Chapter Text
All of Yavin was gathered up in the old temple, the excitement filling the massive space with an elation that almost felt like a fever dream. So long had so much been sacrificed that the destruction of the Death Star almost felt unreal, like a dream they were all scared of waking up from. Still the joy cut through it all and dressed the rebels in wide smiles and straight backs. The final attendants were quickly making their way into the hall as the ceremony was about to begin.
"You're late," Kleya admonished, but moved slightly to the side to leave more space next to her as a woman slowly made her way towards her, excusing herself as she moved down the line of people.
"I had to get my good jacket," Vel said as she squeezed into the vacated spot.
Kleya gave her a silent once over which held the gentleness of a hailstorm. "There is a remarkable resemblance between your good jacket and all your other jackets."
"Better stitching," Vel said and ran her finger across the breast pocket. "And less worn," she added with a touch to her left elbow. Kleya didn't roll her eyes, she felt the silence adequately did so for her. "Besides not everyone can scavenge fancy wear from-" Vel looked at her. "Where did you even find that?" she said with an arched eyebrow aimed at Kleya's immaculate and tailor perfect outfit.
"I have my ways." She said with a satisfied look. "If you want me to find you something Chandrilian-"
"Don't insult me,” Vel grumbled unamused.
The smirk landed naturally on Kleya’s face. "I don't know, I remember you being quite striking, dressed up as the polished little noble."
Vel pressed her lips together. "Are you trying to pick a fight?" She purposefully did not look at Kleya. "Is it because I'm late?"
"Would I? Challenge you?" she asked, looking mighty self-satisfied.
Vel scoffed and mumbled something inaudible under her breath.
"What's that?"
"Quiet, it's starting."
"Wouldn't want to distract you from her highness. A sight for sore eyes." She added and this time she did roll her eyes even though her tone was more than enough to make it clear what her feelings towards the whole spectacle was. Or at least certain parts of it. She understood good PR, but that didn’t mean she necessarily found it tasteful.
Vel in a moment of uncharacteristic obtuseness shrugged and added, "I guess she is - cute, in a kind of..."
Kleya arched her eyebrow giving it a dangerous edge. "Her?" Eyebrow arched even higher. "That's who you find cute?" she gave a dry humourless chuckle and a reproachful look over at Vel.
"What?"
"No, nothing."
Vel glared back at her.
"The spoiled princess? That's your type?"
"That's not - c'mon," Vel squirmed as she felt like she had just walked into a hornets nest but not really knowing how she got there. "I didn't mean it like that."
"Well how did you mean it? Either you find her cute or you don't."
"I-" she left the sentence hanging in the air. "What are we doing?"
Kleya rolled her eyes. "You are apparently clambering around in the pit you've dug yourself and I-" she smiled and her eyes softened. "I am enjoying it immensely."
The music picked up and stole their conversation from them as the trio of heroes from the battle against the Death Star took the stage in front of the young princess dressed all in white. The two young men turned towards the crowd and smiled with blinding sincerity and an almost aching innocence.
"That boy? That's the one?" Kleya exclaimed with unbelief at the younger of the two men.
"I guess so." Vel said with a frown. “I’ve only heard his voice, didn’t realise he was quite so-”
"Unbelievable,” Kleya interrupted her. “Saves the galaxy, but probably hasn't sprouted pubes yet."
"Please," Vel groaned.
Kleya shrugged. "Am I wrong?"
"For forcing me to think about his pubes, yes!”
"Weak." She added, "like his hair growth."
"Please, stop."
"You want to go back to talking about the pretty princess instead?"
Vel is quiet.
"Oh, c'mon, humour me." Kleya's expression changed, softened and for a moment showed a bit of vulnerability. "It's a win. We don't get many of those."
The corner of Vel's mouth quirk into a smile. "And this is how you celebrate? By razzing the teenager and chasing me around?"
"Yes." She leaned slightly into Vel, enjoying the warmth of her body for a second before returning to upright position. Vel's body stiffened perceptibly for a second, before her shoulders seemed to relax once more.
"You are a strange woman," Vel said with a wry half-smile.
"It's taken you this long to figure that out?" Kleya shook her head. "I always suspected you were a bit dense, but oh well-" she grinned. "At least you're pretty, so maybe things will pan out for you."
The tips of Vel's ears coloured charmingly in a way that spread a nice little warmth through Kleya's belly and put a bright smile on her lips. It was a new game to her, but one she instantly knew she was going to spend time mastering. Because forcing that pinkness into Vel’s ears and cheeks was a special kind of thrill. So yeah, a win was a win and should be celebrated. Kleya kept her eyes on the stage, but caught the faint look in Vel's eyes from the corner of her eye. "What's that for?"
"What?" she asked and swallowed down her feelings.
"Don't insult my intelligence."
"But you get to insult mine?" The smile is there even if it's somewhat broken.
"Yes, that's different." She let her words land, before adding, "Tell me."
"Nothing-" she sighed. "Not really, simply thinking about - the path here."
Kleya remained silent for a while. "It's been long." She looked out over the room. "And we're still on it."
"Maybe that should be celebrated too."
"I think it should." She kept her gaze on Vel rather than the spectacle on the scene. "There's going to be more setbacks. We're not done."
"But we are still moving." Vel added, nodding slowly.
"We are." Kleya looked briefly over at Vel's profile, allowing that strange new comfort of that familiar face wash over her in contentment. The sensation scared her as much as it fulfilled her. "Which is also a win." She leaned back into Vel and this time stayed until she felt Vel lean back and that’s where she stayed as the music picked up again. Along with Vel’s warmth a sense that maybe there was still hope, for the future, for her and for them - spread through her with a gentleness that almost felt unreal. Hope. Even though the rebellion’s new number one champion probably hadn’t learned to shave yet.