6. hours
She's been locked in her room for hours. She weeps silently, but he feels it anyway, and aches to soothe her.
This is all a wretched disaster, something that never should have been. He should be able to go to her and comfort her with wisdom, not complicate the situation by giving in to inappropriate impulses. He wants so badly to sweep her up and tell her that he didn't mean it, that of course he loves her, but it's impossible.
He breathes a sigh and punches the wall in frustration. He hates that he's the reason Jysella is crying.
7. days
"Gammorean pig-man!"
It's been four days and Jysella isn't crying anymore. In fact, she's fuming. Jacen tries to ignore the spark in her eyes and schools his expression into one of serenity.
"Jysella, I'm your Master. It's my job to protect you."
It becomes obvious that those are not the words she wants to hear—her eyes narrow and her arms cross tightly over her chest. Jysella opens her mouth to say something, but instead glares venomously and storms from the room.
She leaves, and his serenity crumples. He slumps into a chair and drops his head to his hands.
8. weeks
Two weeks later, she's toying with him.
He's never known her to attend formal functions. She hates dresses, always complaining that they don't allow her to move properly. Apparently that hasn't stopped her this time.
The neckline of this one plunges low, and he thinks it's a good thing that Corran isn't anywhere around or they'd both be dead. She's laughing at something, touching her escort's shoulder flirtily and curling her mouth in a smile. The man—someone Jacen has never met—offers his hand for a dance.
When she takes it, Jacen feels like he wants to kill something.
9. months
When Jacen wakes, the first word from his mouth is her name. He is greeted by his family: Mother, who is teary-eyed and cannot speak, Father, who claps his shoulder hard, and Jaina, who clings to him like a limpet and sobs that she was afraid she'd never see him again. Aunt Mara and Uncle Luke stand back, but smile at each other in relief.
He has been missing for months, they say, from a mission that went horribly wrong.
He wants to ask for Jysella again, but has not the strength. He sleeps. When night falls, she comes anyway.
10. years
"Over a decade, Jys. Doesn't that concern you?"
She shakes her head and buries it in the crook of his neck, curling her arm around his bare back. Dawn will break soon, and she's still in his quarters, but he doesn't have the heart to move her.
They have had this conversation many times before, and it had never ended well before now.
"You worry too much," she whispers, and finds his mouth. Her kiss is not greedy this time, but proprietary. He is hers, and has been for a long time.
He hopes he is doing the right thing.