The odds of hitting your target go up when you aim at it.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

No matter how good you are at something, if you challenge yourself against enough people, you'll find someone who can best you. Even if you have all the talent in the galaxy, nobody is going to be successful one-hundred percent of the time. It's an unfortunate aspect of life that we fail.

You can label those thoughts as pessimism or realism if you like, but it doesn't change it's truth. And the good thing is that, in recognizing you can't be the best at everything all the time, you can come to realize that the whole rest of the human race is on that ship with you. What ends up making the difference is striving to be better and being well rounded in what you can do. There's no shortage of aspiration in Han. He's not the 'resting on his laurels' type.

Which brings us to the explanation of why he's been spending the last few nights in Nexus bars learning to play darts of all things. Boy meets girl. Boy likes girl. Boy mentions being interested in bar games. Girl says darts seem like fun. Boy spends all his spare time over the next few days learning how to play darts, naturally.

It could have been fun to learn how to play together and, no doubt, that's the route a lot of people would take. Not Han, though. It's so deeply ingrained into him that he needs to prove his worth, that he couldn't very well go into this occasion without some practice. Even though it's just for fun. Just an excuse to get closer to somebody. He has to be the best that he can be in the few short days he has to learn the skill. Besides, he rationalizes to himself, it will be good if someone knows the rules to the games before they try to play.

Thock. Thock. Thock.

The sound of the metal tipped darts pelting the sisal fibre board is the same every time. In some ways, the game likens itself to other kinds of marksmanship. A lot of the work is done in adopting a good stance each time and being consistent.

The hours melt away faster that he realizes.

Unlike playing cards, which requires observation and thinking to play well, he can mostly zone out here. For him, it's kind of relaxing. He's not a champion dart player after two days and he's pretty sure Barton would handily outclass him in a game, but he's gotten pretty good. He tends to hit in the wedge that he's aiming for more often than he misses.

Although they never specifically agreed upon a time or even a specific place to reunite, he trusts the May Queen to find him. The morning was clear and no doubt a goddess has a lot to accomplish in a day, so he waits until the sky begins to turn dark before he heads to an establishment called 'The Pitch and Roll'.

It starts to rain just before he gets there, but it's one of those warm refreshing ones that you tend not to mind getting caught in too much. For now. It looks to him like it's going to really start pouring soon. A good evening to spend inside somewhere. He's glad he brought a good jacket; it's light brown in color and leather. If it's still raining when it's time to walk to the Falcon, he'll be glad to have it. The rest of what he's put on in terms of his clothing is the standard for him - black pants with a yellow decoration along the side seam and a white long sleave shirt.

He doesn't see Frea when he arrives and so, he'll walk up to the bar and order an ale for himself while he waits.

Comments

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Neither of them are very warm at the moment. The jacket might have made her a little bit drier, but the truth is both of them are cold. He might not have been noticeably trembling because of it, but as she presses close, she'll probably feel him shivering as well.

"No, I don't think you need a reason to feed me cake if you really want to." Speaking of sweets, he's going to lean in for a little bit of a kiss. "The date I have was sometime in midsummer. It wasn't something that got celebrated when I was growing up."

She might not realize how closed off he tends to be, but he knows the way he usually acts. It probably says something about the way he feels about her that he's willing to offer these details.

[maydayqueen]

Feeling him shiver makes her want to hold him more. Arms wrapped around him and hands rubbing his back might help warm him up, one way or another. Her kisses are more readily available and sweeter than cake.

"You deserve to be celebrated." She knows only the him he is with her. What it says that he tells her these things he won't tell others is, alas, lost on her; she'd love him better for knowing because she'd know him better. "I want to celebrate you."

And not just in the sexy ways he might think she means right now. But that's a good place to start. "But first, I think we should get out of these wet things and warm up."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

She doesn't really need to be saying alien words to make him want to kiss her. Her lips always look inviting to him and the fact that she's been a willing recipient every time, makes him that much more inclined to lean in and offer one.

When it comes to being celebrated, he's not sure how he feels about that. He spent a lot of years trying to raise himself up against people trying to hold him down that his ideas of celebrating are different than a lot of peoples. They'd ... have to be.

"I'm gonna take a wild guess and figure that we missed yours. Was it the first day of spring?"

She's right about clothes. It gets him thinking about what all of that should entail and it allows him to linger in her arms for a few moments. He'll get moving in just a second. He's just a little puzzled on one thing that may or may not be all that important to her.

"What do you think about the ramp? Keeping it down is gonna let some light and fresh air in, but the cabin is on the other side of the ship."

[maydayqueen]

She's pretty sure she can get him to kiss her without saying anything--a little gesture or the right look can be so telling, after all--but that doesn't change the fact that it's a fun word. Or that she likes kissing him. Every kiss offered will be happily accepted.

Her idea of celebrating involves food, music, and cake. (Cake is required. Any party without cake is just a meeting.) What kinds of food and music, and where they're found, isn't something she has strict rules about. However unusual his idea of celebrating may be, she'd like to think they could make it work. He's worth the effort.

"Mm-hmm. You only missed it this year," she points out. "There'll be a first day of spring next year, too."

Holding and being held is good. They can enjoy the togetherness for as long as he can stand. It gives her a chance to consider how best to word her answer. "Can we leave it down? I find enclosed places uncomfortable after a while."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Music, food and cake, huh? That's a lot of 'to do' made about something he's never really celebrated before. To tell the truth, in the last few years he'd sort of stopped paying attention to the day entirely. (It's in the sixth month, right? Or was it the fifth? He has it on a data pad somewhere ...) Occasions Han celebrated were more in the spirit of significant one time events such as paying off a loan or making a particularly fast run in his ship. And usually the extent of it was drink till you didn't want to anymore and sleep for a long time the next day

"That's true." A ray of sunshine, this one. "I think I'm free for that."

There was something nice about the idea they might be close on an annual basis, though. A couple of months with someone before separate ways were went, that's how it seemed to exclusively go when Han was with somebody. Maybe they could make it a whole year. Or several. Wouldn't that be something ...

With that detail, the decision is made very easy. The ramp stays down. It's an easy thing to accommodate and between the two of them, anyone crazy enough to try to entrude is going to have their hands full with them. "Okay." He murmurs, pressing a kiss into her cheek before he starts to nudge her in the direction the next logical destination; the area where getting out of wet clothes makes the most amount of sense, the cabin. "Will you promise me you'll let me know if you start feeling bad?"

[maydayqueen]

He's worth a whole lot of 'to do'. He's worth all that and balloons. Confetti, too, if he's good. Or something different, if he'd prefer--a celebration should be something he'll enjoy. She could show up with a bottle of good whisky, something lacy, and no place to be in the morning.

A ray of sunshine she is indeed. Just look at how the idea he'll be there next year lights her up. "That'd be nice."

They both have parts of their lives the other can't really be involved in. It's sad, but it's something they have to accept. Being able to part when necessary and come together again when they can might be as close to a stable relationship as either of them can manage. It'd be quite a thing if they could pull it off.

She never doubted he'd accommodate her as much as possible, but she's still pleased when he does. The kiss on her cheek is sweet on sweet, like frosting. The best part. She's nudged but she's not sure where they're going. He can guide her. "I promise," she answers solemnly before giving him another grin. "Should I also tell you when I start feeling good?"

[twelve_not_fourteen]

The latter seems more like Han's idea of a celebration. On the other hand, he's not very well versed in what's supposed to go on at a birthday. The fact that it should be tailored to his tastes hasn't even occurred to him. What he's banking on is, if she sets up something - whatever it might be - and she spends a few hours making him smile the way she always seems to, it will end up being a good birthday.

Something about absence and heart fondness. There's an elegant way to put it, he's sure, he just doesn't know exactly how it goes. What he does know is you can't make someone miss you if you're never apart. That seems like sound logic to a galaxy crossing vagabond, anyway.

His nudge gets them both moving and it's fine if she doesn't feel comfortable leading, but there's no worry she might get lost. His ship ain't as big as it seems - though it can haul quite a bit of cargo if you pack it well. Widthwise, it's about the size of two x-wings sitting side by side. With everything laid out in a circle fashion, all you need to do is stick toward the center till you find what you're looking for.

"I feel like the two of us have felt good together enough that we've pretty well learned the signs of that."

The only area with bunks in it is the quarters, so it's not especially hard to find with no door closures on his light-freighter. As soon as they get to them, he's wiggling out of his wet shirt and hanging it up in the shower to dry off some.

[maydayqueen]

They haven't had any trouble celebrating so far, if his idea of celebrating is spending time letting her make him smile. That sounds like a party to her, too. Even without cake.

She misses him when they're apart already. Will their hearts grow fonder when separated by months and seasons and galaxies, or forgetful? If she were the kind to admit to the fear she'd have to admit she's afraid it's the latter. That he'll go home and live his life and she'll be nothing but a pleasant memory.

She doesn't want that, but she can't see a way of guaranteeing anything else.

It's unlikely she'll get lost in his ship, this is true, and she's glad of that. The layout is logical and efficient, both things she can appreciate. Maybe later he can give her a tour and explain what everything is.

"Mm, true." Her eyes trail down his body in search of his signs before she turns a mischievous smile on him again. "You wanna come over here and help me? I might not know how to take your jacket off right."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

((I just like putting these two together, okay? It's your fault for making her a good character and you being a good player.))

Han has always been the kind of man who is strongly attracted to women who aren't very much like him on the surface. Like a magnet, he seems drawn in by the very fact that she's so different. He might not know her well, but he knows enough to see that she cares about what she does. That she cares about others. She has her ideas about what's important and they don't seem to be the same as his.

It worries him how much he cares for her. The way he thinks about her when she's not around. These feelings are familiar. He's trying to just enjoy them, but on some level they're worrying. He feels like he's been on this road and wasn't all that fond of the way it turned out.

That's why the appreciative glance over his half naked and wet form is a very welcome distraction from the thoughts he's been thinking of. He's not telegraphing his lust as plainly as he might have been in other moments - wet and cold aren't a very good combination for some very vital parts of his - but he has no doubt she'll provide him suitable inspiration. And warmth.

"Hold that thought, sweetheart."

By now she's noticed where he 'lives' on the starship is a very small place. There is just barely enough room for the three double bunks he's pushed up against each wall and the small areas to wash up in. It's very spartan. She might appreciate the simplicity of it perhaps, but for someone whose domain is all of nature ... probably not the crampedness.

What Han is doing now is pulling all the mattresses off the metal frames and laying them out on the floor of the cabin side by side. More space than what they'd have trying to squeeze into one of the twin XL's this way. Also, there's now a big pile of blankets that he's collected from the community of mattresses he's laid out.

Let no one say Captain Solo isn't a man of ideas.

[maydayqueen]

[I know, it's terrible and you should never ever forgive me. :P]

Frea is a woman who cares deeply and can only hope Han enjoys being one of the things for which she cares. She's duty driven, yes, but not overly serious. She can have fun, and intends to do so any time the opportunity presents itself. Some of the things that are important to the both are very different, but they may find they have more in common than they realize. It'll take time and open minds and a willingness to talk about things, but they can learn.

He's not the only one who's a little scared of these new feelings. She knew, she thought she understood, how intensely she'd feel things. Nothing prepared her for this. It's scary, wanting to be with one person so much. (Not that the impulse to put down roots is so far outside her demesne.)

His half-naked self is a wonderful distraction from all kinds of things, but it does highlight the tight ache she's starting to feel. It's a surprisingly warming view, if the faint but rising color in her cheeks is any indication. "Mm-hmm." Waiting patiently is one of those things everyone, even goddesses, have to do sometimes. And it's not like watching him work ruins the view.

She's trying to think of the space as 'cozy'. It's simple, and yes, she generally approves of spartan arrangements. Small, but she can live with that. The tiny bunks... not her idea of a good time, or a place for one. The building of a blanket nest on the floor, though? That has her smiling. She thinks (possibly wrongly) that he remembers her fondness for them, and that's a very sweet thing. When he's done redecorating she wraps her arms around him from behind and kisses the back of his shoulder. "Thank you."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He wishes he could claim that he'd thought of making a 'nest' for her. He does try to keep in mind that she has an important and significant connection to nature - hence his offer to keep the ramp down - but the significance of his little improvisation was missed. He's just happy that she seems pleased with his arrangement and he'll make note to do it this way the next time too.

"Of course." He murmurs. "Anything for you."

Within reason, but the words were said with far more earnestly than he remembers using at any point before. For some reason, he trusts her more than others not to ask things of him he wouldn't be likely to grant.

Han turns around to her and offers her a bit of a mischievous smile. "Now." He says, with mock graveness adopted for his tone. "About this jacket." It's an invitation to disrobe her and there's really no good reason to rush through that at the moment. They've got an entire Millenium Falcon to themselves and plenty of time alone.

If the leather garment needs to be unzipped, he'll do that first, of course. If not, he'll go right into slowly easing it off her shoulders till it's hangs off her at the elbow height. Is she ready to be turned? Well, it doesn't really matter, because he's holding up her hand and turning her away from him. Easier for her to shrug the baggy jacket off and him to catch it this way.

And there's a nice view back there besides.

[maydayqueen]

He can take the credit, she'll never know unless he tells her. Whether it was accidental or on purpose, she's pleased with the outcome and is willing to praise him for it. Isn't that the important part?

"Anything?" She giggles softly, laying her cheek against his back for the moment before he turns to face her. It does feel good to hold him, just to be close to him. "I'll try not to abuse the offer."

Her hold is loose enough for him to turn easily. His smile is mirrored for a moment, before she tries to look as mock-serious as he sounds. "Yes. It's a good jacket. I'd hate to ruin it somehow."

She arches while he's unzipping the jacket, just a little; just enough to make it more likely his hand will brush against her in the ways and places she wants. The roll of her shoulders isn't just meant to help ease the jacket off, either. There might not be a need to rush, but there's no reason not to have a little fun flirting.

After the jacket's off she'll give him a chance to enjoy the view while she takes off her flower crown and sets it on one of the now empty bunks. If his eyes lift that far, he might notice how the rain freed several long strands of her hair which is curling up as it dries. It's soon joined by the rest when she pulls out the few pins and ribbon that was holding it back.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Yes. It is the important part. He'll happily collect the unconscious victories and cherish them as much as he would the conscious ones. Nor will he feel any guilt for doing so. Moreover, if it's up to him there will be lots of holding and closeness going on throughout the evening. Her holding him. Him holding her. So long as his got her near, he'll be feeling good. They haven't let each other down in that regard.

She's so sweet and playful most of the time, that he has to wonder if she even knows how radiant she is. Then there are the moments, like now, when she seems to know just the right way to move to draw his eye. The crown? He's got no clue where it went after she took it off, but they're of like mind when it comes to putting things aside because that's exactly the same place where he put his jacket.

His hands settle on her waist. For a few moments. Just for the sake of keeping them on her. She didn't ask for help removing her top, but there go his hands under the hem of her shirt. Helping. Being all helpful.

This song is so relevant rn https://youtu.be/QJO3ROT-A4E

[maydayqueen]

There's no good reason to feel guilty about enjoying success, and she wouldn't want him to. He's good and kind to her and welcome to cherish every part of their time together. Holding and being held is on her agenda, too. She hopes to never let him down.

There are things she knows and things she's aware of knowing. Sweet and playful is fun and fine in most situations. Sometimes, something more is more appropriate, and she'd never want him to think she's not appropriate. Except, of course, when it's most appropriate to be inappropriate. Mostly, the takeaway from this rambling is, she wants his attention and is willing to put in more effort to keep it.

When his hands rest at her waist, she takes is as an invitation to lean back against him. There's no faking the sheer pleasure in her expression when her head turns and her cheek presses against his skin. She is so wonderfully happy with him. His fingers working under the hem of her shirt is just a little tickly, and she bites her lip to contain the giggles. There's no argument; quite the opposite: she lifts her arms so he can pull the shirt up and off without resistance.

It's a tall order to get Han to happiness level: boyband.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

She is so clearly happy; from the crown of her head to the soles of her feet. Practically glowing, in fact. He wishes he could stop time long enough to figure out all the steps that it would take to continue to make her this contented. Then all he would have to do is follow them, right? There are a lot of things he'd be willing to do to continue to bask in her brightness.

"Better take off the skirt too. Just to be safe."

Safe. You know. From its dampness. Or something. He's hoping she's not going to challenge him on that line because he doesn't really have much in the way of a rationale. He's happy too and it's manifesting in the form of him saying whatever.

He doesn't immediately go for trying to push off her skirt. He's taken off enough clothes in his day to know that it might be cinched in some manner. And unless this is some sort of very intricate closure, it's reasonable to assume he can help it off.

Well, he's a tall man. ;)

[maydayqueen]

She is certainly happy from crown to soles, and her crown's all the way over there. That's a lot of happy. If they can find a way to make them both this happy on the regular, that would be a grand thing. Then again, they've already found some, haven't they? That's how they ended up in this delightful mess to begin with.

"To be safe, hmm?" She's teasing, but she's not stopping him. Her shirt is tossed onto the growing pile of discarded clothes and then her hands drop to cover his. Again, not stopping, just along for the ride. Her hair tumbles down over her shoulders, obscuring his view of her breasts until he can be bothered to do something about that.

Her clothes are simple; the skirt has a drawstring at the waist, a simple bow to be undone with a tug. While he's finding that, she'll kick off her shoes. Evil things. This makes her lean more firmly against him, heavily but not heavy. A good, solid pressure and a growing warmth.

"It's so sweet of you to worry about me catching cold." Another turn of her head lets her leave a kiss on his chest.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"Mmhmm." He says with a faint nod. In case it's not clear that he's doubling down on that absurd comment he'll further insist, "Safe."

Drawstrings are pretty great. Even Han, who acts disillusioned about nearly everything, would agree. They're straightforward. They're adjustable. Most importantly, they're easy to take off. A little tug and clothes will just fall away. He feels like whomever invented the drawstring had his back.

Repeated exposure might make it easier for him. It's not as if the view of her without clothes was unfamiliar, but he still ends up taking moments just to marvel at her. Wherever it was that she came from, whatever it was in the universe sculpted her ... much as he tried to think of her as the same as anyone else, his eyes seemed to always send him a conflicting message.

"Whats good for you is good for me, I think." He says after a few seconds. "Or is it the other way around? No, I got it, it's both of those things."

Never seems to take long. Through the cold and wet of his remaining clothes, depending on the way she leans against him, she might be able to tell he's feeling warmer now. Or even with the right glance. She could be a merciful goddess and help him out of the rest of his clothing. They seem unnecessarily restrictive right now.

[maydayqueen]

Aww, how is she supposed to not giggle when he's being silly? On the other hand, if the point was to make her giggle, then mission accomplished. The laughter is light and brief, like the bubbles in a champagne glass tickling the nose, and afterward she relaxes against him with a contented sigh.

Drawstrings are one of the finest of human inventions. Practical and not overly complicated. The inventor of such fine work deserves the highest of fives. When the skirt falls, she steps out of it and kicks it aside. He can take all the time he wants admiring her, she likes it when he looks at her. His is an admiring gaze she admires. While he's enjoying the view, she'll reach up to rub the back of her fingers against his stubble and jaw. The way she's rhythmically shifting her weight from foot to foot is purely coincidental and not at all meant to be a slow and subtle tease.

"Mm? Sauce for the goose? You're right." Frea can take the hint and accepts the invitation with a smile. It does mean she has to stop leaning against him so comfortably, but it's an acceptable cost. She turns to face him and meets his eyes with a steady gaze she refuses to break while her hands work, despite his having far more complicated things for her to deal with. "Getting you out of these wet things will let us keep each other warm better."

Doing so without looking means lots of touching, hands moving here and there in search of fastenings. He'll just have to learn to live with her doing this by touch. What's a little groping between friends?

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He could have taken the holster off. It would have been easier that way. There's an old adage that he has to believe is a common one throughout the multiverse; 'nothing worth doing is easy'. Han certainly finds Frea worth doing and he hopes she feels the same. All indications seem to point to it anyway.

She'd gone and made it harder by not trying to look while she's doing it.

There are two relatively small straps that keep the gun on the thigh wrapped around his right leg and then, the larger buckle that keeps the holster on his hips. The process to get it off pretty much necessitates the smaller straps to come off first, otherwise, it will all become a tangled mess around his leg.

So he can keep a pretty straight face when she takes off the bottom strap. That one is settled at his mid thigh. The other strap? That one is much higher on the thigh; in a place that no hand would have to wander very far off course to do some prime groping. He manages for a second or two to keep his composure and then he does something like a shiver that has nothing to do with cold. Then he sighs and ... huh, hard to tell because he's not moving a lot, but ... he might just be leaning into her hand.

"A lot better. I've always said that body heat is the best way to stay warm."

[maydayqueen]

He's worth the effort. Sure, there are easier ways to do this. But is it as much fun? This way, they get to enjoy every nuance of each other's expressions. He may be trying to be stoic in the face of temptation, but she's awful tempting. Some people might find her confused face endearing. Others might prefer to savor watching her lower lip disappear between her teeth when she's concentrating, only to see it reappear when she has her little victory, swollen and dark from the blood suddenly rushing back into place. Or maybe it's the way her eyebrow arches when she knows, knows, he's on the verge of losing control.

There are several prime groping opportunities she can foresee. Or would, if she were looking. His obvious pleasure convinces her to linger for a moment before getting back to work. She's looking pleased as punch while she makes sure the thigh straps are all undone. Of course, to get to his belt buckle... She cups her hand over him and gives the gentlest of squeezes, just enough pressure to be felt. "I think you're right. Looks like you're warming up already."

The big buckle is next, and then she presses up against him under the guise of needing to wrap her arms around him to remove the holster. It's so very delicate. Can't let it touch the floor. Once it's all in one hand she swings it experimentally to test how far between it and a bunk. She's not looking away. Not now. By the sound of things, it lands well enough, and nobody's been shot. Time to reward him for his patience with a kiss, which she stretches up on her tip-toes to give him.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Nobody's been shot is a pretty low bar to measure success by, but considering him and his need to carry a firearm almost everywhere he goes, perhaps it should be one he puts into practice more often. That she's tossed it doesn't seem to worry him at all. He's been far rougher with his blaster before. Nor is the safety disengaged.

That last grope kinda takes him by surprise. The rest of the touching could maybe have been seen as incidental, but that one was for the sake of being gratuitous. And he really enjoyed it too. If the narrowing of his eyes and the soft groan of pleasure wasn't enough of an indication, there's plenty of evidence that her palm got to press into. Definitely aroused for his queen.

His arms settle around her lower back so he can keep her close for a few moments. It's all well and good to get each other naked, but in the meantime, they've had to stop touching each other long enough to actually get that done. In that embrace, all his lean mass settles against her curves. All her soft skin, against the myriad of his scars. His lips against hers. All seems right in the world when it's the two of them left to their own devices.

[maydayqueen]

Hey, you know, she'll take her victories where she can. It shouldn't be much of a surprise when she's a little wary of weapons she doesn't know how to control. (A small part of her wonders when he's going to notice the knife sheathed on her own thigh, and if he's going to ask about it.)

Hearing him make sounds like that makes her knees a little weak. Good thing they've got a soft place to land. His obvious arousal is pleasing on a primal level. Everything about it pleases her, to be honest.

When his arms close around her she laces her fingers together behind his neck. Him against her is best in these situations. Her first kiss is soft and sweet; the next is deeper, lasting, promising. Everything is so perfect when they're together like this. When he needs a breath for air she turns her lip to his jaw, kissing along the line of it until he's caught his breath. And yeah, she knows she's really helping with that.

The next kiss comes with her pulling back slightly, just enough for her hands to slide down his body to his waist. The kiss ends with her moving further away, not back but down: she sinks to her knees and draws her hands down his legs. His boots need to come off before the rest. Again, she's not looking, her eyes never leaving his face.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

They have knives in his galaxy. In fact, for additional horror and cutting efficiency, most of the knives where he comes from vibrate. They're not really his style. You have to get in a lot closer than he'd ever want to be from his opponent to have to use them. Not that he can't mix it up if he needed to, but he knows what his strengths are; talking his way out of things. Definitely. But failing that, blasting things.

Anyway, he's seen sheathed knives. Carried them on his person occasionally, though he uses an ankle sheath for the job. So unless what she has on is somehow so ornate that he can't recognize it or disguised, it's likely that he knows what it is. She's just ... not the first girlfriend he would have had carrying a weapon. In fact, he's encouraged the ones who didn't to start.

The sight of it does make him wonder what it would be for, though. He pictures her as a peaceful goddess. Helping things grow. Talking to animals. Not to mention an amazon best friend and bodyguard frequently at her side. What in her work justifies the need to carry a hidden dagger? A question worth asking. Later.

Right now, he's looking down at her and helping her get off those boots. Which isn't all that hard to do. They're jackboots, like he'd wear as part of a uniform years ago. A lift of his leg, a gentle tug from her and off they'll come. Easy. The view of Frea down on her knees with promises in her eyes stimulates something very base and instinctual in his brain. Her pose is practical for the task at hand, but it's also very submissive looking.

He might be wary of dominance over another in general, but it's nice to feel that way sometimes. As long as it doesn't go too far ...

Particularly the last 4: http://bit.ly/2aYDGTd

[maydayqueen]

Vibrating knives? That seems almost overly designed. She's happy with her simple silver blade and who don't need to know not knowing about it. She'll answer his questions if he ever asks them; he deserves to know, even if it's not something she wants to volunteer.

She likes him seeing her as gentle and soft, a goddess who helps and is adorable. It's not ignorance, exactly, that she wants to keep him in; she'd just prefer he stay in that happy state where he knows enough to be content but not enough to be discontent. What he doesn't know, and all that.

'Easy' is a great way for boots to be. Whoever designed them definitely had the backs of soldiers and lovers everywhere. It makes this game easier, and there's a definite point after which it would be going on too long; she's trying to be mindful of that. The pose is submissive, but the expression is not. Her face suggests that this is all an amusing game and he's welcome to play along, so long as it stays fun.

Once his boots are off and tossed aside, she reaches up to claim the grand prize. Those pants he's wearing simply must go. They're not so foreign to her that she has too much trouble working without looking. It grows increasingly harder to focus on what she's doing, however; he's terribly distracting. The more of him that's revealed as she works the fabric down his legs, the more she wants to look.

I think he knows he's not the badass here. But he does like strong women ...

[twelve_not_fourteen]

It was a shame that pretty much everything else had to come off first before he could finally take off the wet pants, but alas, there is something of a sequence to undressing Captain Solo. It's good that she learned it, though. It something Han wanted the May Queen to be familiar with. That she can do it without looking is impressive.

Well, she can get through most of it without looking. She's apparently struggling now, huh? It get's a sly little smile out of him; the thought that she is tempted by him. By now she'll be reminded of the fact that he's a briefs guy. He kind of always was, but once the thigh holster became an important part of the wardrobe, so did keeping everything in the neighborhood of those straps in place. Right now, the briefs are looking not very well fitting. Like the poor garment is having trouble holding all of him in.

Which makes for an appealing visual, for her (probably) and even for him to a certain extent. It's not all that comfortable, though. He puts up with it. By her hands or his, he doesn't expect he'll have to deal with underwear too much longer. When the pants have pooled around his ankles, he takes two small steps out of them and then, pushes him away with his feet.