New Star Wars story! Kind of Ben Solo/OC, kind of slow-burn fluff, but mostly friendships. I honestly just wanted to write a sort-of sequel to Claudia Gray's Bloodline. It isn't necessary to read it before reading this fic, but be warned that there are spoilers on the novels. I was very sad about Ransolm Casterfo's fate, so here we are. Also I hate Kylo Ren but thumbs up to Adam Driver. Fan fiction's the only way I can crush after him. The focus of this story is, um, corruption and temporary happiness. Set before Force Awakens. This is pre-Kylo Ren, so I'll also be focusing on Ben's downward spiral to corruption.
Also, this is the only way I can live off my fantasy, har har.
Based off canonical events, though not necessarily strict on details.
After...
"The floor is granted to Senator Fasco of Jelucan."
Murmurs erupted over the mechanic intone of the moderator droid. The passing of the month did nothing to quell the scandal of then-Senator Leia Organa's true heritage. To think, the First Senator could have been Vader's child... The Senate ate up anything that would further divide the Populists and the Centrists, even going so far as to shun and shame a renowned war hero of the Rebel Alliance.
The Populist feared a galactic ruler, rejected anything that had any semblance to the power of Emperor Palpatine. The galaxy was too vast, too diverse, for every planet to be recognized by a central unit with equal attention. Meanwhile, the Centrists wanted a leader, wanted order to rise amidst the chaos left by the fall of the Empire. To them, a galaxy without a leader was the equivalent of headless chickens running amuck. Both sides of the Senate had their ideas of a solution.
But none of them were willing to compromise.
Not since Leia Organa.
Not since Ransolm Casterfo.
But Ghwen Fasco was convinced that there was still hope for the New Republic. Perhaps it was her youth that made her approach the newfound government with the idealism that was lost within the jaded, old politicians. But then perhaps it was her unwillingness to abandon the hope that a galactic democracy could end up becoming the salvation to so many people. To abandon the New Republic while it was still so young would cripple so many planets that depended on their guidance, their protection. Surely the fall of the New Republic would send the galaxy further into chaos.
The New Republic was not faultless. Just as there were conspiracy theorists within the Populist ranks, there also stood Empire apologists within the Centrists. Whether it be their nostalgia for the Old Republic or the Empire, Ghwen knew one thing for certain: it was time to stop looking to the past.
Senator Ghwen Fasco stood, and the holodroids were quick to reflect her onto the podium screens and holos. Though rather young when compared to the withered faces of most politicians, Fasco held an air of practiced grace and confidence. They will underestimate you, and that will be their mistake, she remembered Ben's words.
Oh, Ben… I wish you were here now.
Even now, she couldn't think about him without feeling a slight pang.
Her eyes scanned past the center platform. The Senate was seated separately, divided by their political standing. Centrists were on the left and Populists were on the right. Fasco noted that there were considerably less politicians seated in the Populist area. Perhaps many of them felt shame in being once associated with Vader's daughter…
Even when the holograms became clear to the spectating members of the Senate, the politicians did nothing to stop their murmured chatter. The Senate's dismissal of her position was annoying, but it was hardly Fasco's first time dealing with politicians' disrespect.
Ghwen silently signaled towards the moderator droid, who then said, "Acknowledged on the floor, Senator Fasco of Jelucan."
The din of the auditorium hushed.
Senator Fasco smiled a practiced smile—one that projected sincerity on the holos, but one that brought her cheeks physical pain after a while. Touching her hands together, Ghwen began her speech.
"Friends," she began. "I stand here today to speak for many of us who have grown wary of our division. A republic is meant to stand united, and yet we fight among ourselves like enemies. Should a greater force threaten the New Republic at this moment, we would be dealt with a crippling blow."
More murmurs. The mere mention of a Republic attack brought whispers of previous attacks. The two political parties seemed to regard each other with sly glances of suspicion, of blame.
It left Ghwen disappointed, but not surprised. But she did not give up hope. She believed that the New Republic could be saved yet. In her desperation, she believed they still stood a chance. Even if they seemed bent on destroying each other…
"Therefore, I suggest that we reopen the nomination ballot for the First Senator. During a time of such division, I believe that a figure among us should be chosen to stand for unity—not just within the government walls of Hosnian Prime, but also as a symbol for all the worlds."
"With all due respect, Senator Fasco, I hardly think that we would get more successful results than the last time we attempted it," said a Centrist colleague dryly.
He was referring to Tai Lin Garr, who had been assassinated after being inaugurated as the New Republic's First Senator. A laser bolt shooting through First Senator Garr's heart flashed through Senator Fasco's mind. The memory of the terrorist attack left her feeling the shadow of grimness. Ghwen couldn't recalled feeling as hopeless as she did on that day.
"We can't allow such a tragic thing to mark our surrender," Fasco protested. Her palms clasped tighter together. "Regardless of your feelings about Senator Leia Organa"—at the name, many of the politicians threw scoffs and unmuted jeers—"you must all acknowledge that her presence brought the closest semblance of leadership we have ever known in the New Republic. She was not our leader, but her guidance steered us to finally act on solutions."
Ghwen waited for the ambassadors to quieten.
"Therefore, I nominate myself to take on the title of First Senator."
A pause.
Then, the protests grew louder.
Before...
Senior Senator Hark Greath represented Jelucan in the New Republic. He was a descendant of the First Wavers—the name that was given to the first settlers of Jelucan. They dwelt in the valleys apart from the modern areas of Jelucan, where those they disdainfully called Second Wavers lived. The Second Wavers, in turn, were fine to be apart from what they call the backwater culture of the valley scum.
Unlike the First Wavers, Second Wavers did not hold traditions in the highest value. Their customs changed easily with the changing times. First Wavers prided themselves in ancestry and honor, but Second Wavers… well, they were city dwellers.
It was easy to tell that Senator Greath was a First Waver. Even among the sea of politicians dressed to impress, gowning themselves in the latest fashion that would have befitted Coruscant at its height of power, Greath wore hand-made garments. Although it proudly bore the sigil of his ancient house, when standing in the sea of the grand Senate of Hosinian Prime, Greath seemed rather shabbily dressed.
Ghwen Fasco, when she first began to shadow Senator Greath, was rather disappointed in the Senate. So many of the ambassadors spoke unkind things behind his back, whispering that rags were befitting of poverty-stricken Outer Rim worlds. The insults made her bristle in insult. Ghwen, a Jelucani Second Waver, was spared their scathing words. She looked like any normal civilian from any modern city.
Greath was aware of it all. Of course he was. How could he not, when they were all so obvious? Sometimes, the New Republic seemed more like a royal court rather than a democratic bureaucracy. But he held himself with pride and confidence in his family, in the planet of Jelucan. Confidence that Ghwen did not quite feel.
"I don't know, Greer," Ghwen said, her uncertainty rather evident. "It's just—what's Jelucan compared to Yavin? Or Dantooine? Even Jakku has priority over Jelucan, and that's the most nowhere place I can think of."
Greer Sonnel's brow rose as she regarded her friend. She took a sip from the cooling tea cup nestled in her palms. "You have zero pride in your homeworld. Why are you even here?"
Ghwen gave her a blank stare.
"Hey, I'm just saying, it's not too late to back out of politics. You're, what, twelve? Thirteen?" Ghwen gave her another look of exaggerated indignation as she squeaked, "Twenty," which caused Greer give a low chuckle. "I don't think you can last as a senator if you're not proud of the world you represent."
"It's not that I'm not proud of it, it's just that… I don't think anyone here even knows where it is. It's not respected enough for anyone to pay attention to what we say. Even someone as respectable as Hark Greath is laughed at as a backwater hick." Ghwen looked glum as she said, "No one takes us seriously."
"At least you still have a home planet," Greer threw offhandedly. She sipped her tea innocently. Unlike some people.
She was, of course, referring to Senator Leia Organa of Alderaan, whose planet was obliterated by the Empire's first Death Star. Ghwen flinched. "You really had to go there, huh? Do you make jokes like that around Senator Organa?"
"Who's joking? I'm serious, Ghwen. If they don't take you seriously, then make them. Having Alderaan blown up to bits didn't stop Princess Leia from representing a dead world in the Senate."
"That's different, Greer. After everything she's done in the war, people would be stupid not to take Senator Organa seriously."
Greer stared at her blankly. "Now you're just making excuses. Ghwen, if you wanted to throw a pity party, you definitely picked the wrong person to invite."
Ghwen felt rather indignant. She was not throwing a pity party. She pursed her lips, her eyes lowering to the uneaten food on the table.
Greer rolled her eyes. "Don't go looking like a kicked puppy. You've been moping around about how you can't do this or that. Maybe you need to stop crying and start doing something about it."
"Like what?"
"Figure it out, dummy," Greer said, not unkindly. She shoved a piece of bread in her mouth and said after chewing, "You're the one trying to be the Senator."
"Some help you are," Ghwen muttered, hiding a smile. In truth, she really did appreciate what Greer had to say. Her unhidden honestly was something she genuinely needed, especially after the load of bullshit that politics handed to her on a daily basis.
Ghwen thought over her friend's words. Jelucan was not a planet of necessity in the grander scheme of the galaxy. They did not provide a great energy source, nor were they a port of unending wealth. It was nowhere as grand as Coruscant, nor was it the home planet of any well-known war hero like Alderaan was.
Jelucan was, well, Jelucan. And it was insignificant enough to be ignored.
"While you're figuring that out, I'll be having a busy few days," Greer said. Her voice maintained the same low, neutral pitch that she always used, but the slight pinch on her face was a small tell of her overall irritation.
Ghwen absently swirled the milky liquid in her ceramic cup, glancing at her friend. The change in Greer drew concern, but it also piqued her interest. Throughout their friendship, the only thing that managed to get under Greer's skin was Empire-worship from some of the Centrist politicians. It wasn't rare for Greer to be irritated, but it was quite rare for her to let Ghwen know about it.
"Something wrong?" Ghwen asked.
Greer's nose wrinkled slightly. It reminded Ghwen of the time she introduced her to a bottle of Jelucan spice. According to Greer, it was almost nothing compared to what they drank in her homeworld of Pamarthe—Port in a Storm, if she recalled correctly—but it did leave an unpleasant aftertaste. She looked like she was forced to down something unpleasant.
"Princess Leia's son is visiting Hosnian Prime," she admitted. Greer drowned down the rest of her lukewarm drink in a large gulp, as if to wash down whatever bad taste was in her mouth.
Ghwen found herself slightly amused. "I'm guessing you're not a fan."
"He's a big baby," she said bluntly.
Ghwen smiled and said, "Don't let Senator Organa hear you say that."
"Oh, trust me, she knows. Ben and I have never gotten along, even when I used to work with his dad. I rarely saw him, and when I did, he was always glaring."
"Maybe he has a crush on you," Ghwen guessed.
"Definitely not."
Ghwen's smile softened in sympathy for her friend. "He's the son of two war heroes. How bad could he possibly be?"
"Pretty bad," Greer said dryly. "Why don't you see for yourself?"
Ghwen's eyebrow rose in silent question.
Greer sighed tiredly. She rested her elbow on the table and leaned her face against her palm. "To be honest, I didn't agree to go to lunch with you for no reason. I do want to catch up, but I actually wanted to ask you a favor."
"Uh oh. What is it?"
Even when she said this, Greer saw that there was a small, close-lipped smile present on Ghwen's lips. Her exhaustion seemed to alleviate slightly.
"I wanted to ask if you could accompany them—Princess Leia and Ben—to the senatorial complex, just until the memorial for Alderaan finishes. I need to go to the market out of Hosnian Prime to get some materials for the Mirrorbright."
Ghwen was struck by the thought of how awkward that encounter might be. She was introduced to Senator Organa only once by Senator Greath, and it had been so brief that she did not think that the princess would remember her. She was in danger of encountering the "have we met?" conversation with Leia Organa. Furthermore, Ghwen was also in danger of being entangled in a possible awkward situation with a boy that Greer described as an irritating baby. Ghwen had little experience with children.
Ghwen admired Leia, she really did, but sometimes she forgot that Leia Organa was a person beyond her list of titles and achievements. Ghwen, unlike Greer, did not personally work with Senator Organa, and did not have the privilege with knowing the war hero beyond the stories. She did not know if she was capable of separating the legend from reality, and that's what Ghwen was particularly afraid of.
"Uh, wouldn't you be better at that? I doubt they'd be comfortable with me."
Greer almost rolled her eyes. "You mean you wouldn't be comfortable with them. It's a formal event, you're not expected to make conversation. Anyways, I thought you'd be all over this. You begged me to be introduced to the Princess once."
"That was before I decided that you shouldn't meet your heroes."
"Trust me on this, Ghwen. Princess Leia is all that they say she is, and more."
There was a trace of warmth in Greer's voice.
But Ghwen was still rather uncertain. "I don't know, it still seems kind of intrusive… I'm guessing her son doesn't visit all that often. Don't you think they'd be more comfortable if they were left alone? Or, at least, with someone they know?"
"Princess Leia's going to a private meeting afterwards, and I'll probably lose my hair babysitting Ben," said Greer, ending her sentence with unhidden distaste.
Surely he would be old enough to look after himself, Ghwen thought absently. He couldn't possibly be that young, or he wouldn't have been able to attend the memorial ceremony with the galactic senate. Then again, he was Leia Organa's son. Ghwen doubted that they would refuse Senator Organa if bringing her son to the memorial of her destroyed planet was at her request.
"Couldn't you just take him back to Senator Organa's home after?"
"No, she wants me to take him around Hosnian Prime. She doesn't want him cooped up in the house, especially after it took her so long to convince him to visit."
Pursing her painted lips slightly, Ghwenn regarded her friend with a slight look of suspicion. "Are you just trying to get out of your babysitting job?"
"Yes," Greer unhesitatingly said. "I'll pay for lunch if you do this for me."
Ghwen pretended to think about it, which brought a look of impatience from Greer. She couldn't resist the chance to mess with Greer. In truth, she already decided take on her Pamarthen friend's request even before Ghwen knew the details. It wasn't often that Greer asked for her help, and Ghwen was always a little flattered whenever she went to her.
Breaking away from the faux look of thought, Ghwen gave Greer a reassuring smile. "Like you even have to ask." Flipping lazily through her personal holopad resting on the table, she scanned her schedule before saying, "I should be free that day."
Greer visibly relaxed. "Bless you," she sighed. Fishing out a hand-held communication pad from her vest pocket, she said, "I mean it though, thank you for this. I'll let Princess Leia know."
Ghwen hummed in response. She supposed she can use this as an opportunity to brush up on her skills on small-talk. She would not have lasted in the political field if she were not comfortable with conjuring up conversation out of thin air. If anything, she would finally get the chance to personally converse with Senator Organa.
After typing up a quick message to her boss, Greer put away the device back in her vest pocket and drew her attention once again to her friend.
Ghwen brought the drink to her lips and took a small sip. Behind the cup, she said humorously, "Don't forget, you're paying."
"Like you'd let me forget," Greer said with a small shake of her head. Leaning back against the plush seat of their booth, she said, "So, any other news?"
When the day of the memorial came, Ghwen arrived earlier than expected. Greer had arranged for her to meet Leia Organa and Ben Solo by the entrance pillars of the hanging gardens. Having finished fixing her attire faster than she thought she would, Ghwen found herself arriving earlier than she anticipated. She figured it would take a handful of minutes before the senator would arrive.
Which was fine, really. Ghwen would rather be extremely early than late. Still, she didn't know how to spend her spare time without feeling awkwardly misplaced. Although the hanging gardens was rather beautiful, Ghwen felt much too dressed up in this casual setting. She was, after all, dolled up for the memorial ceremony.
Not quite knowing what to do with herself, Ghwen wandered around the general area, admiring the scenery. She unconsciously wandered towards the source of a delicious smell, which led her towards a street food vendor.
"What's the special today?" Ghwen asked. Her eyes strayed to the vendor's pan, watching the balls of meat hiss against the heat. It smelled even more delicious up close.
"Burra fish today with a little bit of Dathomirian spicy sauce," the vendor replied.
"Ooh, that's a good one. Are you bringing back that Jelucan hand roll soon? I miss those."
"Maybe. I'll think about bringing it back if you buy one of these today," the vendor said, a humorous twinkle in his dark eyes. He's seen the woman enough times to know that she could never quite resist buying street food.
Ghwen crinkled her nose slightly, hesitating. "Oh, I don't know… I'm supposed to be heading to a ceremony soon. I don't want to show up full of sauce stains," she said, waving at her her fancy, light-blue dress.
"No Jelucan hand roll for you, then, kid," the vendor joked.
"Oh, wow, when you put it that way…" Ghwen threw back sarcastically. Rummaging for a few credits in her purse, she said, "I'll buy a plate off you, please and thank you."
The man's smile was toothy. "Sure thing, kid. You'll find that Jelucan roll back tomorrow, if you want it."
"Damn, I'll have to visit you twice this week. I'll be gaining some weight because of you, pal."
"Good thing, too, kid, you need to gain some pounds."
"Aw, c'mon, that's just rude. You talk to all your customers like that?" she threw back good-naturedly. Inwardly, she cringed a little. My weight is fine, thanks, she thought sulkily.
The old man threw her a wink. "Only to the ones who can take the truth. Here you go." He handed her a plate of the Dathomirian dish.
Ghwen flashed him a small smile of gratitude. The aroma from the dish really was enticing, as always. She could never resist the call of food.
She found herself wandering back towards the planned location of meeting. She took a moment to admire the scenery. It really was beautiful. Ghwen was never one to spend any of her time outdoors. The Jelucan climate was never that inviting—it was always sweltering hot, and the harsh winds always spat sand in her face. Though Hosnian Prime was much more, in her opinion, habitable than her desert planet, Ghwen could not shake off her childhood dislike of the outdoors.
She spotted a few X-Wing pilots in the distant sky. She expected a show tonight.
Ghwen took an absentminded bite from her skewered dish, forgetting that it was still fresh off the frying pan.
"Hot, hot," she said, blowing air quickly in and out in a weak attempt to cool the bite of Burra fish still in her mouth. Ghwen fanned herself with a free hand, willing the moisture in her eyes to go away, lest it ruined the colors that lined her lashes.
That had been Ben Solo's first sight of Ghwen Fasco—eating a hot ball of fried Burra fish, dressed in a formal gown that complimented her complexion. She was absently licking the sauce from her painted lips before it could drip to her chin. Her face was redder under the artificial blush of her cheeks and slightly pinched from the heat of the fried food. His first thought was that she was a mess—a dressed-up mess that stood out from the casual civilians of Hosnian Prime. But it was endearing.
He almost smiled in quiet amusement before he caught himself. He cleared his throat quietly in distraction.
His mother glanced at him in unhidden humor. Apparently, this was the woman who was to accompany them.
Ghwen, hearing a low cough, turned in alarm. The alarm was quick to turn to embarrassment.
There stood Senator Leia Organa, wearing a gown that was very traditional of Alderaan's royalty. Never on the senate floor had Ghwen seen Senator Organa look so much like a member of the Elder House than she did on this day. The white hood of her dress covered over the intricate buns that framed the Princess' face. She looked like a figure borne out of a lost age, which wasn't all that far from the truth. And so she stood before royalty, inelegantly chewing a mouthful of sloppy Dathomirian street food.
Ghwen regarded Senator Organa's companion with unhidden curiosity. She judged him to be a few years older than her. His long face, framed by a wavy length of jet-black hair, was light with quiet amusement, which reached his dark eyes and threatened to break the neutral line of his thin lips. Even so, she didn't think that humor was the expression that he wore on a daily basis. A scowl of indifference seemed to be the expression that was more fitting on his features. He didn't have to say anything for her to assume he was the silent, broody type.
She caught herself studying at his intense, dark eyes for a little longer than necessary. He had a certain quality about him that caught her eye. Some would call him grim and odd-looking, but others would call him handsome. Ghwen wasn't sure which category she would place him in yet. Odd-looking or handsome, Ghwen admitted that he held an attractive quality about him.
There was a small pause.
"Do you want one?" Ghwen joked awkwardly. Rather, she felt awkward. Outwardly, she was certain—hoping—that her time in politics paid off and that she remained composed.
"Would if I could. That smells delicious," Leia said, humored. Her easy attitude put Ghwen at ease. "How about you, Ben?"
The man in black shook his head no, bringing his hand up slightly for emphasis.
Ghwen was taken aback. That's Ben? Greer had made it sound like Senator Organa's son would be a young child, or an adolescent teenager at the latest—one with a bratty attitude. Definitely not this tall, grown man who, Ghwen was certain, was a handful of years older than her. And she had definitely just been checking out Princess Leia Organa's son. Ghwen almost cringed. Nice.
The woman made a note to bring it up to Greer. She embarrassedly thought that this would be a literal babysitting job.
Leia Organa studied Ghwen Fasco. She was the protégé of Hark Greath, training to take his place as Jelucan's representative after his retirement. They get younger and younger, Leia thought, if not sadly. Politics was not the place for the youthful, especially during such a trying time.
Encouraged by Senator Organa's easy humor, Ghwen said, "It's your loss, I think."
Eating the rest of the fish balls, she tossed the skewer and disposable plate in a nearby trash bin. She dabbed the edges of her painted lips with a napkin and tossed that away as well.
Composing herself and pretending like the inelegant display never happened, Ghwen brought herself up in a way that she did when addressing any member or ambassador of the New Republic council. Her usual, polite smile was, this time, laced with sincerity. She could not hide the fact that she was rather excited to meet Leia Organa.
"I'm Ghwen Fasco, representing Jelucan," she introduced, looking between Senator Organa and her son. "I work with Senator Hark Greath."
"We've been introduced before, Miss Fasco," said Leia, her dark eyes twinkling.
Ghwen's smile widened into a grin. "Just making sure you still remember me, Senator."
"I'm getting old, but not that old," she threw back in good humor. "This is my son Ben. It took me all that I've got, but he finally agreed to visit his mother."
Ben sent Leia an exasperated side-long glance, but otherwise remained silent.
Ghwen had to laugh lightly at that.
"It's good to meet you, Ben," said Ghwen, holding out her hand. Ben took his from around his mother's and slowly brought his hand too meet hers.
Clasping her small hand in his larger ones, Ben found himself reveling slightly in warmth of her palm. "It's good to meet you, Ghwen," he said quietly.
Ghwen felt herself shiver slightly. Ben's hand was freezing. It was almost unnatural, especially in the even temperature of Hosnian Prime. Their hands lingered for a little longer than necessary before Ghwen drew away.
"Shall we head to the Ambassador's Building?" said, gesturing to the gardens' exit.
"Lead the way," Leia said, already heading in that direction.
Throughout her life, Ghwen had always been told stories of the Empire's fall. Jelucan was an Outer Rim territory that suffered particularly from the neglect of Palpatine's rule. And there was hardly an old war story that didn't involve Princes Leia's name in one way.
Ghwen tried her hardest to separate the woman from the stories. She thought it would be harder than it actually was, but Leia Organa had an air that put her at ease. In turn, it became to do her job as an escort.
But Ghwen took particular care not to exclude Ben in her attempt at conversation. Of course, with his standoffish attitude, it proved particularly difficult to engage him to answer her with more than a few monosyllabic words.
"Greer mentioned that you're only visiting," said Ghwen. She was the one leading the conversation, and she feared that she was annoying Ben with all her chatter. Still, it did not deter her from speaking. "Is this your first time at Hosnian Prime?"
"No, it's not," Ben said. Their eyes met for a brief moment before he quickly looked away.
"Where do you live?"
"Nowhere, really," Ben said dispassionately. Noticing Ghwen's falling expression, he quickly added, "I spend most of my time in Chandrila, but I usually travel."
"I haven't stayed there for long, but I've visited. I'm from Jelucan."
"You said that already," Ben said.
"Oh, sorry."
Ghwen reddened, looking away. Internally, she berated herself. Stop flirting, you dolt, he's not interested, Ghwen told herself, feeling stupid. She really should stop talking. Or maybe limit her conversations with Senator Organa, who seemed more welcoming to any kind of small talk.
Realizing that he may have come off as dismissing, Ben became flustered as he quickly added, "That's not what I—" before falling silent. Instead, he said, "I've never been to Jelucan."
Ghwen smiled slightly as she watched him struggle for words. Perhaps Ghwen had misunderstood. She took his silence for indifference, but it seemed like he was just shy. Maybe. Perhaps she just hoped he wasn't as standoffish as he seemed.
"You're not missing much."
"Do you miss it?"
Ghwen looked up. "What?"
"Jelucan," said Ben, his dark eyes on her. "Do you miss it?"
"Sometimes," she said truthfully. She paused. "I miss the food," she said longingly.
Ghwen could spy a small, hidden smile from him when he gave a silent laugh. His response had been as if to say, Of course you do. This, in turn, caused Ghwen to grin with a small sense of success at coaxing a response from Ben.
"It's true," she insisted, touching his arm lightly. Wait, am I flirting? Don't flirt. Stop it.
"I don't doubt it," Ben said. His dark eyes shone with humor. Well, Gwen thought, he doesn't seem to mind.
"You should try it," Ghwen went on. "The old vendor's gonna be selling some of the spice rolls tomorrow. If you have a chance, you should stop by." Lowering her voice conspiratorially, she leaned closer to Ben and whispered, "It's almost as good as it was back home."
"Don't let them hear you say that," Ben said dryly, "They might spit in your food."
Leia walked a few steps ahead, their talk vaguely lost to her. Years prior to this day had been the destruction of Alderaan. And at the loss of her homeworld went the lives of her parents. They have been taken from her so easily. Leia's heart clenched with a dull ache of an old wound, even years later.
She had to remind herself that their deaths were not in vain.
As she watched her son smile lightly, at the young woman talk about nothing in particular, she knew the truth. This was what they had fought for. For the next generations' chance at living their lives, Leia Organa knew that Breha and Bail Organa would do it all over again.
I wish you could see him, Leia thought sadly, his eyes shifting from Ben, you would have loved him as much as you loved me.
...
Damn guys, I haven't written in a hella long time.
Ben is a shy boi. Ghwen is a flirt. Har.
Anyways, review or whatnot. Bye guys, hope your year starts off fresh af.