Open RP Post

[candor1]

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[shiningstardust]

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."

[candor1]

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

[shiningstardust]

"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.

[candor1]

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.

[shiningstardust]

"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?"

[candor1]

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.

[shiningstardust]

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.

[candor1]

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.

[shiningstardust]

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.

[candor1]

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."

[shiningstardust]

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."

[candor1]

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."

[shiningstardust]

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.

[candor1]

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

[shiningstardust]

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.

[candor1]

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?"

[shiningstardust]

They were one step closer to the relative privacy and comfort that their home provided. And all Jyn wanted - for a little while, at least, was to slip into something comfortable and spend the rest of the night (hopefully) all wrapped up together.

If she held onto the offered hand a little longer than was strictly necessary, Jyn would never tell.

"I'm sure I could make some time", she replied, one eyebrow lifting curiously. "Why?"

[candor1]

He made no sign he noticed, or thought twice about their hands together, except his thumb running gently over the back of her hand.

"I was thinking of surprising you," he said, "with a tooka-cat. But then I thought it would be better to have your judgment choosing one. We could go tomorrow."

[shiningstardust]

It should have been criminal, how much Jyn was enjoying the softy affectionate little touch, not to mention how much she didn't want to have to give it up just quite yet.

Whatever she was expecting to hear, it was not that, and her expression shifted and changed into something so utterly surprised and delighted, and she couldn't hide it - nor did she want to. She probably looked every inch her age as she tried to process the prospect.

"You're ... serious?"

[candor1]

He looked at her with extreme enjoyment of her disbelief, but also a little worry that he might have heard something wrong. "If you were? About wanting one?"

[shiningstardust]

He hadn't heard anything wrong. Jyn had always wanted a pet growing up, but had never been granted the opportunity to care for one. She shook her head and absentmindedly squeezed his hand. "I am! I just - you'll think it silly or maybe even sad, but ... when I was growing up, treats or presents were really only given if I followed my directions and was good. So ... there's some little part of me wondering what I could have possibly done to deserve it."

[candor1]

He didn't think it silly. He definitely found it sad. Not of her; him, too. He'd also grown up knowing that not all kids got loved and praised just for existing. Some of them had (eternally) to earn it. (Doomed to fail.)

Equally automatically, he squeezed her hand, back.

"You deserve it," he said. "Trust me."

[shiningstardust]

It was the past, and Jyn tried not to dwell, but sometimes, those memories were too heavy to simply brush away. And while she wasn't sure that she was truly deserving of such a lovely gift, she'd have to try to be from now on.

"Thank you", she murmured, her voice brimming with a strange new fondness, one that she had never expected being able to feel. "You don't know how much it means to me."

[candor1]

That tone of her voice… he turned to look at her fully, his free hand coming up automatically to the side of her face, gently touching her cheek.

But he shook himself, and his hand dropped away—as did the one holding hers, and he flashed a rueful smile. "Hope you still feel that way when we're disagreeing on what to name it. For now… time to get out of these formal things, yeah?"

[shiningstardust]

For a moment - just one small moment, Jyn wondered if this was the moment that they kissed. But she didn't make a move, and neither did he, and all too suddenly, she was without any contact whatsoever, dizzy with possibilities.

She breathed out a shaky, soft chuckle and shrugged, so reluctant to step away, no matter how uncomfortable her dress and heels. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it", she answered, sharing a quick smile before she ducked her head down, her cheeks a faint, warm pin. "You want to go first, or shall I?"