(no subject)

[haveyourmoments]

Every day I wake up in my palatial bed with a renewed sense of regret, wishing that there had been any other way to save Alderaan other than agreeing to marry Isolder, my now husband, the Prince of Hapan. There’s nothing wrong with him, exactly, he’s polite and proper and beautiful, of course, with his long blonde hair and blue-gray eyes. He’s kind, and patient with me and never fails to forgive my temper, but somehow that oboe makes it worse, makes me feel like an unruly child instead of his wife, his equal.

He tells me that he’s selected a new pilot for my flagship, that this stranger will be my bodyguard as well due to the ongoing threats in my life and I do my best not to sulk, knowing I’m capable of taking care of myself, but instead nodding and accepting his unassuming kiss on my cheek.

Comments

[going_solo]

“I mean, if you’d rather one of your ladies be with us on the ship…” I say, raising my brow. “Just make sure you pick the one that’s best at avoiding asteroid fields.”

[haveyourmoments]

“Thus making my point about the size of the ship…” I say, looking at him with amusement.

[going_solo]

“She’ll do just fine,” I say.

[haveyourmoments]

I just nod once, accepting his faith in the ship for now. “So…my quarters?”

[going_solo]

“Sure, let’s go,” I say, walking on the ramp that enters the ship and showing her to a small room with two bunks and a soft blanket, the only warmth in the room.

[haveyourmoments]

I run my fingers over the blanket, trying not to wonder if this is some sort of punishment from my mother-in-law, who has never liked me. But I don’t want to seem ungrateful for the accommodations, and so I turn and thank him.

[going_solo]

“They’re new mattresses,” I say a little defensively and a little apologetically all at once.

[haveyourmoments]

“It’s great, really,” I say, feeling guilty when he clearly read my thoughts. I clear my throat, knowing I need to make a peace offering. “I heard you’re a great pilot.”

[going_solo]

“I like to think so,” I answer, relaxing a little.

[haveyourmoments]

“Why don’t you show me your ship?” I ask with a gentle smile, sensing that he’s proud of what he’s accomplished.

[going_solo]

“As you wish,” I say, starting with the cockpit and explaining the layout as we go.

[haveyourmoments]

“And you made all these modifications yourself?” I ask, impressed.

[going_solo]

“With a little Wookiee help,” I admit, used to taking all the credit but wanting her to think highly of my copilot too.

[haveyourmoments]

“That’s incredible,” I tell him. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

[going_solo]

“I’m glad it’s not the dumpster you were expecting,” I say, but I’m softening.

[haveyourmoments]

“My husband tends to keep me in a bit of a gilded cage,” I say apologetically. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen anything that wasn’t plated in precious metals.”

[going_solo]

It doesn’t seem like a problem to me, but I don’t say so out of risk of offending the princess. I nod instead. “There’s plenty of new things for you to discover on the Falcon.”

[haveyourmoments]

I look over at the checkered table, clearly some sort of game board I’ve never seen before, and raise my eyebrows. “It looks like it.”

[going_solo]

“You might even find you enjoy it,” I say, before walking off to tinker.

[haveyourmoments]

I wander around the ship for a bit, and even start to unpack some of my clothing in my room, but I change my mind and go to find Han, sitting quietly as I watch him work.

[going_solo]

I’m not used to being watched, but her interest is kind of nice, and I turn around to look at her.

[haveyourmoments]

“Sorry,” I smile softly at him, my head resting in my hand. “Am I bothering you?”

[going_solo]

“I don’t mind,” I say, and I look at her for a long moment, pondering how pretty she looks, before turning back.

[haveyourmoments]

“Good,” I say, setting in to watch him work for a while longer.

[going_solo]

“Are you trying to learn or something?” I say without looking up.