candor1 | Open RP Post

I am loyal to our cause. He wondered if he was really picking up on the hidden grimace behind her words, or was imagining it because… he wanted it there.

Not now. Leave it. Leave it.

Cassian shifted his arm to rest around her shoulders, where he could turn them toward each other and he could say more quietly still, satisfied nobody but her could hear, "That I answer to the Admiral, not to him. And I might consider doing as he asked, but I won't be threatened.

"Incidentally: I've considered it and decided to reject it."

Jyn worried that she hadn't tempered her expression, her voice, the tone of it well enough to obscure her true feelings. But he didn't bring attention to it, so although she didn't relax, per se, she at least didn't feel as though he was doubting her.

Or her loyalty.

"I told you not to challenge him", Jyn whispered, sighing as she gently rested her forehead to his. "Now he might turn his suspicion toward you as well, and I - I don't want that."

Jyn closed her eyes momentarily, the little worry knot between her eyebrows deepening.

"Why did you tell him no?"

The faintest shiver went through him when she rested their faces together. Outwardly, he kept calm.

"I remembered," he said softly. "I didn't tell him no. I told him I'd think about it. I'm telling you." He lifted his hand to her face to brush her furrowed brow with his thumb. "I just reminded him, when he tried to threaten me, that Admiral Grendreef outranks him, and will be more inclined to believe me than him. Which, incidentally, is true. I don't like threats, and everyone should remember their place."

Only the last bit may have been more Sward than Andor.

Jyn exhaled slowly, but the tension was still palpable, even though all she wanted was to project an aura of calm, just in case anyone was watching. At least they couldn't hear. At least they had a modicum of privacy.

"Oh, I'm sure he didn't like that", she said, her eyes slowly fluttering open. "I just don't want you to get into any trouble on my behalf. I can court it well enough on my own."

She shared a smile, small and fleeting, but genuine. "Thank you."

He felt suffused by her smile, however small, and returned it. "Neither of us have done anything but what was expected of us. If your uncle or anyone else doesn't like it… they should have thought of that before putting us together. Picked someone who didn't consider 'marriage' to be a team thing."

"I don't think he would have been happy unless I married him, and even then, I know I would never be perfect", she murmured, unable to keep a small shake out of her voice. "I know this is ridiculous to say - I know that we barely know each other, but ... I'm glad that it's you."

His arm tightened a little around her.

Will you feel that way when—
It's okay, she'll be free
Will she? Or just be married off again? Maybe to him?

Put mind firmly in the now. Don't worry what comes next.

Doing that, Cassian still couldn't think of what to say, back. So just pressed another kiss to the side of her head. "I'm glad of you," he finally whispered back. Wherever things go.

Drawing back, he murmured, "I may have gotten us out of that awkward dance with the Grendreefs, at least."

She was grateful for the steadiness offered by his arm curled around her. She was grateful when he returned the sentiment - mostly, and feeling like for once, she wasn't alone and floundering.

And, as she laughed softly, she was grateful for the gift of not having to dance with the Admiral. Calling to mind the look his wife had given Joreth, she was grateful that he wouldn't have to dance with her, either.

"How did you manage that? I was only away for a handful of minutes."

How to explain… whether to explain…

Honesty. As much or as little as he could.

"Do you want another deep dark secret? Or should it wait until later?"

For as curious as Jyn was, standing in the middle of the room while other people milled about was probably not the time nor the place to share such things. Even in jest, if the wrong person heard ...

"Later. For now, we need to figure out what we're going to do - stay or go. I would like to believe that we've made enough of an appearance, but ... I don't know if it's been sufficient yet."

"We could give them a dance, then head out." He stepped back, holding out his hand to her. "Do you? Dance?"

"I don't particularly enjoy it - ", she replied, lifting an eyebrow just so, even as she took the offered hand. "But I think I can suffer through it just this once."

And then they could go. And then, they could find comfort in the privacy of their home.

That is, if it wasn't already bugged.

He smiled lopsidedly at her. "I promise not to step on your feet." As he led the way to the dance floor and claimed her hands in proper starting position.

Being trained for this kind of dancing by Mon Mothma and Bail Organa had served him well, especially in keeping his spine very straight and only barely touching his partner, depending on who it was of a given dance. Dancing with Jyn, who he was not only allowed but expected to touch, and they themselves didn't mind it, felt like something a bit different.

The dance finished, and Cassian stepped back and bowed to her, as all the male dancers were doing to their partners (once again, Imperial binary), and felt his heart thudding a bit in his throat and hoped he wouldn't have to speak right away.

"I trust you", Jyn replied, finally curling her fingers around his, easily following along to the slightly less crowded dance floor.

She had never understood how learning to dance would do her well, but somehow, she had gotten through her lessons with some knowledge in tact. And for the first time, she felt grateful for that, as well, because as it turned out, she really didn't mind sharing one with Joreth as her partner.

True to his word, he didn't step on her feet, and she did her best to keep up without faltering, and by the time it came to an end, she hadn't felt like any time at all had actually passed. A bit breathless, a bit flushed, Jyn glanced around under the guise of thanking the other couples nearby.

Now it was her turn to extend her hand. "Shall we ... take our leave?"

He took her hand, swallowed, and nodded. Then looped her hand through his own arm to escort her out. His eyes sought out the Grendreefs and Krennic on the way.

Jyn offered a surreptitious little squeeze, her attention fully on him as they continued making their way from the party. Let them all think what they wanted to about their early departure, Jyn didn't care.

There were speeders in abundance outside waiting to be flagged down. Cassian's first impulse was to walk, but another glance at poor Jyn's dress changed his mind. He opened the door to the nearest one, for her; then got in beside her, gave their address, and sat back, loosening his collar as they began to drive.

She wouldn't truly relax until they were safely ensconced in their apartment, but this was giving her a chance to breathe, and she sighed heavily once she was sitting, some of the weight on her shoulders disappearing the further away from the party they got.

"I don't know whether to call that a success or not", she murmured, glancing over quickly.

His eyes flickered to the driver, indicating to her he wasn't going to say much here.

"I think so." He let his hands fall to his sides, and his collar fall open. "We came. We danced. We functioned."

All small talk, nothing important. Jyn brushed her fingertips against his, just to show that she understood.

"And you didn't step on my feet once. All in all, not a disaster."

His eyes went to their hands, so close together; doing his best not to feel the hint of electricity there. But he crooked his forefinger to brush back against hers.

"I didn't? Good."

And we didn't kiss on anyone else's terms.

"Don't know about you, but I'm ready for the rest of the night to be quiet."

Jyn had considered - momentarily - holding his hand, but ultimately decided against it. This was good enough, she thought, sharing a quick smile as she rested against the seat a little more.

"Mm, no. My toes remain uncrushed, and they thank you profusely."

She hummed her agreement, closing her eyes in order to try to find some rest - not only that but to gather her thoughts as well.

"Yes, just you and I and nothing else."

It might have seemed a statement meant for the driver's benefit only, but Jyn knew how much she meant it.

A hesitation… then Cassian shifted his hand, ever so slightly, to rest alongside hers, touching hers.

Amazing how such a small touch could have her barely breathing in response. Even if Jyn had something the say, the words were lost as she decided instead to concentrate on the gentle little touch. The rest of the ride was spent in companionable silence, that did not, as far as she was concerned, feel awkward or strained at all.

They arrived at last at their apartment block. Cassian paid the driver and offered his hand to Jyn stepping out of the hovercar. Not just for show: if he had to wear a dress like that, he'd take all the help he could get.

As they entered their quarters, he said, "Oh… by the way, are you available tomorrow?"

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