey what happened?"
"The emperor," Luke's quivering voice explained, "He's a dark lord of the Sith. It was something like I'd never seen. I didn't know. I wasn't prepared. I should have waited. This was all my fault."
"Luke, Luke? Hey listen to me. None of this was your fault, got it? And you are a better Jedi than any of those ugly old fossils could ever be. But ya gotta tell me, what happened?"
Luke took a deep breath and proceeded to describe the force lightning to a horror-stricken Han, pausing in between to compose himself when it all became too much.
"Luke, kid, that's- that's- terrible. We gotta- you need a medic and- and…"
"Han."
"What?"
"I'll be okay. Just stay with me okay?"
"Of course. But that does not mean I am letting you stay here without any medical attention. We need to get you in a bacta tank quick."
Luke began to protest, but Han had already zipped out of the room and started the engine. Before he knew it, they were docked in the Alliance's med-ship.
Han bounded down the narrow hallway, quickly ducking into the small bunkroom and scooping Luke up carefully in his arms.
"Han this is ridiculous, put me down."
"Not until you promise to walk there with me."
"Alright, alright, I promise. Now will you put me down?"
Han flashed him a quick grin, causing the other to blush angrily before lowering him to the floor, his arm not leaving the injured man's shoulder. They walked down a hallway and met the staff, Han quickly summarizing Luke's injuries while the Jedi stared at the ground. They walked with them to a room where they would be separated so Luke could be put to sleep for his time in the tank.
"I love you, you know."
"What?"
"I love you."
"Han- I… I thought you, you said…."
"I know what I said and I'm sorry. I just wanted you to know before you go."
Luke looked up softly, making his mind.
"I'm not going anywhere."