That’s right— the Star Wars Secret Santa Exchange is back for 2023!
The basics: submit any ships or found families you like along with at least one winter theme: winter fun, New Year’s, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, etc.
Fanfiction, fanart, playlists and/or photo edits are all welcome in this event 🎨
Dates:
Thursday, December 7 @ noon Pacific time: sign ups close
By Monday, December 11: prompts distributed
Thursday, December 21: check in date.
Sunday, December 31: Share date!
General requirements:
All gifts will be related to Star Wars. This includes all three movie trilogies, all television series, and any games or Legends related content. No NSFW content is allowed. This event is open to all ages. Joining the fest Discord will be required for mod to distribute updates and pairings.
Gifts can be one of the following formats:
Fanfiction (500 words minimum, no set maximum word count)
This is my gift for @katrina-loves-birds for the @starwarsfandomfests Secret Sants gift exchange.
Title: Hope is the Light that Keeps Us Warm
Summary: Leia looked at the chrono on her office wall. It was just before lunch time. If she snuck out now, she could get in a couple of hours of shopping and maybe pull together some catering for a small Life Day gathering that evening.
Words: 1.2k
Warnings: none. Pure fluff.
**********
Leia had thought that things would calm down after the Empire was defeated. She was swiftly learning how wrong she’d been.
Mon Mothma had been elected as Chancellor of the New Republic and had quickly restored the Senate in order to help her lead the new government. Leia, as a former Imperial Senator and leader in the Alliance to Restore the Republic, had felt it was her duty to now help the fledgling New Republic leaders find their footing.
She’d really, really hoped to be able to have a proper Life Day celebration this year though.
Leia looked at the chrono on her office wall. It was just before lunch time. If she snuck out now, she could get in a couple of hours of shopping and maybe pull together some catering for a small Life Day gathering that evening.
She pulled open the desk drawer where she kept a more comfortable pair of shoes and toed off her fancy slippers. She was just pulling her cloak on over her blue brocade tunic when Threepio entered her office.
"Oh, Mistress Leia. Senator Xiono wishes to discuss some matters with you. He wouldn't elaborate when I asked him, stating that I was simply a droid and had sufficient information to pass onto you, which I find to be a rather rude dismissal. However--"
"Thank you, Threepio," Leia said, interrupting him. She sighed and hung up her cloak. At least her feet would be comfortable for the meeting. "Please show the senator in."
* * *
Han walked the market district of Hanna City on Chandrila, perusing the different stalls and storefronts with only mild interest. The city was clean and fairly free of crime; a big difference from most places Han was used to frequenting. Even serving in the Rebellion, he'd found himself in less reputable places more often than not.
"Hey, Han, check this out," Luke said.
Han turned to where his brother-in-law was pointing to a flashy set of jewelry.
"Think Leia would like it?" the kid asked.
Han smiled, fond. Luke may be a Jedi, maybe the only Jedi left in the whole Galaxy, but in moments like this, his humble background showed.
"Kid," Han said, as if Luke hadn't put an end to the most feared man in the Galaxy only a few months ago, "your sister is a princess. She probably had more jewels and pretty baubles than she knew what to do with. Get her something that will remind her of you."
Luke flushed, running a hand through his hair. "You're right." Then he turned that suns-bright grin on Han. "Thanks."
Han grinned back.
Behind them, Chewie warbled a question.
"That's a good idea," Luke said, turning his smile on the big Wookiee.
That the kid could still smile like that after all he’d been through gave Han hope for the Galaxy.
They wandered the shops a little longer as they looked for gifts for their friends. Luke talked about various holidays on Tatooine and how he’d spent them with his aunt and uncle.
Han had never been big on celebrations. His life had been brutal from the beginning and things hadn’t ever really slowed down. One of the first holidays he’d had, had been spent with Chewie’s family on Kashyyyk. He’d felt awkward around the large, welcoming Wookiees, but by the time the celebrations had come to an end, he’d felt like a part of the family.
Now he was learning to be part of a family all over again. He had a wife; something he’d never hoped for. Companionship, sure. But not a constant, loving, steady woman like Leia. And a brother-in-law who sometimes seemed wiser than his years.
“Red Five to Captain Solo. Come in, Captain Solo.”
Han blinked and focused on Luke. “It’s ‘General’ Solo, kid. I worked hard for those pips.”
Luke smiled back. “You were parsecs away.”
“I guess I was,” Han acknowledged. “We’d better get a move on if we’re going to pull this party together before Leia gets home.”
* * *
When Leia returned to the apartment she and Han shared, it was to the sight of a small Life Day tree decorated with faintly glowing Life Day orbs in their sitting room, and the smell of something mouth-watering coming from the kitchen. She was a little surprised, since Han hadn’t shown much inclination to cook in the few weeks they’d been on Chandrila, but he must have subsisted somehow before they’d met.
“Han?” Leia called, heading for the darkened kitchen.
Her husband appeared and wrapped her up in his arms, giving her a soft kiss. “Welcome home, princess.”
Leia sighed, winding her arms around his waist. “Hey there, scoundrel. I like the tree.”
“Chewie helped me pick it out and carry it up here. It’s not much—”
“It’s perfect,” she said. “And the food smells great.”
“I hope you like it,” Han said. “I didn’t have time to consult the committee.”
Leia smiled fondly and leaned into her husband’s embrace. “I’m not a committee,” she teased back.
Han kissed her hair. “Go get comfortable, and I’ll set the table. But don’t take too long.”
Leia reached up and cupped Han’s cheek, pulling him down into a kiss. “Be right back,” she promised.
She walked back to the bedroom and changed her formal Senate clothing for flowy rose-colored pants, a loose white top, and a simple brown half-robe over the top. Then she let her hair down from the complicated twist she’d pulled it up into that morning and after brushing out the long strands, she pulled it back into a serviceable braid.
As she finished tying the braid off, she listened to the sounds of Han moving around the apartment. He was such a good man. It had taken some time for her to see the diamond behind his rough exterior, but now he was all hers. And she was his. Even with all the changes the New Republic was bringing about, she felt so grateful for Han’s solid presence in her life.
“Almost done, sweetheart?” Han called.
“Just coming out now,” she said, smiling at her reflection.
Han had turned off the lights in the apartment, and the soft glow of candlelight called her into the living room. As she stepped into the room, the lights came up and Leia stopped, struck.
A resounding “Happy Life Day” greeted her ears, along with the sight of many beloved faces.
Hera was there with her three-year-old son, Jacen. Zeb and Sabine. Chewie and Han, of course. Lando and Mon Mothma. And Luke.
Leia turned to her husband with happy tears in her eyes. “Han, what—? When?”
Han came forward and slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. “You’ve only been talking about a Life Day part for weeks now. I put out a few holocalls and got everyone together who could make it.”
Leia shot Mon Mothma a look. “Is that why you kept me in meetings all day?”
The Chancellor smiled. “You husband and brother asked me for my help to surprise you.”
“Well, it worked.” Leia tightened her arm around Han’s waist.
“Happy Life Day, Your Highness,” Han said.
Leia snorted, grinning up at him. “Happy Life Day.”
