Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Location: Coruscant – Imperial Palace Leia's Apartment
Leia's eyes snapped open as she heard an unfamiliar noise, a man gently snoring. She looked up at Din and smiled. He looked so peaceful and vulnerable. She felt his gentle breathing, the rise and fall of his muscular chest.
Prior to their courtship, she had only seen him vulnerable once before, but that memory still made her feel for him.
She glanced at the chrono on the nightstand, just after two in the morning. She placed her cheek back on his chest, closed her eyes, and drifted back to sleep.
The chrono blared at five in the morning, which rousted both Din and Leia from their blissful slumber.
Din rubbed his eyes with one hand and stifled a yawn, just to be pounced on by Leia who began to passionately kiss him.
"I'm awake", he said in between kisses.
"I know, we might as well start off the day right", she purred.
"I'll agree with that, but I get to be on top this time", he said as he flipped them over. Leia screeched in surprise and they both laughed.
He bent his head down and roughly kissed her. She moaned into the kiss and her hands explored his muscular back.
Din broke the kiss and kissed his way to hear earlobe and gently nibbled his way down to her neck.
"You really know how to turn a girl on", Leia breathed.
He just chuckled in response, pleased that he had this effect on her. He reached down with a hand to guide himself to her and felt how ready she was.
As he thrust forward, Leia arched her back and whimpered. He built up a steady pace that equaled her moans.
He bent down and whispered into her ear, "you feel so good."
She gasped at his boldness. "Show me", she said. Her timidness gone. Din immediately pumped himself in and out at a furious pace.
Leia was momentarily paralyzed at the sensation. She cried out loudly and wrapped her legs around his waist and dug her fingernails into his back, scratching him.
"Please don't stop", she begged.
Din's pace quickened and he let loose a throaty moan.
This time, they climaxed together, and it was Din's turn to collapse on her. Leia enjoyed his body as it pressed into hers.
He gathered his strength and pulled himself up and greedily kissed her lips.
"That was a good way to start the morning", he said.
Leia laughed and smiled up at him. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
She pulled him down for another kiss before the two got up to begin what was sure to be a good day.
Location: Coruscant – Imperial Palace Subterranean Operations Center
At the lowest levels of the palace was a massive military complex which held numerous armories, training ranges, offices, and briefing areas.
Din entered the intelligence command center with a spring in his step as he sipped a hot cup of coffee. He was lost in thought about the beautiful woman that he'd made love to twice in the span of less than twelve hours. Din felt incredibly lucky, he had no idea that his budding romance with Leia would take the turn it did so quickly.
"Good morning, Commander", Lieutenant Alysia said. "Here's the latest intelligence report. Looks like there's some significant activity on Christophsis."
Din took the report from her. "This can't be right", he said. "Christophsis is a loyal system." His mind shifted from Leia into all business. He quickly scanned the report with a frown. The implications of this were beyond troubling.
"I know, Commander, but the intelligence is solid. There appears to be a munitions outpost there that's been committing to resupply runs along the Triellus Trade Route", she said. Alysia could tell that the Commander's demeanor had shifted from pleasant to concerned. She briefly wondered what had put him into his original mood.
The Triellus Trade Route was a hyperspace lane that intersected the Corellian Run and ran along the Outer Rim.
"How long until you can get a target package put together, Lieutenant?" Din asked. He knew that they would need to move quickly if they were going to be able to hit the target.
"Operations is running the numbers now, Sir. There should be a package ready for Admiral Piett's signature by tomorrow evening", Alysia said.
"Have Dagger Squadron put on the roster. I know we just got back, but I want us on the assault team with whatever Stormtrooper battalion is available", Din said. "Also, see if we can get four Star Destroyers along with support frigates; something doesn't feel right. Pull them from the auxiliary command if needed."
"Yes, Sir", Alysia said as she typed in the request.
Din studied the report for a second time. Well, there goes our leave, he sourly thought. His lover wouldn't be happy that he was leaving again and neither was he.
He stepped to an empty conference room and keyed in Leia's frequency. Better to warn her now.
Location: Coruscant – Skywalker Residence
Leia arrived a half hour early to dinner as she wanted a chance to prepare to see Din before he arrived.
The apartment seemed empty, so she ducked her head down a hallway and noticed her mother standing outside Ben and Allie's room watching something.
She crept towards her mother who saw her and silently motioned Leia to join her.
Leia stood at the doorway to her younger siblings' room and saw Din on one knee in between the beds softly telling a bedtime story.
She watched as he described far away star systems to the wonder of Ben and Allie, who's eyes were getting very heavy.
After a while, she watched Din carefully tuck both in with his strong hands. Hands that she knew had taken lives but were also incredibly gentle when he wanted them to be.
He'd make such a good father, she thought as she smiled at the sight. She didn't notice her mother as she stared at her watching Din; further cementing that there was more to them than Padmé knew.
Din quietly stood up and saw both women as they looked at him. He walked out of the room and carefully shut the door and then the trio went back down the hallway to the foyer.
"That was sweet of you, Din. I know they both enjoyed it", Padmé said.
"Yes, Din. I'm sure that they were happy to see you", Leia said as she desperately wanted to give Din a kiss for his kindheartedness.
Din looked at Leia and said, "They're great kids, I was happy to do so."
The two gazed at one another, when Padmé said, "Leia, why don't you and Din go have a drink. Anakin is in his office working, so he may be late joining us."
Din and Leia both were relieved at Padmé's suggestion. They went into the parlor and Leia shut the door behind them. She turned around and was swiftly grabbed by Din who kissed her with a burning desire.
She placed her arms around his neck with an iron grip and thoroughly enjoyed the few precious minutes they had alone.
They finally broke the kiss and sat down on a sofa, holding one another's hands.
"I didn't know you'd be over so early", Leia said as she felt a wave of emotion after recalling their spirited love making the evening before and the prior morning.
"I wasn't going to, but your mother hailed me on the coms and asked if I could stop by an hour early to see the twins. I would've warned you, but I was pressed as it was working on the new target package", he said.
It was a bittersweet, she thought. He was doing something he loved, but it would mean that they would be apart for two or three days. She was worried about him but knew that he was doing what he loved. She couldn't come between him and what she knew he really was.
"I'm just happy to see you before you leave", Leia said as she snuggled up to him.
Din felt guilty. "I'm happy to see you too, Leia. I'm sorry to have to leave so soon. I'll make it up to you."
Leia shook her head and said, "No, Din. You have nothing to make up for. I just want you home safe when you're done doing whatever you have to do."
They shared a quick kiss, then upon hearing people outside of the parlor, Leia got up to fix them both a drink to avoid suspicion. Her hands shook as she poured the amber colored liquor into the glasses.
The door opened and Luke Skywalker came in holding the hand of a fiery looking redhead. Both clad in cadet uniforms.
Din got up and greeted Luke. "Come here Cadet Skywalker", he said as he gave the shorter man a back-slapping hug. "And who do we have here", he said as he looked at Luke's date.
"Din, this is Mara Jade. Mara, this is Commander Din Djarin", Luke said nervously but full of pride.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Commander. I've heard a lot about you", Mara said.
Din nodded in reply, uncertain as how far to break customs and courtesies with the Cadet.
"Leia, this is Mara. Mara, my sister, Leia", Luke said as he continued the introductions.
"It's good to meet you, we've been wondering when Luke would bring his mystery girlfriend over", Leia said with grace. She was curious as to how her twin brother had managed to snag the young woman.
"It's good meeting you as well", Mara said. It was obvious she was unaccustomed to being the center of attention and Din felt a little sorry for her. The Skywalker clan could be a tough crowd if you weren't used to them.
Leia handed Din a bourbon and the two awkwardly stood next to one another, unsure how to act having consummated their relationship the previous night but having to act as they were friends. It wasn't easy.
Anakin came in at this point. "Mara, it is good to finally meet you."
"Your highness", Mara said, intimidated by meeting Anakin.
"We have a rule here, Mara. No formalities. Anakin will suffice", he gently admonished.
"Thank you… Anakin", she said, obviously still uncomfortable with being so familiar with the family that led the Empire.
Leia poured drinks for everyone. She needed something to do to distract herself from Din.
This is going to be difficult, she thought as she looked at Din as he nursed his drink and idly listened to Luke and Mara discuss flight school to Anakin.
Padmé looked at her daughter with sympathy. If she was correct in assuming the relationship between Din and Leia had evolved into something more, keeping it a secret was like her and Anakin when they had to keep their own relationship a secret for so long. Her daughter must be feeling terribly nervous.
"Leia, would you help me with checking on dinner?", she asked.
Leia looked at her mother and silently thanked her with her expression. "Of course, mom", she said.
She shot a look to Din who momentarily held her gaze.
Leia ventured into the kitchen with her mother who pulled an interesting poultry out of the oven, checked the temperature, and basted it before she placed it back in the oven.
"So how do you feel about Din going back out so soon?" Padmé asked, wanting to gauge her daughter's response. She wanted her daughter to admit her feelings for Din to her, she needed to let Leia know that it was okay.
"Well, I never liked him going out on missions in the first place, so I guess it's the same", Leia said as she chose her words carefully.
"Yes, none of us do", Padmé agreed. "But you've always had certain feelings for him, so I wasn't sure how you were doing. Especially after what happened the prior week." Come on Leia, she thought. It's okay to tell me.
"The prior week?", Leia asked as she felt boxed into a corner. Her mother wasn't going to let her off the hook so easily, she thought. She wanted to admit her feelings for Din so badly.
"When you were patching him up in the hall fresher and I walked in, it looked like the two of you were getting a little… close", Padmé said.
"We were just talking, mother", Leia maintained, but her voice betrayed her.
"With Din, a few inches from your face", her mother continued. "It looked like the two of you were about to kiss."
"That's…", Leia began, unable to think of something credible. "That's because we were", she admitted. "We aren't ready to tell dad", she continued as her voice shook.
"Leia, I won't tell your father until the two of you are ready", Padmé replied as she took her eldest daughter in her arms.
Leia chocked on a sob. "I'm in love with him, mom. I have been ever since Ord Mantell." This was the first time she'd said it aloud.
"I know, baby. I've always known", Padmé said reassuringly. "Have you told him yet?"
Leia stepped back from her mother and grabbed a dish towel to dab her eyes so her makeup wouldn't run.
"No, not yet. We're only at the beginning of our relationship", Leia replied. "We've only been on a date once, so telling him now would be a mistake."
"Don't underestimate him, Leia. I saw the way he looked at you when he saw you tonight. He looked just how your father looked at me when we began our relationship", she said as she recalled Anakin's courtship with her on Naboo so long ago.
"I'll tell him when the time is right, mom. But not now, he needs to focus on the task at hand", Leia said. "I don't want his mind more clouded than it needs to be."
Padmé nodded. She understood her daughter's position. Din's job was dangerous, even more so than Anakin's during the Clone Wars. Anakin was always a powerful Force user, who had that distinct advantage over his adversaries. Din simply had his skills as a survivor and pure determination.
She remembered when Din brought over his contract for enlistment into the Stormtrooper Corps at the tender age of sixteen. He wasn't going to leave until Anakin signed the papers, no matter how much Anakin and her attempted to dissuade him.
Whenever they spoke to him over the hyperspace coms during the two years that led up to his grievous injury, he always seemed to be at home wherever he was. No matter how much she disliked his choice, she couldn't deny his happiness and was fairly confident that Leia felt the same.
"I'm more worried than I ever have been, especially now that he and I… have been with each other", Leia admitted.
Padmé understood the meaning and knew that no matter how much she wanted to, she wouldn't be able to give Leia any comfort. That wasn't her job anymore.
She gave her daughter another quick hug. "He needs you to be strong, so be brave, honey."
"Thanks, mom", Leia said as she dabbed her eyes again.
Now that the discussion was over, it was time for dinner. "Could you please go to the parlor and have everyone come to the family dining room?" Padmé asked.
"Of course, I'll be right back", Leia said, thankful that the conversation was over. She felt better admitting to her mother about the relationship, but as she thought about Din talking about him made her anxiety increase.
Leia announced dinner to the group which slowly made their way to the dining room. They all seemed a bit more relaxed after having been treated to copious amounts of liquor from her father's collection, but some tension remained.
Leia sat down at the table to the right of her mother and unfortunately Luke sat next to her, which forced Din to sit opposite of Leia.
Dinner was served and the group made small talk. Din stole a glance with Leia every chance he could, distracted by his desire to be with her rather than at dinner where he had to pretend that there was nothing different than the other occasions when he had been over.
He was in the middle of a glance when he heard Luke ask a question.
"Din, did you hear me?", Luke asked.
Din regained his composure and said, "sorry I was lost in thought. What did you say?"
"I was just wondering if you thought Mara and I should try out for an interceptor squadron during flight school." Luke said.
Din mulled the question over and took a sip of his wine "That's a pretty big challenge, Luke. There's a lot of power in those engines so there's a small margin for error. If you feel that your scores are high enough, I'd say go for it, but it could also be beneficial to get some solid time behind your average fleet Tie Fighter."
"Didn't you go right into an interceptor squadron?" Luke asked.
"I did, but after flight school, I spent little time in the fleet as a dedicated pilot. When your father hit the go ahead for the creation of the Special Forces, I had my hands full trying to figure out a training pipeline for us to go through for piloting in addition to ground combat", he said as he recalled the chaotic time in his career.
"You handled it well", Anakin said. "I was doubtful about the program, but you were as you've always been hell bent on putting yourself in dangerous situations."
This earned a subtle elbow to the ribs from Padmé, letting him know not to go there.
Din took a breath as he looked at Leia. "Sometimes I think there's more to life than living dangerously."
This earned him a smile from his girlfriend.
Mara felt emboldened by the relaxed atmosphere and alcohol. "What do you enjoy the most about the Special Forces, Commander?"
Din looked at her, "At ease, Mara. It's Din while we're not on duty."
Mara nodded her acknowledgement and waited for Din to answer.
"I'd say that the thing I enjoy the most is making a large-scale impact without having to worry about too much of the red tape that flag officers have to deal with", he said. "for example, the op I'm about to leave on, I requested half a squadron of Star Destroyers with support ships. A regular pilot or Stormtrooper would be laughed at then chewed out for making such a request, but Admiral Piett simply signed off on it."
Mara nodded, visibly impressed with the answer.
"That and there's very few people I actually take orders from, one of which is sitting over there", as he nodded over to Anakin.
"Yet, some of the time you don't even listen to me", Anakin joked, but it was partly true. When Din was set on an idea even he had difficulties dissuading him from it, even if he made it an order.
"I don't think many of us do", Leia said as she joined the banter.
Everyone at the table laughed at the response, the last bit of tension evaporated.
Din's com suddenly chirped. He looked at it and said, "Excuse me, I have to take this." He wa profoundly annoyed by the interruption.
He walked into the foyer and answered. "Djarin here."
"Din, it's Wedge. Sorry, I know you're busy, but the Admiral signed off on the target package early. He wants us to go ahead and dust off before the Confederacy catches wind of our operation.
Din silently cursed. He had hoped that he would get another night with Leia before he left. Navy life was unforgiving and all consuming.
"Copy that, Wedge. Go ahead and roust the squadron. We'll catch a shuttle up top as soon as everyone makes it to headquarters", Din replied.
"Yes, Sir", Wedge said as he signed off.
Din was all business now. He walked back into the dining room. "You'll all have to excuse me, but I've received orders to go ahead and leave this evening."
"Be careful, Din", Padmé said.
"I'll walk you out, Din", Leia said, surprised at the latest turn of events.
"Sounds good, Leia. The rest of you enjoy your evening and it was good to meet you, Mara", he politely said.
Leia walked him to the door. "Please be careful, Din", she said as she buried his face in his chest. She couldn't help but feel even more anxious for her lover.
Din kissed the top of her head. "You know I will. I'll be back in a few days at most." And when I get back, I'm not letting you out of my sight for days, he thought.
Leia lifted her head up and the two shared a gentle kiss before Din walked out and left.
Leia took a calming breath and headed back to the dining room. She had to maintain a brave face for the next few hours.