After the hallway fight, like right after

[notallofus]

It helps, a little, that, as they turn off the main corridor of the command ship, the door opens up into somewhere that's not full of military types.

But it's still a problem.

Kanan can feel his neck muscles tightening, his stomach clenching down with the weight of bad memories. He hates being at odds with Hera, hates it utterly, but --

But this --

He can't be okay with this. He wouldn't know how, even if he wanted to try. (And he doesn't want to try at all.)

Maybe Hera can tell, because she doesn't make a move to stop him, keeping pace with him as he strides through the cantina part, and out the back door.

Kanan only starts slowing down when they reach the far edge of the lake, taking a deep breath and turning around. Finally.

He still hasn't figured out what he wants to say.

Comments

[notallofus]

"Hera."

He should sound more uncertain, he thinks. He should feel more uncertain.

But instead he rests his hands on her shoulders, sliding down her arms a little ways before he moves them back up again, one hand lifting to cup the side of her face. Not to make her look up, or even to ask, but -- just to feel her skin.

To know they're both still here.

[for_everyone]

She stays still under his touch, at first, then lifts her hands as he lifts his, reaching out along the sides of his arms. She leans in as he touches her face, closing her eyes for a moment. Up along his left arm, her fingers curl, tightening around the fabric of his sleeve.

Softly -

"Okay."

[notallofus]

The tension knotting in his stomach slides into freefall, and he, too, closes his eyes, leaning in, the hand not on her face sliding down across her back, pressing just enough to feel the strength of her ribs.

"Okay," he echoes.

And then his mouth presses lightly against hers, and he isn't saying anything anymore.

[for_everyone]

Hera presses back, at once.

There's no surprise, no hesitation. She closes her eyes, and her hands move up, now taking hold on his shoulders, so that she can pull herself up to him.

[notallofus]

It's instinctive for Kanan to support that motion, leaning in and down even as Hera lifts herself up.

His breath is coming quickly now, skin prickling to life, and it adds restlessness to the movement of his hand across her back, the sweep of his thumb across her cheekbone.

[for_everyone]

His leaning forward gives Hera the leverage to encircle her arms around his shoulders, and to fully shift her weight into him. Her breathing also quickens, and at first she presses that tension into her fingers, her arms, her grip on him.

But then, finally, she has to break off. She doesn't pull away, but turns her head down, still resting her face against his, still keeping her eyes closed, and breathing deeply.

[notallofus]

Kanan matches her breathing, long and deep, because --

Because --

He doesn't want to let go of her, and he wants to know if they're okay, and he wants --

He turns his head a little, enough so that he can press his lips against her forehead, and keeps on breathing. Just for a minute.

[for_everyone]

She keeps her eyes closed, her breath beginning to slow as a few seconds pass. Hera doesn't to let go either, and at first, she leans readily against him as he turns his head.

But then, though she keeps her arms around his shoulders, her weight rested against him, Hera's eyes do flutter open. She shifts her head just slightly, so that she can look up to him.

[notallofus]

He leans back in response to the shift of her skin against his, looking back at her after a moment. There's nothing hesitant in it, just . . .

Waiting.

Wondering if they're about to step back from this, or --

[for_everyone]

Hera doesn't loosen her hold on him. Her eyes fall, and tilts her head forward, leaning her forehead to his chin.'

But she murmurs, "We were - on Phoenix Home -"

[notallofus]

Kanan leans forward, too, pressing back against her.

"We should probably get back," he agrees. "But this -- "

[for_everyone]

Hera lifts herself up, just long enough to press a quick kiss to the the corner of his mouth.

"We'll get back to this, love."

[notallofus]

The look on Kanan's face is caught between dumbstruck and pleased, and he lets himself really feel it for a moment. He also leans down and returns her kiss, just as quick, just as off-center, and reluctantly steps back.

"We'd better."

There's relief in his words, and he still can't help smiling, just for one second more.

[for_everyone]

Hera smiles back.

She also takes her time about relaxing her hold on his shoulders, and moving her hands back down.

But even once she's released him, she does take one of his hands in hers.

[notallofus]

It's nothing they haven't done before, holding hands, entwining their fingers, but --

It's different now. Just a little.

Just enough.

He'll only move to let go once they reach the front door, and the Phoenix Home beyond.