Chapter Text
-April 13th, 1981-
Luke peeled off his Pink Floyd poster and stared at the bare wall for moments, remembering the moment when he eagerly taped the brand new poster up. Now, after months, the corners curled and small rips damaged the ends. How could time go so fast? Just seconds ago he just saw his new dorm room for the first time and now he breaking it apart.
He stumbled off the bed, folded his poster, and placed it in the box along with all the rest of the posters that use to brighten his wall with colors. There stood an ugly cream wall, blank.
"What are you going to do after this?" His roommate, Wedge, asked. His dark brown hair was still damp from his shower. He already cleaned up his side of the dorm last night, like most people who have graduated from college.
However, Luke, who hung on to memories more than once, wanted to sleep one last time under his posters and have his sci-fi figures standing up on his dresser for another peaceful night. But, by no means, last night was not peaceful.
Luke laid on his bed, clinging to his blanket and facing the wall, sensing a feeling that has left him for years. Worthlessness.
After this, he didn't have much to look forward to, but an empty house that could've been filled with friends if he didn't mess up that up.
What was in the future for him? Nothing much, just taking on his aunt and uncle's farm in an old boring town where nothing happened and nothing could ignite Luke's adventurous side.
"I don't know," He told his friend as he grabbed his sci-fi figure and looked at the face before tossing it in the cardboard box.
He jumped when the figure arm popped clear off his torso and his feelings came at him full speed as if they laid before a wall and that cracking sound broke that wall. He couldn't hear it but he saw Wedge chuckle at him and Luke couldn't understand why, yet he didn't care.
He grabbed the figure and held it close, staring at the old face and scratched up body. It was his father's who died after his birth. He couldn't imagine his father playing with this is a child, simply cause he never got a view of his father, yet the thought entertained his mind. Did he play with it the same why? Was this his favorite toy or one he forgot about? The questions will go unanswered for his Aunt and Uncle didn't peak of his dead parents, they turned away at the mention or changed the subject. On days when Luke rambled about his parents' identity, they'd scold him and continue their chores in silence.
He gently dropped the figure back in the box and it landed on his detached arm. He'll fix it later, when he's home, wherever that is.
"Luke? You okay buddy?" Wedge questioned sincerely, gripping his shoulder with his rough hand. He noticed that Luke hasn't been the same since graduation, maybe he's nervous, or maybe there's something's up that Wedge hasn't found out yet.
Luke licked his lips, ready to lie to a good friend," Fine," He grasped another figure and bent the arm back and forth.
Wedge grinned, "By the way, where are you gonna live? You told me it was more south of here?"
He looked at him with curiosity. Where was he gonna live? That was a question he needed to ask himself. "Just south,"
He pursed his lips and let it slide, "Anyways, want to go out to the bar with my buddies and me? You know them, they were my classmates during flight school," Wedge offered. "You know, celebrate the last day of college,"
Luke shook his head, setting the toy in the box carefully this time, "I'm busy,"
"With what exactly?"
"I'm not sure, just busy,"
Wedge watched him with concerned eyes but he shook it off, not everybody dealt with leaving college the same. For Wedge, he couldn't be any happier to take on the world and became a pilot like he wanted since he was a child. He walked to the door, opening it, and staring at his roommate for seconds, hoping he'll change his mind. Realizing he was content with staying here alone, he walked out.
Luke looked at the dorm room fully, taking all of its bareness and he felt as empty as the room. He didn't get a house, he wasn't looking for jobs, he wasn't prepared and he knew it.
Maybe he could just get in a car and leave for good with no looking back,
Again.
_
August 20th, 1976
_
Han Solo wasn't a great friend of Luke's, not even a friend frankly, however, Han was the only one still at school as late as Luke, who helped one of his favorite teachers, Mr. Yoda, cleaned up his classroom. The kind old teacher offered to give him a ride but Luke lied to him, saying he had a ride. Mr. Yoda stared at him, feeling his lie in the air, but didn't push him.
All alone and nothing to do, Luke traveled around the school several times, noting that the place was completing empty aside from the principal who worked away in her office. Once the dreaded thought of walking home in the storm came to his mind, he heard a loud laugh from the bathroom, followed by a loud growl like voice that didn't even seem like it was English.
Dubiously, he walked into the bathroom, ready for the worst thing ever. Instead, he found a man- he guessed a student older than him, and another man sitting on the ground with a stack of cards in the middle. A radio was placed next to them, playing The Rolling Stones low.
The man- who had hairy arms and long curly hair, looked at him and howled something in a deep accent. The other man looked at Luke.
"What are you doing here, kid?" He asked, flinging a card in the pile.
Luke gulped and spoke clearly, "I heard music and was wondering what was happening,"
"Nothing, kid, beat it," The man didn't look up, instead his eyes locked on a pack of cigarettes on the tile, and reached to them. He pulled out a cigarette and glanced at Luke, spinning the cigarette in his fingers.
"What are you guys doing?" Luke asked, stepping forward with an eager smile on his face.
"What does it look like? Cards, and no, you're not joining," He placed the cigarette between his teeth and dug into his pockets for a lighter.
Continuing with his questions, he spoke again, "Why are you guys here so late?"
"Why do you ask so many questions?" The fire from the lighter came in contact with the cigarette, lighting it.
Luke held his mouth shut but his curiosity came the best of him and he continued to question them. "What's your guys names?"
"Han and this is Chewy," Han blew the smoke into his deck of cards and paused, "Are you leaving yet?"
"No, I don't have a ride,"
"Well, sucks to be you,"
Suddenly, he was nervous and couldn't collect the words in his mouth. He hated asking for stuff and would feel much more comfortable asking them numerous bothersome questions even if they annoy him. Luke stuttered on his words, "M-may I have a ride?"
He never asked for rides from friends, much less strangers even tough he doesn't have a car and lives far away, he'd rather walk than ask.
They both stopped playing and looked at him with raised brows. Chewy looked at Han and nodded his head, growling low, and Han sighed.
"How much?"
"It's kinda far from-"
"No, money wise,"
He breathed deeply, he didn't have money and his uncle and aunt surely don't have any money on them. They weren't exactly rich. With a pitiful attempt at finding money, he dug in his empty pockets. "I don't have anything,"
Han looked back at Chewy and they conversed with their eyes and groans.
"I guess you can come along, but only after this game. Hopefully, you're parents don't care,"
Luke beamed and sat on the ground with them, "Don't worry. My aunt and uncle are at working in the field at this hour and they probably don't even know I'm gone!"
Han or Chewy didn't reply and they continued with their game of cards. Luke watched the clock count down until 10 minutes have passed with them only bickering at each other.
"What grade are you guys in?" Luke asked after moments of silence.
"Sophmore but I've been held back, and Chewy is a Junior,"
"I'm a freshman," Luke rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn't use to being around older classmates and honestly it wasn't the best feeling. The only people who knew older than freshmen were people who picked on him because of his small frame or his interests, but neither of those affects him. However, the thing that really shook his was as simple as his name.
Lucille Skywalker
First of all, his first name didn't fit him. He was now a male, not a female like he was when he was born, yet the name stuck to him. The only ones who spoke his real name- Luke- were his Aunt and Uncle who were completely supportive of his transition and his dearest friends who weren't a lot. The name Natalie sickened him intensely and he wished that name cease to live as his own.
Secondly, his last name which he use to be proud of. Old Ben, his godfather, always said his father was a hero to all and was very known in their city and it always made Luke rub in that fame to his friends. Now, that surname was owned by a criminal who was put in prison for murder. He knew his father was better than that and always immediately denied when somebody asked if he happened to be related to the killer. Cause his father died a legend, nothing close to that murderer.
Luke felt oddly comfortable in their presence as though his confidence slightly rose surrounded by the strangers. "I'm Luke," He smiled boldly, but watched with nervousness at their reactions. They both raised an eyebrow and looked at each other with questioning faces like they knew he was a boy in a girl's body.
Chewy was the first to shrug it off and Han followed him. Han picked up the deck, shuffled it, and placed it in the box. Chewy stood up, followed by Han, and then Luke, who seemed even smaller in their presence.
"What are you off to, Kid?" Han questioned, picking up the radio and turning it off.
Luke furrowed his brows, "My name is Luke,"
"Well, you're small and a freshmen, so I'm gonna call you kid," Han scoffed, walking out alongside Chewy.
The halls were as quiet as they were when Luke walked around, but now the lights were off and it strangely seem eerily. He wasn't use to walking around in empty halls of the school.
"Isn't weird with it all empty like this?" Luke said in a soft whisper like he feared somebody would find them.
"We're used to it, we do this often," Han spoke loudly and Luke was tempted to sh him but knew he understood the place better than he would ever.
"Why?"
"It's just fun,"
They made it to at the end of the hallway to the large door and Luke realized that he stayed in the place longer than necessary for the sky was dark and the rain beat hard on the roof. Without a hesitation from Han or Chewy, they walked out in the storm as Luke was shuffled through his backpack to find a jacket. He realized he must have left it home or in his locker, and he joined the outside.
His tan skin froze once the rain dropped on him and he tried to rush to the car though he didn't even know where it was or what it was. He bowed his head to protect his face from the hard raindrops and his feet felt heavy all of the sudden. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he felt a rush of adrenaline as though he thought he was caught by a teacher. He spun around to see Han guiding him through the rain with a hard grasp on his shoulder.
He was pushed to a beat up van, Han slide the door open for him, and he gave another push to help him in. Luke sat on the seat, hoping he won't make it wet, and gasped for air. Outside, the wind was too strong to be able to gulp in air. Han climbed to the driver's seat and looked back at him, smiling widely.
Luke didn't realize how nice it was to see him smile- the bathroom lights were too dim but in the dark night, it was enchanting. Something about it warms his body and made him forget about his wet skin.
"This is the Millennium Falcon! Fastest van around!"
Luke took a gander at it. It looked quite lived-in with wrappers on the floor and blankets draping over the seat and even a make-shift bed in the back.
"Looks like a piece of junk," Luke replied and leaned above, gripping the back of Han's seat and looking at the front.
Han rolled his eyes, "Where are you headed to?"
"My house is across town, in the county," He informed, locking eyes with Chewy who has had his legs up on the dashboard.
"You didn't say it was that far," Han mumbled to himself.
"Yes, I did!" Luke's voice went high, "I warned you but you didn't listen!"
"Alright, alright, kid, whatever you say," He smirked at Luke through the mirror while he pulled out of the parking lot.
Luke fell back into his seat and stared outside, watching the raindrops pound on the dirty window, the day was dark and he couldn't see a thing besides lampposts.
"You know, kid, you should probably pay me tomorrow for this ride." Han made eye contact with him through the window.
Luke bite his lip, staring at his feet, "I don't have much, but I can give you some food at lunch tomorrow,"
"Like what?"
"A chocolate bar," He said with force. He didn't get chocolate bars much and he got one on his birthday last week and occasionally bite off small pieces at a time to cherish the chocolate. The thought of giving a man he just met today a large chunk of it made him down but he had to pay him some way.
"Sweet," Han said with a childish smile, "I haven't had those in forever,"
That made Luke a bit easier to give him chocolate, knowing they'll both share the delights of it.
Luke noticed a spec on white on the curb through the dark night. The van drove closer and he realized it was a woman- about his age- hugging her knees close and holding a backpack on her shoulder.
"Han, stop!" Luke yelled, shocking himself and the others.
"What, why?" Han slowed down the vehicle and looked back at him.
"That girl," He pointed out the window, "She looks like she needs help,"
Han raised his brows, "Are you sure? She looks like she goes to one of those preppy schools, she can handle herself,"
Han was right- she wore her hair in two buns on her head and she had a white lace dress on that went just below her mid-thigh with a bright silver belt on her hips, matching her silver chunky heels and thick necklace around her neck. She wore a thin floral jacket to help from the cold but Luke knew it wasn't helping much.
"You know what that means, she's rich and could pay you for a ride," Luke told him with a cocky smile. Even though the distance, he knew that girl was beautiful and if she accepted the ride, he could sit alongside her for the rest of the ride.
"I didn't think of that," Han grinned as he pulled the van up in front of her. She looked up in shock and glared at them with her brown eyes. Han rolled down his window and so did Luke.
"Need a ride, princess?" Han asked.
She got up and they expecting her to get into the car, but she stood there and hissed,"No, I don't,"
"Come on, it's cold," Luke whined and she looked at him for a long time and then said, "I can walk,"
"In this weather? A ride would be easier," She bite the inside of her mouth and shoot her eyes in between them.
"I guess so," She gave in and walked to the other side of the car, hoping onto the seat by Luke.
"I'm Leia," She introduced as she laid her backpack by her seat.
"Han and Chewy," He mumbled, picking up the speed and driving down the street.
"I'm Luke," He smiled at her and she rolled her eyes.
"Where are you headed off to?" She asked both of them.
"I'm going...home," Luke told her, "And you?"
"I'm not sure anymore," She confessed, balancing her head in her palm and staring off outside.
Han said,"I feel the same,"
Luke nodded along with them, looking at Leia. She really was pretty, but he feared he won't make a hard enough impression on her. And, though he had a place to be, he'll follow Han and Leia where ever they are going.
They drove for minutes upon minutes until Luke knew an hour has passed with silence. He had a rough day- his aunt and uncle were fairly harsh in the morning when Luke asked one question about his parents whereabouts, they proceeded to scold him, and start on their chores early in the morning to avoid him. After walking to school in the humid morning, he realized he forgot his homework at home and got another scolding from a teacher. He knew he'll get a huge one when he gets home in the middle of the night. After all of that, he was tired and couldn't wait to sleep in his bed.
After dozing off a bit, he realized Han was pulling into a small diner in the middle of nowhere and he noticed his stomach yearn for food.
"We're going to eat?" Leia asked, rubbing her eyes. She must be as tired as Luke.
"I was getting gas," Han said and pulled up in front of a gas pump,"But food sounds pretty good,"
After pumping the gas, they all walked inside of the place, seeing an array of different people in there, but by far they seemed like the oddest group. They sat in a booth and ordered their food.
"Damn, I'm starving," Han gulped down all his cola rapidly.
"Me too, haven't eaten since lunch at school," Luke yawned and stirred the straw in his ice water.
Leia crossed her legs and looked over at him, "Where do you guys go to school at anyways?"
"We go to Keywood," Han spoke for him.
"I go to Lindale,"
"The preppy all girl private school?" Han chuckled, "So you pretty much are a princess," He flashed a smile at Luke, not Leia like he expected him to laugh along with him.
"Excuse me, but I worked hard to get in the school. They wanted me to go there cause of my good Chemistry grade and I accepted. I worked hard to get to it, I'm not a princess," Leia said confidently, leaning toward Han.
"Alright," He rose his hands like he just been caught, smirking he added, "Princess,"
"God, I should not have rode with you guys," She leaned on the booth, crossing her arms.
"Then we won't drive you home," Han mocked.
"Fine, I'll walk home, it's not hard," Leia stayed content in her seat, looking around the restaurant.
Han laughed and turned to Luke who shrugged his shoulder as a response. "Aren't you leaving, Princess?" Taunted Han.
"I'm hungry, and I'm going to eat,"
Han breathed deeply, looking at Luke again, making him blush.
"What'd you think, Luke?" Leia asked him, looking at him.
"About what?"
"Do you think I should walk home?"
"No, of course not!" Luke squealed rather high-pitched.
"Hey, Kid, you're supposed to be on my side," Han slapped his shoulder lightly. "We know each other for longer!"
"Like 20 minutes more!" Luke widened his eyes.
This interested Leia and she shushed them both and spoke, "How did you guys meet?"
"The kid walked into the bathroom, found us playing cards and joined us,"
"How romantic," Leia sneered.
"I won't say that," Mumbled Luke.
For some reason, he knew they'd all meet again as a group of unlikely friends. He just had that gut feeling that these people aren't just a one-time thing, but life-changing friends. Already, after an hour of knowing each other, he felt like he's known these people for years.
"Luke!" Leia smacked his back hard, forcing him to stop his thoughts. "Move your hands. the waitress is trying to set your food down!"
He pushed his hands back and watched his burger and fries being set down in front of him. Quickly, he ate a fry and felt his mouth water at the salty taste. God, he never felt so hungry.
They were all silent as they ate their food until Han spoke with his burger in his mouth, "Kid, are your parents gonna be angry now?"
"My aunt and uncle aren't going to be happy," Nervous about his punishment, he set down his burger and drank his water.
Leia looked over at him, "My parents are gonna kill me, that's for sure," Laughing, she took a sip of her strawberry smoothie. She looked pretty when she laughed out loud.
"What about you, Han?" Luke asked, chuckling alongside Leia.
"I don't live with them, so it doesn't really matter," He chewed his fry and swallowed deeply.
"Where do you live then?" She asked him
Luke already knew the answer- his car. He wasn't told but it was obvious with all the food scattered around the van and the bed made in the back. He guessed both Han and Chewy lived there with each other.
Han shrugged at this and acted as though he couldn't answer with the food in his mouth.
"What are we going to do after this?" Luke didn't want Leia to pressure Han into answering so he stepped in.
"Let's not think of that yet," She uttered as she licked her fingers clean.
Han turned to Luke, "What do you want to do, Luke?"
That was the first time he heard him say his real name and it oddly was satisfying. He repeated his voice saying his name in his mind several times as if he was trying his best to get used to it but failed. Maybe every time he spoke his name, it'll cause his heart to skip a beat.
"I don't know,"