MIXED UP ⌲ HAN AND LEIA

three; nightmares

— SOME TIME AFTER THE FALL OF THE GALACTIC EMPIRE; MILLENNIUM FALCON —

Han and Chewie were flying the Millennium Falcon on a casual trip with Leia aboard. Suddenly, while Han was in the cockpit, he heard a scream—one that sent chills down his spine.

"Chewie, I'll be r-right back—something's up with Leia," Han said, trying the keep the tremendous panic out of his voice. He stumbled out of the cockpit and sprinted to the lounge, where Leia was curled up in a ball in the corner of the room. Han quickly ran to her side.

"Leia, Leia, it's okay....I'm here." he whispered, the pace of his words brisk and perturbed.

Leia was shaking violently, her face covered with sweat and her eyes wide. "I f-fell a-asleep–"

"Another nightmare?"

She nodded. Han sat down beside her and pulled her close, to which she buried her head into his shoulder.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently.

"N-not really. It....it was about you."

Han bit his tongue out of nervous habit. "Well....it was just a dream, sweetheart. I'm here now. I always will be." He kissed the top of her head and took her hand, which was understandably clammy—but he didn't mind.

"I'm sorry you've been having to see me like this, Han...."

"Don't apologize, Leia,"

The Princess sighed. "The nightmares; they, uh, started after Alderaan was destroyed. When they first started, they weren't all that bad—I only got them once a month or so. But, now....it seems like a day doesn't go by when I don't have them. I just don't get it."

Han gulped. Seeing Leia in pain was awful—and, in this certain situation, he felt powerless to do anything about it. "I'm sorry,"

They sat like that in silence for a while, Han squeezing her hand every so often; until Leia fell back asleep. This time, a beautiful smile had appeared on her lips. Seeing such a lovely sight caused Han to grin like an idiot.

How did I end up this lucky?

He cautiously positioned her so that her head was on his lap and stroked her hair lightly, careful not to wake her. Slowly, he too fell asleep.

— 2 HOURS LATER —

Han woke abruptly, quickly realizing that he was still sitting with Leia. He was surprised to find that she was awake, too.

"Morning, hotshot." she said, a smirk on her lips. Han smiled back at her groggily.

"No nightmares?"

"No nightmares,"

Both of them sighed in relief.

"You'll be okay if I go back to the cockpit?" Han asked. Leia nodded.

"Yeah, I think I'll be okay now. Thanks, by the way."

Han kissed her cheek. "Anytime, Princess."

When Han entered the cockpit, Chewie growled at him angrily.

"I'm sorry, okay? Leia and I got caught up in something...." Han instantly regretted the words, his cheeks turning a bright red. "Er, not like that, I mean–"

Chewie laughed (as you would expect a Wookiee to laugh), and muttered something that was indescribably vulgar—and embarrassing.

Han pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just, just....shut up."