PLEASE READ!
I'm back! I absolutely LOVED writing this. It's a great fluff chapter and a really sweet moment but also kind of reveals how Aeris isn't used to casual 'fights'.
Now this story is going to be much longer than A New Hope was. There will be an M chapter at the end which is why I have marked this as M and I will give a warning in the authors notes for any who wish to skip it. I hope you all enjoy this next installment to my 'Slave to the Force' series as much as I enjoyed writing it. Many surprises await!
My cover art I got commissioned by Astaroth! I paid for it but she did all the awesome work!
May the Force be with you!
Chapter 1- First Snow
Aeris had been through a lot after the destruction of the Death Star. The Generals had offered her the position of Commander along with Luke, but she had humbly declined. All she wanted was to remain an X-Wing fighter and remain at Luke's side. Luke, of course, was thrilled to hear this though he still wonders a bit at why she turned the Commander position down. However, he didn't argue with her when she'd asked to be part of his squadron, the Rogue Squadron. Aeris was dubbed Rogue 8 and kept the number she'd had during the Battle of the Death Star. She didn't want any special treatment and strived to prove herself. While Wedge was Luke's right hand man… Aeris became his left.
Soon, however, the Rebels located a planet on the Outer Rim. It was desolate, icy, contained hardly any life at all, and it was the perfect place to hide the new base. Han, Luke, Chewie and Aeris made a special trip there in the Falcon.
This was unlike anything Aeris had ever seen.
Snow covered the entire planet. She knew snow existed, she knew it was something that other planets experienced. However, she never thought she would get to be in it, touch it, experience it.
Lucky for them, the area they landed in was calm. The sun was shining and there were no snow storms or threatening freezing temperatures at the moment. Deep down, Han wanted it to be perfect for her. He knew she would enjoy this and be completely over the moon, and he was right.
"Come on hurry up!" She called to them as she was pulling her coat on.
"We're coming, we're coming!" Han assured as he, Chewie, and Luke all walked up to her. "Here, kiddo, you're going to need these," he held out a pair of insulated leather gloves to her.
"I want to touch it with my bare hands though!" Aeris argued in exasperation.
"And you can," Luke assured with a soft laugh in his voice, "but you're going to want those after a little while. Your hands will get numb and then you'll get frostbite."
"What's frostbite? That sounds bad," Aeris said, a little wide eyed.
"You're not gonna get frostbite. We're not gonna let that happen," Han said, shooting a look at Luke and nudging him a bit. He turned back to Aeris and shoved the gloves into her coat pocket. "You'll feel it when you need them, come on," he put his arm around her and began to usher her down the platform.
Aeris still looked a bit confused and glanced back at Luke. 'What's frostbite' she mouthed to him but Luke only shook his head. Chewie let out a howl as the cold wind hit them and Aeris tensed up.
"Whoa! That's so cold, damn!" She blurted.
"I told you it would be. Welcome to the planet Hoth, kiddo. Bet you're glad we got some extra layers now, huh?" Han walked down and took a couple steps out onto the snow. He took a moment to look around the bleak area that was dotted with rocks and mountains in the distance. Chewie followed him but Aeris stopped right before the snow.
She was drawn in on herself a little more from the blast of cold wind, but her clear blue eyes were wide and full of wonder as she stared out at the white expanse before them. She let out a long breath, then blinked in surprise when she saw the smoke come from her mouth.
"What was that?" She asked quickly, seeing it happen with each word she spoke.
"The air is so cold it's freezing your breath," Han answered from where he stood. "It's alright, it's not gonna hurt you."
"Look at this place… I've never seen snow either," Luke commented, his eyes roving around until they finally landed on Aeris. He smiled, seeing her so excited and her face so full of wonder. "You look like a kid, you're so excited."
"Well aren't you? I mean this is amazing! We both come from such hot planets but look at all of this. Snow in place of sand. One extreme to the other, it's something else!" Aeris said excitedly, her smile never letting up.
"Yeah, of course! It's bleak but it's beautiful," Luke agreed and shrugged. "I just prefer to watch you. I like seeing you get so excited. It just… Makes things better."
Aeris blinked and looked over at him. She felt a blush climb up her cheeks, but she laughed softly and shrugged.
"I can't help it."
"I wouldn't ever want you to try and help it," Luke put his arm around her and pulled her close in a half hug. "Come on, are you ready?"
"Hold on, I want to touch it first," Aeris said before she knelt down.
Han and Chewie exchanged a look, Han smirking knowingly all the while. "Take your time," he assured casually.
Aeris pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes and staring hard at the white powder. She reached out finally and dug her fingers into the snow, and her eyes widened and she laughed.
"Ah!" She squealed softly. "It's so cold! Oh wow. I was expecting it to feel like sand, but it doesn't! It's somehow… Softer?" She scooped some up and brought it close. "It's so pretty, I can feel it melting fast in my hand though… And I know what you mean, Han, my fingers are going numb!" But she giggled in excitement.
Han's smirk faded to a soft smile and he chuckled a bit. "You know they say that no two snowflakes are alike. Every one of them is different. Think about that and look out across this place."
"That's incredible, I can't even begin to imagine all the possibilities!" She looked up at Luke, who had been watching her the whole time. "Here, feel this!" She scooped up some more and stood up, taking his hand and putting the snow into his palm. He tensed and hissed in a quick breath.
"Wow, it is cold," he said with a breathy laugh, "but a lot different from sand, you're right." He squeezed it between his fingers and felt it begin to melt quickly against the warmth of his hand.
"Ok ok gloves first..." Aeris said as she wiped her hands off on her pants and pulled her gloves on. She was even more giddy now.
"Well, come on!" Han urged her, Chewie howling out encouragingly with him.
"Ok!" Aeris laughed and jumped forward, landing in the snow. Her boots sunk a little bit and the snow crunched underneath her weight. "This is so cool!" She kicked some of the snow out, sending powder flying into the air and raining back down. "I love this, I love snow!" She continued to stomp around and kick more powder out. She knelt down and began to scoop it up and throw it into the air to let it rain back down on her.
Chewie called out and ran over to her. He joined in her antics, scooping up snow and throwing it at her, and Aeris squealed.
"Chewie!" She grabbed up some handfuls and tried to throw it at him in return, but the Wookiee just stepped forward and scooped her up. "Ahh! Chewie!" Aeris yelled and laughed.
Luke walked over to stand beside Han and they both watched Aeris have the time of her life. "Still think coming here was a bad idea?" Luke asked with a soft smirk as he looked over at his friend.
"A little, but seeing this reaction definitely makes it worth it," Han said, glancing over at him.
"Absolutely…" Luke agreed, letting his eyes go back to Aeris who was knelt down and writing her name in the snow.
"Alright. Obligatory snowball fight. Right now," Han announced, clapping his gloved hands together. "Chewie, you're with me. Luke, you're with Aeris."
Aeris leapt to her feet, reckless excitement coursing through her again. "Yes! Ok! Snowball fight!" She pumped her fist and looked between the three of them. "I've never been in a snowball fight before. I don't really know what to do," she admitted with a nervous chuckle.
"What do you mean you don't know what to do?" Han teased her as he began to form a snowball in his hands, Chewie now at his side. Luke walked over to Aeris and pulled her to him, backing them up to get some distance between them.
"Just make a ball and throw it at Han," Luke told her, shooting her a wink.
"Hey, she can throw it at Chewie too!" Han protested, which made the Wookiee huff and lightly shove Han.
"No, no. I mean is there like a point system or is it to the death or…?" Aeris looked between them.
Luke was completely caught off guard by that question.
"Uh… Han?" he looked over at him.
"Yep. Yeah I heard her," he sighed and looked just as equally bewildered. Chewie said something and Han nodded. "Yeah I get it. I got it," he assured. "Aeris it's not like a… Like a fight fight. Not like what you were used to on Nar Shaddaa. This is just like a game. So yeah, a point system. We'll go with that. First one to ten hits wins. Chewie keep count."
"Oh! Sorry," Aeris rubbed the back of her neck and gave a nervous smile. "Yeah I just had no idea I was really confused. I mean obviously it wouldn't be to the death with you guys, I just meant like in general are snowball fights usually to the death," she rambled, swallowing thickly. She was a little worried she'd just ruined the whole moment and everyone's fun, but when she looked over at Luke she saw him smiling and shaking his head.
"Here, Aeris," he handed her a well formed snowball. "Relax," he placed his hand on her back then smirked, "and aim for Han."
"No hitting below the-" but Han was cut off as a snowball hit him right at the opening of his hood.
"Oh no…" Aeris put her gloved hands over her mouth. Luke snorted a laugh from the side. "Was that wrong?" She called out.
"That was perfect," Luke praised.
Han sighed as he brushed the snow off of himself. "Alright, you two want it like that huh? I was gonna go easy on Aeris but if you think you've-" he was cut off as another snowball hit him in the chest. This time, Luke threw it. Aeris couldn't hold her laughter back.
Chewie looked down at Han and snickered, mumbling to him.
"Those two don't count!" He argued back to the Wookiee.
"Yes they do!" Aeris shouted, giggling from where her and Luke huddled close together.
"Alright that's it!" Han took his snowball and threw it.
"Ah! Look out!" Aeris yelled, laughter still in her voice. Her and Luke split up and the snowball landed right between them. Chewie let out a battle cry and began to throw his own snowballs. "Take evasive action!" Aeris called out to Luke as they laughed and ran, trying to duck and weave away from the snowy projectiles. Aeris scooped up more snow and threw it at Han, only her aim was off entirely and it landed a hit on Chewie. He howled in protest and threw a huge snowball at her, which landed and covered her entire chest. "Shit shit cold! Cold!" She tried to brush it off of her but some of it had gone down her neck and melted behind her clothing.
"Come on Aeris! I need backup!" Luke called to her as he threw one at Han.
"I've got it! You know I've always got your back!" She made her way back over to Luke but not before landing a hit on Han again.
Snowballs were flying back and forth and Luke and Aeris were laughing. Chewie was howling in excitement and Han was even enjoying himself. But, fortune wasn't in his favor this time. Luke and Aeris ended up winning their little match.
"Yes! Got him!" Aeris cheered. Her and Luke highfived and put their arms around each other.
"Eh, beginner's luck," Han chided good naturedly.
"I seem to be having a lot of that. We both do," she looked over at Luke and he grinned and pulled her closer.
"Come on, Han, don't be such a sore loser!" Luke teased.
"Chewie and I just let you win because it was your first round," he smirked and shrugged. "You can thank me later." Chewie howled in agreement.
Aeris rolled her eyes but laughed. "You're full of it, Han Solo."
"Yeah and we're not exactly sure what 'it' is," Luke muttered to where only he and Aeris could hear. Aeris giggled and hid her face in his shoulder. Han gave a knowing look at the two, then shook his head.
"We're getting back on the ship to warm up. You two don't be too long out here," he told them before he motioned to Chewie. The two of them made their way back up into the ship. Aeris and Luke were alone now.
"So? Was it everything you hoped it was?" Luke asked, looking down at her, his arm still draped around her.
"Better. So much better," Aeris grinned up at him. They locked eyes for a moment and Aeris felt her cheeks reddening again. Luke noticed, but he laughed softly.
"Come on, let's get inside and get you warmed up," he leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently. Aeris shut her eyes and felt her skin tingle pleasantly and her stomach do an excited flip. He rubbed her shoulder and she stayed close to him as they headed back into the warmth of the Falcon.