Ben Solo

II

Ben ran out of his room and into the kitchen of the little house he and Leia and Han lived in.

Though there was a mess hall, Leia always cooked breakfast in her own kitchen, since she had learned when she was a girl.

She had tried to teach Han, but with disastrous results each time.  He preferred little sustenance packets when he and Chewbacca were out doing their smuggling.

Leia put a plate down in front of her son.

He muttered a "Thanks Mom," before digging in.

Han came in a bit later, and tousled Ben's hair as he passed.  He pecked Leia on the lips to greet her.

"What are you going to be up to today?" Leia asked, scooping some of the food onto a plate for him.

He took the plate.  "Chewie and I were thinking about visiting some old haunts.  Probably the Cantina."

Leia, with her plate, sat down.  "Han, you know--"

"Yes, I know you don't like it when I go back there."

"If you got shot there--"

"Leia, I won't get shot.  How many times have a been there?" Han shoveled a forkful of food into his mouth.

"Too many." Leia retorted.

Ben tapped on his father's arm to get his attention.  "Can I go with you sometime?"

Han said, "Next time," at the same time Leia said, "Never."

They glanced at each other, then Leia said, "Ben, that place really isn't very safe.  Especially not for you."

"Why not for me?" Ben asked.

"You're Han's son.  And not everyone likes your father," Leia said, picking up her and Ben's plates.

Han scoffed as he picked his up.  "He would be safe."

"No, he wouldn't.  And I wouldn't want both of you to go, for the sole purpose of at least having one of you!" Leia said, dropping the metal plates into the sink with a clank.

Ben watched his mother and father stand off.

Han turned to him, "Go and see what Uncle Luke is doing, okay?"

Ben nodded and ran out the door.

There were very few private houses on base.  Most people lived in the barracks.

But the Damerons had their own home, Leia and Han had one, and Luke had one.

Ben dashed into Luke's house.  The man was standing with his back to him, oblivious to his presence.

"Uncle Luke!" Ben yelled.

Luke jumped and hit his head on a beam above him.

He turned around.  "Ben Solo," he scolded, "Do not scare someone in their own home."

Ben grinned.  "Sorry."

"Where are your mother and father? Did they just dump you on me?" Luke asked, chewing a piece of bread.

"Sort of. Dad wants to go to the cantina on Tatooine, and Mama doesn't want him to. They wanted me to leave. But mama won't ever let me go with Dad." Ben sat down on a box.

"I see. Your mother is probably pretty busy today. Do you think she would let me teach you how to use a light saber?"

"Really?"

"If your mother says you can."

"Can I go ask her now?" Ben got up and ran to the door.

Luke shook his head. "Let's wait until your mother comes over. She and your father need to talk a few things over."