MIXED UP ⌲ HAN AND LEIA

two; hoth hallway

— ONE DAY BEFORE THE BATTLE OF HOTH; ECHO BASE —

[I like to think that when they had their argument on Hoth in ESB, they were both thinking of this little moment.]

Leia wandered around the complex halls of the base, for once having nothing she needed to attend to. She wanted to feel relieved, but she had grown so accustomed to making sure everything was running smoothly on the base, that she couldn't help but feel terribly bored.

Her hair was put in a single braid, and she wore a shiny white coat, white pants, and calf-high gray boots. As one would expect, the base could get rather cold.

She heard quick footsteps stop abruptly behind her and she turned around. Standing there—with a brown-colored coat and ruffled hair—was Han Solo.

Leia didn't know how to feel about him. One moment Han was agreeable, witty, even; the next he was an arrogant scoundrel who didn't care about anyone but himself. He was terribly hard to read.

"Han? What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to sound incurious but ultimately failing.

Han walked towards her slowly. "I could ask the same to you, Princess."

Leia stared up at him, her gaze unmoving. "I have some time off for the moment...."

"Ah, do you now?"

Han walked closer to her still. Leia looked down at her feet, suddenly feeling nervous. "I'm going to ask again. Why are you here?"

Han shrugged and leaned against the hallway wall, gawking at her with a smirk on his face. He was perfectly aware of her uneasiness—which only seemed to bring pleasure to his scoundrel-esque mind. "What would you do if I said I wanted to find you?"

"You didn't answer my question."

"That's not the point, sweetheart."

Leia crossed her arms, willing herself to walk away but unable to do so. He was remarkably captivating, though she hated to admit it. Whenever he smirked or laughed or even said her name, she wanted to rip her heart to shreds, to tell it to shut up. But she couldn't, and it frustrated the hell out of her.

Han noticed Leia's hindrance, and boldly strolled up and took her hands in his. She froze, looking almost panicky, but she didn't rip her hands away from his or walk away like he partially expected her to. She just stood rigidly, frowning.

"I, uh, know things have been chaotic lately, with the Empire looking for our base and all...." Han mumbled, suddenly feeling rather sheepish. "but don't forget that you're not alone. Luke and I are here, I mean. Um...."

Leia looked up at him, a small, surprising smile appearing on her face. "I know,"

She had never seen this side of him before. Perhaps little glimpses of it here and there, but....not like this.

Han leaned in until their faces were mere inches apart. Leia didn't protest. She wanted to let it happen; she wanted to let this, whatever it was, happen....

Suddenly, her earpiece used for emergency calls buzzed. She took an abrupt step back and instantly noticed how Han looked surprised—almost distressed. Leia wanted to tell him that she didn't want to go, that she didn't want to leave this rare kind of sentiment—but the words were unable to form on her tongue.

"I—I have to go. Sorry,"

With those simple words, she walked past him, not looking back.