Chapter Text
Han's recollections were fuzzy when he finally woke properly. He had a vague sense of droids poking at him and floating in a bacta tank but nothing more than that. He was staring at the ceiling of a ship, not sure how he got there or what was going on.
"You are safe."
Han turned his head to find the Old Man sitting in a chair beside his bed. Obi-Wan offered a gentle smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Terrible," Han said deadpan, and Obi-Wan's smile grew.
"I can imagine. Do you remember what happened?"
Han had to take a moment for that. The memory of the mission he'd been on came easily enough and Vader capturing him. The torture blended together in his mind, but he remembered Vader's incessant question of, "Where is Kenobi?" over and over again.
"Vader's after you."
Obi-Wan sighed, sitting back in his chair. He looked tired. "He knows about Luke. So long as I am still around, he does not feel he can sway Luke to the Dark Side. He will not stop until either I am dead or he is."
Han didn't understand all of that but he did understand the sadness in Obi-Wan's eyes. "We won't let that happen. You and Luke -- the Rebellion will keep you safe."
"And if we endanger the Rebellion in the meantime?" Obi-Wan asked.
Han snorted. "Yes, the Rebellion's only on the Empire's radar because of you pesky Jedi."
Obi-Wan smiled. "I do hope the positive of my presence outweighs the negative."
"It does," Han said quickly. He couldn't imagine the Rebellion without Obi-Wan in it, and he didn't want to see that. "Vader knows that. It's not just Luke. You inspire everyone here. The return of the Jedi gives them hope."
"Them?" Obi-Wan asked, catching the word. "You don't feel like part of the Rebellion?"
Han looked uncomfortable. "I'm not really good-guy material."
"And yet you've stuck with us for three years now," Obi-Wan said softly.
Han shrugged. "You guys get in a lot of trouble."
"So we do." Obi-Wan smiled softly, his eyes warm in a way that made Han's stomach flutter. "Perhaps we need some scoundrels in our midst to set us straight."
Clearing his throat to clear away the emotion, Han said, "Vader did say you were a bit of a scoundrel yourself."
Obi-Wan laughed. "Did he? I suppose I was, in my youth." His eyes were still very warm as they looked Han. No one looked at him like that, and Han didn't know how to react.
Gently, Obi-Wan reached out to lay his hand over Han's where it rested on the bed. "I'm sorry we couldn't get to you sooner." Han opened his mouth to refute that but Obi-Wan shook his head. "Luke and Chewbacca were setting explosives and other distractions in the hope of luring Vader away from you, but we knew your interrogation could end at any moment. We wished to act when the advantage was ours but we were prepared to act earlier if need be."
Han frowned, not sure where all of this was going. He was distracted by the way Obi-Wan's thumb traced along the side of his hand. It was a feather-light touch, and Han wasn't sure if the Old Man even realized he was doing it.
It was driving Han crazy.
"To make sure we were not caught unawares, I was charged with surveillance. I saw what Vader did to you. I heard what he said."
It took Han a few seconds to realize what Obi-Wan was angling for. When he did, he yanked his hand from Obi-Wan's hold and growled, "I don't want your pity."
Obi-Wan's smile remained gentle and kind, no hint of surprise at Han's reaction. No pity either. "Pity would be not mentioning it at all. You withstood a day of torture at Vader's hands and several deep mind probes. Pity is the last thing on my mind."
Han believed him, but it left him confused. "Then why . . ."
Obi-Wan stood up and moved a little closer so he could gently cup Han's face. "I saw an unlooked-for opportunity, and I intend to take it." To Han's astonishment, Obi-Wan leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Han's lips. Han's surprise was so complete that he couldn't even respond, although Obi-Wan did not seem to expect him to. Indeed, Han's befuddled state seemed to amuse him.
His expression remained warm and fond.
Han sputtered. "But, you . . . That's not . . . You can't be serious."
"No? Why not?" Obi-Wan asked.
Han shook away the surreal feeling swimming in his veins, and forced himself to sit up. "You can't expect me to believe that you're interested in me."
That sad look returned to Obi-Wan's eyes but Han's outburst did not seem unexpected. "I could say the same, you know," he said quietly. Han frowned in confusion, and the sad look deepened. "You are a good looking man in the prime of your life. I am an old man, weathered and broken by many trials. I am hunted by the Empire, and feared by the misinformed. There are certainly better candidates for your affection."
"Bullshit." Han was shocked at just how angry Obi-Wan's words made him. "You are a Jedi Master, and the wisest person I've ever met. The Empire's only after you because you are a legitimate threat. And, you're not that old. You're certainly not bad looking."
Han's impassioned speech brought that small smile back to Obi-Wan's lips. "Is that how you see me?"
"I guess." Han realized he may have let himself get carried away, and looked down in embarrassment.
Obi-Wan reached out again, taking Han's hand in his own. "What you see, did you see it when we first met? Or did you see a crazy old man in beggar's rags?"
"I . . ."
"You have seen what is beneath my surface. Do you think I haven't done the same with you?" Obi-Wan asked quietly.
Han swallowed. "What you see is what you get with me. There's nothing deeper."
"I disagree. I think since joining the Rebellion, even you have been surprised by your own depths," Obi-Wan said.
Han wanted to deny that, but Obi-Wan was looking at him what that tender expression of his and the words dried up. "You don't believe. When we first met, you said there was no such thing as the Force. I think Luke and I have proven that's not the case. Would you let me prove that you can believe in this too?"
A part of Han wondered if he had died in Vader's torture chamber after all. He couldn't believe this was happening. But he wasn't one to deny himself. Wordlessly, he nodded.
Once again, Obi-Wan leaned forward to press a kiss to Han's lips. This time, Han responded. With his free hand, he reached up to hold Obi-Wan's head. Han opened his mouth, inviting Obi-Wan's tongue inside.
Han moaned when Obi-Wan deepened the kiss. He wanted to do more. He wanted to do so much more. But his body was still recovering, leaving him panting and shaky after one kiss.
It was a hell of a kiss though.
Obi-Wan smiled as he leaned back, looking pleased with himself. He opened his mouth to say something but then paused, cocking his head as if listening. "The doctors are on their way." He sounded regretful, but his expression was patient. "I'm sure they would tell me I shouldn't excite you."
"What do doctors know?" Han protested half-heartedly.
Obi-Wan laughed, but then turned serious. He brought Han's hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. "I should let you rest. You have undergone a great ordeal, and you need to let yourself heal. We will discuss this when you are feeling better."
"I don't know. I'm feeling pretty damn good right now," Han said, offering a small smile of his own.
He loved the warm smile Obi-Wan offered in return. Obi-Wan had no opportunity to respond, though, as the door opened to reveal two Rebellion doctors. Obi-Wan squeezed Han's hand once and then released him.
Han watched him go, his lips still tingling from Obi-Wan's kiss.