Ok, gotta super busy week, so the new chapter goes up a bit early!
Chapter 28: The Cave, Remember the CaveOnce inside the cave just behind the waterfall, Leia shook her head in awe. "I thought I was imagining it as beautiful as this yesterday, but if anything, my memory wasn't doing it justice."
"Yeah, this place is definitely a bonus."
Han was feeling encouraged. Once she was even more soothed from water, she would hopefully be more open to him. Plus it would give him more time to find his footing in this confusion.
He took off his jacket and sat down on a nearby rocky outcropping to yank off his boots. The air was a little crisp outside, but noticeably warmer in the cave due to the moisture from the waterfall and pool.
He tried not to make a spectacle of himself secretly watching the Princess disrobe next to him. He watched her lay out her robe to put on as soon as she got out. Always thinking ahead, he thought. His body tingled at the thought of her taking off her clothes for him in a different kind of private setting.
The tight stretchy magenta shorts she had on contoured the curves of her hips in a very distracting way. The matching thin-strapped top was obviously some sort of supportive underlayer of a more elaborate outfit, but it was doing wonders for his physical attraction just the way it was.
True to his word, he left his short-sleeved simple shirt on along with his shorts. Solo walked over and sat down on the edge, dangling his legs in the warm relatively calm pool of water. He knew at some point sooner rather than later he would have to tell her about the Impulse Social. On one hand, he was anxious about her attending and seeing him paired off with the eligible women. On the other hand, he wanted her there so he could dance with her.
In his ideal scenario, he would be able to cancel the whole thing before anyone ever arrived or him having to invite Leia to it. He would confess his love to Leia and somehow she would come around to acknowledging her feelings for him that he swore she had. Then could finally end this misery he was going through.
Soon enough, she sat down next to him still moving a bit carefully. She left a friendly length of space between them. He took that as a good sign. Oddly, he felt more covered up than she looked. Maybe he could push his luck just a little.
"See? The water is nice and warm. Just like I told ya." He swooshed his foot towards her and it was enough to kick up a few playful drops onto her torso.
The Princess reflexively held out her hands and turned her head from the splash. "Hey! Cut it out!" She protested trying to return the 'favor', but didn't have the current flexibility to do so.
"Just trying to warm you up a little while you get in. Meanwhile, I'm already too warm. I'm not used to wearing a shirt in the water."
Clearly understanding his allusion to their pre-arranged deal, she stared straight into his eyes for a long moment. Then in her full alto, she commanded, "Lose the shirt."
After all, fair was fair, she supposed. She had seen him without his shirt on several times in the past. She was wearing less than him comparatively and of her own choice. He had kept to his word and seemed willing to still comply, but she couldn't really see the harm in allowing him to be more comfortable. It was rather warm in the cave and undoubtedly warmer in the water. It had nothing to do with the way he looked without his shirt. Nothing whatsoever.
Leia contemplated the waterfall straight ahead and then the pool of water where her feet dangled instead of the muscular Corellian discarding his shirt. "How deep is it here?"
Han balled up his shirt and tossed it back onto the pile of his other clothes. "Obviously, it's much deeper over where it spills into the waterfall pool, but I'm pretty sure you should be able to stand on your toes and still have your head above the water anywhere in this area."
She nodded in acknowledgment, but it was clear she was still unsure about this whole idea. At the very least, she wasn't sure how treading water was going to ease her back pain.
Solo quickly sensed her trepidation. "Look, I know I can stand. If you think it's too deep you can hold onto my shoulders."
"I'm sure I could hang onto the side just as easily, Captain." She silently acknowledged she would rather hold onto his shoulders, but that wasn't going to happen.
"If that's what you want, Sweetheart, but it would probably stress your back even more." Han visibly blanched at what he just said.
Leia decided it was probably because he could tell she was about to scratch this venture entirely.
"You know, hold on… I think… " Solo dropped into the water and searched around the sides with his feet of the small natural pool with his feet while Leia stealthily focused on his bare shoulders. "Yup, I'm right. There's a natural ledge of smooth rock over here. It's nice and high." He swirled around in the water until his back was to the side of the pool. "You could probably sit here and just relax. How's that?"
He had a triumphant smile on his face as if he had just rescued her from an Imperial holding cell.
"I think you're a little too amazed with yourself, Hotshot." She lifted her hips up a little in an attempt to lower herself into the water, but while the spirit was willing, the back suddenly refused to move. The pain radiated on her face.
Han quickly glided over to stand facing her, concern flooding his features. Without a word, he placed his hands around her waist and gently lifted her from her sitting position and ease her into the water. Leia's hands naturally fell onto his shoulders and gripped them tightly for support.
Oh great, just what I was trying to avoid, she thought while trying to let the soothing warmth of the water ease her seized muscles as he held her in place. Once she was in, he still held onto her. She opened her eyes and they locked with his. Time stood still for a long moment and she felt him pull her closer. The slow movement flustered her and she broke eye contact and looked down at the lessening space between them.
Han stopped for a mere second and his voice had turned to a hoarse whisper, "I'll turn around. You hold onto my shoulders and I'll walk you over there."
"I can make it." Her argument sounded weak to her own ears.
"You might hurt yourself more. Just hang on." He stayed low in the water so that both of their heads were the only things not submerged. He reached back behind him. "Can you give me your legs?"
The Princess did as she was asked floating first one than the other up and around his front for his arms to hook onto. Then, with bent knees, he slowly ambled them both through the water across the pool. Once he got to their destination, he turned them around and Leia was able to feel for the 'seat' and slide back into it. As she leaned back and the water swirled ever so gently around them, she realized her back was already beginning to feel some positive effects.
"Thanks," she whispered, feeling awkward and myriad of other emotions all at once.
"Not the first time I've been your personal ferry service." He let his smile slide into that cocksure crooked grin she knew so well. For the umpteenth time she wondered how that smile could irritate her so much while simultaneously sending a flutter through her midsection.
While his smile broke her awkwardness, she wasn't sure what to say at this point. Truth be told, she didn't want to think for once. The water felt so good and relaxing that she just wanted to sit back, listen to the waterfall and enjoy it. She decided to do just that. Settling in a bit more comfortably, she closed her eyes. "This does feel good."
Han was left there watching her fall into deep relaxation. She had been in in lot of pain a moment ago and all he had wanted to do was make it go away for her. He knew the minerals and warm water were already doing their job and healing her stiff muscles. A good soak and she would be back to normal.
"Yeah." He found another ledge near hers to lean sit and lean back. It wasn't as big or as smooth as hers, but he did like that it was close to her. These days, just being near her made him happier. Hopefully, she would be feeling better than normal. Perhaps a more relaxed Princess was the Princess he could approach successfully and they could both open up to their feelings for each other.
