Funny story: I actually got a concussion between the last chapter and this one. So apologies for any grammatical errors.
Happy New Year, and stay tuned!
Leia sighed. "Han," she began, "he's . . ." She broke off with a choked sound.
Luke finished her sentence, "He's been captured. But we'll get him back soon." I hope.
The princess nodded. "Han and I, we . . . we were on the Falcon for months, trying to get to Bespin." Luke nodded; he'd heard that part of the story from Threepio, repeatedly. Leia continued, "It was just us and Chewbacca, all alone. We didn't know how many of our friends had survived the evacuation. I thought you were dead for sure. For all I could tell, we were the last three rebels in the galaxy." Luke thought, she must have felt like the loneliest person alive.
Leia continued, "We shut down everything except life support and emergency systems, to save power. Eventually Han decided to seal off parts of the ship we weren't using, so we didn't waste heat keeping them livable. The captain's cabin was one of the rooms he decided to shut down."
Ever the diplomat, Leia gave Luke a minute to process that statement. He mentally ran over the layout of the ship before asking, "So, where did you all sleep?"
Leia said, "Well, Chewy kept his cabin, because it's all set up for ideal Wookiee conditions. Han and I slept in the crew cabin."
"Together?" Luke asked, carefully keeping his tone even.
Leia answered, "Eventually."
Oh, Luke thought, that explains a lot. He looked over at Leia's desk and nervously toyed with the handle of his empty mug.
Leia watched him for a few seconds before saying, "You don't seem as surprised as I expected."
A nervous laugh bubbled up in Luke's chest. "How surprised should I be? I knew something happened between you two."
"Who told you?"
"Chewy," Luke said, "Threepio translated." Seeing Leia blush slightly, he quickly added, "Nothing about the two of you sleeping in the same bunk, though. Just that he kissed you, before they . . . took him. I wasn't quite sure whether you wanted me to know." Or, for that matter, what it meant. I know better than to make an intergalactic incident over two adults kissing. Kriff, you've kissed me at least three times.
Leia was still blushing. "I wasn't sure I wanted you to know either," she admitted.
"So why'd you tell me now?" Luke asked.
Leia's face flushed even more. "Because I have a favor to ask," she said, "A favor to ask of the man who just told me he'd do anything for me."
Luke sat up a little straighter. "You have my attention. What do you need?"
Leia closed her eyes. "After all those weeks of not sleeping alone, I got very used to the sound of someone else breathing. Now, whenever I try to go to sleep, I just start crying all over again because I realize he's not here. All I think can think about is them dragging him away. When I do fall asleep, I dream terrible things."
I knew that much. But how can I help you? Luke wondered.
Leia opened her eyes again. "I know you didn't come into my bedroom at this hour because your hand hurts. You're here to check on me, right? Because you can tell I haven't been sleeping?"
It was Luke's turn to be slightly embarrassed. "Yes," he said.
Leia nodded. "Well, I think it might help me sleep if . . . maybe . . . could you . . . stay? Sleep in here?"
All Luke could think of to say was, "With you?" Like an idiot.