Hey, so I'm back. I haven't really gotten better with writer's block but I will talk things a step at a time. I'll maybe write some more chapters to this, just not in a linear story line. It'll just be a mash up of ideas I had in store for this. Once again, sorry for discontinuing.

Threepio walks beside Princess Leia and Artoo as they stroll through the market. There are so many things to see, smell and touch. Threepio can feel air pass as they move along with the flow of traffic. The smell of the planet's flora and various cooking foods hit his nose all at once, making a very strange mixture. It's a challenge to keep from touching the beautifully crafted items for sale, especially the shiny ones. No wonder the Ewoks took to him so well.

Each movement is silent, Threepio has found. His joints don't slide together with metal joints and pressure valves. Both arms are now free to extend and turn however they so choose, within reason. His kneels carry his weight far better than his old joints did, giving him a slight bounce with each step. The long, yellow lekku coming down from his head brushes against things as he walks: his elbows, someone else's elbow, his own clothing, and Artoo's head. It's rather cumbersome all things considered.

The way others look at him is also strange. They respond to him differently, as if they can tell exactly how he feels at any given moment. Threepio still can't, for the life of him, figure out the hidden gestures and implied questions thrown his way, but Princess Leia handles those well enough for him. In fact, she does most things without his help now.

"Toke chu wara! See bo!" A Rodian calls out to them, holding up a very lovely necklace. He gestures it to Leia as they pass but Artoo is the one who stops them.

Threppio is surprised to find that...he doesn't understand what the stall-keeper is saying.

"That's nice!" Artoo looks at the display to the Rodian's side, his eyes wide as he looks over the other shining gems and golden bracelets.

Threepio crosses his arms. "Artoo, we haven't time for distractions! Master Luke specifically told us to-"

"Master?" The Rodian looks at Threepio now, his Basic coming out heavily accented. "You have a master?" He looks to Leia now.

"Why yes!" Threepio straightens, pleased to explain his relationship to his dearest friend. "Master Luke is my own-"

A hand slaps itself against Threepio's mouth. Leia quickly pulls him away. "Ah, master and apprentice! He's being trained to...blow glass. They make jars!"

The Rodian turns away from them as Leia pulls away from the stall and into a small clearing. The hand she so rudely placed over his mouth now falls away. "Alright, boys, I'm going to need you to stop calling us your masters. That could've gotten pretty bad if anyone else heard."

Threepio tilts his head, thoroughly confused. "But Princress, you are our masters! It's how I was programmed to refer to you!" He won't mention the fact that the same programming no longer exists. He'd rather not think of it himself, really.

"I get that," Leia huffs, "But you're organics until Luke can figure out how to turn you back! And with you being a Twi'lek," She gestures to Threepio, "It makes us look like slavers! Which, if you remember, is a big deal for people around here! The Empire didn't really treat them like living beings."

"I do recall-" Threepio is stopped once again.

"SH!" She glares at both of them. "You need to focus, alright? Things are going to be pretty different for a while. You make expressions and people can see that! People are going to think you're like them." She sighs, her anger seeming to dissipate quickly. "Thank the Force we aren't on Tatooine. You would've gotten us killed by now."

Of course, Artoo finds his chance to sass her. "We're no Jar Jar, alright? We know what we're doing." He gives Threepio a look that is definitely meant to offend. "Well, I do at least."

"How rude!"

"Jar Jar?" Leia exchanges a look with Artoo for a long moment before she shakes her head. "Whatever. Let's go. Maybe we can find Han and we'll trade off."

Once again, they walk along the market.

Threepio makes observations as they go, pointing out certain items of interest but he's quick to insist they shouldn't investigate. They have a mission and he has to keep that as his first priority. A mission to...How strange. His memory banks have never lost data like this before. Perhaps a quick diagnostic and-

Oh. He cannot make a diagnostic without a medical droid. Being organic is truly aggravating. How can anyone do it?

A whistle pulls Threepio's attention to Artoo, who's stopped to stare down a particularly new-looking R-series astromech model.

Something in Threepio's chest feels wrong suddenly.

"Damn! Those thrusters are nice!" The astromech stops, a row of startled binary coming from her green dome. This, Threepio, can understand. Sadly, considering the foul language she uses moments after. "Woah! Hey, I was just-"

"Leave my droid alone! She's not for sale!" A Bith man snarls at Artoo. His droid backs him up with more absurd imagery.

"No, no, I didn't mean it like that! I swear, I didn't!"

"Back off!" The Bith shoves Artoo back and walks off, binary curses continuing to float their way. Eventually, the noise of the crowd drowns it out.

Artoo dusts himself off as he straightens himself out. "What the hell..."

Threepio rolls his eyes. "It's the least of what you deserve for bothering her. Honestly, have you no manners?"

"I wasn't trying to catcall!"

"Yet, you did. Now come along before Mistress Leia has us shut off." Threepio can see her just down the road, looking at a shop for children's clothes.

A scoff shows that Artoo hasn't had enough of the conversation. "What's got your bolts twisted? Usually, you step in before things get physical."

Threepio glares ahead, not daring to give that menace the pleasure of eye contact. "Impossible. I have no bolts, remember?"

"Oh, I see what's happening. You're jealous, aren't you!"

If they just pick up the pace-

"You are! I know that face! You're trying to avoid it!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Artoo. What could I possibly have to be jealous about?" The weight in Threepio's chest grows until something truly nasty shows its head. "Those new models are designed to break down after only a year or two of labor. Completely impractical for long-term use. Any good master would know they're a waste of time in the end of things! All those silly gadgets and shiny parts are just for show! Hardly any of them work and even if those fancy thrusters do, in fact, work, they're sure to be replaced in a few years anyway! Why bother wasting your time and money on something so absolutely pointless!"

Another irritating scoff. "Better than your rusty ass-"

"I am not rusty!"

Artoo's eyes widen and his mouth falls open just slightly. His eyebrows pinch together as his lips turn downward. They've stopped walking and now stand in the midst of traffic, earning a few words of frustration from those around them. Threepio's eyes rip away from the other man. The weight in his chest remains, but static joins the hot oil, like a wire that's come loose. This is a feeling Threepio is familiar with, the same feeling that sparks whenever Master Solo slurps his drink or the princess burps at the table. Diverting traffic like this is completely against his protocol and he itches to fix it.

Without another word, Threepio walks back to Leia. He doesn't care if Artoo follows but he knows the astromech will. It comes as both a curse and a relief.

Leia doesn't acknowledge them as they return. Instead, she continues to 'ooh' and 'aah' at the toddler-sized outfits laid before her. One has a very bold "Mama's Boy" written across in bubble letters. It's...a choice, certainly.

It's not until the lot of them have rejoined at the Millenium Falcon, that Artoo speaks to him again.

Threepio sits in one of the empty cabin rooms, his body aching in areas he's never even felt before. His feet have blistered along the back of his heel and the bandages have only done so much to help. The weight in his chest is far more persistent than the irritation he usually feels and it's only made him more annoyed at his friends than usual. Han Solo especially.

"Beep beep." Artoo stands in the doorway, his body leaning against one side. An odd smile spreads across his face. It doesn't quite reach his eyes. "That was binary for 'hey', by the way."

He is earned no response.

With a sign, Artoo moves to sit beside him. Threepio pointedly ignores his presence as he goes back to treating his injuries. After some shifting, Artoo breaks the silence. "Look, I'm sorry about the whole thrusters thing. Didn't think it would get you mad."

"Perhaps you should've considered it an option before you went after another droid."

"I know, I know." Artoo concedes. "Leia already yelled at us for not being careful. And...you really aren't rusty. Your plating's held up really well for three decades."

The weight eases now, feeling less like hot oil in his chest cavity and more like...warm oil? Something far more comfortable, at least. "If I had known you were interested in others, I would've taken my chance with that nice protocol droid at the hanger." He tries for a teasing tone but Artoo's eyes narrow and he's leaving the room.

"Well, fine. See if I ever apologize again-"

"Artoo!" It's strange. Artoo has always been the faster between them, given his wheels. He typically runs off before anyone can think twice; but here, Threepio has managed to catch him with a single hand wrapped around his wrist.

With a gentle pull, Artoo sits beside him again. "Perhaps I was unfair to you as well," Threepio says. "You meant to harm and have made that clear to me. I apologize for being unreasonable."

"And for avoiding me?"

It takes some effort..."Yes, that too."

A rather lovely expression fills Artoo's face and it makes the static return but kinder. This isn't his program demanding he correct a behavior that is unfavorable. This feels like a jolt of something exciting. "Then we're even." Artoo looks at him smugly.

"For now." Threepio can't help but smile. It's odd. He's never smiled before -it's always been outside of his physical capacity- but he can't seem to stop it from happening now.

They stare. Threepio takes in the details of those dark eyes and how thick curls frame Artoo's organic face quite well. He seems soft and the details of his skin shine as he leans closer. The organ thudding against Threepio's wires- ribs quickens pace when Artoo's leg brushes his and a hand reaches up to hold the back of his neck, fingertips just brushing his lekku-

Elecricity shoots up Threepio's spine at the contact and he lets out a loud gasp. Artoo jolts back. "What?! What's wrong?!"

It takes a moment for Threepio to process what happened to him. Then, he gapes at his friend. "You shocked me!"

Artoo blinks. "What? No, I didn't!" He holds his very organic hands-on display.

"You did! I felt it when you touched my lekku!" Threepio holds said lekku defensively.

"How can I shock you?!"

"You tell me! You're the one who shocked me!"

"I did not!"

"You did so! I felt it-"

Unknown to the pair, Chewbacca has waited outside the door for them to end their conversation so he can finally get some sleep in his own cabin. Unfortunately, it looks like he'll end up on the main hangar couch.

With a low growl, Chewbacca stalks away. He hopes they sort themselves out and soon. He's not planning on giving up his bed every night, especially not if they won't even enjoy it.

I actually had so much fun writing this. I may do more chapters sooner than later.