The Princess daintily finished her plate of Nochini and Nerf medallions while observing the Captain of the Millennium Falcon and his First Mate devour their second servings, respectively. The two soon began squabbling over who had rights to the remaining tidbits, to which Leia quipped with a smirk, "I'll be sure to prepare larger quantities the next time."
Swallowing a large mouthful of food and wiping a trace of gravy from his chin, Han piped up happily, "Which I can guarantee will be very soon, Sweetheart. It's safe to say we've unanimously assigned you KP duty." He shot Chewbacca a dirty look after the Wookiee's longer reach beat him to the last butter-roll.
Stretching languidly with a contented sigh Han patted his distended stomach, crossing his long legs at the ankles and crowed satisfactorily, "That was the best meal I've in a long time. You're just full of surprises, Princess." Chewbacca woofed in agreement while practically inhaling the much sought after flaky roll.
The Princess graced him with a quizzical grin while Han continued staring at her with a contented grin plastered on his face, still enjoying his current state of 'food-coma' happiness.
Shaking her head she challenged, "What can you compare this to, Hotshot? Alliance mess-hall food and K-rations aren't exactly what I'd consider legitimate competition. Anyone could prepare a meal more edible than the slop we've been eating for months."
"C'mon Your Highness," he exhorted, waving his hand over the table. "This was fantastic; you've got bragging rights, here – run with it." He finished the last of his wine, reaching and refilling his goblet.
Chewbacca couldn't resist goading Han.*What's the phrase, Cub? - the fastest way to a male's heart is through his stomach?" These two were apparently on good-terms again, all of the enamored glances they kept shooting at each other during the dinner confirming the Wookiee's suspicions.
Han's face lit up with a wicked smile. "Among other things." His roguish grin settled on the Princess.
By Chewbacca's guffaws and the way Han's eyes raked unabashedly over her, it wasn't a mystery to the Princess who the topic of conversation was about. A tiny rush of indignance began rising in her throat, but quickly dissipated under the now smitten appearance on Han's face.
It didn't take long for Chewbacca to excuse himself, grabbing the mess of dirty plates as he made his way back to the galley. Leia pushed away from the table, moving to assist the co-pilot, but Han gently halted her departure with an extended arm.
"Let Chewie clean up; he's gotta earn his 'keep' around here, too." He gave the Princess a playful wink while reaching for her hand to keep her from fleeing.
A faint retort was audible from the galley, *I'll remember that the next time you ask me to help clean the 'fresher.*
Shaking his head the smug Corellian whispered in Leia's ear. "He's full of idle threats," downing the last of his wine.
Leia grinned up at the Captain through a slightly fuzzy haze, imagining it was the combination of the enchanting Corellian music swirling in her ears, and one too - many glasses of wine that left her especially giddy. "Do the two of you bicker like this all the time?" She taunted as her lips curled up in amusement.
He shifted closer to the Princess, one hand reaching around her shoulder as the other filled Leia's glass again. "Nah… usually it's much worse.". Han's matter-of-fact response elicited a rare giggle from the young lady who thoroughly fascinated him .
Leia gazed at him with a playful glint in her eyes, smirking, "What are your intentions, Captain Solo? Are you trying to get me intoxicated so you can take advantage of me?" The thought of such a scenario causing an unfamiliar but pleasant flutter in her lower abdomen.
"Was it that obvious?" Han rumbled a low chuckle while feigning shock upon being discovered. He slid out of the booth, bringing Leia to her feet with a gentle tug.
Taking her hands in his, Han placed a soft kiss on her forehead with a simple request. "I was hoping for a dance." ... maybe two or three... He stared with poorly hidden anticipation of her hopefully positive answer.
The Princess was captivated by the Corellian's hazel eyes and gentle but insistent touch; the combination of these a formidable force to resist. Leia nodded, realizing if he had been an interrogator on the Death Star, she may have succumbed to this type of coercion.
She's so damn cute when she's flustered, Han mused while wrapping a solid arm around Leia's waist. He guided her hand to his shoulder and taking hold of the other he whispered with a lopsided grin, "This song is an old favorite of mine; help me remember the steps."
"I'll try my best; I haven't danced in a long time," the Princess managed to offer before Han initiated the movements of the ethic dance, slowly spinning her around in a large circle and leading her in a tango-like series of steps with his own body and encouraging instruction. The gypsy-like song swirled its haunting melody around the would-be lovers, spiraling them upwards in a sensual high under Han's guidance.
"That's right, mirror me…now twist to your left again….give me your other hand and I'll spin you…" Both of their excitement growing as the hypnotic song heightened in intensity and movement.
An uninhibited squeal of joy slipped from Leia's mouth, Han reacting with his own throaty whoop of elation as he twirled the Princess between intricate steps that brought her increasingly close to his frame, their arms and legs tangled together as he spun them around in a swelling crescendo.
A look of joy radiated from the Princess' young face as she squeezed him around his torso, giggling into his chest. As for Han, his heart raced, both from the high-spirited dance and the malleable young lady still remaining in his arms. Leia looked like the twenty year old girl she was – vivacious and full of life - not someone whose recent years had been a series of tragedies and heartaches, weighed down by heavy responsibilities.
The Princess regained some of the deeply ingrained sense of propriety taught from childhood as she pressed her palms over blushing cheeks, "I don't suppose I'm used to dancing," she admitted, looking down at her toes with an embarrassed smile.
Han grinned at her innocent reaction. Oh Sweetheart, there's so much more I'd like to do with you... to you, the Corellian dreamed. Yet his desire for the Princess was more than just sexually driven, and he began imagining the pleasures and fulfillment of a long life with her.
He mumbled into Leia's forehead as another song began its tempting melody. "I want another dance. One isn't nearly enough, Princess," his fingers gently guiding her chin up to meet his eager assertion for another provocative encounter.
Apprehension started creeping into Leia's conscience – she felt like a child running recklessly down a hill, fearing momentum would take over and she would lose all self-control. And yet, the Princess couldn't bring herself to pull away from Han's embrace, her mind and body seemingly at war with each other. He really is a very gentle man...
Han's steady hands glided with purpose down her arms, startling the Princess when he lowered to one knee in front of her. His long fingers boldly ghosted over the outside of Leia's flowery dress to skim her thighs and calves southward, tugging each sandal off her tiny feet, leaving her barefoot and bewildered by his actions.
Standing up, Han towered above her confounded expression with a hint of laughter sparkling in his eyes. Wrapping his hands around Leia's tiny waist, he lifted her with ease as he set her feet on the tops of his scuffed boots. "I'll take the lead, Sweetheart."
The Captain effortlessly danced the slow waltz with Leia perched upon the tops of his boots, his exaggerated steps moving them around the room playfully.
It was sweet and comforting and exciting to the Princess and she grew more and more comfortable in his secure arms. The typical tough and sometimes harsh bravado of Han was absent - in its place was a tendernessness that made her insides melt. Leia couldn't resist the urge to wrap slender arms around the tall Corellian's neck, pulling him closer. "I think I like it when you take control," she purred softly into his chest.
"Don't tempt me, Sweetheart." He growled with a growing smirk, lowering his mouth to nip at her earlobe. Han reveled at the sensation of Leia's curves pressing against him, and his hands seemed to move on their own accord across the thin material, spreading over Leia's petite back then moving southward to the top swell of her bottom. "I'm sure Dodonna and Mothma will be thrilled to discover I've been corrupting you with 'Old Clan' songs," he teased, placing soft kisses on her temple.
The name 'Old Clan' referring to a group of traditional Corellians and their descendants who were a tight-knit, notoriously unconventional and fiercely independent group, not particularly interested in forming any political alliances with outsiders.
"Considering it's you, I don't think much would surprise them," she managed to quip, running a finger over the intriguing scar on his chin, basking in the affection Han was showering on her.
Han's brain struggled to come up with a smart response. "When we get back to the rendezvous point, maybe we'll give 'em a demonstration of our new-found talents."
Leia's joyful smile faded and her body subconsciously stiffened. The reminder of the Alliance's power brokers and their twisted intentions for her interrupted their delightful sanctuary. She averted her eyes and clumsiy pulled out of Han's arms, but she immediately craved the warm and tenderness of his embrace...
There was something else now displayed on her features that caused Han's legs to stop in surprise. Disappointment?
"Leia?" Han's voice seemed to be caught in his throat while reaching to grasp the Princess' hand and draw her attention back to him.
She studied her bare feet while the words spilled out of her mouth, confessing, "They're planning an arranged marriage for me."