Force & Resistance: a Han & Leia love story

5. Fire, Honey, Sex

Han isn't on board the Falcon when Leia gets back to base. He's sitting around a campfire with Luke and Chewie. They're roasting something on a stick. She's not sure she wants to know what it is, that's a lot of legs, but it smells good. She's starving. Like most space travelers she's not picky about what she eats.

Luke's playing the pan pipes. He's almost invisible in the dusk, in his black garb. His bright face floating in the darkness on the edge of the fire as he plays. Deep breaths. Eyes closed.

Han sees her coming and nods, offering her a serving. They're eating on large flat leaves, as is the custom here. They'll be burnt in the fire after. It's a great idea, no dirty dishes to wash up.

Chewie greets her. Luke opens his eyes and does, too.

Dinner is a stirfry of grains and root vegetables. The fire roasted meat goes on top. Then some crisp, bitter, dark green leaves shredded over it, which knowing Luke is a medicinal plant that's good for babies. He likes to sneak Jedi plant medicine into everyone's meals. Stuff your pillow with some blossoms good for sleep. Put a handful of leaves for sore feet in your shoes. That's part of what he comes to this green world's island safehouse for, to build his herb stores. Bacta is great and all, but bacta + herbs? Even more helpful. Plus, he loves to drink real herbal tea. So much better than synthetic.

Luke has several bolt holes, places tucked away in star systems far and wide. He's been the most wanted man in the galaxy before. It could happen again. The three beings present are the only ones who will always know where he is.

Chewbacca has a sweet tooth. He loves the honey cakes that Luke bakes in the coals, wrapped in more of the wide, thick leaves. He's like a little kid, burning his fingertips trying to pick at one that's just come out the fire, too impatient to let it cool. Leia laughs and Luke swats him away. Finally, they're cool enough and Chewie's purring happiness is infectious as Luke passes the sticky, sweet cakes around. Han finds himself grinning at the other three. Leia and Luke look so similar in the flickering fire light, identical grins beaming back at him. Chewie's wonderful chuffing laugh booms off the circle of trees around them. Han's laugh joins in.

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Han has the Millennium Falcon to himself tonight.

After supper, Chewie takes his hammock to the woods. He likes to sleep high in a tree when they're on forest planets. Wookies do not have natural predators on this island. He sleeps like a baby here, swaying in the breeze.

Han does some packing, securing. Preparing to fly out in the morning, if he must. Hopes he will get to stay. Thinks about where he might go.

Maybe Maz would have work for them. She'd hire Chewie for muscle, at least. Chewbacca could work as Castle security and Han would find something to do.

There's a knock on the top of the ramp. Leia. He was going to leave it open all night just in case she came. He turns to see her small, determined self standing on the threshold.

"Oh, thank the Force," Han thinks, maybe even says aloud. His relief at Leia's arrival almost makes him nauseated, it's so swooping and visceral.

"Leia," he says, taking her in. She's wearing one of Luke's black tunics as a short, simple night dress. Her pale, lythe legs are bare but for a pair of sandals. She's dressed for sleep. For love.

"I do love you," Leia admits. Her eyes enormous, hands empty at her sides.

"I love you, too," Han answers, crossing to her, slowly, worried she's about to bolt.