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People Magazine, January 1986, Leia Organa’s Baby Joy!

Leia Organa is pregnant, People Magazine can exclusively report. 

Her and her husband, Han Solo, are reportedly over the moon with the news. Organa, the head of Republic Records, and former lead singer of highly successful band the Rebellion is about 2 months along. 

“Everyone is so thrilled for them,” a source reports, “-it’s been a long time coming.”

Organa has already received many baby gifts to her large Beverly Hills mansion, including a reported full set of baby sized instruments, gifted to her by her brother, Luke Skywalker. 

NRC Archives, February 1986, the Tonight Show Starring Orson Krennic, Guests; Ruescott Melshi, Luke Skywalker

00:25:00

[Orson Krennic is seated behind a desk, with a chair and a couch beside it, in an open tv studio with an audience.]

[Theme Music Overlayed, Audience Applause]

[Krennic]: Welcome back to the show everyone, our next guest needs no introduction, he’s about to release his next album, Try , please welcome back to the show, Luke Skywalker!

[Camera 2- a young blond man, dressed entirely in black walks out onto stage, waves, shakes Krennic’s hand, takes a seat.]

00:29:42

[Krennic]: Luke! Nice to have you back on the show, how have you been?

[Skywalker]: (Laughs) It’s a pleasure to be back, thanks. I’ve been well.

[Krennic]: I guess I owe you an apology.

[Skywalker]: Oh? For what?

[Krennic]: I asked you last time you were here if you thought your first album was going to flop… I think we can safely say it didn’t. 

[Camera pans to audience laughter, back to Skywalker]

[Skywalker]: Thanks Orson, I appreciate that. 

[Krennic]: You’re presenting an award and opening the Grammys in a few weeks with your new stuff, that must feel good.

[Skywalker]: Yeah, feels even better since I don’t have to worry about coming up with a speech on the spot.

[Audience laughter]

[Krennic]: Now, lets talk about this new stuff-

[Skywalker]: That’s why I’m here!

[Audience laughter]

[Krennic]: You, famously, are a bachelor. But I was listening to your record- and let me read the audience some of the lyrics in case they haven’t heard them yet. 

Everyone says/I should be bored by now/Everyone says/It’s time to leave somehow /But I don't see how that's true/I've never been more in love with you. Now, to me , those don’t sound like the lyrics a bachelor would write. Are they about anyone?

[Audience titters]

[Camera focuses on Skywalker.]

-

March 1986 New York Times Entertainment Section- Wedge Antilles’ New Musical Makes a Triumphant Debut

The stars were out last night, attending the premiere of Wedge Antilles’ new musical Squadron (full review on page E12). Antilles himself, and his new girlfriend Dedra Meero, were joined by his ex-bandmates, Luke Skywalker and  Academy Award winner Cassian Andor. Andor’s girlfriend, Jyn Erso, was also in attendence. 

The star studded audience gave the performance a standing ovation, and critics are already predicting a second Tony Award for Antilles. 

Chapter Text

Din Djarin, ex drummer in the Rebellion (the band who still holds the record for the biggest selling album of all time) walks into the house he shares with his ex-bandmate, Luke Skywalker. 

He can tell something’s wrong immediately. 

It’s not because he shares the same ‘telepathy’ that Luke does with his twin sister, Leia Organa (also an ex-bandmate, current head of Republic Records), but it’s that he knows Luke well enough to know that if Luke is home and there’s no music playing…. something is definitely wrong. 

Din hangs up his leather jacket in the hallway closet with a sigh.  

He looks over the railing, down into his family room, and spies his son, Grogu, watching TV. 

If he wasn’t so worried about Luke, he’d go down to see what the kid is watching. 

He can’t believe some of the crap they put on TV these days. 

Grogu notices him- Din assumes it’s because it’s a commercial break- and waves.

Din holds out his hands.

Grogu shrugs and gestures towards the study. 

Din nods at him and turns back the way he came, cautiously walking toward it, knocking softly on the door before he enters. 

“Hey.” He says, leaning on the doorframe. 

Din was right. 

Luke is in there, staring out the front window, seemingly lost in thought. 

Looking quite upset.

“What’s wrong?” 

Luke glances away from the glass and uncrosses one arm to run a hand down his face and gesture at a piece of paper on the desk. 

“Grogu came home from school with this today.” 

Din makes his way over to the desk, confused. 

If Luke had been mad at him, Grogu wouldn’t‘ve seemed so blasé when Din arrived home. 

Din picks up the piece of paper, bearing the crest of the ludicrously expensive prep school he sends Grogu to, and begins to read. 

Dear Parents/Guardians , it begins, In light of recent events, we are following the CDC’s recommended guidelines and…  

“They’re teaching them about AIDS.” Din says, surprised, and looks up at Luke, even more confused than he was before. “-isn’t this a good thing?”

“Yeah.” Luke says, arms crossed again, “-until they incite panic and start blaming-”

“Hold on a sec.” Din says, interrupting before Luke gets into a spiral, “-Luke, firstly, it hasn’t even happened yet, and if they’re using the CDC’s curriculum-”

“Oh yeah, because the government has done such a good job managing it so far.” Luke says, tightly, and Din sighs. 

“I know, I know.” He says, and pauses, still unsure. “-we can talk to him after to ask-”

“It’s not him I’m worried about.” Luke says, still tight. 

Din is at a loss. 

“Lando’s been to 20 funerals in the past 8 months, did he tell you?” Luke adds, and Din still has no idea where this is going. 

“No.” Din says, “-that’s… shit. I don’t even know what to say to that.” 

“I know.” Luke says, and runs his hands through his hair. “-I feel like such a fucking fraud, Din.” 

Ah. Din should’ve known. 

“-all these people like me… my peers , just dropping dead, no one doing shit about it ‘cause they’re gay, and then the news calling it the ‘gay disease’… and me, a gay man, just. Living the fucking Life of Riley.” 

Din exhales, watching as the crisis plays across Luke’s face as he gathers himself. 

“I think I wanna come out, Din.” He says, making the face where he’s trying to be confident, but is really at his wit’s end. 

Din hopes he kept the wince off his face.

Coming out publicly is obviously a big enough deal on it’s own, but would be an even bigger deal when you’re currently still one of the biggest rock stars on the planet.

He wonders if Luke’s thinking about doing this because he wants to, or because he thinks it's the right thing to do.

“Ok.” Din says, finally and Luke almost looks mad.

“Ok? That’s it?” 

“What else is there for me to say?” Din asks, and Luke knows he’s not being flippant. He genuinely means it. 

“Well, it’s not just me I’d be affecting, Din.” Luke says, trying to summarize the turmoil he’s found himself in ever since Grogu handed him the goddamn letter after he got home from school. “- firstly, the whole band’d be associated with me still, and-“

“Do you seriously think the guys, or your own sister, would begrudge you this?”

“Of course not.” Luke says, “-doesn’t mean I shouldn’t think about how it’d affect them.” 

“They can make their own choice, Luke.” 

“-and then there’s you and Grogu.” Luke says.

“What about us?” 

“-well, my career might tank, and suddenly I wouldn’t be making as much-”

“I am not going to let you finish that sentence, Skywalker.” 

Din still has way too much fucking money in the fucking bank.

Luke huffs and rolls his eyes. 

“-and Grogu will have to go to school with… it out in the open.” 

“Luke.” Din says, incredulously, as he walks around the desk, before leans down and kisses Luke, softly. He leans their foreheads together. 

Ex-band mates, current partners. 

It’s a long story. 

“Pretty sure everyone figures already.”

“It’s not the same as it being out in the open though.” Luke insists and sighs. “-I don’t know, Din.”

“Do you think it would do good, coming out?” Din asks, after a moment, unable to think of a better way to phrase it, “-or would it just be to ease your own conscience, showing solidarity?” 

“I don’t know.” Luke sighs, wrapping his arms around Din’s middle, leaning into him. “- I have no fucking clue.”

“Have you been thinking about this for awhile?” Din asks, after another moment or two.

“Yeah. On and off.” 

“Have you asked Lando or Leia what they think?”

“No.” Luke says, leaning back a bit, “-I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Hmm.” Din says brushing some hair out of Luke’s eyes. “-well, whatever you decide, you know-”

“I know.” Luke says, feeling marginally better, leaning back into him. 

Din relaxes a bit as he registers Luke calm down a little. 

They stand there like that for a while. 

Maybe he’ll get Grogu to save the school notices to give to Din only- when a thought strikes him.

“You know,” Din says, thoughtfully, “-haven’t even had the Talk with Grogu yet. He’s almost 15, he’s past due for it.”

Luke leans back and looks up at him, incredulously. 

“How do you know what ‘the Talk’ is?” 

Din raises a brow at him.

“From when I was on the receiving end of it, obviously-”

“From who?”

“Madre.” Din says, frowning at Luke, “who else?”

“You’re telling me you got the Talk from Nuns ?” 

“Skywalker, do you seriously think Madre would let the boys she raised go out into the world only to create more unwanted kids to fill her orphanage?” 

“Oh.” Luke says, blinking, “-well, when you put it that way… how awkward was it?” 

“Not at all.” Din shrugs, “- she was very matter of fact about it.”

“Hmm.” 

“Was it awkward for you ?” Din asks, with a bit of a laugh. 

“Excruciating.” Luke says, smiling a little, and Din is relieved to see it. 

“Well, hopefully I won’t do too bad for Grogu- but with the shit they put on TV nowadays, he probably knows everything already.” 

“Well, I could-”

“No.” Din says, immediately, “-no, I’ll talk to him.” 

Luke blinks.

“-are you sure? I mean, maybe we could talk together-”

“No.” Din says, “-no, I’ll do it.”

Luke raises a brow at him, not quite sure why Din is insisting, but. 

“Well, ok. If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” 

Luke wishes he was. 

–

The few initial years after the band broke up and before Luke released Ossus were nice.

Peaceful. 

Luke's glad they got to spend so much time with Grogu, and each other. 

Almost could pretend they had a normal life- which Luke didn't realize he missed.

One memorable occasion was a big birthday party Lando threw for himself at some private club in New York- with all his queer friends in attendance.

If it was anyone but Lando, Luke would wonder how they knew so many people. 

No one spared a second glance at Luke Skywalker… though he could tell more than a few were interested in the blond with his broad, dark haired boyfriend trailing behind him. 

Lando was surprised Din showed up. 

“What, you don’t think I can be supportive?” Din asks, dryly, sitting at a booth, and Luke laughs a bit from his spot underneath’s Din arm, tucked into his side. 

Leia and Han couldn’t make it- but Jyn and Cass were there, dancing away. 

Wedge was somewhere amid the crowd too, and Luke thinks he saw Mara making out with Joan Jett on the way in. 

“My name isn’t Luke Skywalker.” Lando says, resplendent as usual, and Luke watches his eyes track Luke’s arm wrap around Din’s torso as he leans further into him. 

“This is still so weird for me.” 

“It’s old news, Calrission.” 

Din‘s tone is as dry as ever.

“You even suspected!” Luke says, accusingly. 

Lando shrugs. 

“Knowing something and actually seeing it are two very different things.” 

Din’s moustache twitches. 

“You can go dance, you know.” Din tells Luke, later, after Lando’s left them to go hold court with some others. 

“I only want to dance with you .” Luke says, “-and I’m quite happy here, thanks.” 

Din hums. 

There is something about being out in the open with Luke that he didn’t realize he was missing. Didn’t even know there was something to miss, but it’s... nice.

“Want another drink?” Luke asks, as he notices Din’s pint glass has emptied. 

“Sure, want me to come with you?”

“No, save our seat.” Luke grins, winking, and makes his way up to the bar, navigating his way through the heavy crowd, as the music pulses around him. 

And I ran, I ran so far away, so I ran… couldn’t get away

Luke leans on the bar as he waits for the bartender, surveying the crowd, happily. 

It’s chaotic and loud and noisy and Lando.

But Luke hasn’t felt this at peace in awhile. 

Jyn and Cass might be the only straight couple here, honestly.

Luke isn’t sure where Wedge’s got too. 

“Excuse me.” 

Luke turns and puts on an apologetic smile, ready to turn him down. Except. 

“You don’t share, do you?” He asks, and Luke snorts, both of their gazes turning to Din, sitting with his arms crossed in the booth, and Luke can’t blame the man for trying.

Din’s ditched the sunglasses now that he doesn’t need them. 

He’s wearing a white button down (Din hates Neon) that Luke undid an extra button on, (which got an amused eyebrow raise), and he’s let his curls loose. 

“Sorry.” Luke says, and the man shrugs. 

“Can’t say I wouldn’t do the same if I was in your shoes.” 

Luke hums. 

A bartender comes by to take their orders, and Luke watches happily as couples dance around them. 

Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand, just like that river twisting through a dusty land

“So how do you know Lando?” The man asks, and Luke shrugs dismissively and speaks before realises what he’s saying. 

“Oh, we used to work together.”  

“Really, through the label or something?”

“Or something.” Luke repeats, hoping he hasn’t given himself away- but it’s no use.

He watches the man’s eyes dart to Jyn and Cass, and then back to Luke, squinting at him a bit. 

“Wait.” He says, “-but then you’re , and he’s- “

The man blinks as Luke smiles sheepishly and holds a finger to his lips. 

“Syril Karn’s a piece of shit.” The man proclaims and Luke laughs loudly. 

“That was… a long time ago now.” (he was about to say Forever ago.)

“Still.” The man says, just as the bartender brings their drinks. 

Luke drops some money on the counter and waves away the change, picking up their drinks. 

“Nice to meet you.” Luke says.

“You too.” The man says, looking serious. “-thank you.” 

Luke nods at him, and makes his way back to Din, putting his beer down in front of him. 

“Thanks.” Din says, picking it up with one hand, but immediately slinging the other arm over Luke’s shoulder. 

Luke laughs. 

Lando comes back later, Cass and Jyn in tow, and they all split a few bottles of champagne. 

“Poor Luke,” Lando says, “-wasting away in the booth, when he should be dancing -“

“I’m not stopping him.” Din says, unbothered, raising the champagne glass to his lips. 

“Yes you are!” Lando insists, “-just go out and dance, Mando, it won’t be that bad-”

“If they put on a good song, I’ll dance, Calrission. Some of this shit is worse than fucking disco.”

Well I’d go out crusin’ but I’ve no place to go and all night to get there

Luke nearly gets bubbles up his nose. 

“Excuses, excuses.” Lando says, “- you don’t like any music.”

Din ignores him. 

Lando and Cass are reminiscing about shit they got up to on tour (probably to rub in how Din is no fun, even though they don’t explicitly say it) when Din perks up. 

Luke raises a brow at him.

“Oh, I’ll dance to this, Luke.” He says, looking pleased, and Luke blinks at him as he places the song. 

“What?” Luke asks, bewildered, taking Din’s hand as Din stands and practically pulls Luke out onto the floor as the opening chords blare. “-since when do you like Prince?”

Luke can feel the others’ bewildered glances on his back. 

“Prince is great.” Din says, into his ear, once they’re out on the floor and Din puts his hands on Luke’s hips 

“How did I not know this?” Luke laughs, as he puts his arms over Din’s shoulders.

Din shrugs. 

“ I was dreaming when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray-“  Luke sings.

“But when I woke up this morning I could’ve sworn it was judgement day-” Din sings back and Luke laughs, exuberant. 

But life is just a party, and parties weren’t meant to last

Din mouths along with every lyric, and Luke feels- perfect, really, as he dances with him out in the open, watching him enjoy himself (not to mention watching their friends’ jaws drop).

2000-0-0 party’s over it’s outta time, tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999-

Luke throws his hands up, and Din pulls him even closer, strobe lights blinking in time with the music, surround by people just like them. 

Before I let that happen, I’ll dance my life away

Din pulls him in for a kiss after the song fades out, and Luke breaks out into laughter as they pull apart and Luke glances back at the looks on Lando and Cass’ faces. 

“What the hell, Mando.” Lando says, sounding legitimately offended after they’ve got back. “-you can dance!”

Din shrugs and goes back to his pint. 

“I told you so!” Luke grins.

“I am questioning everything I have ever known.” Cass says, seriously and Din rolls his eyes. 

Luke laughed into his shoulder. 

Looking back- well, that was one of the last times Luke can think of when he was truly, completely happy. 

Ironically, Luke did have the radio on, when Grogu got home. 

Grogu zoomed in, as usual, with a ‘hi Dad!’ shoving the letter at him, and then zoomed down to the tv. 

Luke hummed, opening it, hoping it’s nothing he’ll have to get Din involved with (Din scares the administration) and, just because the universe has a shitty sense of humour, 1999 was playing as he started to read it. 

A song about the end days… when it sure feels like it actually is. 

Especially to the people who were at that party.

Luke turned the radio off and collapsed into the chair in the study, upset at what should be a happy memory.

Everything is tainted now. 

—

Din loiters backstage with the rest of Luke’s band as they wait to go on. 

The Grammys have gotten bigger every damn year, and every damn year he’s grateful he doesn’t have to walk the carpet or do the interviews or any of that nonsense any longer. 

The Rebellion logo on his drum kit has been replaced by Luke’s, and Din amusedly half listens to the guys go on about some party they managed to sneak into. 

“Guys, curtain in 5 minutes.” Says one of the black clad workers bustling around backstage, carrying a clipboard. “-now Luke is-“ he stops, and looks at Din funny. “-wait a second, aren’t you Mando? ”

Din shrugs. 

“I just look like him.” 

“Right, obviously. You must get that a lot.”

“All the time.” Din says, to snickers beside him. 

They start heading to their places.

“Mando, can’t you give one of these poor kids a break one day? They probably grew up listening to you.”

“They meet Luke.” Din shrugs, as he settles into his seat, “-why would they need to meet me?”

The blinking red light counts them down and Din counts them in, before hearing the electric guitars roaring to life.

Things are even louder now too. 

He hears Luke before he sees him, alone on the stage on the other side of the curtains. 

The lights come up as the chorus hits, and Luke glitters away in front of his mic stand, with the band backing behind him. 

Din hums to himself happily. Not that he’d ever admit it, but. 

Listening to Luke sing about him?

Never gets old.

Everyone says 

I should be bored by now

Everyone says

I should try to leave somehow 

But I don't see how that's true

I've never been more in love with you

Luke can rarely see Din as he’s performing anymore. The spotlights are on him, so even if he spins around to look, the band’s always hidden from his sight. 

He can hear him, though. Keeping pace for Luke like he’s always done. 

In music and in life… which is a good song idea, hopefully he’ll remember it later when he’s not in the middle of a Grammy performance. 

The audience seems to like it, which is good. Walking the carpet now, mingling- he feels old. And he’s not even that old! He knows what he makes is more old school than anything else right now… he can’t be bothered with synthesizers and the like (also Din would refuse to play anything electronic adjacent). 

He sees these kids, so excited to meet him, and thinks… were they really that young? 

He finishes out to a standing ovation, bowing. He takes his in ear (what will they come up with next, honestly) out and greets the band backstage as ushers and roadies keep them moving. 

He waves to Artoo and Chewie. 

“Nice job guys, as usual, thanks.” 

“Back ‘atcha, Boss.” 

Luke huffs and searches out Din. His moustache twitches. 

“Mr. Skywalker, back this way to your dressing room, please.” 

“Alright.” Luke says, starting to follow him, Din close behind him. 

“The dressing room for musicians is-”

“I’m not a musician?” Luke asks lightly,

“You’re one of the artists, sir.”

“He’s coming with me. He’s also my bodyguard.” Luke grins, and hears Din snort behind him. 

The usher decides not to argue and leads them through the crowded backstage, Luke waving every now and again as he recognizes people. 

He steps into the dressing room, and Din shuts the door behind him. 

Luke pulls him down into a kiss. 

“You did great.” Din says, crossing his arms as Luke reluctantly starts to get changed back into his tux, knowing they’ll be looking for him soon. 

“Thanks.” Luke grins, “-I guess you’re going home?”

“Hmm.” 

“I’ll put in an appearance at Lando’s, but I’m not going to be too late.”

“Alright, be careful.”

“I always am.” Luke grins.

“That is not historically correct.” Din chides, but kisses him again after Luke’s straightened his bow tie. 

“See you at home.” 

“See you at home.” Din hums, tapping their foreheads together before turning to open the door. 

He gets a full blast of bustle and noise. 

“It really is such a fucking production now.” He says, distastefully. 

“Yeah.” Luke says, smiling a little. He watches Din disappear toward the exit and sighs, and lets himself be led back to his seat. 

He settles in beside Lando who grins at him and pours him a glass of champagne. 

“Nice job, Skywalker.” He says, as an award is called. 

“Nice to have some old school music still.” Adds another person at their table and Luke laughs a little. 

Luke watches as awards are given out and is pleased to find he agrees with most of the winners. There’s other good performances too, Lando is being his peak self, and the others at their table are nice enough, even asking how Leia’s coming along.

Luke should’ve known it wouldn’t last. 

They start the In Memoriam section and Luke downs an entire glass of champagne in one go, as man after man gets posthumously outed, ‘cause how else would a man that young die?

“God, I can’t watch these anymore.” Luke says, and he’s not the only one, as a pall has descended over the entire room. 

Lando raises a glass to him and downs it himself. 

They don’t really recover after, and sit in silence in the limo as it takes them to Lando’s after party. 

“Din laughed when I told him about the We Are the World ” invite.” Luke says, ‘cause it’s the only thing he can think of. 

He knows how many of those men were friends of Lando’s. 

“-called it the most condescending bullshit he’s ever heard.” 

“You know, as I get older, I’m finding I’m starting to agree with him more and more.” Lando says, after a moment, “-isn’t that a scary thought?” 

Well. One scary thought deserves another.

“I’m thinking about coming out.” Luke blurts. 

Lando levels a look at him. 

“Are you fucking crazy?” 

“I-“

“Have you told Mando about this?”

“I’ve-”

“Have you told Leia about this?!” 

“Told Din. Haven’t talked to Leia yet.” 

“Good.” Lando says, looking relieved. “-she’ll knock some fucking sense into you.” 

“What the hell, Lando?”

“Luke. You won’t be helping.” 

“What do you mean I-“

“A nice squeaky clean white pop star who’s been monogamous for however the fuck long you’ve been in love with Mando is not an AIDS risk. All you’d be doing is showing ‘the good gays don’t get it.’ Show them they’re right.” 

“But I don’t think that-”

“Of course you don’t. That doesn’t matter. You’re not a person. You’re a pop star.” 

Luke drags a hand down his face. 

“I just think that if I-”

“You wanna help? Perform at a Gala some friends of mine are hosting. Help sell a few more tickets and tables to wealthy socialites who want a tax write off.” 

“Of course I’ll do it, Lando, you don’t have to ask-”

Lando looks as serious as he’s ever seen him, illuminated by the passing streetlights. 

“I’m sorry to be so harsh, Luke. But I really don’t think you’d be helping any. Not the the cause.” Lando sighs and looks back out towards the night. 

“- or yourself.”

—

“Well, we’ve got all the West coast dates confirmed at least.” Luke says, reading over his tour itinerary. 

It’s a bit of a whirlwind. 

He’s going to have to save the international dates for next year- trying to get all of the North American shows to fit in the two months when Grogu’s off school has been… challenging. 

“Progress.” Din comments, not looking up from his newspaper. He’s got his feet stretched out under the kitchen table so Luke can tuck their ankles together. 

Luke hums to himself. 

“-now if I could just get Madison Square Garden to cooperate, we could get the East coast confirmed too.”

“Not like you haven’t played 10 sold out shows there already.” Din comments, idly turning a page. 

Luke hums again. 

Luke hears the newspaper rustle and looks up to find Din looking at him, seriously. 

“Luke, you know you don’t have to take me on tour. If you need to tour during the school year, I don’t mind being replaced for some of the dates-”

“I want you on tour.” Luke says, quickly, “-and besides, changing band members in the middle of a tour throws off-”

“You can replace me the whole time, if it’s easier.”

“I don’t want to.” Luke says, firmly, but then blanches. “-do… do you not want to tour anymore?”

Luke’s always suspected that Din wants his semi retirement to be a full retirement, but would never say so. 

Luke has put off asking him because, well. He needs Din. 

“That’s not what I meant.” 

“That’s not an answer.”

“Luke, I don’t care.” Din sighs, “-I don’t particularly want to tour. I but I don’t not want to tour either. I want to do whatever will make you happy.”

Luke sighs.

“I want you on tour with me-”

“Alright, then.” Din says, picking up the paper again, “-tour it is. I’d like silver jackets this year.” 

Luke laughs, heart settling down.

“Sure, alright.”

He purses his lips.

“Do you think Grogu minds?”

“Minds?”

“Being dragged around the continental United States the entire summer.”

“He loves it, Luke.” Din says. “-why are you asking me this?”

“I just.” Luke crosses his arms and decides to be truthful. “-I don’t want you guys resenting me for dragging you around the country. But I don’t want you resenting me for leaving, either.”

“Darling.” Din says, putting the paper down again, “-Grogu and I will always be right here. No matter what.”

“Hmm.”

“I seem to recall a song or something that the gist was we’d always be With You-”

“Shut up.” Luke laughs, running a hand down his face. 

“You wrote it.” 

“ We wrote it.” 

Din turns his palm up toward the ceiling. 

Luke halfheartedly flips him off.

Suddenly the front door opens, and a whirlwind passes through the front hall and down to the family room.

“Hi Buir, hi Dad.”

Luke watches, somewhat amused, as Din’s eyes narrow as they follow their kid zoom through the house.

The TV clicks on, and Luke hears the MTV tag play across the speakers. 

Din wordlessly folds up his newspaper and and follows Grogu downstairs. 

Luke sighs, and gets up to referee. 

The first time Grogu showed Din MTV was a shitshow- but for none of the reasons that Din is so vigilant about it now.

Grogu had been watching it, (Din wasn’t really aware of it yet, even though Luke had shot videos for it before), when a video came on and he all but dragged them down to see. 

“It’s animated!” Grogu enthused, “-with computers. ”

Luke vaguely recognized the song as Money for Nothing by Dire Straits… he hadn’t listened to the whole thing so far, just heard bits of it on the radio. 

“That is the most God-awful nonsense I have ever seen.” Din declared, “-art? With a computer ? What is the world coming to? What, can’t people do anything for themselves anymore?” 

Luke snorted as Grogu argued, humming to himself; get your money for nothing and your drummers for free…

But then he heard it. 

“Holy shit.” Din said incredulously, as Luke’s heart dropped to his feet. “I thought you said he was nice?”

“He was. ” Luke said, flabbergasted, as Grogu looked between them, confused. Luke had met the guy from Dire Straits at a studio session awhile ago, “-complimented the band and my solo stuff.” 

“What’s wrong?” Grogu asked.

Din looked tightly amused.

“He uh, just used a word that’s not a very nice way to refer to men like your Dad and I, that’s all.” Din shrugged, eying Luke, “-another two faced industry hack I guess.”

Luke was honestly surprised Grogu didn’t know- but he does go to a liberal California prep school. 

But anyway, Din started to watch MTV with Grogu after that, which meant that he saw more and more things he hated about it, which has led to this…. stand off. 

“Buir, you’re being ridiculous,” Grogu complains, as Din settles on the lazy boy chair with his newspaper. 

“Grogu. This is not an argument.” Din says, evenly. 

“ Dad .” 

“I am a neutral 3rd party-” 

“It’s like having the Dad from Footloose as your own parent-”

“Grogu Djarin!” Luke says, sharply, “-what a terrible thing to say. Apologize to your father.” 

“What, he is!”

“He is not!” Luke says, crossing his arms. 

Din watches them, anger evaporated, now mostly amused, over his newspaper. 

So much for Luke staying out of it. 

“He is not stopping you from watching it.” Luke says, “-he would just like to be in the room, which I think is completely reasonable. He is not being miserable or controlling. Apologize.”  

“Ugh. Fine. Sorry Buir. But it’s not-”

“-and anyway,” Luke continues, “-your father is an excellent dancer.” 

“-sure, Dad.” 

Din huffs, fully amused now. 

MTV stays on, but Luke stays down there with them, and Din distracts himself from the godawful music videos by watching Luke, who he knows is scrutinizing the videos- albeit with artistic criteria in mind. 

The only music video (not of Luke’s) that he has ever liked is animated- by hand, not by a fucking machine- to look like a comic book. The song’s not too bad, either, but Din hates synthesizers on principle. 

Din groans to himself as a particularly annoying song (that Luke loves) comes on, and this is his punishment for wanting to supervise Grogu he guesses. 

Luke lights up- but then Din watches him glance at Grogu, then Din, and sees the gears turn. 

Din puts the newspaper down. 

“ You were working as a bouncer in an underground bar when I met you” Luke sings at Din, with a shit eating grin on his face, and Din nearly keels over, trying not to laugh . 

What? He’s gotten used to the bit by now.

“- now 15 years later on you’ve got the world at your feet -”

Grogu groans. 

Din laughs. 

“ Don’t, don’t you want me -“ Luke sings and Din glances at Grogu, and decides to commit. 

“ I was working as a bouncer at an underground bar, that much is true-” Din sings back, and Luke grins wider, somehow and Grogu throws his hands up. 

“Oh. My. God. You guys are so embarrassing!” 

Din dances around with Luke, as Grogu pulls a couch cushion over his face.

“ Don’t you want me baby, don’t you want me, oh!” 

Grogu finally has enough and stalks over to his room, after having turned the TV off. 

Din and Luke collapse on the couch, laughing. 

Luke climbs on top of him and kisses him, through his grin. 

“You know I only played along ‘cause Grogu was being a brat.” Din says, and Luke nods. “-that’s not ever happening again.”

“I know.” Luke says, “-I enjoyed every second.” 

“-although,” Din says, thoughtfully, “-if it gets him to turn MTV off…”

Luke laughs and kisses him again. 

—-

“Hey, kid.” Din says, knocking on Grogu’s door. 

He glances at the walls of his 14 year old’s room. There’s very little wallspace visible, that’s for certain. 

Every inch is covered in posters of various media and photos Grogu’s taken himself. 

He’s sitting at his desk, and looks up when he notices Din in the doorway, and pulls the Walkman headphones off.

“What’s up, Buir?” 

“Do you wanna go out and practice a bit?” 

Grogu has made it very clear that the moment he turns 15 and a half, he’s getting his Learner’s Permit. 

Luke has made it very clear that not only is he driving Grogu to get the permit, he’s letting him drive home, and taking him out to learn whenever he can. 

Din is worried about this, for all the obvious reasons.

Luke said he learned to drive when he was 12, and couldn’t understand why Din vetoed him teaching Grogu at the same age. 

Luke also doesn’t see the issue of letting him drive before he even has the permit in the first place.

“It’s a permit to be on the road , Din” Luke said, “-he can drive on private property, don’t you think he should learn how to operate the car before he tries the road?”

Din couldn’t argue with that one. 

Luke also doesn’t understand why Din doesn’t want Luke teaching Grogu at all. 

But Luke has never been in the passenger seat of his own driving, and Din obviously has.

Grogu lights up.

“Sure!” He says, but then narrows his eyes. “-why?” 

Luke says he does it just like Din does. 

“Not for free.” Din says, lightly, “-want a hand on a few errands.” 

“Oh, ok.” Grogu says, suspicion gone, jumping up. 

Din smiles to himself. 

It doesn’t last long, though, as they find themselves in the car, with the radio on. 

When a problem comes along, you must whip it

Din groans.

“Grogu, can you please change that?” 

Grogu laughs to himself as he reaches for the dial, tuning to another station.

Macaroni plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don’t you remember?

We built this city on rock ‘n roll! 

“ Oh, for the love of, Grogu , please.”

Grogu laughs again.

“I swear to God, music is getting worse every damn year.” Din grouses,

“Except for Dad’s.” Grogu says, shooting him an amused look.

“Except for Dad’s.” Din agrees, “-What the hell does that even mean, anyway? Built a city on rock ‘n roll? What?” 

The radio tunes again. 

There’s always something bringing me back, and it feels like I’m stuck as a matter of fact

“You can’t complain about this one!” Grogu says, gleefully, as Din listens to his own voice on the radio.

Din sighs as Grogu turns it up a bit. 

“-anyway,” Grogu continues, “-bit hypocritical of you to not like Starship . You played their song on tour.” 

“I certainly did not- ”

“Yes you did.” Grogu says, “-before they were Starship, they were Jefferson Starship, and before they were Jefferson Starship, they were Jefferson Airplane, who wrote Somebody to Love, which you guys played on-”

“Alright, alright.” Din sighs, “-how do you even know this, anyway?” 

Grogu looks at him flatly, unimpressed. 

“You’re right.” Din sighs, again. “-dumb question.” 

One Together fades out, and the radio host comes on, and starts giving a news report. 

Well, Din’s not going to get a better segway than this as they list the current death toll. 

“Dad said they’re going to start an AIDS curriculum at your school.” Din says, and Grogu shrugs.

“Yeah, some parents were freaking out about it, but they’re gonna do it anyway.” 

“Hmm.” Din says, “-listen, uh. You know you don’t have to worry about your Dad and I, right?” 

Grogu shifts in his seat a bit. 

“Yeah, I know.”

“-‘Cause it’s only spread through direct contact and since your Dad and I both don’t have it and we only-”

“I know, I know , Buir.” Grogu says, making a face. “-wait, was this the real reason you wanted me in the car? So I couldn’t run away from this conversation?”

Din snorts.

“Sort of. Wanted to make sure you weren’t worried about it, and when I saw the letter, I realized we haven’t talked about… things yet. And not just AIDS.” 

“Ugh.” Grogu says, and Din laughs a bit. “-getting to drive isn’t worth this .” 

“Look, would you rather your Dad talk to you about this stuff?” Din asks, lightly, “-he wanted us to do it together.” 

Grogu buries his face in his hands. 

“Oh my God no. He’d probably try to write a song or something-”

Din laughs again.

“You see? Anyway, I figure you probably know most of it, anyway. Just wanted to know if you had any questions or anything.” 

Grogu huffs. 

“How would you even know the answers if I did?”

Din shakes his head. 

“Kid, half the girls in my school growing up were dropped there ‘cause they were unwed Mothers. Most other kids had unwed mothers. I don’t know why you and your Dad think I wouldn’t know about this.”

“I guess that’s true.” Grogu says, and Din is pleased to note most of the embarrassment has receded.

 “-and you should know that even if, after taking all the necessary precautions-”

“Ugh.”

“You did get a girl pregnant, your Dad and I would support you guys as she figured out what she wanted to do.” 

Grogu huffs, but hums a few lines of a song under his breath. 

Din recognizes it (unfortunately) as ‘Papa Don’t Preach’. 

Grogu gives him a sideways glance, trying to see if Din picks up on it.

Exactly like how Luke does it. 

He tries to never give either of them the satisfaction.

Din shakes his head to himself. 

“Other than that… you don’t have any questions?” 

Grogu is silent for a moment, but then pauses. 

“Well, sort of. Just… how did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That… you don’t like girls.” 

Din blinks, but then shrugs. 

“You really should be asking your Dad that, actually, not me.” He gives Grogu a sideways glance, “-why? Do you-”

“No, I’m pretty sure I like girls.” Grogu shrugs, “-just curious, that’s all.” 

“I see.” 

“Why ask Dad though?” 

Din exhales, trying to come up with a way to explain it. Grogu is curious now, which has negated any embarrassment he’d been feeling earlier, by the looks of it. 

Din is glad for it, but now has to figure out a way to articulate the way he feels. He’s thought about it himself, before, but. 

Never really discussed it with anyone.

“Well, I’m… different from your Dad. And most other people.” Din says, slowly, “-I..hmm. You know when your Dad’s making a record? And Wes has to flip a bunch of switches in order to get the recording started?”

“Yeeeeaah?” Grogu says slowly, looking confused. 

“Well, in order for me to… like someone, a lot of switches have to be flipped, I guess.”

“Hmmm.” 

“Whereas someone like... your Uncle Andor-“

“Doesn’t need any?” Grogu laughs and Din snorts. 

“That’s not quite true, actually. As far as I’m aware, Andor needs the woman switch to be flipped, but that’s about it.” He purses his lips, “-Calrission, on the other hand, needs no switches at all- “ Din sighs, resigned. “-well, not like there’s anything wrong with that. Technically.” 

“Mhmmhm.” Grogu says, amused. 

“-but, like I said, I need more than the average amount of switches, I guess.” Din winces a bit, “-sorry Kid, not quite sure how else to explain it, does that make sense?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Grogu hums, “-so Dad obviously managed to flip them all?”

Din snorts.

“Honestly, kid, he’s the only one who ever has.” 

Grogu rolls his eyes. 

Din feels his mustache twitch. 

“Is the AIDS thing why Dad is so upset all the time now?” 

Din sighs. 

“Yeah, kid.” 

“Have a lot of your friends died?”

“Well, it’s not quite the same for me, ‘cause I didn’t really know them. Only ever heard your Dad talk about them, but yeah. Quite a few.”

“Oh.” 

“Don’t worry about your Dad, ok?” Din says,

“That’s for you to do?” Grogu asks, crossing his arms. 

Din huffs. 

“-well, yeah. And your Aunt, and Solo, and all the other people who love him who aren’t 14 years old.” 

Grogu huffs, but doesn’t argue. 

Someday, I’ll be losing this fear, ooh someday

They pull up to their destination and Din gets out of the car, Grogu following suit, clearly confused again. 

“Buir, where are we?” 

Din gestures to the building in front of them.

“What do you think?”

“Of what? The house?” 

“The farm.” Din clarifies. “-I bought it for Dad.” 

Grogu looks at him incredulously. 

“You bought Dad a farm? Why?”

“He grew up on one.” Din says.

“He says he did.” Grogu says, skeptically, as he looks over the buildings. 

Din laughs.

“Why a... farm?”

“Well, it’s not really a farm, it’s more of a ranch.” Din says, “-don’t ask me what the difference is. But he said he’d like to move to one someday.”

“What, are you trying to get him to retire?” 

Din scoffs.

“As if he’d ever retire, kid. He’ll be making music until he’s 103. He’ll still be making music in whatever the great beyond is.”

“I know .” Grogu says, “-I was wondering if you’d had a stroke.” 

Din snorts again. 

“So, anyway, what do you think?”

“It’s fine, I guess.” Grogu says, “-do you even think he’ll use it, though?”

“Oh come on, kid,” Din says, fully aware this skepticism is coming from his own influence, “-bet loads of kids at school have holiday houses.”

“Yeah, in the Bahamas.”

“Do you think he’d like the Bahamas better?”

“Well, no.” Grogu says. “-why a farm, and now, though? It’s not like he needs a writing retreat, or whatever. Is this you trying to cheer him up?” 

Din sighs again. Teenagers. 

“No, I’ve had this planned for awhile.”

“Why?”

“Well-“ Din begins and then pauses, squinting at Grogu. “-are you really asking? Or just airing your skepticism?”

“Both.”

Din snorts.

“Well, when your Aunt got married to Solo, we got talking about what we’d want if we ever could get married.” Din shrugs. “-he said he wanted a small farm house wedding. I can’t give him the wedding, so-“ 

Din gestures toward the ranch house, and it’s big wide porch. 

“-Figured this would do.” 

“Hmm.” Grogu says, crossing his arms. 

Din can’t tell what he’s thinking. 

“-and it’s our 10 year anniversary this year.” Din adds, “-figured a big gesture was-”

“What?” Grogu interrupts, “-no it’s not.” 

Din furrows his brows, amused. 

“Yes it is. I think I would know, kiddo.” 

“Buir, it’s 1986.” 

“Thanks for the update Grogu, I figured that out in January.” 

“-you guys were together before 1976, though!” 

“No we weren’t.”

“What do you mean, you weren’t ?” Grogu asks, aghast, “-what about the time we ran around Paris-“

“You remember that?”

“Or when he gave me my Polaroid, or when we spent all of your Tour with him, or when he started living with us full time or all the Christmases he spent with us!”

Din waits for him to finish. 

“We weren’t together.” 

Grogu gives him a long flat look. 

“At all ?”

“Nope.” 

Grogu still looks flabbergasted. 

“I knew I loved him then,” Din offers, “-but we weren’t together until ‘76.” 

“Why?” 

Din shrugs.

“Just… one of those things, I guess.”

“Did he not…” Grogu says, but then looks at Din accusingly again, “-wait a minute. You expect me to believe you guys weren’t together, after Forever came out in 1974?!”

“Why are you so familiar with our discography?” 

“Buir!” 

“I didn’t know it was about me.” 

Grogu blinks at him and crosses his arms. 

“I’m actually not sure why I’m so surprised.” 

Din can’t tell if that was insulting enough or not to warrant a ‘you shouldn’t speak to me that way’.

Grogu looks back over at the ranch. 

“I don’t know why you two ask me about gifts for each other anyway.” He grouses, “- You’d both get each other burlap sacks and then each say it’s the best gift you've ever gotten.” 

Din snorts. 

“Yeah well. Wanna take a drive around the property? See the whole thing.” 

“I don’t know what’ll be different about-” Grogu says, until Din holds out his keys. 

He lights up.

“Gotta keep up my end of the bargain.” Din says, and Grogu takes them with a grin, and heads over to the driver’s seat. 

Din takes a deep breath, before sliding into the passengers side, trying to take some calming breaths. 

“Maybe this place’ll be pretty good after all.” Grogu says, as he buckles up his seatbelt “-I can learn to ride a horse too!”

“Your Dad’ll have to teach you that one.”

“Why can’t you?”

“Kid, I told you. I’ve never ridden a horse. I was a city kid.” 

“That seems incorrect.” Grogu says, “-now I’ll have to listen to a horse riding song.” 

“Hands at 12 and 2.” Din says, laughing a little, watching as his kid grows up right in front of him.

—

Grogu didn’t really know what driving would be like, in spite of the exorbitant amount of time he’s spent in moving vehicles. 

He thinks it’s because his Dad thinks it’s no big deal, super easy, nothing to worry about while Buir talks as if it’s the most dangerous thing Grogu’s ever going to do in his entire life. 

The reality is probably somewhere in the middle. 

Buir kept pretty calm though, the whole time they were out at The Ranch (which is how Grogu’s going to refer to it from now on), so he’s excited to have a place to actually practice rather than the Big House’s huge driveway. 

Dad’s not home when they get back. Grogu thinks he said something about going to visit Aunt Leia, which means he could be back soon, or back in like, hours .

Depends. 

Buir goes to find something to tinker with, as usual, and Grogu makes his way down to the living room, and picks up the cordless phone and hits one of the speed dial numbers, flopping down onto the couch. 

He turns on the TV as the phone rings, there’s a rerun of Family Ties on.

“Hell-o?”

“Hey Uncle Cass-“

“Grogu!” Says Uncle Cass on the other end, and Grogu can’t help but grin. “-did you get the ok?”

“No.” Grogu says, sourly, “-but that’s not why I’m calling.” 

“Well, we knew it was a long shot. I’ll try to star in a John Hughes movie next time.”

“You’re too old.” 

“I resent that,” says Uncle Cass, “-you know I turned down that new movie that’s coming out in a couple of months, Top Gun- “

“Yeah, yeah.” Grogu says, grinning into the receiver, “just like you turned down Footloose and Mad Max -anyway. Did Dad and Buir really only get together 10 years ago?!” 

There’s a pause.

“Oh my God, kid. It was the worst. The actual worst. I don’t know how much you remember-”

“I don’t really have a conscious thought of them not being together, honestly, Dad was always just there .” 

“Exactly.” Uncle Cass says, sounding very self righteous. “I don’t know who was worse in the whole thing either. Mando, sitting there, playing song after song that is very clearly written about him, completely oblivious, or Luke , pining after a man who literally only ever spent time with him or his own kid.” 

“-and Dad lived with us!”

“I know, kid, I know. I always knew. I knew before they knew! Wedge tried to deny it for a while, but then he agreed with me.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” 

“It’s complicated.” 

“That’s what Buir said.” 

“I didn’t want to overstep, you know? And, not sure you remember kid, but we never were really quite a harmonious band, no matter what the twins say. Didn’t want to upset whatever balance we had.” 

“Hmm.”

“Anyway, let me talk to him.” Cass says. Getting to razz Mando with his own kid almost makes the whole thing worth it. “-maybe I can convince him.”

“As if!” Grogu laughs, but calls through the house anyway. “-Buir! Phone!”

“Who is it?”

“Uncle Cass.”

“Tell him to buzz off.” 

“He said to-“

“I know, I know, tell him it’s important.”

“He says it’s important!” 

Din sighs. 

Whatever Andor wants is definitely not important. He picks up the upstairs phone anyway. 

“What?” 

“Is that any way to greet one of your oldest, dearest friends, Mando?”

“Andor-“

“Bye Uncle Cass.” Grogu laughs and Din hears the click of the receiver. 

“What the hell do you want, Andor.”

“You didn’t tell me you were on the run from the cartel!”

“What?”

“-and that’s why you hid behind the glasses and hid your identity! Mando, I thought we were friends- ”

“Andor, what the hell? Who the hell told you I’m on the run from the cartel? I swear, I have no idea what you’re even talking about-”

“But according to page 127 of the Rebellion; Music’s True Renegades- ”

“Oh, fuck off, Andor.” Din says, exhaling, annoyed. 

Andor starts laughing.

“You gotta admit, that’s one of the better ones-”

“Goodbye Andor-“

“Wait, wait!” Cass says, “-C’mon Mando, why won’t you let the kid come to my premiere-”

“Why do you want him there so bad?”

“He’s my nephew in spirit. I’m fond of him, that’s why.” 

“What’s the rating, again, Andor?” Din asks, tiredly, already exhausted. His Andor tolerance has waned from their band days without the constant exposure. 

“Oh, well, he’ll be with Jyn and I and-”

“What. Is. The. Rating.”

“He’s not that far off 18-”

“So he can wait a few more years.” Din insists. 

“Are you letting him go to Wedge’s new musical?” 

“That’s a musical.”

“So you’ll take him to go see Wedge’s new musical, all the way in New York, but won't let him come to my premiere that’s like, 20 minutes away?!”

“Please, Andor. It’s an hour with traffic.”

“I don’t like this bias, I’ll have you know.”

“Musicals can’t be rated R.”

“Don’t say that, Mando, or next thing you know-” Cass says, though personally, he thinks an R Rated musical would be pretty sick, as the kids say now. 

“Ugh. Don’t remind me. Can’t believe some of the crap they put on TV nowadays.” 

“Surprised Wedge even had time to write another musical,” Cass muses, “-thought he’d be too busy polishing his Tony.”

“-could say the same about your Oscar.”

“I get someone to do it for me.” 

Din huffs and shakes his head a little. He glances out the front window and sees Luke’s car pull up.

Hmm. Better be ready for fall out. 

“If you’re done trying to corrupt my kid, goodbye, Andor.” Din says, “-say hi to Jyn for me.”

“You know, if you didn’t want to be seen as anti-social, you could-”

“Actually, now that you mention it-” Din says, suddenly remembering, trying to be quick before Luke gets in.

“What, is the sky falling? Has the apocalypse started already?”

“-Luke’s bought a table at an AIDS gala in a month or two. He’s performing too. It’d mean a lot to him if you and Jyn could come.”

“Of course.” Andor says, all joking bravado gone. “-of course, Mando.” He pauses. “-no offense, why are you asking-”

“He’s… having a rough go of things at the moment.” Din says, “-just trying to get ducks in a row for him.” 

“You know, Mando, that’s a great analogy for the band. When I write my memoirs, I’m gonna call it Ducks in a Row ; the Rebellion Story-”

Din hangs up on him as soon as the door opens. 

“Hey,” Din says, greeting him in the hallway as he hangs his coat up.

He doesn't look happy- but he doesn't look terrible either. 

Din’ll take it as a win.

“How is Leia?”

“Going to divorce Han for getting her pregnant.” Luke says, casually.

“Hmm.” Din says, moustache twitching, “thought they were trying for it.”

“They were.” Luke says, corner of his mouth ticking up. “Her and Shara’s kid will be born around the same time, isn’t that nice?”

“Hmm.” Din says, “-What did she say?” He asks, gently, concern radiating off him.

Luke sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

“She’ll support me, obviously.” He says, “-but she thinks it's a really shit idea.”

“Oh?”

“Just. Grogu has to go to school.’

“Pretty sure everyone at school has put two and two together-”

“He has to live with it out in the open though.” He sighs again. “She seems to think every paparazzi in the LA area will stalk me for a few months if I do it. Putting you two in the cross fire.”

“You're still that relevant?” Din asks, lightly, “-we’re on oldies stations now.”

Luke snorts at the joke, but they both know the truth.

Luke still sells a ridiculous number of albums.

“How was the talk?” Luke asks, changing the subject.

Din lets him. 

“Fine. A little awkward at first, but then curiosity won over.”

“Curiosity?” Luke asks, “-at what?”

“How we knew we were different, and all that.”

Luke hums thoughtfully.

“You know I had a big crush on Biggs,” he begins, “-but now that I think about it, how did you figure it out?”

“I was in an all Boys Dorm and wasn't interested in the girl mags the guys would smuggle in.” Din says, dryly, “-process of elimination.” 

Luke laughs and wraps his arms around Din, burying his face in his neck. 

“-that’s how I figured out I love you too I guess,” Din adds lightly, trying to cheer him up, and it seems to be working, as he can feel Luke’s grin. “-wasn’t annoyed by you anymore, like I was at Andor or Solo, wasn't frustrated at you anymore like I was at Organa or Calrissian. Wasn’t fond of you like I was Madre, but didn't love you like I love Grogu. So I realized I must be in love with you.”

“Glad you figured it out.” Luke grins up at him. Din lets himself be pulled into a kiss. 

-

The drive over to Beverly Hills takes twice as long as it used to, Din notes with annoyance. 

He used to think traffic was bad before. It’s even worse now. 

But he wants to get this over with before they leave for their short stint in New York to support Antilles.

He amusedly notes some of the looks his circa 1975 car gets as he drives past the Beverly Hill palm trees, past some of the more obnoxious cars that look like they’re out of Blade Runner (Solo insists he looks like the main guy in it. Din doesn’t see it.)  with huge fucking houses to match. 

The Big House (which Luke has more or less converted into his studio now) looks small compared to these. 

Din pulls up to Leia’s gate and buzzes the intercom. 

Another thing, nowadays. Everyone needs so much fucking security. 

“Deliveries use the back entrance.” 

“I’m here to see Ms. Organa.” Din sighs, eying the CCTV camera. He can’t remember the last time he was here without Luke. 

“She has no appointments.”

“I don’t have one.” Din sighs, regretting his choice not to call ahead. “-I’m… a friend.”

He winces as it comes out of his mouth.

“Name?” 

“Djarin.” Din says, and there’s silence for a moment. 

“That name is not on my list, I’m going to have to ask you to leave, sir.” 

“ Oh for the love of- It’s Mando. You know, from her band?” 

“Sir, do you really expect me to believe that you’re Mando?” 

Din sighs.

“-and even if you were, There’s no ‘Mando’ on my list. I expect she would use his real name. Please, leave before I call the police.”

Din huffs, even more annoyed now. 

Organa, honestly. They’d had an argument (well, a disagreement because they promised Luke they’d stop fighting,) about just what exactly Din is to Organa now, since they’re not in the band together, and Luke’s on a subsidiary label, so Din’s not even her direct employee anymore. 

He can’t remember how it started. 

He doesn’t want to give her the satisfaction of insisting this guard call her down, but- the implications of their argument suddenly hit him. 

He almost laughs. 

“Skywalker.” Din says, “-actually, I’ll be under Din Skywalker.” 

There’s silence.

“Oh. My sincere apologies, sir, of course, come through.” 

Din hums to himself, laughing a bit as he pulls up into the driveway. The guard has come out from his box looking apologetic. 

“-again, sir, I’m so sorry, I didn’t-”

Din waves him off, too amused to be annoyed any more. 

“It’s alright.” Din says, as he steps past him into the large foyer, “-just doing your job.” 

“Mando.” Organa says, coming down the stairs. 

She’s showing a little, but not much. 

Obviously, Din isn’t going to mention it. 

“-this is a surprise. Why didn’t you call?”

“I didn’t want the spy network in my house picking up on it.” Din says, dryly. 

Organa laughs a bit. 

“Yeah, that’s fair.” She pauses. “-I can guess what this is about, then.” 

Din nods at her. 

“Well, c’mon on.” She sighs, and leads them into her family room off the kitchen, the only room in the house Din doesn’t think is too big. 

They settle down into the couches, and it’s obvious neither of them knows where to start. 

Din came all the way over and nearly got the cops called on him, so he should finish what he started. 

“He said you think it’s a bad idea.”

“Of course I think it’s a bad idea.” Organa says, crossing her arms. “-it’ll be a disaster, Mando.” She eyes him. “-you don’t?”

“I don’t know what to think of it, one way or another.” Din says, “-I just… want to make sure he’s doing it for the right reasons, I guess.”

“He’s not.” Organa says, immediately, “- it’s not like him coming out is going to single handedly solve the AIDS crisis! He’s acting like him not waving a pride flag marching around San Francisco is killing people.” 

“You know that’s what he’s like, though.” Din says, “-he’s not doing absolutely everything he possibly can so he feels guilty about it. Not to mention he’s not dying, which is another thing to add to the pile.”

Organa drags a hand down her face. 

“So you agree, then. It’s a stupid thing to do.” 

“I don’t know, Organa.”  Din says, “- I just want… whatever’s best for him. And I’m not sure if coming out and dealing with that fallout is better or worse than him continuing to wallow.” 

“Coming out’ll be worse, Mando. No question.”

Din raises a brow.

“Listen, Mando. You think we had it rough with the press? You should see some of the shit my artists have to deal with nowadays.” Leia shakes her head and thinks about some of the messes she’s had to deal with. “-Cameras are getting better and better. There’s fucking live TV, private eye paparazzi. I’m so fucking thankful we stopped when we did. You wanna invite all that shit into your life now ? You didn’t want to deal with it back then when we were all 10 years younger! Do you think I want to see my nephew get dragged into the middle of all of it? They will find out about him, Mando-”

Leia’s interrupted by something she never thought she’d see. 

Mando blinks in surprise at her and smiles genuinely. At her.

It’s weird. 

“What?” She asks, suspicious. 

“Oh, nothing.” Din says, dismissively. “-just think that’s the first time I’ve heard you refer to him as your nephew.” 

“Oh fuck off, Mando.” Leia says, sourly, “-you know that’s how I-”

“I know, I know.” Din says, “-just, hearing and knowing are two different things.” 

“What? You need a formal invitation to be my baby’s Uncle?”

Mando’s mustache twitches, which is a much easier smile for her to handle. 

“You already issued one to Din Skywalker.”

Leia laughs, annoyance dissipating. 

“Well, he’s the breadwinner, afterall.”

“I liked the sound of it.” Din admits, “-your guard is very zealous, by the way.”

“He’s new.” Leia says, dismissively, “-Han’ll wear him down in a month or 2.”

They sit in silence for a moment.

“-So why are you here, Mando? If you’re not going to listen to me either.”

“I’m listening.” Din says, “-and I guess… I wanted to make sure we’re on the same page. If you’re so certain it’ll bring ruin down around our heads, well. Can’t say I’m in favour of that . I just hate seeing him like this.” Din pauses. “-I’m not cut out to be the optimist in the family.” 

Leia barks a laugh. 

“I know, Mando, me too.” She says, “-I just don’t want him to make things worse on principle.”

“I agree with that.” Mando says, crossing his arms. “He told you about the Gala, didn’t he?”

“Yeah.” 

“Did he tell you he also bought a whole table already?”

“No, but I figured.” 

“Listen, Organa. I know you probably have a meeting in like, Tokyo or something but…” Din trails off, “-if you and Solo could be there, supporting him… maybe it’ll be enough for him, for now, just to do that. He wouldn’t ask you, but I will.”

“You’ve never had any issue asking for things.” Leia says, wryly, thinking back to 1971. 

“What would our old selves say, Mando? That we’re getting along like this?” 

Din snorts.

“I don’t think either of us would be surprised that it’s Luke that’s done it.” 

“That’s true.” 

“I’ll move Tokyo if I have one.” Leia says, after a moment. “-I really hope it’s enough, Mando.”

“Yeah.” Din says, “-me too.” 

—-

Din watches as the bright lights of Broadway flash through the windows of the car they’re in and sighs, adjusting his tie. 

Luke is animatedly telling a story to Grogu- but Grogu’s listening attentively, so it’s not one he’s heard before, for a change.

The driver knocks on the partition window and Luke rolls it down.

“2 minutes, Mr. Skywalker.” 

“Thanks” Luke says, and turns to Din and Grogu with an apologetic grin. “I’ll see you two in there?” 

The car pulls up to the loud crowd, and Din winces at the flashbulbs, as he and Grogu wedge themselves out of sight.

Luke straightens his jacket out a bit, smiles and then steps out of the car to people calling his name. 

Grogu laughs a bit once the door’s closed. 

“What?” Din asks, as the driver drives a block or two away. 

“Seeing him do his ‘Luke Skywalker’ smile is funny to me, I dunno.” 

Din snorts. 

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” He says, thanking the driver before he and Grogu make the walk back to the theatre, into the ticket holder’s line. 

Din eyes the red carpet, still going, and shakes his head a bit. 

“You don’t miss it?” Grogu asks.

“Not one single bit, kid.” Din says, taking a program from the usher. 

They make their way down to their seats.

There’s dozens of people Mando knows- or has met before- but none of them pay Din Djarin any mind as he and Grogu make their way down to their seats right in the middle of the orchestra section. 

Din ignores the people in the seats around him looking at them strangely.

“How did we beat him?” Grogu asks, incredulously, “-he had 15 minutes on us!” 

“Well, he has to talk to everyone.” Din reasons and Grogu laughs.

“That’s true.”

“Grogu!” Someone calls behind them. Grogu grins. Din groans.

“Hi Uncle Cass!” Grogu says, standing, and Din turns around to see Jyn & Cass- accompanied by some blonde woman he doesn’t recognize. 

“Mando, in public, say it isn’t so.” 

“Andor.” Din acknowledges, but then smiles at Jyn. “Hi Jyn.”

“Hey Mando.” She says. “-this is Dedra Meero. Wedge’s girlfriend.” 

“It’s so nice to finally meet you.” She says, in a refined voice that sets Din’s teeth on edge. “-I’ve heard so much about you.” 

Din has heard exactly zero about her but he doesn’t say that. 

“Uh. Nice to meet you too. This is my son, Grogu.” 

“I know.” She says, and Din exchanges a glance with Andor, “-nice to meet you too, young man.”

Grogu shakes her hand politely.  

Thankfully, they’re spared further interaction with her as the house lights blink, and they all have to settle into their seats. 

“Where’s-“ Grogu begins, but then Luke skids to a stop at the end of their row, and Din watches, amused, as he climbs over the other delighted patrons- probably the only time anyone would enjoy being climbed over at a theater- as long as it’s Luke Skywalker doing the climbing. 

“-you’re almost late.” Grogu chastises, and Luke shrugs.

“I know, got caught up.” 

The house lights go down. 

—

Din stands with the rest of the audience as the actors and Wedge come out for their final bows. 

It’s a standing ovation, obviously, since it’s premiere night, but Din did enjoy it. 

Privately, he thinks it wasn’t as good as Wedge’s first one, but. 

No one’s going to ask his opinion anyway. 

“So what did you all think?” Dedra asks, looking directly at him and Grogu. 

Din sighs internally. 

“It was great!” Grogu chirps, and Din’s thankful for the save. 

“Wedge’s invited us backstage.” Luke says, 

“Oh, cool!” Grogu says, “-I wanna see how that prop worked-“ 

Luke is immediately set upon, as usual, as they make their way back stage, and once they’re back there, he’s dragged into taking photos with the cast.

And, of course, Wedge.

“It was great, Antilles.” Din says, as a grinning Wedges comes over to say hi, clearly halfway through a bottle of champagne, “-congrats.”

“Thanks Mando!” He says, and kisses Dedra on the cheek, “-c’mere, I’d like you to meet-“

Din huffs, as he’s left alone.

“There you are.” 

Din turns and smiles at Luke, who’s managed to shake off his pursuers, apparently. 

“Where’s Grogu?”

“Andor volunteered to go bother the prop master with him.”

Luke laughs.

“I see.” 

“So you’ve met Dedra before?” Din asks, lowly, as they watch Wedge introduce her to people.

“Yeah, a couple times.” Luke says, neutrally, so Din knows he’s not the only one off put by her. 

“How long?”

“Pretty new, couple of months, I think.”

“Hmm.” Din says, as Luke takes a step closer to him. “-you wrote the second song in act two.” 

“What.” Luke says, blinking, a tad startled.

“You wrote the second song in act two.” Din repeats, raising a brow slightly. 

He’s not asking, Luke thinks, completely sure of himself. 

One of the things Luke loves most about him. 

“How do you figure that?” Luke asks, lightly, mindful they’re still at Wedge’s premiere. 

“Please, Skywalker.” Din scoffs, “-I’ve been playing your music for 15 years. I know your songs.” 

“Hmm.” Luke says, and eyes him amused. “-if you’re so sure of yourself… what about it?”

Din holds out the Playbill and points to the spot on the front cover where it says “Music and Lyrics by Wedge Antilles.” 

Luke shrugs.

“It was just one song. He asked me for help… I couldn’t say no, after all our baggage, you know? He offered to give me credit, but… then it would be the Luke Skywalker show.”

“Hmm. Well, don’t let Organa find out.”

Luke laughs. 

“Oh there you both are.” Dedra has come up to them, and Din eyes Luke put on his political smile- something he’s become a lot better (?) at over the years. “-you’re both coming to the after party, right?” 

“Of course.” Luke grins.

“Sorry, gotta get the kid back.” Din says, “-but Wedge’s used to that with me.”

“Oh, I know.” Dedra says, and Din gets that uneasy feeling again. “-he told me all about it, Mando, how you adopted him on your own when he was a baby! How courageous of you.” 

“Uh, I don’t know about that-”

“I think it’s wonderful, Mando. You adopting him kept him out of an undesirable home.” 

“Uh-“

“The people they let adopt children nowadays.” She shakes her head. “-well, another good thing about everything going on right now is adoption agencies are smartening up about the sort of people they place children with.” 

She’s not saying it out loud… but Din knows exactly what she’s saying. 

And with the fury apparent on Luke’s face, he agrees. 

“ Another ?” He repeats incredulously- but Dedra takes that the wrong way. 

“Yes, it’s really blowing open what a dangerous lifestyle it is.” She says, looking pleased, “-I wouldn’t be surprised if they start removing children from those sorts of situations. Really gladdening.” 

“What.” 

The fury has dropped off Luke’s face only to be replaced by horror. 

“Oh yes!” Dedra says, “-heard about a lot of pressure happening to do so. Marvellous.” 

She smiles, self satisfied. 

Din is torn between ripping her a new one, trying to remain cordial for Wedge’s sake, and trying to figure out a way to stop Luke from spiraling.

“Well, I must drum up more attendees. I shall see you later Luke. Mando, an honour.” 

Din waits till she’s out of earshot before he turns to Luke, speaking lowly. 

“That won’t happen.”  Din says, “-and besides, he’s not really a child anymore, pretty sure he can choose-”

“How do you know?” Luke says, eyes wild, “-Din, he’s 14, he’s still a minor-”

“You’re not even his legal guardian” Din says- but it becomes apparent that it was the wrong thing to say. 

Well, at least Luke stops panicking. 

Luke’s face shutters and he takes a step back from Din. 

“Well, thank God for that, I guess.” He says, before turning away and stalking off. 

Din pinches the bridge of his nose. 

“Mando,” Jyn says, brightly, and he turns to her. “-you seen our two delinquents anywhere?” She pauses as she takes in his expression. “-what’s wrong?” 

“Uh, Luke and I were just talking to Dedra-”

“What a bitch.” Jyn says, immediately. “-I mean, I know I shouldn’t say that about other women, but. What an absolute bitch. No fucking clue what Wedge is thinking. What did she say to you?” 

“She, uh, implied that kids should be taken away from their Gay parents.” 

“What.”

“-to Luke and I.” 

“Fuck.” Jyn says, “-she told Cass she’s impressed with how well he speaks English, but that fucking takes the cake.” 

“Can you…” Din says, trying to figure out what the hell he wants but, he’s just so fucking upset he has no idea wha that is. “-deal with her? Talk some fucking sense in Wedge, I don’t know. I don’t think Luke or I can, well, think fucking rationally.”

“Of course, Mando.” Jyn says, “-I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t ruin Wedge’s night.” Din sighs, “-Luke’d never forgive me for that either.”

Thankfully, Jyn doesn’t ask. 

—

“Are you out of your mind, Erso?” Cass asks, “- I’d rather get waterboarded than go on a double date with Wedge and the Wicked Witch of the West.” 

“Look, Cass, It’s for a good cause.” 

“Oh, and what cause is that?” 

“We can finally get rid of her.” 

Cass has no fucking idea what Wedge is thinking. 

The moment he introduced Meero, Cass knew what her type was. 

Well, Republican, for starters. A nightmare, everywhere else.

But she was rich, and mildly important, apparently, which made Wedge feel important, Cass guesses. 

You can take the man out of the Rebellion …

If he could only get over that inferiority complex. 

“-and how will we manage that?” 

“Invite her to Luke’s Gala thing he’s got coming up.” Jyn says, “-show Wedge what a bitch she is when she shuts us down.” 

Cass purses his lips. 

“That might work. He made excuses for her Spanish comments though, I-“

“I’d like to hear his excuses for her opinion that Grogu should be taken away from Luke and Mando cause they’re gay.” 

“What the fuck.” 

“She said that right to their faces last night.”

“Holy shit.” Cass says, “-no fucking wonder Luke was off last night. I-“ Cass trails off, taking deep breaths. “I can’t even fucking speak right now, Jyn.” 

“I know. I’ve never seen Mando look that upset before.” 

“-and if we tell Wedge point blank she’s a piece of shit he’ll get defensive ‘cause Luke’s involved.” 

“Exactly.” Jyn says. 

Cass shakes his head. 

“- we could just tell Leia. She’ll just have someone kill her.” 

“Thought about it.” Jyn says, “-but she’s pregnant. Don’t want to cause her any extra stress.” 

“-double fucking date it is.” 

—-

“This was so fun.” Jyn says, pulling out every acting and PR lesson she’s ever had. “-we need to do it more often.” 

“Oh yes, I agree.” Dedra says, and Jyn pictures her getting trampled. 

Jyn grins.

“Wedge,” Jyn says, “Did Luke get a chance to tell you about the AIDS Gala he’s got a table at? That would be a lot of fun for us all to go to together.” 

“He mentioned it,” Wedge says, “it's all the way out in San Francisco though, not sure I can get away from the musical-”

“Girls night then.” Jyn says, squarely. 

“You must be joking.” Dedra says

“Joking?” Jyn repeats, Cass taps her foot underneath the table. 

She flicks his knee. 

“Luke Skywalker bought a table at a… Gala” Dedra says, and Jyn will give her that she's great at expressing distaste. 

“He’s performing.” Jyn says. 

“He’s performing?” Dedra says, but then starts laughing. “Oh, you're all too funny,” She says, “does Luke know you're implying he’s one of those for laughs?” 

“One of what?” Cass asks,

“- an AIDS Gala,” Dedra continues, “-I’d say I wouldn't be caught dead at one, but that's rather a prerequisite, isn’t it?” 

She laughs at her own horrible joke, and Jyn really shouldn't be this happy at watching Wedge drag a hand down his face. 

—-

Luke is quiet the rest of their time in New York, and on the way back. 

It’s not his I’m-upset-at-Din quiet, just his Upset-in-General quiet.

Din can’t decide which one is worse. 

Grogu seems to pick up on it, and is on his best behaviour. 

It’s still a couple of days out from their anniversary, but Din can’t stand seeing him like this.

“I’m going to pick up some stuff up for the deck on Saturday Morning.” He says, crossing his arms, leaning against the office door frame, “-Grogu won’t want to get up. Could use a hand.” 

Luke looks up and smiles at him, looking a little better. 

“Ok.” He pauses and his ensuing grin is at 80%, so, an improvement. “Just Wake me up, before you go-go ” he sings, shimmying his shoulders.

Din rolls his eyes, but is pleased at the joking, even if the bit is old. 

“When have I ever woken up before you? Not once!” 

Luke stops his George Michael impression and starts chortling.  

Din knows he’s still upset, though, as he doesn’t complain about being shotgun driver when they get in the car to go. 

Din inhales as he pulls out onto the freeway, and Luke looks out the window, and doesn’t even ask where they’re going. 

I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can-

“Luke. Can you please-” Din says, and Luke snorts, but tunes the radio before Din can clarify. 

“That would’ve been your song 10 years ago,” 

And now you find yourself in ‘83, the hot disco spots hold no charm for me

“Luke.” 

“I thought that would be your favourite.” Luke laughs, 

‘Cause it’s the heat of the moment

“Luke.”

“Alright, alright.” Luke laughs as he changes it again.

You spin me right ‘round, baby, right round like a record baby, right ‘round

“You’re doing this on purpose.” Din says, flatly.

Luke laughs harder.

“How? I can’t control the radio stations-” he begins, still laughing, but then sobers as he hears the next song he tunes to. 

“Din.” He says, very seriously as synthesizers start. “-If you make me change this I will get out of the car.” 

Din laughs.

“No. I like this one.”

“Good.” Luke says, exaggeratedly relieved. 

Din’s moustache twitches up as Luke starts singing along. 

“ There’s a boy I know, he’s the one I dream of-” Luke sings, grinning at Din and Din hums along, happily, as Whitney serenades them down the California freeway. 

“ How will I know if he really loves me? I say a prayer with every heartbeat, I fall in love whenever we meet-“

Din continues to drive, relieved as Luke seems to be back to his normal self, and decides sings along too, as they continue on.

“ If he loves me, if he loves me not, oh how will I know! ” 

Luke dances in his seat and Din can finally breathe easy. 

Whitney switches to another song, and Luke laughs and runs his hand through his hair, and looks at the man beside him. 

They’ve had their moments, sure. 

But Luke has never really questioned if Din loved him. 

He knows he does. 

“I’m sorry.” Luke says, and watches one of the eyebrows twitch up while Din watches the road. 

“For what?”

“Being… a bit of a mess lately.”

“Luke-“

“No, no. Hear me out.” Luke insists, “-just, thanks. For being around to pick up the pieces and just.. being there.”

“Luke, you don’t have to thank-” Din says, sounding exasperated. 

“-and I’m going to do the same.” Luke continues, firmly. “-I’m not going to come out.”

“You’re not.” Din says, in his carefully neutral tone, Luke almost laughs. “-why?”

“It’s become clear to me that being out will likely hinder my ability to be there for my family.” 

“Luke-”

“-and our family comes first, Din. Not my hang ups. And I’m certainly not risking us over them either.” 

Din exhales. 

“Ok, but-”

“-but I will come out, eventually. Once Grogu turns 18, if I still have the guts then. But, not while he’s still a kid.” 

Din’s quiet for a moment.

“-hopefully Organa’ll be too distracted by her kid to be smug about you listening to her.” 

“She’ll be even more smug.” Luke says, relieved, feeling lighter than he has in a very long while. 

Din chortles.

Luke smiles to himself, but then realises something. 

“Wait, where are we?” 

Din’s moustache twitches. 

“We’re almost there.” 

“Almost where ?”

Din shrugs. 

Luke narrows his eyes at him. 

Soon enough they pull onto a big ranch property. 

It’s lovely, Luke thinks, watching as Din parks and gets out. 

Luke would think that maybe these guys have like, special wood for Din’s deck project or something, but that’s not Din’s style. 

Also, place looks empty. 

“Well, what do you think?” He asks, gesturing at the big ranch house, looking nervous.  

Luke is puzzled. 

“It’s… nice.” Luke says, truthfully. 

Maybe Din wants to build a wrap around porch…

“Happy Anniversary.” Din says, and it takes a few seconds for it to click together in Luke’s brain. 

He gapes at Din from the other side of the hood of the car. 

“You bought me a ranch?!” 

“Well, it was-“

“How the hell am I supposed to top this now?!” Luke asks, throwing his hands up, half laughing. 

Din sighs, looking relieved. 

“You like it?”

Luke throws himself at him. 

“Wait.” Luke says, coming up for air after a minute or so, “-glad I’ve been carrying these around so you wouldn’t find them.” 

Din keeps his arms around him while Luke fishes though his jacket pocket, which doesn’t make things easier, but Luke doesn’t want him to let go, so. 

Luke digs out the bag and dumps the contents on his palm. 

“They were Owen and Beru’s. Leia got them sized for me. Happy Anniversary.” 

“Luke.” Din says, simply, and has to let go so Luke can put the gold band on his ring finger. 

Din slides the other onto Luke’s hand and tips their foreheads together. 

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” 

“Forever.”

“Forever.”

Luke breathes him in for a few moments, but then grins. 

Din raises a brow.

“-don’t you have to carry me over the threshold or something?” 

Din laughs, pulls him into a kiss, and hoists him up. 

Chapter Text

NRC Archives, February 1986, the Tonight Show Starring Orson Krennic, Guests; Ruescott Melshi, Luke Skywalker

[Krennic]: - Are they about anyone?

[Skywalker]: I have to have some secrets, Orson. [ Laughs ] But seriously, I get inspiration from a lot of things, not just my own life. I realise people other than me exist, you know? 

[Krennic]: You know, for a pop star, you don’t have much of an ego.

[Skywalker]: Isn’t that a good thing?

[Krennic]: Makes my job harder.

[ Audience Laughter ]

[Skywalker]: Sorry about that. 

[Krennic]: No you’re not.

[Skywalker]: (Laughs)

[Krennic]: Speaking of harder jobs, is it harder to be a star today? Or back when you wer still in the Rebellion ?

[Skywalker]: Hmm. That’s a good question. I don’t know. It’s certainly easier to get exposure nowadays, you know, for promotion, but it’s almost too easy. Oh, but you have to make music videos now!

[Krennic]: That’s hard?

[Skywalker]: Well, sort of- not if you have a good creative team. No, I was just thinking, if the Rebellion had to make music videos… that would’ve been a disaster .

[ Audience laughs.]

[Krennic]: Really?

[Skywalker]: Oh yeah, we would’ve probably broken up way sooner. 

[Krennic]: Throwing Your bandmates under the bus a bit, don’t you think?

[Skywalker]: Oh, they’d agree with me. Ask any of them if they ever come on, Orson. Total disaster. 

[ Audience laughter ]

[Krennic]: Alright, I will. ( Turns to camera) Luke Skywalker’s latest album, Try is available now. Watch him on the Grammys only on NRC

—

People Magazine April 1986- Rebellion Reunited! 

All five former members of the Rebellion were photographed together for the first time since their break up, at a fundraiser for the ongoing AIDS crisis at an event in San Francisco. Luke Skywalker, the former lead singer and bassist, was one of the many performers of the night, and the rest of his old band mates showed up to support his endeavour, including their reclusive ex drummer, Mando. The event was a success, raising a good amount of money for AIDS research and prevention resources.