I have you now.
#listen i love any and all concept of vader begrudgingly coming to respect han#like at first he’s obviously a piece of shit to him - han to vader that is#a scrappity idiot who just happens to be in the wrong place in the wrong time (which i mean. its TRUE but.)#who cares just enough (too much) and screws vader over#at first thats all he is: one of the banes of vaders existence just by being a piece of shit#but then slowly he realizes: han is /relatable/#the horror that strikes vader’s heart when he realizes this kid came up from nothing and doesn’t follow the rules and would - yes dammit#WOULD#die for his friends - that’s something vader knows#he can see the stardust running in hans veins and the smart alec thats jumping out to mask the tenderness#he can see the way a girl with big dark eyes and fire and passion in her soul looks at him (with so much softness)#he can see his son (HIS SON) rush to hans defense#and maybe that’s what makes vader shove any feelings of empathy aside: the fact that han has won his children’s love#when he never could#(but oh - OH - he /does/)#(he does and maybe hans not so bad any more)#(vader may have held a reluctant begrudging respect; but anakin sees him for the first time after so many years#looking younger and less tired than he has in years#and he smiles; hesitant and quiet. ‘would you accept an old man’s apology?’#han rolls his eyes#‘you’re younger than me here gramps’)#(in her old bunk on the falcon leia smiles very slightly in her sleep)