Facing the Dawn with Sleepless Eyes ...

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Han was sitting in the curved bench of the Millennium Falcon’s galley with a half full glass of a colorless liquid in his hand. It was a loose, but familiar grasp. Like he had held a glass like this a thousand times and he knew exactly how to wrap his fingers around it comfortably. Whatever he was drinking smelled kind of like what leaks out of a power coupler when it’s busted.

He happens to be drinking it slowly, at least.

His other hand is occupied stroking through over the hair of a young lady who decided that his thigh ought to be her pillow while she took a nap.

Most days on the YT-1300 were good. Better than they had any right to be.

A fact that he attributed much of to the very same lady in his company now, but the path they treaded earlier in the day had been as choppy as entering a planet’s atmosphere during a raging storm. He should have seen it coming. He did, after all, accept a job that was going to have them delivering vaporators to a collective of moisture farmers on Jakku.

Yeah. That Jakku. The very same desert planet that he had gotten the lonely girl off of. The one she spent so many years waiting on, barely scraping by sometimes, waiting for people who never did end up coming back for her. The planet she never hesitated to mention that she would be perfectly happy never to go back to.

She put on a brave face when he told her their destination. Tried to act like it didn’t bother her, but he was beginning to know Rey very well and she wasn’t quite the card player he was yet. He saw the worry in her eyes and the nervous fidgeting of her hands when she thought Han wasn’t paying attention.

Hardly ate anything all day.

Didn’t find the usual things to talk about.

The worst of it, however, was when she tried to smile for him. The occasional attempt to smooth things over and prove to him that everything was okay – but the smile was wrong. She wasn’t feeling it and it made for a lame comparison to one of her real smiles; which he was pretty sure could light up Umbara if given the chance.

Han felt terrible about everything, of course.

Didn’t even come to bed, which, Rey realized after an hour or two of trying to wait up for him. That was when she took it upon herself, blanket in hand, to wordlessly collapse on him in the main hold. It was the only way she could see herself getting any rest.

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[twelve_not_fourteen]

She doesn't seem as perfectly contented as maybe she did on those last few days on Kashyyyk, but she does seem more relieved now that they were heading away from Jakku. Far more so than she did when they were heading towards it.

Though he wants to see her smile be more like the way he remembers it in his mind, he's not all that worried about its present condition. It will be brilliant again. Sooner or later.

Han leans against her gently. It's his wordless reminder that he's here with her. That together they can (and should) hold each other up. "You are fine." He says with a little nod. "It would take more than a wasteland like that place to keep you down, sweetheart. You're made of something tougher than most."

[thesefirststeps]

Not yet. But given some time, she'd get there. Most of her worry is already starting to fade, and the tightness in her shoulders is slowly but surely loosening. By the time they reach Takodana, she should be well on the way to finding her way back to her usual self.

By the time they get some answers as to what's causing her nightmares and ... her other abilities, if they're positive, she should smile brightly again. Maybe.

For the moment, she's perfectly content to be close, to reach for his hand and tangle their fingers, to speak gently to each other without disturbing the relative quiet of the room. She's perfectly content to just be together. "I don't feel it right now", she admits, sighing softly. "But I'll get there."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Han's hand is rough in hers. So much so that if you held them with your eyes closed you'd swear you'd have to be with someone far older than the Captain actually is. Those calloused mitts are distinctly his, though. And his fingers don't hesitate to tangle with hers.

"Then I'll remind you till you stop needed me to."

A challenge he's up for and a thought he punctuates with a kiss. He's pretty sure a kiss is going to help.

[thesefirststeps]

Rey loves his hands - not only how large they are, nor how warm and strong, but also those calloused, that roughness. They're absolutely distinctly his, and they feel so good when they're holding hers, or touching her face, or trailing over parts if her body that he's explored more than a few times before.

They're rough, but he uses them with such gentleness for her.

She breathes out the softest chuckle, easily returning the kiss, something soft, and sweet, and somehow exactly what she needs. "Please don't stop."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Han flashes her a lopsided smile. Sure, they always look so easy when they touch his features. Those smiles of his ... but it's not the simplest thing to smile like you don't have a care in the world when deep down there are so many things that you worry about.

But it feels a little easier around Rey. She's got a way about making him feel better. Just by being around.

"What's that?" He murmurs, stroking his thumb over her cheek. "Don't stop kissing you or don't stop reminding you?"

[thesefirststeps]

She knows. Those worries might not be something that Han readily discusses with her, but she's more than aware that he's got them. You can't live this life without racking up a few, at least.

Rey feels better when Han's around, too. But especially when they're close and touching, and sharing the comfort of their hands, and kisses, and this simple, sweet intimacy.

"Both, ideally."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Han slips long fingers underneath her jaw and tilts her chin up so they can get a bit more of an intimate look shared between the two of them. He's studying her eyes at the moment. They're hazel, like his, but in a darker shade.

Are they tired? Wary? Holding any resentment from his choice of job?

If she has any of those feelings, he plans to drive them right away. With his time and his presence, but also his touches and affections. Since she doesn't seem to want to stop being kissed by her own admission, she can have another one. This one a little more assertive. His face pressed firmly against hers while he gives it.

[thesefirststeps]

It was always easy to acquiesce to that particular touch, to lift her chin to meet the kiss halfway, to share the gaze that he's looking for, and to take him in the same way he is her. Is he tired? Worried about her? Worried about what she might do to ship and crew alike if she has another nightmare?

Rey can't tell. All she can see is the same softness she's always seen when he looks at her like this. And that makes some of her worry disappear, too.

She's more than happy to be kissed, if the pleased little noise she makes is any indication. Her fingers, resting on his chest, pull at his shirt, urging him closer, showing how much she wants more. More of those kisses. More touches and affection. More reassurance that yes, everything is going to be just fine.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He'll stay in the kiss for a while - Because in it, he can retreat and let the whole galaxy and all the worries contained within it fall. It's nice to have a place to retreat to. They can't always afford to take as much time off as he wished they could.

Maybe someday.

Eventually, they'll need to breathe, though. That's important. And it's about that time that he'll back off and give them the space to do that. He leans his head lightly against hers. "Next stop is gonna be Takodana. You nervous about that?"

[thesefirststeps]

That works out perfectly for Rey, since she doesn't particularly wish to call an end to the kisses just quite yet. Breathing could wait for a little while, at least, all she wants is the comfort of his embrace, and the sweetly affectionate kisses - nothing too intense (yet), just the reiteration that she is not alone, that he is there, that everything was going to be okay.

Maybe someday things would calm down. Maybe. A girl can dream - and those were the dreams she'd much rather be having.

She hums softly when the kiss breaks, more than grateful that he stays close, keeps up the contact. "A little. But you'll be with me, so I know I'll be fine."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

"Mmmhmm." He murmurs, rubbing his cheek against hers. "You're pretty much stuck with me."

It occurs to Han now that he was in such a hurry to get them off of Jakku, he never even bothered to get himself properly dressed before they unloaded. That sure has heck wasn't going to help combat that reputation that he had of being scruffy and occasionally disheveled.

Oh well, it's worth it to get Rey to a happier state. It might not seem that way lately, but he does factor her into the decisions he makes.

[thesefirststeps]

He might not ever know just how good the thought of that sounds to Rey. But she certainly doesn't see it as a joke - if she was lucky enough to be 'stuck with' Han for a long, long time to come, she'll be happy.

Maybe happier than she ever thought she had any right to be.

By the time she'd noticed that he hadn't dressed fully, they were midway through the unloading process. Actually, seeing him half-dressed and mostly disheveled made her smile, which distracted her from less happy thoughts, which, ultimately, had to be a good thing.

They were bound to make some missteps from time to time - but they were learning. And that, she thinks, is most important.

"Good. You're pretty stuck with me, too."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Han turns his head to talk very softly by her ear. "We could go get cleaned up." It's not quite a whisper. More like a lazy and somewhat impish suggestion. He punctuates the thought with a kiss pressed against her cheek.

"Chewie has eyes on the controls and I'm pretty sure I ended up with sand in between my toes somehow."

[thesefirststeps]

Rey shivers gently, his breath wafting against her ear more than enough to raise a trail of goosebumps up and down the length of her spine. The suggestion is just less than innocent enough to raise a flush on her cheeks, and she nods softly in agreement.

Nothing could sound better, after all, and she remembers making an offer of showering together not long ago, after she'd been hurt in the accident with the crate.

What better way to celebrate a job well done?

"Well, then, Captain, I think you should lead the way."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Han pushes himself up to standing while at the same time grabbing her hand into his. It makes for a very abrupt pull of Rey out of the seat, but he figures that she'll give him a pass for the enthusiasm. Stealing away for a shower for two seems like an acceptable reason to him to get excited.

"If you insist." He says. You can hear the smile in the sound of his voice as he weaves her though the ship and back toward the quarters. The small shower awaits them there.

[thesefirststeps]

She doesn't much mind at all, if her amused giggles are any indication. And since he's grabbed her with his good hand, she doesn't hesitate to hold on tight as she hurries along down familiar corridors.

If this is a way of trying to keep her happy ... it's working.

"I definitely do", she breathes, amused and anticipating, all at once. "I seem to remember promising to clean you up thoroughly a little while back. I'm just glad we've found a reason to do so."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

It's his way of making them both feel better, after everything. There's not lingering frustration from either side, he thinks, but that's not to say that some time for just the two of them wouldn't help smooth things over and they do need to clean up before they get to Takodana so ... they're even being productive, right?

He's pretty sure that counts as being productive. It does for scoundrels, anyway.

When the get to the cabin, Han releases Rey long enough to get the water running so that it can heat up for a minute. Then he'll start shedding clothes until he's undressed.

[thesefirststeps]

It's been a rough few days, to say the least. And a shower is such a simple thing, but this one - oh, the reasoning behind the offer are more than meet the eye. Certainly, it'll be productive, and certainly, it'll save time (sort of) by showering together.

But most importantly, or so Rey hopes, it'll prove once and for all that despite the bumps leading here, she does believe that everything will be fine now. She loves Han. He loves her. That's really all she needs to know.

While she's quick to undress, she leaves her hair up. She's all too aware of how much he likes being the one to pull it down. And now, while the water warms, he's got his chance to do just that.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

Han smiles when he realizes that she saved the act of letting her hair down for him. She's absolutely right that it's something he's fond of doing. He'd never give her a hard time for wanting it out of her way while they're working, but it's very lovely when it's down.

He's gentle with his hands when he reaches for the elastics. Not rushing is the key. It's an insistent, but easy pull and his effort is rewarded with her hair tumbling loose. Waves kinked into it from the way that it was bounded up. He finds the long dark strands very fetching.

"Oh, sweetheart ..." He murmurs, letting his eyes walk over her naked body before meeting her gaze again. "Do you know how pretty you are?"

[thesefirststeps]

The tiniest tendril of desire uncurls in the pit of her belly once she catches sight of his smile. She realizes that even in such a simple act, they both find pleasure, and she hasn't taken the time recently to allow the both of them to indulge.

Why not now?

The first brush of hair to shoulders makes her shiver, the second she shakes out, and the last just sort of falls messily down her back. But the truth of the matter is that she's never felt more beautiful than right then, in that moment, as he slowly takes her in from head to foot and back again.

"Why don't you show me?"

[twelve_not_fourteen]

He loves that her hair is so long. There's something about seeing it down that strikes him in a special way. He likes her when her hair is up too, but, something about it seems more free. Considering how long his own hair is, should it be that much of a surprise that he likes to see hers loose? Probably not.

"I'd be glad to."

Han puts one arm beneath her back and one arm beneath her thighs and sweeps her up into his arms. He holds her close to his chest and walks her off into the bathroom. Not like it's far, but he so rarely gets a chance to spoil Rey or treat her like she's delicate. He carries her into the shower before putting her down.

[thesefirststeps]

She loves that he loves to play with her hair. It's the sort of simple pleasure that she'd never had before, but now that she does, doesn't see how she can go without it anymore. It's all the better if he allows her time and opportunity to play with his, as well, which she does love doing, too, in the quiet moments, when they're supposed to be resting.

"Wonderful - ", she starts, the rest of her answer lost in the moment that Han sweeps her feet out from under her, and for a moment, she feels weightless. Rey manages to laugh breathlessly, though, her arms automatically winding around his neck, even though she knows that he'd never drop her.

She could, she thinks, get used to being spoiled from time to time.

[twelve_not_fourteen]

No. He's never going to drop her. Not within a reasonable set of circumstances, anyway. If the ship suddenly slammed into something and went tilting off course ... well, that shouldn't be counted against him.

He's gonna be extra careful about setting her down onto her feet in the wet shower stall, though. It would be very easy to lose footing here. Although the walls are so close together, it's doubtful she'd stumble enough to really hit the ground. At any rate, he's careful with her. She's also got a sturdy Han Solo to lean up against if she feels like she's slipping.

He's always happy to act in support of her.

[thesefirststeps]

Well. She'd hardly be in much of a position to blame Han if something like that occurred. She wouldn't be likely to, either, as she knew as well as anybody that accidents did happen.

But nothing bad happens now, once her feet touch the floor, she's stable and steady enough to reach for his hand and draw him underneath the spray with her.

Rey can hardy see, though, with hair suddenly plastered to her cheeks. So, she might need a moment to wipe it all away from her eyes, but once she does, she focuses eyes and smile directly on Han.

"C'mon, Captain, the water is really quite nice."

[twelve_not_fourteen]

There's not all that much to see, with that long brown hair of hers falling damp in front of her eyes. Nothing but a shower stall made of a stainless metal alloy. The sound of the water falling out of the showerhead always makes odd noises because of the material; loud drops of water interspersed with little pings.

Even the naked Captain is something she's seen before. Felt before.

He's not going to keep her waiting for him, though. He wouldn't dream of it. That she still seems excited by the prospect of sneaking around with him and seeing him undressed is motivating. The way she looks into his eyes makes him want to be a better man.

"Just jumping in with you is gonna make it steamier." He says to her with a playful smile. "So how's this gonna work? We gonna get dirty while getting each other clean?"