Chapter Text
It was a couple weeks after the fall of the Empire, and Luke needed to get away. Leia was used to dealing with media interviews and lip service and the complicated business of leading and commanding others. People wanted to know about how he survived the tyrants of the Empire, how they died, and even how he managed to obtain a lightsaber, thinking such things were only legend. When he tried to explain about how he was trained a Jedi, that the Force was a real thing, that he lived now because one Sith turned out to have a conscience buried deep, people found the story incredible. Most people had the tact not to accuse Luke of lying, but he knew through the Force that most everyone found his words absurd. Few, such as politicians who had known Jedi like Kenobi, Windu, and Yoda, believed him, but then, they remembered Anakin before he fell. As a Jedi, he’d learned to have better control over his frustration, but a Jedi is human, and he just couldn’t take much more.
On top of this, he felt lonely. Leia was Force-sensitive, but untrained, so she could not understand his longing for others of his kind. Yes, he privately made the distinction between sensitives and blinds and further, trained and untrained. Surprisingly, he found himself longing for Tatooine, probably because he missed Obi-Wan and needed his company and most of his memories of him were there. Luke sighed sadly and lay a hand on his X-Wing, thinking how ironic it was that he’d actually want to return to the place he said he’d never willingly set foot on again. Sure, Tatooine inhabitants weren’t always good. Many were dangerous or even deadly. But at least, they were honest. The people he’d had to tolerate of late were false and shallow.
Luke went in search of Han and found him with his trusty Falcon, washing it. Chewie was with him, saying something about wanting to go home. Luke laughed to himself, a tad surprised. But of course, now that he thought of it, Chewbacca might miss his own kind as well. "I’d like to go home, too," he said quietly, standing on Han’s other side.
Han and Chewbacca turned toward him. Han looked surprised, but Chewie had already known Luke was close by because of his scent. Chewie growled sympathetically and Han looked annoyed that his other brother was ditching him as well. "So you two are going to leave me alone with the stuffy government types?"
"Are you including Leia in that assessment?" Luke laughed.
"Um…Sort of," Han muttered. "I mean, don’t tell her I said that. She’s fine when she’s not with them, but her…associates make me nervous. Call it force of habit, being a criminal and all."
"We won’t be gone forever, and if you can get Leia away from the politicians, think of the quality time you two could have."
That made Han smirk. "Kid, I didn’t know you could be so devious."
Luke managed to smile innocently for all that, though his eyes danced with mirth. "Those formal types don’t bother me so much. It’s the general populace that I need to get away from. They’re just so…insincere. I’m sorry to leave you alone. But there’s Lando and Leia, and there’s always hologram communication while I’m gone. I can’t say how long I’ll need, but Force willing, I intend to return."
Chewbacca took this opportunity to hug both Han and Luke tightly, and the men hugged Chewie as best they could. He growled at Luke to have a safe journey and that he’d bring Han’s regards to his family on Kashyyyk.
"May the Force be with you," Han smiled at Luke and slapped his shoulder.
Luke bowed to Han and returned the smile warmly. "May the Force be with you," he intoned solemnly. "Would you tell Leia I’ve gone to Tatooine? I think she’s too busy to get a hold of just now."
"Will do," Han affirmed, waving goodbye.
"Force be with you, Chewie," Luke smiled, patting Chewbacca on the arm.
Chewbacca growled the appropriate response and Luke got into his X-Wing, feeling lighter immediately as he took off in search of peace.