#not between the ship

[notebookishtype]

Hello, do you have any recs for star wars books and comics with the best lukeleia content? In my lukeleia era and I really wanna start reading some OT legends stuff but I don’t know where to start.

Stories that take place during, between, and shortly after the Original Trilogy? We are lucky to have decades worth of content set in this time period! It’s the only place we can find things published before the sibling reveal, and/or acknowledging that Luke and Leia were attracted to each other.

✨I’ve included links to every book and comic mentioned below. I don’t think it’s immoral to pirate from a corporation. If you (general) take issue with that, I have bought most items listed at least once, and I would lend it to you if I could.

✨Some of the comics are only available in large collections, you may need to scroll to find the correct issues.

Legends Books

The first that comes to mind is Splinter of the Mind’s Eye. It was published in 1978, Luke and Leia were still love interests, and it takes place after ANH. They crash land on a mining planet and discover there is an Imperial presence there.

Fun Facts:

This story was commissioned to be a low budget sequel if A New Hope flopped.

This novel also inspired some of the canon lore for kyber crystals.

I started an impromptu reread earlier this year, and I did not remember how shippy this book was. This is just four pages into the book:

Splinter of the Mind’s Eye was also adapted into a comic in 1995… and it was still incredibly shippy? I recommend both if you have the time and executive function. If you’re low on focus or time, go with the comic.

I’ve been told the novelization of A New Hope also has the same vibes, and is by the same author. So if you enjoy Splinter thats another place to look.

As far as other novels, we’re mostly looking at crumbs. Off the top of my head I know both Shadows of the Empire and The Truce at Bakura acknowledge their feelings for each other.

Shadows of the Empire:

The Truce at Bakura:

I would only recommend these if you’re interested in the rest of either story.

Shadows is a take on what happened between ESB and ROTJ, published in ‘96. Want to see how the Rebels get the plans for the Second Death Star? Read this. Want to see Darth Vader forced to play politics? Read this. If Han and Leia’s relationship is a no go for you, you might consider skipping it. Content Warning: the antagonist attempts to “seduce” Leia via pheromones. Read: rape. He is a serial rapist.

Truce takes place immediately after ROTJ, and has some great character moments for our heroes, again a lot of focus on Leia and Han. I do, however, choose to view the fact that Luke’s love interest in this book is a young Imperial Senator who we are meant to compare to Leia, through a shippy lense. I cannot escape the idea that Luke is projecting. Otherwise this book is about dinosaur looking aliens using human’s life energy to power their ships.

If you’re interested in checking any of these books out I recommend looking here or here.

Legends Comics

Splinter of the Mind’s Eye (1995)—as mentioned above.

Star Wars Tales (1999-2005) 15, Do or Do Not—Takes place immediately after ROTJ. Luke is processing after the Battle of Endor, and uncertain of his place. His feelings for Leia are acknowledged.

Star Wars (2013) 1-6, In the Shadow of Yavin—Takes pace after ANH. Leia is working with a handpicked X-wing squadron, to expose a spy. Her position in command causes friction between her and Luke. This is one of the few stories really leans into Leia having feelings for Luke.

Star Wars (2013) 15-18, Rebel Girl—Leia accepts a political proposal in exchange for a secure base location. Luke is a jealous brat about it, puts himself in danger, and plans to run away.

Marvel Star Wars (‘77–86)—I haven’t read these yet, but I’ve seen plenty of panels and pages posted on Tumblr that give lukeleia vibes, even some that take place after ROTJ. These have been gathered into several omnibuses. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Disney Comics

Star Wars (2015) 1-6, Skywalker Strikes—After ANH, the gang is infiltrating an Imperial arms factory, Vader shows up, Luke has a crisis. The Luke and Leia interactions are primarily in issues 3 & 4, but it’s a solid story arc.

Star Wars (2015) 33–Actual Publisher’s Summary: The Hero of the Rebellion & the Princess of the Revolution! Luke and Leia finally get some time alone… Unfortunately, it's stranded on a desert island.

The Storms of Crait (2017)—After ANH. Our heroes travel to Crait, in hopes of establishing a base there. Luke is delightfully flustered by a kiss on the cheek from Leia.

Star Wars Adventures (2017) 4 & 5, The Trouble at Tibrin—Leia and Luke are on a diplomatic mission that goes awry. Leia rescues Luke in this one. Acknowledges Luke’s feelings.

Star Wars Adventures Annual 2018, Mind Your Manners—Another diplomatic mission gone wrong. Not all that shippy, but discovered it while making this list, so it felt wrong to leave it off.

Star Wars Adventures (2020) 7 & 8, The Princess and the Bog, A Twin Tale—Leia and Luke are scouting base locations. Luke is terrible at following Leia’s orders, and wants to pet all the animals.

Star Wars Hyperspace Stories (2022) 2–Another search for a base location. There are several cute moments between them in this one.

Deleted Scenes & Behind The Scenes

I know the ask was about books and novels, but I’d also recommend—if you haven’t already—searching for deleted scenes, alternate takes, behind the scenes photos and promo photos, etc. There are goodies from each film, but the most substantial stuff is from/for ESB.

Is That Everything?

I doubt it. There are many other stories that take place in this time frame that I haven’t investigated yet. Here are some that are on my list:

Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor (Legends novel)

Heir to the Jedi (Canon novel)

Heart of the Jedi (unpublished Legends novel)

Star Wars (1977-1986) (Legends comics) (mentioned above)

Star Wars (2020) aka Star Wars V3 (Canon comics)

Razor’s Edge & Honor Among Thieves (Legends novel duology)

I’d bet on there being content down the timeline that reads as shippy, but that’s a whole future post.

#lukeleia #book recs #comic recs #Legends and Disney #rape mention tw #not between the ship #this took forever #thank you for your patience

[kiisaes]

apple of my eye 🔪

#i played dead plate ... obsessed. with. them #also i fought this piece the moment i started it. i had such a bad time. i am so glad it's done ajksfhkgfjs #dead plate #dead plate game #rody lamoree #vincent charbonneau #fan art #becki draws stuff n stuff #rendered #i don't know the ship name between them or if there even is one so if anyone knows please inform me HELP #edit thank u for the ship names #vincerody #coal fired heart

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

The indescribable tension between an overworked and underpaid smut writer, and his biggest fan hater.

(for @frummpets)

#SVSSS #Shen yuan #shang qinghua #cumplane #Normally I don't tag with ship names but this one is a special case. #Confession time: When I first had SVSSS described to me I 100% thought the main pairing was between these two. #The dynamic is impeccable! Even if its 'just a fan ship' I stand by it. #Sorry to the people who like to think of them as handsome pretty boys. I don't. #These guys sit in their rooms and use the computer for 90% of waking hours. They are not looking after themselves well enough for good skin #They can be cute in their own way. People with acne and missed shaving spots deserve to have their romances too. #And sloppy hate makeouts <3 #Hi Sol! I truly did whoop and holler when drawing your name for the raffle! #You've been so kind and generous towards me and I'd happy to finally have the opportunity to give back some of that joy! #Thank you so much for all your support and the incredible fanart <3 You've made my day so many times! #I hope this silly mini comic is to your liking! #Playing around with colours for this one was a blast!

[umblrspectrum]

i love learning cursive just to write text for exactly one character

#fun umbral lore. i can barely read cursive #if you want to hide anything from me then write it in cursive and i will literally never be able to read it #or write it. i had to google cursive text generator and copy it for this #ill settle on textbox designs also eventually #god its been so long since i've drawn the manor gang i think #saw this post and i immediately thought “cyn” #it has nothing to do with her being my number 1 blorbo. bite me #murder drones #art #murder drones n #murder drones v #murder drones j #murder drones cyn #serial designation n #serial designation j #serial designation v #they're so gay also they blushed immediately after this and made out probably im still torn between like 5 different ships #curse you fanfics for putting these ideas in my head

[intermundia]

i just read about the "narcissism of small differences," aka the idea that the more a community has in common, the more likely the people in it are to engage in interpersonal feuds and mutual ridicule because of hypersensitivity to minor differences perceived in each other, and i knew there was a reason my time in academia and fandom felt oddly similar lmao

#you guys!!! this was freud's term from 1917. not mine #i understand people concerned about the colloquial usage but again. this is freud's term for the phenomenon in psychoanalysis #where the term 'narcissism' has a specific meaning #again. not my term. just a specific concept i found when i was reading about psychoanalysis and found relatable #ANYWAY. original tags -> #fandom stuff #like with people shipping the same ship #they have so much in common #love of and knowledge about the same characters #but then things like #top vs bottom characterization of one character #such a slight difference between people obsessed w the same character #makes sense it's so vicious lmao

[sableeira]

the truth is the shapeshifting ability user gave themselves away by not using enough silly little pet names insults. And probably about everything else down to minuscule body language, facial expressions and tone of voice (“I know you thrusts” etc etc)

if you know where this scenario is from ily

#bungou stray dogs #bungo stray dogs #bsd fanart #soukoku #bsd dazai #osamu dazai #chuuya nakahara #bsd chuuya #bsd #my art #for everyone who didn’t recognize where this scenario is from it’s from fma #and my head is constantly full with comparisons between skk and royai even tho it sounds crazy there are some really good parallels there #(if you can indulge some delusions - because I probably only see parallels because I love both ships)

[supreme-leader-stoat]

You ever think about how in The Headband, we're introduced to a side of the Fire Nation that's had its culture whittled away by a hundred years of imperial wartime propaganda. And how perhaps the most damning expression of this is that students are forbidden from dancing. And so Aang, maybe the only person on the planet who still truly remembers the Fire Nation of old, from before the war, brings it back to them.

And then we get to The Firebending Masters. Zuko's entire young adulthood has been spent using his anger towards the Fire Nation's enemies, his drive to capture the Avatar, as a crutch. And now he doesn't have that crutch anymore. So he and Aang set out on a pilgrimage, going to the birthplace of firebending itself, in search of answers. In search of a way to express the power of fire that isn't fueled by rage or smothered by fear. And they find a dance.

#atla #avatar the last airbender #and also that the crossed wrists move at the start of Aang and Katara's dance #is the exact same as the opening move of the (interrupted) Agni Kai between Zuko and the ship captain in The Storm #bro the CONNECTIONS

[artofalassa]

This time... ... I will never let you go

#zakkura #clack #zack fair #cloud strife #ff7 #final fantasy 7 #ff7 rebirth #one interaction between them is all i ask #i hope for more #but i'm also pretty sober and know that they are down the rare ship road at this point #so #yeah #loved drawing this one though

[zutarawasrobbed]

I’m sorry, but the Netflix showrunner referring to Kataang as an “issue to tackle” in the future is some of the funniest shit I’ve ever read/heard.

#the way I choked #he was directly referencing k@taang in his answer too. #the age gap was already a problem in the original show #now you just see it the way Zutara has the entire time because you see it in real life actors their age #the maturity difference between a 12 and 14 year old is insane #he literally said he was relieved he didn’t have to deal with it this season #and he just kept going too 😭 #I’m not a fan of the ship but DAMN he did them so dirty #avatar the last airbender #zutara #atla live action #anti k@taang

[rhineposting]

Hollow Mind goes crazy when you realize Kid Belos was just this grown ass man LARPing as a mute toddler.

#WHAT WERE YOU DOINGGG COWERING BEHIND HER AND HOLDING HER HAND LIKE THAT OLD MAN WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUUUU #GROWN ASS MANNN YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMEEEED #toh #the owl house #toh luz #luz noceda #belos #emperor belos #Not ship but if you tag it as that I guess that's just between you and God (the tag) #rhineart

[bradleybirdshaw]

they are just silly and nothing bad will ever happen

#spider man: across the spider verse #miles morales #hobie brown #the entirety of every ship between them #chaipunk #punkflower #miles x gwen #all of them #fruity four!!! #gwen stacy #interdimension archnid twitter #pavitr prabhakar #they mean lots to me #they’re like a blunt rotation but miles is being passed around for as lover

[littleaipom]

HEDGEHOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

as a long-time sonic fan i've grown so tired of the whole "sonic and shadow aren't friends. they don't like each other, actually." narrative that's become the norm. anyway thank you sonic prime???????

#they were so fun and cute in prime frrrrrr #ive got like every positive interaction between them in the comics screenshotted. bc it was That Rare. #and then prime just says 'haha here have them bantering complimenting and gently holding each other etc' :)))))) #sonic prime #sonic the hedgehog #shadow the hedgehog #sonadow #<-interpret as ship or not. its up to u #fanart #mmkart #hogs tag

[starwrighter]

Dead serious prompt cuz I never do ship prompts.

Let's give it a shot!

Danny transfers to Damian's highschool, specifically he transfers into Damian's class. Damian's immediately smitten with him, head over heels love at first sight. Maybe Danny's done some animal rights protests and fundraisers with Sam? Maybe Danny just has good vibes.

Damian has no clue what to do with this feeling. He's emotionally constipated so Danny's first day ends with him getting a note in fancy lettering that reads

"Your eyes are like sapphires."

It's only one sentence (I can't write good poetry) But there's a beautiful Drawing of him below the writing. Danny smiles and puts this in his school binder. Damian sees this as an absolute win.

If we go with the Idea that Damian has the reputation of being cold and calculated it makes this prompt cuter.

Just Damian being a fully trained assassin and part-time vigilante but the moment Danny walks in he's googling

"How do you talk to cute boys?"

"What is a crush?"

" How to romance a guy as a guy?"

Just imagine being one of Damian's classmates, oh my God they must be so confused. The kid who usually talks like a dictionary and is as cold as block of ice is suddenly leaving romantic poetry in the transfer student's locker?!? He actively participates in class activities to talk with him? What kind of witchcraft is this??

Danny is doesn't know who his secret admirer is, but he kinda hopes it's Damian.

#deadserious #dc x dp #dpxdc #dp x dc prompt #Conflicted between having Damian pull the “get out of my school” first crush bit #or just having him be awkwardly romantic #This might be the only ship prompt I post

[ot3]

I'm not the kind of person who thinks there is only one correct interpretation of a character or dynamics because seeing how much you can do within the established parameters of these things is one of the best parts of fandom. But some people don't actually have anything I could meaningfully call an interpretation of a character, they just pick one to three of the characters established traits and then puppet them around based on how they think that particular character archetype should behave. And it's infuriating to watch. It's not even "he would not say this" it's "nobody would ever say this, you have created something that is so derivative and generic that it fails to even crudely mimic human behavior." And yes believe me I understand that this literally doesn't matter at all but this is where my peak autism lies, and bitching on Tumblr is the most socially acceptable way to channel those feelings.

#On a related note this is why I always hated that fave ship dynamic meme #Like sure there's some similarities between my ships but they can't just be swapped out on the same template #Tvtropesification of media analysis

[pokeberry5]

something like tim convinces himself that robin has to be a Boy™ and then steph becomes robin and shatters that conviction and all his repressed gender feelings come spilling out, but actually letting go of that conviction isn’t all that easy

if there's no homoerotic tension between you and the manifestation of your alter-ego that you’ve constructed in your mind, do you really have identity issues?

closeups + refs (leyendecker) + bonus:

#sart #dc #probably gets resolved by tim watching steph in action and having not-conversations about his function as a vigilante w bruce and dick #im not sure how to tag this ? bc to me it’s somewhere between a metaphor and tim taking his compartmentalization too far and an actual ship #but ive also been affectionately referring to this as timcest #so take that as you will #tim really has me reaching unparalleled levels of blorbo brain rot #i was in the dairy aisle like man i want to draw tim in a dress but I’ve also never drawn tim in a suit #and things spiraled 😌

[ladeldee]

The silliest thought came to me while doing the dishes...

#And if this inspires people to draw Bunny Phil.... that's between you and these tags. #What's funnier is he'd probably decide he has to kill them but like sure king that's more normal. #Perhaps out of character but it's for the sillies forgive me 🙏 #Pissa #Qsmp #Qsmp shipping #qsmp philza