-Love-
He's up late again, going over the squadron rosters, when Jaina lets herself into his office. She watches him compare lists on two separate datapads, so engrossed in the task that he doesn't look up. He's undoubtedly noticed her, he's Kyp Durron and he's really difficult to sneak up on, but he's busy.
Jaina lets the door slide shut behind her, and just studies him. He's got the desk lamp on this time, illuminating the silver in his dark hair. It's pulled back, out of his way, leaving the lines of his face exposed.
She wonders, as she crosses to the desk, when it was she fell in love with him. Was it when she was nineteen, and his feelings for her terrified her so much she ran into Jag's arms? Was it after that? She doesn't know, can't pinpoint a moment. He's just always been there, always been her best friend.
Taking a seat in the chair opposite him, she drops her head to rest on her hands, folded on his desk. Even knowing him as well as she does, it's still a little surprising how serious and dedicated he is in his work. He's got a sharp mind behind those dark, green-brown eyes, though most discount it because of his outward attitude and reputation.
She loves him. She can admit it without hesitation now, quietly watching him work. He's been friend, antagonist, and teacher to her at different times, but now he's more than that. He's her partner, and someday, her lover.
The thought makes her smile.
"What?" he asks, finally looking at her.
"Just thinking. It's nothing. Remembering something. So. I know we should probably head two different squadrons, spread our expertise out, but . . . I'd prefer to be co-leads."
Kyp nods and makes a final notation. "I think Octa can lead the other squadron," he says. "She's experienced and has a good head on her shoulders."
"She flew with your Dozen, didn't she?"
"And abandoned it after Coruscant," he confirms. "Had some really harsh words for me, but that's in the past."
Jaina studies his face. "You two weren't ever . . .?"
Kyp snorts. "Me and Octa? Not in the slightest. I made it a policy not to get involved with my pilots. And I didn't date anyone seriously until Thelia. Plus, Octa was Miko's. She's never gotten over him."
"Hmm." She straightens, splays her hands on the smooth wooden surface of the desk. "I just had Jag, pretty much. Well. Zekk. But that was . . . I think he and I had a thing going when we were bug people, but my memories are kind of hazy."
He shakes his head. "I had the hardest time talking the Council into going after you guys, even though you were AWOL."
"You're the one that got us out?" she asks, surprised.
"You vanished," he says. "Of course I was worried. I wanted to go looking, but Luke wouldn't let me. Maybe he was afraid I'd start a war if I couldn't find you."
She smiles wryly. "He should have. You have a history of dragging me back when I stray too far."
"And I've been doing it since you were almost three, and we went skiing on Coruscant and you nearly wandered off a cliff," he reminds her, turning his attention to storing the datapads in his desk drawer. "Which some might find creepy, but I've never been your brother, or even your uncle."
"Yeah, being in love with a relation is all kinds of wrong."
Kyp closes his fingers in the drawer and swears. Then he looks up, expression hesitant.
"You heard me correctly," she assures him. "I wouldn't joke about that. I love you."
He smiles. "Not how I was expecting to hear it." Hoping to hear it is what goes unspoken.
"I know."
She stands, moving around the desk. As she does, she remembers all the times she used to sit in Jag's lap. But she can't let her ex taint everything, can't avoid everything she did with him because then she'd have nothing left. Better to make new memories.
Kyp draws her into his arms, into his lap, and she loops her arms around his neck. "I love you," he tells her softly. "Force, I've waited so long to say that."
"I'm sorry I made you wait," she whispers.
"I'd wait forever for you."
Jaina kisses his chin, then his mouth. "You shouldn't have had to. Why is it that I was able to kill my own twin, but I couldn't make myself admit that I love you?"
"Because you grew up learning how to walk into the fire for someone else, but you never learned to save yourself."
She arches both brows. "That's very profound, Master Durron."
"I do occasionally manage to justify my title," he says wryly.
"Mm. Occasionally." She shifts and rests her head on his shoulder, her face against his neck. "It's nice to say it. I love you."
"You can say it as often as you'd like. I certainly won't object."
Her commlink chirps. Jaina fishes it out. "Master Solo."
"Jaina?" It's Allana, and her niece sounds very young. "Can you come? I had a nightmare."
"I'll be right there, sweetheart." Jaina closes the call and puts the commlink away. "Duty calls. I'll be glad when my parents get back from wherever they've gone. I don't have enough experience with kids."
Kyp runs his hand down her arm. "Speaking of . . ."
She flushes. "That is a conversation that will need to wait."
His laugh, soft and deep, follows her out into the hallway.
