she doesn’t listen to the “tales” of the empire , it’s not neglect or turning a blind eye, the girl is anything but shielded from the horrors of the empire. [ it’s a feeling leia avoids : a promise to avoid the helplessness embedded in the reminder that at the end of this, she’s a child. one who so dearly misses the arms of her father. the warmth of her mother. ] but this isn’t a story. hidden behind ben, hearing only the sound of breathing. the sound of marching beside them. she tugs at ben’s robes, swallowing down the insurmountable fear in her bones. ❝ i want to go home — i didn’t mean what i said — i ❞
she freezes. peeled eyes glance over the arm that holds her back, seeing a machine instead of a man, seeing the flash of red. somehow, the stories make it seem less scary. the reality is worse. draped in darkness, she understands why there is not light in the empire. the room suffocates her. @jedisolitude & @thebetrayal
an imperial senator’s daughter, the princess of alderaan, [ they wouldn’t dare, they wouldn’t dare, they wouldn’t - ] a broken record repeats the mantra like a lifeline, but the grip against ben’s hand is unbreakable. she won’t let him die for rescuing her. leia wants to hide, to become as unknown as the seeker droids that revealed their location so easily to him. her hand tugs harder, wanting to run, wanting to get out. ❝ — i’m sorry, i’m sorry, i’m sorry. ❞
he was all that stood between darkness & light. half of the galaxy’s only hope stood behind him ( the other still unknown to rage incarnate ). he would do anything to ensure she survives , to ensure she finds her sibling lost within the sands. if it means giving his life , he would do it without hesitation; it couldn’t come to that , his purpose hadn’t been fulfilled ( when it does , he can finally smile ).
fingers tightened their grip around her hand , sharing as much comfort as he could in the face of danger ( revenge born from years of hatred , locked into one mechanical body ). head snaps back to her briefly , eyes betraying the firm expression he puts on for her. ❛ it’s going to be alright. no matter what happens to me ; run , okay ? ❜ his head is pulled back to gaze at the man he once knew ( if only he knew the true identity of the girl behind him ). if it wasn’t for his failings , perhaps this meeting could’ve been celebrated in the light. instead , it was strangled within darkness. ❛ it’s me you want. let her go. ❜ a demand , not a request. his heart aches for hiding the truth from them both , albeit his free hand grips his lightsaber & ignites it ( hope erupting from the blue hues , conflicting from anakin’s terrifying crimson ).