#aidanstein

No need to anon anything unless you want to! (And thank you for the ask!)

32. “Keep your eyes on me.”

“I’m in love with Han,” Leia said, feeling for a moment likeshe was practicing one of the Old Religions and Luke was a priest. But anycontrition she felt was from the thought that Luke’s feelings could be hurt.She wasn’t sorry, really; she’d never be sorry.

Luke’s smile spread across his face, briefly lifting thecloud that he seemed to have picked up on Bespin. “Finally,” he said, andtouched her hand, looking like that earnest young man who’d burst into her cellagain. “He’s in love with you too, you know,” he added.

“I know,” Leia said, and heard Han echo the words in herhead. She looked up at Luke again. “How long have you known?”

“A while,” he said.

“How—“

That earnest smile came back, Luke’s eyes gaining a twinkle. “I don’t know. You two drive eachother crazy, but when it comes down to it, you always seem so—in sync.”

“Keep your eyes on me,” Han had directed on one of theirearliest missions together, as Leia chased a group of Imperials across acatwalk to distract them from the charges he and Chewie were setting. She had,and at his nod, changed course, leading the Imperials right into the path ofthe blast.

Later, she’d said it back to him as they prepared to swoopdown on a set of guards to break into a data installation.

Before long, they knew one another’s moves and instincts sowell that no words had been necessary; a certain look, and they knew to strike,to hold firm, to make their move. Keepyour eyes on me.

Luke was right. Before and after the mission, they squabbledand raged, but during the mission, that look was all they needed tocommunicate, to know that they had each other’s backs.

They’d given each other countless other kinds of looks inthe six weeks leading up to Bespin—utter frustration, anger, astonishment, tenderness,desire, love, fear. But that look hadresurfaced in the red-gold light of the carbon freezing chamber, as puffs ofgases swirled around them.

There was no need to say it—keep your eyes on me—for Leia could not tear hers away. She wasburning his image into her brain, preserving him far better than the carboniteever could. Reassuring him as he reassured her: I’ll be okay. Trust me. I’ve got you. All those words, unspoken butknown. In sync.

So in sync that as they dragged him from her lips, she knewimmediately the words that needed to go with him, that belonged with him: “Ilove you.”

He sank into the chamber, his eyes still on her, his words confirmingher love was known, his look—that look—asilent promise to come back.

Honestly I thought I was going cry writing it but I enjoyed every minute of it.. I smiled thinking about it for the first time cause Carrie would have loved me to enjoy this brief and precious moment I had with her.

It’s so good. But man, third cry of the day.

I was thinking about doing it already, but yeah, I definitely will. It will likely be a combo of the min larel first time and the I love you first time fic (never fear, @aidanstein, got your request covered). Coming soon! I hope!

27: A song that breaks your heart

Here, have two:

Casmir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens

Playboy Mommy - Tori Amos

Thank you!

knightedrogue

This is adorable and more lajulie to love. AH YES THANK YOU!

Thanks, my friend!

jediofgrace

I love early ESB tenderness-brewing goodness! Hold that thought. Love it!   

Yes, there’s a reason ESB is my favorite of the original trilogy. Thank you!

alderaanallday

I'm a sucker for any relationship chicken of this era. This was so great! (: 

“Relationship chicken” is a perfect way to describe that era. Thank you!  

otterandterrier

This was so bittersweet but the ending !!

I know--I hate having to have my favorite space couple actually hurt each other’s feelings, but that’s just it, right? They’re clashing because they’re talking past each other. Neither of them mean to do it.

waitjustaflick 

I love this but I want it to be like four times longer…can we make this happen? ☕️💕

aidanstein: I agree with @waitjustaflick       

lbovie: I agree with @waitjustaflick!   

luv15: Ditto.

jennycbs: Yes. 

   I’m glad you liked it. I really felt like I was taking a huge risk with this one.    

This picture helps.