into the chaos! → luke skywalker ✓

iii. departing the death star

⋆☆* ✧✰.✦

LUKE WAS IN AWE OF CASSIA TARIN; he had been from the moment she overpowered him back at the cell. Truthfully, he had never met any sort of soldier before that wasn't a Stormtrooper, but he still knew she was far cooler than most others out there. Everything she did she did with purpose and she was remarkably dedicated to her job...but she closed herself off, keeping others from seeing her on a more personal level, and that was what intrigued him the most. He admired her greatly for her skills, but it was that that made his thoughts constantly return to her. Leia was a force of nature herself, but he genuinely found himself wanting to know Cassia's story.

Leia and Han were arguing again, which didn't surprise Luke in the slightest. They had been at each other's throats since they met, and from what he could tell they had no reason to hate each other. Cassia, meanwhile, looked to have a quieter distaste for the smuggler. It was a they were heading down a hall in the direction of the Millenium Falcon that she confirmed his suspicions. Han and Leia headed up the group, arguing as Chewie lingered close behind, Cassia and Luke bringing up the rear. She spoke to him, keeping her voice low.

"Can I ask you something?" she began in a way that told him her question was about her work. He nodded.

"Yeah, of course."

"What's your take on Han? What do you think of him?" Luke shrugged.

"Well, I've only known him for a few hours and all, but he seems all right. Why?" He knew why, but he was desperate for any sign of her opening up, even if it was about work.

"In my experience, mercenaries don't just help out rich princesses because it's the right thing to do." At that, Luke let out the smallest of chuckles, earning a raised brow from the young woman next to him.
"What?"

"When Artoo told us Leia was on the ship, I told Han he'd get a reward if he helped save her." Her eyes widened in surprise, then a smirk danced across her lips.

"Nice," she commended, and Luke couldn't help but grin.
"I still don't trust him, not yet, but that's...reassuring." He nodded, then allowed silence to surround them for a moment. Finally:

"You really care about keeping her safe, don't you?"

"Of course," she replied simply.
"It's been my job for the past three years. She's important to the Rebellion, not to mention she's a good friend—my only friend, really." Luke nodded, but didn't press her any further. He was just grateful he could learn more about her, no matter how small the amount of information was. He had never been so interested by someone before, but there was something about her that constantly stole his attention. He didn't mind it.

"There she is," said Han, stopping at the end of the hall. They stood a level above the main hangar, staring out at the old freighter he treasured so much. Luke retrieved his comlink from the utility belt.

"See-Threepio, do you copy?"

"For the moment," the protocol droid said through the device.
"Uh, we're in the main hangar across from the ship." They were so close to freedom, he could feel it.

"We're right above you, stand by." He clipped the device back to the belt.

"You came in that thing?" murmured Leia. She was impressed, the corners of her lips turning up as she looked to the smuggler.
"You're braver than I thought." Han let out a chuckle.