Chapter Text
Sunlight strobed around the bus as the door hissed open with many eager teenagers just aching to escape from their cramped seats. A whole new summer away from her dad. Leia thought it too good to be true. Now, don’t get her wrong, she adored her dad. He was all she had when they were struggling to even get decent housing. But two whole months without the sickening smell of grapes every morning and constant dad jokes and a new opportunity to have friends that wasn’t a slobbering dog? It sounded like paradise to the young Skywalker.
Realizing she’d been daydreaming all this time, Leia quickly scattered to get out of the bus before the bus driver could reprimand her.
A pale, husky woman stood upon a stage wearing a bright orange shirt that spelled 'Camp Light'. One could only assume she was the headmaster behind the camp. Only because she looked like she was intimidating all those who caught eye contact with her.
“Alright file up, ladies and gentlemen! We're gonna be reciting your names and corresponding cabins so listen closely!"
Knowing she'd best hurry before she got trampled in the stampede, Leia made a bee-line to the duffle pile, letting the woman belch out names and cabins behind her. She had got good connections with one of the counselors beforehand and managed to get herself into a formidable cabin. Much responsible for a 13 year old and that was something she prided herself in.
"Alright! Found my duffle." The brunette clasped her hands together and was about to easily pull her belongings out the pile before several others decided to stack so inconveniently on top of hers.
"Now the question is, how do I get it out?" She groaned to herself, rubbing her hands at her temples before struggling to pry the yellow duffle out. Much to her dismay, nothing happened. As she became increasingly frustrated, a laugh ringed out from her left ear which she could tell was directed at her. Snapping her head towards the instigator, the sun glinted at her eyes so she didn't know what to make of this person in front of her.
"You must be new." Once this person, this boy more appropriately, came into view, Leia caught a glimpse of a devious smirk and she swore he'd just stepped out of a Western movie. His hair was unruly, his dark jean jacket clashing with his white undershirt, it was all too wild.
"How can you tell?"
"You didn't know how to grab your duffle before the aids tossed it into the heap. I'd say you need some serious help if it's lodged all the way in there."
Before Leia could even protest, the boy was already tugging on the straps of her duffle, struggling as she did before. Too tired to argue, Leia decided to join him before they eventually succeeding in getting both of their belongings out.
"Alright, nice going uh - " The boy paused to read the name tag strategically placed on Leia's collarbone. " - Leia. My name's Han. Han Solo."
"Pleasure to meet you then, Han." She couldn't tell if she meant it to be genuine or not.
"Kinda formal for a California kid, aren't you? I don't think that's how they talk in Hollywood. I bet you probably live next door to a movie star. Or even one yourself."
Leia caught herself reddening at the last statement but crossed her arms, letting out some sort of dismissing scoff. "Jeez, don't you anything about Cali? It's not all movies and fame. Plus, I live in Napa. That's northern California and all I live next to is a vineyard."
The confused look on Han's face indicated that he didn't know what a vineyard was.
"A vineyard. It's where you grow grapes to make wine? My dad and I own one, it's how I could even afford to get here."
"Anyways, I should probably get going. Assembly and breakfast will be in 30 minutes. You should get going to. Don't wanna have a bad reputation on the first day, Solo."
He seemed to agree before the headmaster announced their names coincidentally and in the same cabin at that. Cabin Alderaan.
Han grinned, throwing his duffle over his shoulders as he caught up to Leia. "Looks like you ain't getting rid of me so easily."
"Afraid not." She couldn't help but smile also as the two of them walked side by side to their cabin.
They spent half the walk there talking and learning about each other, like how Han grew up in the South to a poor family just how she did or how Leia had once beat her father in arm wrestling ten times in a row. Needless to say, the two quickly began to be friends. Close to their destination, Han suddenly noticed a 'way too fancy car to be driving in a beat up mountain'. Though she wouldn't use the exact nomenclature Han used to describe it, he was right. What could such a nice vehicle be doing in a place like this? Deciding to ignore it, Leia reminded Han about the assembly and the two continued on their merry way.
A brisk breeze grazing his aging locks, Qui-Gon stepped out of the limousine, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. Finally, they were able to make it in such short time. He opened the passenger door to let out the young boy who'd been cooped inside the vehicle for far too long.
"Here we are, my dear. Camp Light, just the way your father told it to be."
Luke eagerly stepped outside, clutching the picture his father gave to him before the flight. His lips tugged into a smile as he turned to face Qui-Gon, glowing with excitement.
"Pops, isn't it great? The scenery is so ... amazing. Not like anything in London, I barely if ever get to roam in forests and mountains such as this."
Of course, the grandfather couldn't give his exact and honest opinion about the place since he couldn't find much positives in it like Luke did so he simply nodded to appease him.
"Of course. But tell me, Luke - " He cupped his hands on his cheeks, a warm expression befalling on his face. " - are you sure you can handle two months so far away from us? Summer might seem like a short while when you're at camp but your father doesn't want you to be lonely."
Luke placed his hand on top of Qui-Gon's and gave him a reassuring smile. "Trust me, I'll be alright. Besides, it's impossible for me to not make any friends here so I'll most definitely will not be lonely. I'll write father many letters while I'm here and don't think I'll forget about you too!"
"Good boy. Now let's go over his list now, hmm?"
"Vitamins?"
"Check."
"Minerals?"
"Check."
"List of daily fruits and vegetables?"
"Check and check."
Qui-Gon paused, as if confused.
"Check for fruits, check for vegetables go on." Luke chuckled.
"Sun block, insect repellant, journal, pens and pencils, pictures of the family - "
The young one cut him off before she could go on too far. His family was a meticulous one but he wouldn't let that restrain him from having any fun.
" I think everything's under control already, Pops. Thanks for bringing me here." In a final swing of energy, Luke flung himself onto the taller one, wrapping his arms around him. Qui-Gon didn't know if he wanted to let go or not.
After they bid their farewells, Luke set out to find his cabin, Tatooine, gathering his duffle easily from the heap. In the distance, he could still see his grandfather standing, ever so gracefully, knowing he wouldn't waste her time catching every glimpse of him.
"Missing you already, king of my heart!", he called out and even with his timid voice, he could hear him.
"And I you, duke of my dreams!"
And with that, Qui-Gon sat back into the limousine, sweaty hands gripping on the wheel as he drove away from the campsite, not knowing what shenanigans would ensue with Luke later on.