[He could point out that his ship is thirty-something years younger than hers and blissfully free of Unkar whatshisname's 'improvements,' but he refrains from doing so, surprisingly tactful about something that's important to her. Or maybe not so surprising, considering how he feels when anyone criticizes his ship.]
Okay, I'll be here.
[A few seconds after she knocks, the hatch slides open with Han on the other side. He takes one look at her face (you're not fooling him, kiddo) and holds his arms out for a hug, if she'd like one.]
[She knows that he didn't ask for this, any of it, when he came here. That he probably doesn't want to have to find ways to deal with having a son, having her with her ideals about him, her high opinion of him, when he could have just coasted through with an inmate to get his deal and left without having to change who he is in any real, important way. She knows that she hasn't always been fair with the expectations she has of him, and yet he's still reaching out to her, offering her a hug, and despite everything she feels lucky, relieved to know she isn't quite as alone as she was starting to feel.
She also feels a little stupid for ever thinking that way in the first place, but it's hard to remember something you've never been used to. It's easier, every time, to fall back into the default of what you've known all your life.
So she steps forward and wraps her arms around his waist, leans her forehead against Han's shoulder and just closes her eyes for a moment. She hasn't cried over this yet, she doesn't want to cry over Tommy, but it's starting to feel more and more inevitable.]
[In the five months he's been here, Han's learned more about responsibility than he would have in five years back home, given the Barge's fast-track way of cramming life-changing experiences down a person's throat, be they inmate or warden. He's stumbled a lot, it being especially hard to know what to do in regard to his son and the girl who got caught in the middle of it all, but he's much more inclined to make an effort than he used to be, and less afraid of leaving himself vulnerable by doing so.
As she steps into his arms, he hits the button to close the hatch behind her, preventing scrutiny from any random people who might be walking by. He's quiet for a long moment, letting the hug go on as long as she needs it, one of his hands lightly rubbing her shoulder blade.]
[She closes her eyes a little tighter when he rubs his back, but what he says gets her to let out a long, helpless sigh. It might not be the best thing to say to anyone else, but for Rey that's exactly the kind of response she needs. No pity, just the reminder that life will move forward and she'll find some way to ease how painful this is.
And more than that, she realizes now that she doesn't really want to lay any more of the burden of her problems on him when it doesn't really feel even anymore. She still wants to talk with him, let him be there for her when she needs him to be, but it will feel better if she tries to make this even. So she pulls back after the hug feels like it's gone on long enough, looks up at him with clear gratitude, and then changes the subject.]
[He hadn't been sure if she'd want to talk about it or want to be distracted from it, but the latter had seemed more likely, so when she abruptly changes the subject, that's not too much of a surprise. Besides, what does he know about relationship counseling anyway? He probably needs it more than she does if his reaction to the question is any indication.
When she lets go of him and asks, he tilts his head back, his lips curving into something resembling a pained grimace more than an actual smile.]
Oh, you know... just peachy. [Stepping back, he leads the way to the Falcon's lounge, pausing at the galley to pour a couple of cups of tea from the automatic beverage dispenser.] Although the breach might've helped a little, I dunno.
[She takes a seat without being prompted, watching him closely while he tries to grin and fails entirely. It's a little like her, in a way, trying to put on a front and mostly not able to do that at all.]
[He places the cups on the table and slides into the bench across from her, looking a little embarrassed, pleased and rueful all at once.]
Uh, well. Leia and I got along pretty good. [It feels a little strange to use her first name after only calling her 'your worship' or 'princess' when they were themselves, but now that feels strange too after getting so familiar with each other in the breach, plus having a kid together in the future.]
I doubt that she's mad that you got along. She might be embarrassed, but if she seems mad it's probably not really that.
[Speaking as someone who has found themselves lashing out because they don't know what to do with being made to feel a certain way. She doesn't know Leia very well, here or in the future, but to be married to Han Solo for as long as she has been Rey has to believe they understand each other on some level.
And, you know, that love probably plays a big role in overcoming the less appealing character traits the both of them have.]
[He looks unconvinced by that, scratching the back of his neck.] It was a little more than just getting along, actually.
[At his time-point, all the attraction was on his end and he's not yet unaware of any reciprocity on her part (or three years of denial, as the case may be).]
Just because we get married in the future, that doesn't mean she's gonna appreciate getting a... uh... jump start on it.
You could ask her to have dinner with you and then not bring up the breach at all. Then no one is talking about it, but you can still see if there's something there.
[In enough ways that some days it feels like too much, and yet still the only choice is to press on. She can't even really tell Han it'll all end up alright, because it won't be that easy. He has such a troubling road ahead of him and if she gets her deal there's a happy ending there somewhere, but right now, at this second, his road ends with him dead.
But-]
I do know that you make each other happy. That can't be something that's only true during my time, it has to start somewhere.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Okay, I'll be here.
[A few seconds after she knocks, the hatch slides open with Han on the other side. He takes one look at her face (you're not fooling him, kiddo) and holds his arms out for a hug, if she'd like one.]
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She also feels a little stupid for ever thinking that way in the first place, but it's hard to remember something you've never been used to. It's easier, every time, to fall back into the default of what you've known all your life.
So she steps forward and wraps her arms around his waist, leans her forehead against Han's shoulder and just closes her eyes for a moment. She hasn't cried over this yet, she doesn't want to cry over Tommy, but it's starting to feel more and more inevitable.]
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As she steps into his arms, he hits the button to close the hatch behind her, preventing scrutiny from any random people who might be walking by. He's quiet for a long moment, letting the hug go on as long as she needs it, one of his hands lightly rubbing her shoulder blade.]
It'll be okay, kid. One way or another.
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And more than that, she realizes now that she doesn't really want to lay any more of the burden of her problems on him when it doesn't really feel even anymore. She still wants to talk with him, let him be there for her when she needs him to be, but it will feel better if she tries to make this even. So she pulls back after the hug feels like it's gone on long enough, looks up at him with clear gratitude, and then changes the subject.]
How are things going with Leia and Kylo Ren?
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When she lets go of him and asks, he tilts his head back, his lips curving into something resembling a pained grimace more than an actual smile.]
Oh, you know... just peachy. [Stepping back, he leads the way to the Falcon's lounge, pausing at the galley to pour a couple of cups of tea from the automatic beverage dispenser.] Although the breach might've helped a little, I dunno.
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What happened during the breach?
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Uh, well. Leia and I got along pretty good. [It feels a little strange to use her first name after only calling her 'your worship' or 'princess' when they were themselves, but now that feels strange too after getting so familiar with each other in the breach, plus having a kid together in the future.]
She might be mad about it though, who knows.
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[Speaking as someone who has found themselves lashing out because they don't know what to do with being made to feel a certain way. She doesn't know Leia very well, here or in the future, but to be married to Han Solo for as long as she has been Rey has to believe they understand each other on some level.
And, you know, that love probably plays a big role in overcoming the less appealing character traits the both of them have.]
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[At his time-point, all the attraction was on his end and he's not yet unaware of any reciprocity on her part (or three years of denial, as the case may be).]
Just because we get married in the future, that doesn't mean she's gonna appreciate getting a... uh... jump start on it.
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[That's not Rey saying the opposite is true, but Han just assuming Leia's feelings won't get him anywhere for so very many reasons.]
*aware dammit
[Hi there avoidance, old friend.]
Bringing it up kinda feels like ruining the mood, you know?
[He'll just be over here enjoying the calm before that particular storm.]
NO I LOST THIS TAG I'M SO SORRY
You could ask her to have dinner with you and then not bring up the breach at all. Then no one is talking about it, but you can still see if there's something there.
no worries!
[So unconvinced.]
This place has made everything so... different.
[In that knowing about all the bad things that happen in the future makes him much less inclined to press things than he would've been otherwise.]
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[In enough ways that some days it feels like too much, and yet still the only choice is to press on. She can't even really tell Han it'll all end up alright, because it won't be that easy. He has such a troubling road ahead of him and if she gets her deal there's a happy ending there somewhere, but right now, at this second, his road ends with him dead.
But-]
I do know that you make each other happy. That can't be something that's only true during my time, it has to start somewhere.