Writing a fic and thought you might want to see this bit…
(This would be a bit after ANH, like a month at most, so HanLeia isn’t officially a thing yet but we’re getting there. For context, Vader recognized Leia in ANH and that made him kill Tarkin before anything could happen to Alderaan, then Luke showed up and they recognized him too so now they all talk through the Force while going about their normal lives)
“(…)Forming bonds with others through the Force was just like the way she’d always daydreamed/meditated in the past, just with the added step of finding that person’s thread and connecting it with your own. She was now bonded with all three of her parents, her brother, and even Han and Chewbacca, though of course the bond with Han was only because she felt obligated to look after him as a favor after the rescue, it wasn’t like there was any special reason she’d choose him. He couldn’t even reciprocate the bond, though she didn’t hold it against him. Neither could her parents on Alderaan, and she loved them dearly. Not… that she loved Han, of course. She definitely liked him, though. As a friend. Leia deliberately ignored the way her heart skipped a beat at the thought that there might be something more to her feelings towards the smuggler. Maybe now wasn’t the best time to meditate.”
First of all thank you so so much for thinking of me and sending over your excerpt! It means a lot 💜
First of all, you are such a fantastic and talented writer! This cornet of the Internet really does have a gift. I love this excerpt!
"Not… that she loved Han, of course. She definitely liked him, though. As a friend. Leia deliberately ignored the way her heart skipped a beat at the thought that there might be something more to her feelings towards the smuggler. Maybe now wasn’t the best time to meditate."
^ This part... omg 😭 Love that it explores her denial – and I especially love the way you detailed the way her heart skipped a beat at the thought that there might be something more to her feelings towards the smuggler. I had to re-read that sentence a few times just because it was so good. That's canon to me now honestly. Excellent writing!