Chapter 12 - Surprise Gifts

Jyn could do nothing but gawp, wide-eyed at her dinner guest. She felt a drop of sweat beading at the nape of her neck. In a heartbeat, most of her confidence seemed to ebb away. She gazed at the older man, feeling a tingle in her core from the way he looked at her. She noticed his eyes roaming her body, looking up and down, taking in her womanly shape, a dirty smirk present on his lips. Her fingers slid down and began fidgeting with the pleats of her dress.

"Good evening, Jyn." Orson spoke carefully.

She remained silent.

"What's wrong with you, Jyn? Say hello!" Galen scolded playfully as he furrowed his brow.

Jyn cleared her throat... "Uh, hello... Director Krennic."

His smile melted her. His devious wicked grin creeping into view, "Jyn, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times... please, call me Orson."

"Orson." She repeated.

Lyra stood, rushing towards her daughter. "Happy birthday, darling!" she kissed the young girl on the cheek, "I'm sorry I had to work today," she took her daughter's face in her hands, "Eighteen!" She kissed her again, "Eighteen whole years since you pushed your way into this world! You look so beautiful, darling."

Jyn allowed a small smile to come to her, "Thank you, Mama."

Lyra held a long gaze at her only child as she stroked her cheek before saying, "Come, sit." The older woman guided the birthday girl to her place at the table. "Wasn't it kind of the Director to stop by today? Can you believe he's home from his mission already?!"

Jyn quickly feigned a smile, "Yes, lovely. Thank you, Dire... Uncle Orson... for joining us." She swallowed thickly, trying desperately to keep her expression neutral.

Krennic stood as Jyn approached. He pushed his open hand forward and Jyn regarded him before slowly responding. He took her delicate hand into his own, gently kissing it before releasing it.

"Pleasure, m'lady..." he purred. His demeanour was cool and calm. He basked in the deliciousness of making the young girl feel ill at ease, "and happy birthday, youngling."

The waft of Krennic's aftershave drifted into Jyn's nostrils, causing her skin to warm up, her insides to tingle, her throat to constrict. Her eyes darted around, displaying her discomfort. Jyn was sure the sound her heart beating against her chest was loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. She silently willed herself to calm down. But the close proximity to the Director had sent her into overdrive as her legs quivered.

She tried to steady herself, putting her hands on the table and using it for support as she slowly sat down.

"Oh come on, Orson," Galen cut in, "she's hardly a baby, practically a grown woman now. Although I suppose you may always see her as a youngling. Maker knows, sometimes I forget she isn't a kid anymore."

"A grown woman indeed." Krennic crooned, practically salivating at the sight of her.

There was an obvious blush on Jyn's cheeks. Or at least, it was stupidly obvious to Jyn as well as the Director... whether or not Galen and Lyra had noticed anything, she had no damned idea. All she could do was breathe, try to stay calm and hope that her parents wouldn't ask her too many questions.

Krennic remained mindful about where he placed his gaze, carefully watching the Ersos, virtually eye-fucking Jyn when her parents would glance away, even for a second. Jyn attempted to use all of her willpower to not let the older man's watchfulness irk her.

"Nice to have you back, old friend." Galen patted Krennic on the arm, "You'll need to fill us in on your mission," Jyn settled into her place at the dinner table, attempting to relax, or at least give off such an impression. She didn't want the older man to see just how he got to her, even though she was aware that he probably already knew.

"Must have been lonely being away on your own for so long. Not too lonely I hope, eh? I'll bet there was some kind of entertainment to keep you amused at least," Galen continued, elbowing his friend playfully and winking.

Krennic's eyes darted to Jyn before he smirked. Having her head bowed, she hadn't noticed his glance.

Lyra looked up, displeased. "Come on boys, do we really need this at the dinner table?"

"It's all in good fun dear," Galen began pouring a bottle of wine out for everyone, "Come on, Jyn's an adult now."

"She's still a child and doesn't need to hear your boy talk!"

Jyn's head snapped up, "Can we all just stop talking about me as if I weren't here?" She gave a wide false smile, "Shall we just get on with dinner?"

The atmosphere grew frosty, everyone staring about, unsure of where to look or what to say. Nobody wanted to tell Jyn she was out of line. It was her birthday after all. Lyra looked at Galen expectantly, but Galen simply let it slide. He gave the tiniest shake of his head to his wife, indicating he would not punish the girl for her actions.

Clearly, she wasn't a fan of family gatherings, and Galen reasoned that perhaps she felt uncomfortable with Orson there. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out why and he couldn't very well ask the man to leave. He made a mental note to discuss the matter with Jyn later.

In the meantime, he plastered on a smile and finished pouring the wine, Jyn's glass being the last to be filled. Galen sat down, lifting his glass, "Here's to Jyn," Krennic and Lyra mimicked the lifting of their glasses, "my beautiful daughter, on her eighteenth birthday!"

Jyn relaxed, listening to her father's admirable and heartfelt speech professing his pride and love for his daughter. Listening to his words, she gave a true smile to Galen. "No matter what, you could never let me down. I will love you always, my Stardust. Happy Birthday... To Jyn."

The ever-lingering pang of guilt In Jyn's stomach fluttered around her insides, causing her appetite to completely diminish. She blinked heavily, biting the inside of her cheek.

"To Jyn!" Orson and Lyra cheered. Everybody clinked glasses before taking a sip of wine. Jyn wasn't even going to pretend it was her first taste of alcohol. Her parents were well aware of her previous nights' outing and knew she had probably tried alcohol before. They knew she was a smart girl and had never had any trouble with her in that respect, so they didn't mention it.

After a polite but somewhat awkward meal, everyone chatted mindlessly, discussing Krennic's mission, Jyn's studies, her plans for the future as well as the men touching on the topic of work on the new superweapon.

In the midst of the chatter, Jyn noticed her mother raising her eyebrows towards her father. Galen seemed worlds away. Lyra cleared her throat loudly whilst dipping her head towards the back door of the house.

"Oh!" Galen exclaimed as he stood up in a flurry.

"What's going on?" Jyn inquired.

"How could I? My dear sweet Jyn, I almost forgot, your birthday present!"

"Papa, you didn't have to get me anything, I know credits are tight and..."

Galen grabbed Jyn's arm and pulled her forth, leading her to back door, "I've been working on it for months! It's your grand birthday surprise. Come on!"

A flash of confusion took over Jyn, "...what is?"

Galen raced ahead. Jyn followed her father, stopping at the doorway when she spotted a large object hidden by a brown fabric cover. She blinked a few times. "Papa?"

"Come here," Galen held his hand out, gesturing for Jyn to follow. She slowly stepped outside, not sure of what to expect. Her heart rate sped up as she watched her father bounce around like an excited child.

Jyn approached the mysterious object sitting outside of her home.

"Happy birthday, Stardust." Galen kissed Jyn on the cheek before standing back, "Go on!"

Orson and Lyra had followed the pair outside. A smile crept onto the birthday girl's face as she suddenly felt clued in to what her big surprise could be. She tucked her hair behind her ear before taking another step closer. She bit her bottom lip in anticipation before excitedly pulling the cover off.

"Aaahhhh, Daddy it's perfect!" Jyn squealed, a nervous energy coursing through her body.

Right before Jyn's eyes sat her very own speeder.

Jyn turned around to her father as tears pricked, "You shouldn't have... it's too much..."

Closing his arms around his only child, Galen kissed the top of Jyn's head "Nothing is too much for you. I scavenged most of the parts, dear girl, don't get me wrong. Yes, it's new but I built most of it."

Jyn pulled away, "You... you built this... for me?"

"Of course I did, sweetheart."

Jyn had been staring at her new speeder. She turned back to Galen. The guilt she felt regarding her feelings towards her father and her deep-seated need for rebellion ate at her. She tried not to think about the previous night, about how she'd fucked Galen's best friend, Director Krennic more than once, one: for her own sexual needs, but two: most likely as a "fuck you" towards her parents, particularly her father.

"Thank you, Papa." Jyn felt as though she didn't deserve her gift, yet her mind immediately began wandering about the adventures she could have. She suddenly had a new sense of freedom. No more using the EasyRide. NO KRIFFING WAY! It actually hit Jyn, she could go freely go over to the Director's place... whenever she wanted.

Wait! Whenever she wanted? Jyn shook her head. What was she thinking? After such a thoughtful gesture from her father and her feelings of guilt, how could she even think about wanting to see the Director again?

No, she would have to put an end to things. She simply couldn't go sneaking around behind Galen's back like that. She had no idea how she would tell the Director.


After the excitement of unveiling her very own speeder, Jyn along with everyone else headed back inside. Back at the dinner table, Jyn pushed her food around with her fork, her eyes focused on the plate's pattern. Every now and again, she would look up to find Krennic leering at her. She had no idea how he could be so calm, and look at her the way he was, in front of her parents! She had no idea how he managed to do it without them noticing a damn thing!

During a small gap in the conversation, Krennic cut in; " Oh Jyn..."

She looked up, terrified of whatever would tumble from his mouth. "Uh... y-yes, Uncle Orson?" She stammered.

"You haven't yet opened my birthday gift to you."

Jyn couldn't find it in herself to smile. Her heart fell into her stomach as she carefully studied the man who'd been inside her not twelve hours previously. She eyed his every movement as he reached under the table, pulling up a brightly wrapped gift box.

Flashes of last night's conversation quickly sprung to mind when she spotted the long rectangular shape of the gift.

"You don't have a dildo or a vibrator?" —Krennic's words echoed through her mind— "Maybe one day I shall buy you one. I know a place... amazing things they have, all presented in beautiful boxes."

Suddenly, Jyn's head spun, feeling dizzy as her heart pounded in her chest, her palms beginning to sweat. She looked up at Orson who almost sneered at her with a maniacal grin.

Her breathing became deeper, her cheeks flushing red. Surely not? Surely he wouldn't have... and to make her open it in front of her parents. No. This was far too risky even for the Director. How would he even explain this?

Jyn's hesitancy caused a stir, drawing her parents' attention to her. Galen and Lyra stared uncomfortably. They wondered what was wrong with their daughter, why she was being so rude to her birthday guest. Galen would have to have a serious talk with his daughter later.

"Jyn," Lyra spoke.

Jyn seemed to 'come to' having zoned out, simply staring at the brightly-wrapped box. She glanced at her mother, who gave her a serious nod in the direction of Director Krennic.

"Don't be rude, say thank you and open your gift." Lyra continued.

Jyn looked back at the Director, and down to where he delicately handled the gift. Jyn gazed at his hands. Those same older experienced hands which had brought her worlds of pleasure. He slowly pushed the gift towards her. "Happy birthday... a little something for your coming of age."

Jyn's body temperature rocketed, feeling as though she would faint at any given moment. She attempted to fan herself with her hands. This was it, she had no way out. She would have to simply deal with whatever humiliation lay ahead.

She wracked her brain desperately trying to think of something. Anything. What to say once she had opened a sex toy in front of her parents. She could act surprised. Shocked. Totally baffled. Completely innocent. That is... until Orson spilled the beans. Told her parents everything. How he'd fucked their daughter the night before, taken her innocence. How she'd actually enjoyed it. Wanted it. Begged for it.

Maybe that was his plan all along. To humiliate her on her birthday in front of her family. To bring dis-honour. To embarrass Jyn and bring Galen's world crashing down.

But why? Why would he do such a thing? He'd promised. And Galen was his friend. Jyn wanted to cry. She suddenly began questioning everything, regretting sleeping with the older man. Regretting going home with him. Falling for his charms.

Jyn's hands shook as she moved them to the box, trying to think of anything she could do delay the inevitable. Nothing came to her. She would face the music. She slowly put her hands on the box, taking it from the older man.

"Come on, love, just open it. We're all dying to see!" Lyra exclaimed excitedly.

Jyn squeezed her eyes shut as she began to peel off the paper, tears already forming in the corners of her eyes...