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Luke had promised to take care of Ben so that they could have the evening to themselves, watching as the Millennium Falcon took off into the night sky.
“Why can’t I go with you?” Ben had grumbled, eyes a little red from his crying.
“It’s just for one night sweetie, you’ll have fun with Uncle Luke and Uncle Din, and you won’t even realise we’re gone.”
Ben did not look convinced by this but relented anyway.
There were sure to be some major sulks in the future, but that was a problem for then. For now, Leia watched the ground pass by as they headed off-world
“He’ll be fine.” Han grunted, “Him and Grogu will play one of those force games, and he’ll be so worried about not beating his cousin, he’ll forget that we’re even gone.” When they were a suitable distance away from the planet, he wacked the Falcon into cruise control, allowing it to drift, “So… “He leaned forwards with a leer, “… looks like it’s just you and me Princess.”
Leia rolled her eyes, shoving a hand into his face and pushing him back.
“So cruel!” He protested as she playfully batted at him (it was definitely playful. He’d experienced the less playful hits), finally managing to reach out and pull her closer, until they were nose to nose, “Come here… General.”
“We need better pet names.” She giggled, giving him a gentle kiss, before moving to sit on his lap.
The rumbling of the Falcon wasn’t exactly romantic, but it was a part of their past, making both of them feel younger than they were. When they broke apart, Leia rested her head against Han’s shoulder, watching as they lazily drifted through space.
……………………………………
Han couldn’t help but smile as he watched Leia rushing around the base. Once a General, always a General, and honestly, it was one of the things Han loved most about her.
It was a little chilly in the base, so when she finally stopped running around and took a seat at her desk, it was no surprise when she shivered a little, unconsciously rubbing at her arms.
Han made his way over, already removing his coat.
“Oh Princess.” He called out, smirking when she rolled her eyes, looking up at him with a fond, but exasperated smile. This smile turned into a look of shock, when Han draped the coat around her shoulders, knowing that the fur-lining would protect against the worst of the chill.
“You’re actually a sweetheart, aren’t you?” She teased, leaning up to kiss him briefly on the lips, “Han Solo, the respected smuggler… a secret romantic.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” He called her Princess, and she called him sweet.
It was kind of their love language.
He shook his head and went back to his desk, tilting his cheek when she left for another meeting, passing him, and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll see you later.” She whispered, “Love you.”
“I know.”
………………………………………………..
Leia carefully balanced one chip of hot tea in one hand and a plate of food in the other one, as she headed to her bedroom.
The chipped cup was Han’s favourite; she hoped that using it would ease the loneliness that she felt; that it would make her feel like she still had some part of him with her.
It seemed to have the opposite effect though, making her miss him more.
With Ben with Luke and Han on a solo mission with Chewbacca, Leia had to admit that she was feeling a bit lonely.
Years fighting against the Empire, often alone, and now she decided that she was lonely.
Entering the bedroom, she was pleasantly surprised to see a tall, delicate-looking vase on her desk, with a single flower inside.
Looking closer, she saw that the vase was from Alderaan… or at least based off of that style, making her smile even as tears stung her eyes. Setting down her tea, her nose caught the sweet, heavenly scent of the flower, petals so rich and deep red that they looked like they were made of thick velvet.
Her smile only deepened when she saw the note next to the vase.
‘This flower reminds me of you…. And please don’t ask where I got the vase from, you might not like the answer
I love you – Han.’
“I know.” She whispered, willing to let this little bit of smuggling go.
…………………………………………….
She woke up early a few days later, sleep disturbed by what she thought was a rancor growling at first, only for the fog of sleep to clear and make her aware of a large, warm mass against her back, a heavy weight draped over her waist.
Her heart skipped several beats, as she rolled over just enough to look behind her, smiling when she saw the familiar figure of her husband lying there.
As though knowing that he as being watched, Han’s eyes started to open, a sleepy smiling appearing on his face.
“Hello princess.” he whispered, “Didn’t want to...” He yawned, “... wake you up.”
Leia chuckled, allowing herself to be pulled into a hug. “I missed you.” She chuckled, feeling Han’s arms tighten around her comfortably.
“Yeah... I missed you too.” Han winced, “I think Chewie was going to throw me out of the airlock at one point.”
“He’s ready to do that most of the time.” she teased, relishing the warmth and the feeling of security she had when they were together, closing her eyes and starting to drift off once again.
“... Is that it?”
“Hm?”
“I risked life and limb for this rebellion and all you do is tease me?” Han was pouting at her.
“Life and li- You transported medical supplies from one planet to another!”
“With an annoyed wookie! Dangerous!”
“Poor baby!” She cooed, “And here I am, not giving you a proper welcome home.” She smirked when he pulled her closer, a calloused hand sliding slowly over the delicate curves of her waist, hip and down her thigh.
“Exactly.” Han leered; the expression oddly attractive on him, before Leia was kissing it away, giving him the welcome home, he so desperately wanted.