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I.
"It's okay, you know," Leia tells him one day. She's been waiting for the right moment, but the right moment always seems just out of reach. Eventually, she decides that sometimes there is no right moment, there's only right now.
"What's okay?" Luke asks, tone only slightly humoring.
She'll allow it. This might be a difficult conversation, after all. "To have feelings. For Din."
Leia might have only known Luke is her brother for seven years now, but she knows Luke. She can see the love waft off him whenever Din is around. And when Din is mentioned. And sometimes, apropos of nothing, but Leia knows it's because of Din because Luke's force signature takes on the same hue it maintains whenever something obviously Din-adjacent does happen. More than that, though, she just knows.
She can't read Din as easily; they aren't related, first of all, and that beskar hides more than his face. But if Leia had to guess, she'd say the feelings between Din and Luke are mutual.
"I know that," Luke replies. He's blushing, but he doesn't seem embarrassed, exactly. If anything, he's fond.
"It's okay to act on your feelings, too," Leia continues, since clearly she must need to outline what can be the only reason why there's been no progress in their relationship, if Luke is willing to accept his feelings. She doesn't want to push this conversation too far too soon. But clearly someone needs to move it along, and it isn't going to be Luke or Din. "The Jedi Order fell for a reason. You don't need to repeat their mistakes."
Luke smiles at her. "Thanks for looking out for me, Leia, but I'm fine. We're fine. I'm not wracked with guilt or conflict or any of that."
"Good. So you'll tell him?"
Luke just laughs and shakes his head. "Worry about your own love life. Where's Han got off to this time, anyway?"
If it's an evasion, she'll let him have it, even if it's not a very good one. "He went to Corellia again, maker knows why."
For now, this is far enough. But soon, they're going to have to really talk about whatever it is that's holding him back.
———
II.
"So. The faceless suit of metal does it for you."
It's not like Han hadn't noticed how Luke feels about Mando. Din. It was obvious, after all. Han simply hadn't pointed it out before because—again—it was obvious. It'd be like saying 'did you know Tatooine has two suns?' or 'did you know Chewbacca is a wookie?'.
'Are you aware you've got it bad for the Mando you're co-raising a force-sensitive baby yoda with?' is just like that. Obvious. Not even worth mentioning.
Anyway, Han's only bringing it up now for three reasons: because Leia asked him to, because it’s his job to tease Luke, and most importantly because Leia asked him to. Something about 'supporting Luke in his time of need' and 'giving Luke a little push' and 'making sure Luke knows we don't care who he loves as long as they're good to him'.
And sure, Luke might have taken out the Death Star, faced Palpatine, and destroyed the Empire, but Han figures Luke could still be afraid of his own feelings. Especially when it went against that Jedi mumbo jumbo about attachments. So a little good-natured ribbing and encouragement were what Luke needed, clearly, to make a move on the buckethead he's clearly gone for. According to Leia, anyway.
"Huh?" says Luke, ever the plucky Tatooine farm boy. It's nice to see that simple sincerity hasn't left him completely, in spite of all he's been through.
"Mando. Din," Han says with more patience than he'd normally employ. "You like him."
"Well, sure. Who doesn't?"
Han only raises an eyebrow.
"Ok," Luke relents, "who doesn't like him who actually knows him?"
Han gives Luke his most unimpressed look. "Kid, I don't mean it like that, and you know it." He takes a moment to flip some switches, manage the flight plan. He'd read an article that said it was good to have difficult conversations while doing something else, so no one feels cornered or attacked. Honestly, Han is the one feeling cornered right now, maybe because Han is the only one either willing or able to acknowledge what this conversation was about.
Still. He'd said he'd give it his best shot, so he will. It had been easy enough to convince Luke to go on a Millenium Falcon run, just like old times. But now came the difficult part of talking about feelings. "Do you deny it? That you, y'know. Like him."
"Why would I?" Luke, bless him, does look genuinely baffled by the idea. Maybe he doesn't need any encouragement after all, which is good. Han isn't much for optimism and pep talks.
"Great!" Han slaps him on the back. "So, since you're not in denial, you'll tell ol' tin can. You know. About your feelings. For him, I mean."
Luke crosses his arms. "Oh, like how you told Leia about your feelings for her?"
"That was different!" Han protests, offended. "She was—it was the middle of a war, and—besides all that, she already knew, anyway!"
"You think Din doesn't know?"
Han sighs. "He'd be an idiot not to."
"Exactly." Then Luke smiles. It's that snarky, devious grin that had all but disappeared for a while after the war. Until Mando—Din, that is, had waltzed into Luke's life. Or Luke had waltzed into Din's. Anyway, the point is, Han is relieved to see that smirk again. It's why Han doesn't mind Mando, even if the buckethead is friends with Boba Fett, because Din Djarin, King of Mandalore, father of Luke's only pupil, brought that smile back. "Now that you mention it, though, Din did ask me the first time we met if I were a Jedi, so maybe he doesn't know."
It sounds like an inside joke. Han suspects it is, between Luke and Din anyway. How nice for them, to have inside jokes. Now if only they 'd take the next step and admit their feelings, if only so Leia doesn't keep asking Han to talk to Luke about it.
"Well. You should tell him anyway, then. Just to be sure he knows. People can forget that kind of thing, especially if they have to fly around the galaxy a lot."
Luke's gaze softens then, for some reason. "Leia still loves you, and knows you love her. Even when you aren't around."
"Hey! We're talking about you and your feelings here, not me!"
"I can multitask."
Han groans. He should come home more often, he knows. It's easier said than done, though. No matter what Lando says, the infamous Corellian Wanderlust is not merely a convenient excuse—it's as real as the force, at least. But this isn't about Han; this is about Luke. And Mando. Din. "Yeah, well. Take it from me: if you're serious about him, you better seal the deal before someone else snatches him up."
"Sure, Han."
Han can't help but feel like he lost, somehow, not that it was an argument or anything. Anyway, he did what Leia asked him to do. No one ever said he was good at this sort of thing, but it turned out okay. Probably.
———
III.
Chewie genuinely likes Din. He's quiet, calm, capable, and has a dry sense of humor that's easy to miss but delightful once you know it's there. Din also learned Shyriiwook just to talk to Chewie in his own tongue. No one else has ever done that, not really. Learning enough to understand is one thing, but learning to speak? That's rare. It's put Din in Chewie's good books for life.
It's also the reason he, Chewie, has been sent to convince Din to talk to Luke about their relationship, or lack thereof, despite their obvious feelings for each other. Apparently, Chewie and Din have a rapport. Not that Chewie minds; he likes Din, after all, and wants him to be happy. Wants Luke to be happy, too, and if they can make each other happy, all the better.
Also, there's a frankness in Shyriiwook that Basic lacks. A frankness which is good for this kind of discussion, since apparently it hadn't gone great when Leia and Han tried to talk to Luke about his feelings for Din.
So, Chewie agrees to talk to Din about his feelings for Luke the next time they're in the same location. It's less rare than one might expect, given that both Din and Chewie travel for work.
It's one such time, and it's just Chewie and Din for the moment. They're sitting at a landing dock on Eriadu, waiting for Han to finish haggling for information on missing children. Din had come for a bounty and found it, but said he had time to keep Chewie company until his 'worse half' returned. They're halfway through a challenging game of Dejarik; Din doesn't know Chewie is waiting for the opportune moment to bring up the rancor in the room (probably), but even if he did know, he's thoroughly distracted by their game. Chewie is still better than most at Dejarik, but Din is good enough to make the game interesting.
"Have you told Luke how you feel?" Chewie asks Din the moment he's about to make a move that might destroy Chewie's current strategy.
Din hesitates for a moment, but goes ahead with the move anyway. Dank farrik. "How I feel about what?"
Chewie doesn't think Din is an idiot—he did learn Shyriiwook, after all—but he can be a bit dense about things. Din once asked what a Star War was. He also didn't know who Darth Vader had been, and didn't care. Honestly, this only makes Chewie like him more, but it can be inconvenient at times. Like now.
Wookies aren't known for being patient, but Chewie has spent enough time around Han to learn enough patience for his entire species. He moves one of his pawns, a misdirection. "How you feel about Luke."
Din hums, but doesn't take the bait. He counters Chewie's move, laying a trap of his own. But it's an obvious trap, so maybe it's a bluff. "One of the things that's useful about Jedi is you don't have to tell them about things like feelings. They just know, whether you want them to or not."
Well, Chewie can't deny that. But he didn't start this conversation to end things there. Or this game, for that matter. "You're hard to read though. With the beskar."
Din chuckles, the voice modulator making it sound dry and raspy. Luke has waxed poetic more times than Chewie cares to recall about how nice Din's laugh is. It's not that Luke is wrong; Chewie just thinks Din ought to be the one to hear Luke say it. It is a good sound, though.
"Yeah, I've heard," says Din. "Luke complains about it all the time."
Chewie may not be a Jedi, but even he can feel Din's fondness for Luke bleeding through. It helps that Din uses the verb case of Shyriiwook saved for close friends and family when he talks about Luke. Then again, maybe Din doesn't fully understand the nuance (Chewie doubts this is true, but it's one of those things that isn't taught so much as intuited, so who knows).
"If you're hard to read, and you're aware of the fact, then all the more reason you have to tell him how you feel."
"Maybe. If I want him to know."
"Don't you?"
"Sometimes. Other times, I'm glad for the beskar." Din takes a moment, then adds, "Luke says powerful feelings can be overwhelming in the force. I wouldn't want to distract him."
Well. That's probably the best Chewie will get, in terms of a confession of feelings. "Luke is stronger than that."
"He's not the only one sensitive to that sort of thing."
Chewie sighs, moving a piece across the board to capture one of Din's. The game is getting close now. "Grogu is stronger than that, too."
"It's still impolite," Din insists, countering the move with his typical strategic capability.
But, Chewie is still better at Dejarik than anyone he knows. He moves his final piece, winning the game. "And Luke would still be happy to hear it. Jedi or not, Luke is still a person with insecurities."
"Did he tell you that?" Din's voice doesn't give away any sentiment, but his shoulders tense ever so-slightly.
"No," says Chewie, frank and to the point. "But I know him."
Din seems to process that like he does everything—efficiently, but with care. "I'll take that into consideration. Thanks, Chewie. Good game."
"What are friends for?"
———
IV.
Lando loves parties. This is, always has been, and always will be true. Lando loves hosting parties even more.
But this…
He understands the reasoning for it. He'd been part of the planning that decided that Cloud City, as a neutral territory, was the best place to hold a preliminary trade alliance meeting between the New Republic and Mandalore.
He'd thought it might even be fun. He knew Mando (the Mando, aka The Mand'alor, King of Mandalore, the Mandoiest Mando of all Mandalorians) well enough to believe it could be a fun challenge, getting the uptight warriors to cut loose and relax. But now that they're all here, gathered for the post week-one negotiation gala, well.
It isn’t tense, exactly. The Mandalorians aren't uncomfortable so much as they seem…well. Bored. Which is an affront to Lando's hosting sensibilities. Not that he's offended, just disappointed in himself. He can't very well continue calling himself the best host this side of the Hydian Way if he can't entertain a few guests, even if said guests are notoriously…difficult.
So Lando doesn't mean to eavesdrop, but he can't be blamed if, while taking the opportunity to try to mingle with the Mandalorians and better cater to their interests, he happens to overhear Mando, Bo-Katan, and the one they call 'the Armorer' discussing something heatedly.
It's only professional curiosity and his pride as a host that justifies hiding himself to stick close and listen.
"He is aruetii, a Jetii," says Bo-Katan, eyes burning as bright as her hair. "He does not deserve—"
"He is the riduur of the Mand'alor," counters the Armorer. "He respects the Resol'nare, if not follows the creed as much as possible—"
"It doesn't matter," Mando cuts in. "He isn't going to wear armor because it interferes with his abilities, as we've discussed numerous times now."
"He could at least wear your signet, if he is truly your riduur," Bo-katan snipes.
Lando likes Bo-Katan. She's kind of spiteful, at times, and difficult to impress, but he appreciates her moxie. It's fun.
"He does wear it, just not here," Mando rejoins. They must be talking about Grogu, who is, Lando has come to understand, both Mando's son as well as Luke's sole Jedi apprentice. Padawan. Whatever the term is. They make a cute little group, the three of them. An almost-family, if the two so-called adults would just admit their feelings. Lando knows more than he cares to about how unsuccessful that conversation has been on both ends. Leia, Han, and Chewie have all complained on separate occasions to Lando about it, after all.
"He understands what it means to be aliit, as well as the importance of discretion," Mando continues, sounding thoroughly vexed about this topic. It sounds like a tired argument.
"Then why—"
"He's a neutral mediator, as is the Jetii's place." This comes from the Armorer, who looks amused more than anything. Though it's hard to say, with the helmet. Lando's gotten pretty good at reading Mandalorian body language over the past week, though, and that head-tilt definitely looks amused.
Bo-Katan, on the other hand, is anything but amused. "How can he be neutral if he's your riduur?"
"He's also Senator Organa's vod," Mando points out, "and that's why we can trust him. He wants what's best for both sides. Neutral does not mean apathetic."
Lando wonders what Leia has to do with Grogu, and why Bo-Katan is so concerned about an infant being partial to one side or another. Perhaps Mandalorian babies are born warriors? There are more shocking things to conceive. But if anyone can bring peace between Mandalorians and the New Republic, it's probably Grogu. Those big eyes are just too much to deny anything.
"But his father was—" Bo-Katan begins.
"I don't care. Aliit ori'shya tal'din." Mando cuts her off.
"Mando'ad draar digu," she counters. "Quoting an aphorism doesn't make you right."
Mando sighs. "If you have a problem with how I do things, you can challenge me officially."
"This is the Way," says the Armorer. "But a bit of beskar plating on his hand, at least, would serve him well."
Mando sighs again, sounding more exhausted each time. "I'll ask him about it. Again."
Bo-Katan grits her teeth, nods, and storms off. She's lost whatever this fight was about, it seems. Though it was hard to say who had won. Or what it was even about, to be honest. Something about Jedi and Mandalorians, clearly, but beyond that, Lando can't say.
The Armorer wanders off, too, after saying something Lando doesn't quite catch in Mando'a. Mando is alone now, but won't be for long, so Lando sweeps in. "Hail, Mand'alor. No trouble, I hope?"
Mando shakes his head. "No. Just politics."
He doesn't elaborate, which is. Fine.
"Are you enjoying the party?" Lando tries again, attempting to pull out more of a response. He knows Mando is a man of few words, but surely it wouldn't kill him to participate in just a little bit of verbal repartee. According to Chewie, Mando has a good sense of humor once you get to know him.
Lando still holds out hope that Mando will share his name with him some day. Before the end of the negotiations, maybe. Maybe before the end of the night. As much fun as the Lando-Mando rhyming scheme is, there are too many Mandos running around to keep track of them all.
"It's not a party," says Mando, dashing Lando's hopes on the rocks of sobriety. "It's a negotiation."
"Au contraire! Don't believe what they tell you: business and pleasure can and should be mixed."
"Hmm."
"Is the negotiation fete not up to Mandalorian standards, then?" Lando presses. He's not ready to give up. Not yet.
Mando shrugs. "Just different. Bespin is more…cosmopolitan than any Mandalorian gathering would be."
"Well, you'll have to invite me to one of these gatherings sometime so I can compare."
"If you're up for it," says Mando, in a tone that implies doubt. It almost sounds playful, though, which is promising. Lando is nothing if not an optimist.
"Oh, you wound me! I'll have you know I used to run with a real rough-and-tumble crew."
"I know. I remember the bounty for Lando Calrissian."
"And you never came after me?" he gasps, clutching his chest. "I'm hurt."
"Wasn't worth the credits. I don't like spice dens."
"Fair enough." Lando takes a sip of the wine he'd hand selected for this event, lacking anything else to say on that particular subject. Leia warned him not to be too nosy, but a Nexu can't change his stripes. "If you don't mind me asking, what were you three fighting about? Not the food or decor, I hope."
"Oh." That weariness is back again, and Lando is almost sorry for bringing it up. Almost. "The Armorer wants me to give a gift of beskar, and Bo-Katan doesn't think any non-mandalorians should have beskar, and I told them it doesn't matter because Jedi don't wear armor, and even if they did, a gift that interferes with the force isn't a very good gift, anyway."
Lando takes another sip. He wasn't expecting such an honest answer. It's refreshing, he decides.
"I think Grogu is too small for armor yet," Lando jokes.
Mando tilts his helmet. "Yes, I suppose." There's just a hint of hesitation, and perhaps confusion in his voice.
Lando continues, "But it's probably a good idea to decide now whether Jedi can have a beskar gift, in case you ever decide to make a move on Luke."
"My mind is made up where Luke is concerned."
This is said without hesitation. Interesting. Good? Maybe not. Lando needs more information.
"Oh?"
Mando nods.
Lando is more than a little disappointed, but he's faced worse odds than a headstrong Mandalorian. No one else has been able to convince either Luke or Mando to confess, but no one else is Lando Calrissian. "You know, it's probably none of my business, but don't let the naysayers get you down."
"We Mandalorians are stubborn when we think we're right," says Mando. He doesn't sound annoyed at Lando's needling; if anything, he sounds relieved. Strange. "If anyone has anything to say about it, they're free to challenge me in an official capacity."
"Oh." Lando tries to keep his tone neutral. He hadn't realized Mando was so firm on not pursuing Luke, feelings be damned, but he didn't say his mind couldn't be changed. Just that it would be difficult. It's a good thing Luke is a skilled fighter; it seems like he'll need to be. "Well, Mando, I'll pass the message along to those who need to hear it."
Mando nods again. "Thank you." He pauses, then adds, "You can call me Din, you know. My name's not exactly a secret anymore."
Lando had known Mando's name is Din, but knowing something isn't the same as having the right to it. "Is it not something only friends can use?"
Mando shrugs. "I don't mind. You helped blow up the second death star and you're listed as one of Grogu's back-up guardians." He turns to look directly at Lando, though his eyes aren't visible through the visor. "You helped Boba with a bounty once, too. So, we're there. You can call me Din."
Well, if nothing else, this party hasn't been a complete failure for Lando, personally. "Well, then, Din, it's an honor! Such a strong name. Though I suppose I'll have to return the cape I had commissioned with 'Lando & Mando' stitched on the shoulder."
"There are plenty of other Mandalorians here who would find that charming, I'm sure."
"Charming?" Lando beams. "Well, I better go find them, then. Cheers."
———
V.
"What's that?"
Luke stops, turning at Leia's question. "It's a bandolier. For Din. For Life Day."
Leia's heart swells. "He's celebrating with us?"
Luke gives her a bemused smile. "Of course?"
"So you told him."
"That he should come?" Luke scratches his head. "Well, I did have to remind him of the time and date. Mandalorians don’t celebrate it as much. He said they only do it once every three cycles, if that, but once I told him how important it was to Chewie, he agreed to come."
Leia could spit, she's so annoyed. "Why didn't you tell him how important it is to you?"
"Uh, because he already knows? Probably?"
"I can't believe you," Leia groans.
Luke frowns. "What's got your braids in a twist?"
"Don't try to be cute, Luke. You said you were going to talk to him!"
Luke shifts nervously. "Who?"
"Din!"
"About what?"
Leia just closes her eyes. She simply. Can't.
"Okay, well. Whatever I did wrong, sorry, but I need to finish this, so…catch you later!" Luke gives her a little salute and skips off.
"You can't run from this forever, Luke!" She calls after him.
He just laughs, the little nerf herder.
———
+1
It all comes to a head on Life Day itself, because Luke and Din are in matching red bandoliers and robes and don't seem to think anything of it. (Grogu is also dressed to match in a little red robe that compliments his skin tone excellently, but that is less interesting than the two idiots who can't see what's right in front of them.)
"I can't take it anymore!" Han exclaims. He points an accusing finger between Luke and Din. "You two are made for each other! Clearly you like each other! Why won't one of you just confess already?"
Din coughs. It sounds both amused and embarrassed. "I'm glad you approve, Han, but what are you talking about? Confess what?"
"Your feelings! For each other!"
Leia interjects, then, ever the diplomat. "We don't mean to interfere, you're both adults, but you deserve to be happy."
Luke looks at Din, smiling. "We are happy. Aren't we?"
Din leans his forehead against Luke's briefly. "Yes, cyar'ika."
Grogu coos, as if to say he's happy with this arrangement as well.
"Great!" says Han. "You love each other, you've confessed, now get married."
"But we are married," says Din, visibly confused now.
For a moment, there's only silence.
"What?!" Han shrieks.
Chewie is making some strange sounds that sound like a poor attempt to hide a laugh. Or maybe sobs of happiness.
Han turns to him. "What's so funny, furball?"
"Since when are you two married?" Leia demands.
"Since two cycles ago," Luke continues, also confused. "Hang on, is this why you've all been harassing us about our feelings for each other? Because you thought we didn't know?"
"Yes!" Han and Leia and Chewie exclaim. Grogu giggles; family drama is apparently the delight of the little gremlin's life.
Luke sighs, stroking Grogu's ear. "I guess that explains why Lando told me I had to challenge Din in a ritual fight to win a shot at love…"
"Ner kar'ta," Din asks quietly, "did you not tell them we're married?"
"I must have," Luke replies.
"You didn't," Leia, Han, and Chewie say together.
Luke smiles. "Oops?"
Overall, it's a memorable Life Day.