Chapter Thirty-Six:
Mara stretched languidly, not caring if she was still snuggled up to Luke. Her legs and arms were stiff from being held in one position for so long. She noted that the rain was still falling, and she took a deep breath to wake up.
"Morning beautiful."
Mara jumped in surprise, forgetting about Luke's injuries as she removed her hold on him. He sissed, wincing as her arms bumped the worst burn on his hip.
"Oh, Luke!" she struggled to be more careful, and leaned up and over to see his face. "I am so sorry!"
He smiled at her. "It's alright."
"How long have you been awake?" she demanded.
"A while, actually." He answered sheepishly.
"Why didn't you wake me up then?"
Luke reached up with one hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You needed the rest."
Mara had to admit he was right: she'd been exhausted. His touch sent warmth through her, and Mara leaned into his hand with eyes closed. When he pulled her close, she didn't resist; accepting his chaste kiss to the lips.
Mara pulled back and put a hand to the blanket covering him. "I need to check your injuries."
"Okay."
She lifted the sheet, inspecting his multiple bandages. Mara was careful when opening each one, and inspected them for signs that the burns were getting worse. It took a good several minutes to complete all but the one on his rear.
"One more," she said, looking to him. "Will it bother you for me to check this one too?"
Luke glanced at the indicated area and thinned his lips briefly. "I don't believe I can crane my neck that far back to see for myself." Was his dry response.
Mara snorted, checked the final bandage, and then covered him over again.
When she turned back, she carefully rolled him over to face up. Only then did Luke realize she was in his clothing. She noticed his scrutiny, and shifted almost self-consciously.
"I, uh, got a little wet while I was taking care of a few things earlier." Mara explained, indicating her clothes hung at the head of the shelter to air dry. "I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all." Luke assured her. "It's just…"
"You've never seen me in your clothes." Mara finished for him when he paused awkwardly.
"Yeah." He offered a timid smile. "I like the look on you."
Mara's face split into a smile. "So do I, Farmboy."
Mara heard both their stomachs' rumble and she snagged Luke's pack. She grabbed two pieces of fruit and handed one to Luke.
"Thank you." he took a grateful bite.
"Mmhmm." Mara hummed about her mouthful of blue fruit.
Luke gazed at her openly as they snacked, and when a trail of fruit juice trickled out of the corner of her mouth, he instinctively reached out with his thumb to wipe it away. She paused when his finger caressed her face, and their eyes met.
Luke swallowed, wondering briefly if he'd crossed a line he wasn't aware of. But when she leaned down toward him, his fear passed. She touched her lips to his, and Luke tasted her sweetness mingled with the savory liquid from her meal.
He reached up to run his fingers through her silken hair, feeling the smooth tresses run between his fingers invitingly. Mara broke the lingering kiss first, but didn't pull back very far.
He held her gaze without hesitation, immersing himself with her in the love that surrounded the pair of them. In fact, the sensation was so strong that he almost, almost chucked his plans to the wind and asked her right then and there.
But he wanted to do this right… for her.
And so he held his tongue, letting his gaze do the talking.
She smiled warmly and then pulled away to resume eating. Luke was done with his and so he lobbed it out of their shelter for some creature to finish off. Mara followed suit shortly after.
She shivered when a breeze blew a mist inside their temporary abode to spritz them. Luke lifted his blanket, and looked to her.
"I know this could be considered awkward, but you don't need to get sick too." He patted the bed roll beside him.
"It doesn't have to be like that." Mara said, turning to her backpack. She produced the same wrap that she'd covered his middle with before, and Luke put it on while she looked away politely.
Only then did they both feel comfortable lying down together again under the protection of the blanket.
Luke enveloped her in his arms, ignoring how the action pulled at his skin.
"I meant to ask you before," Mara said suddenly, tracing her fingers subconsciously along his side; an act that sent shivers through Luke. "But where did you get those scars on your shoulder blade?"
"The right side?" Luke asked.
Mara nodded, her hair tickling Luke's face a touch.
"Those were from the very first time I changed." Luke explained. "I thought I was going crazy, and when I began to transform I didn't understand the pain. I had my hands over my head, and I guess my claws raked at my back."
"Oh." Mara said simply. "They look painful."
"They were, but they don't hurt anymore."
"Well, that's just one less thing to worry over then." Mara shrugged.
Luke glanced outside at the forest which was slick with rainwater. Thunder sounded overhead, signaling that this storm probably had a while to go yet.
Luke finally had to acknowledge that the burns were starting to get to him and he turned his head toward Mara.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to slip into a healing trance." He told her.
"Go ahead." Mara said as she snuggled a little closed, shutting her eyes. "I could go for a bit more beauty sleep."
Luke kissed her head. "Mara, you could not get any more beautiful."
She sent him a mental caress, as well as kissing his chest from where she lay. "Thank you."
Luke smiled and then got down to business, steadying his breathing and slipping into the stream of the living Force.
00000
When he came-to it was dark, and he was exceedingly grateful that there was no full moon that evening. His body needed a break from the multiple transitions.
Luke could still smell the rain on the wet ground, but the sounds of the storm were gone. In place of the rain's song, was the crackle and snap of a campfire. The light played across the inside roof of the lean-to, creating a sort of dance with the shadows.
Mara was no longer beside him, but he wasn't complaining: she had already done more than enough for him. Luke lay still for a period of time while he tested each spot with his fingers, removing bandages to find perfectly healed skin underneath.
Next he maneuvered both legs, and then arms to get them loose again. Finally he attempted to sit up. He was still wearing only the loincloth, so he wrapped the blanket about himself and crawled slowly from the shelter.
A small fire blazed in the pit at the center of camp, but the love of his life was nowhere to be seen. He stretched out with the Force, and felt that she was alright, but busy.
Luke retracted the probe and settled close to the fire, the warmth calling to him welcomingly. He yawned, stretching more fully now that he was in the open. His blanket fell down, and to his surprise the night's chill didn't bother him as much as it normally would have.
Luke nevertheless pulled the sheet back over his shoulders and wrapped it comfortingly around him. He had a thought, checked the shelter for his sack, and drew it to him with the Force. He fished out his datapad and checked messages.
Luke,
I have what you requested for the proposal site, and I think Mara will really love the idea. Everything else is set and when you give me the word, I will send out secure messages to your chosen guests to attend.
And don't worry, I am keeping this hush-hush as you requested. You are my friend, and this is your big day. Don't hesitate to ask me for whatever you need, buddy.
See you soon,
~Lando
Luke felt Mara returning to camp so he closed down the datapad, throwing it back in the bag. He settled down beneath his quilt and soaked in the heat of the fire.
A wistful memory of hot Tatooine sands beneath him elicited a contented sigh from Luke.
"Hey there." Mara greeted as she stepped back into their little clearing. "I was wondering when you'd wake."
"How long was I out?" he asked.
"Well, it was about two hours to sundown when you went under, and it's nearly sunrise now, so pretty much all night." Mara replied. She sat behind Luke and hugged him from behind. "How are you feeling?"
"A lot better. My burns are gone, I'm just a little sore and stiff from lying down so long."
Mara nodded against is back. "I dried my clothes, so you can have you gear back."
"I appreciate that." Luke kissed her hands that were clasped about his chest. "What have you been doing all evening?" he went on curiously.
"Actually, I visited our little alcove, and gathered more fruit. I want to see if the tree would grow elsewhere." Mara replied.
She shifted to join him at his side, and leaned against his shoulder. Luke rested his head against hers.
"I think it's about time for us to leave Endor." Mara said after a moment. "Our welcome here has been just about worn out."
"I agree. I need a break from being the wolf; the transitions are very taxing." Luke replied. "I talked to Lando; he can meet us at Naboo where we can get supplies from him for our journey."
"Lando?" Mara queried with an odd look. "Why would we get supplies from him?"
"Why not?" Luke countered evenly. "Besides, it'll be nice to see him. It's been a long time."
"Alright, Naboo it is then." Mara acquiesced. "Maybe he would agree to take your X-wing back to Coruscant for you while we travel. His luxury cruiser uses Coruscant as its home port, after all."
"I think we could manage that." Luke nodded. "When do you want to begin the hike back to the ships?"
"Well, if you feel up to it, I'd like to leave sooner rather than later." Mara responded.
"Where did you say my clothing was?" Luke shifted to stand carefully.
"Over there." Mara pointed to a large rock, over which his shirt and pants were draped. "The rest of the clothes are still in the shelter."
"Thanks."
"Are you sure you can hike so soon?" Mara asked. "I don't want you to push yourself just because I'm getting antsy."
"I'm alright really, just stiff." Luke assured her. "My muscles will feel better after some walking."
"Okay." Mara began gathering their things. "I'll break camp while you dress."
"Deal."