Jyn's stomach does a complicated tango when she feels the warmth of Cassain's lips brushing across her knuckles. It's not even the most affectionate he's ever been, nor does she doubt it'll be the most affectionate he'll be this evening, but it still leaves her feeling almost dizzy.
And oddly... shy.
Unsocial, yes, introverted, definitely, but Jyn isn't shy. It's a new feeling.
"I have no doubt that you'll leave them wondering how someone so charming could have ever married such a prickly wife." She knows what she is about, more thorns than roses, but it's meant as something of a self-deprecating compliment, even if it is probably exactly how it's going to go down. Her coworkers care for her, she knows, some of it left over affection for her father, but she's fairly aloof in the lab, stuck in her work, having to be coaxed into conversation.
Much like her father, actually, even if Jyn is unaware of this.
There's something in her face he can't place. Jyn is fairly reserved, but this is different. Quieter. Because of him. He's pulled surprising reactions from her before, but this is almost shy and it's bizarre.
He squeezes her hand and offers her a small smile, one that's all Cassian Andor and not Cassian Acuerdo. "They will just assume my charms worked their way through you, which will make me all the more impressive to them." She is very prickly and hates people, so he's already assuming that gives them a good impression of him to have won her over. However fake it is. "I'll just tell them it's my favorite part of you." Which is kind of true, but he'll never admit it.
He tugs only their hands in the direction of the restaurant. "Are you ready? We can take our time. A slow stroll to enjoy the weather."
"They will assume correctly." Jyn's half snorted comment comes with an eye roll, even if it is true -- Cassian definitely charmed his way under her armor. But the levity softens her more, gives her a little bit of a prod to straighten her shoulders and suck it up.
It's just a party, she'll be fine.
"No, I'm ready, we can go in." In is where the alcohol and food is for one thing, but it's also one of those things where the sooner you give in, the sooner it's over. Might as well get it over with.
His smile deepens a little when she rolls her eyes, because it's every bit the person he's come to like. Maybe it's very obvious he likes the prickly parts of her. Her posture shifts, and she's much readier than before, so he hopes he managed to help even a tiny bit.
Cassian squeezes her hand again. "We've got this," he says one more time, then starts walking again, tugging her along and keeping his grip tight without turning into a tourniquet, occasionally brushing his thumb along her skin. He keeps a slow pace, half to go over all contingencies in his head again, half to make sure they're both still ready by the time they reach the end of the walkway.
The restaurant is fancy, but not overbearingly so. It's not a place he thinks he'd go normally, but at least from the look of it, the inside set up is slightly more casual with an odd display of tables and chairs. He knows upstairs are Imperial offices, which is very clearly a big pull moreso than Jyn's coworkers. The hostess is very polite as she invites them inside, and while normally he might tuck his hand at her back as custom dictates, he keeps their fingers woven together instead.
He already knows most of the people inside here from data, but it won't be hard to feign otherwise.
Before any of her coworkers can spot her, or so she hopes, Jyn steps in front of him to whisper, "Wait, what do you mean more affectionate?" as if she'd just finally processed that comment even though she'd already addressed it, but then a great booming voice bellows her name from across the room and Jyn startles, turning back to the room at large.
The shout seems to have come from, hilariously enough, the waif-like, blue skinned Pantoran hurrying over to the couple, lilac colored hair done up in an intricate updo and her yellow eyes sparkling in delight above a golden tattoo on her cheek.
Jyn squeezes Cassian's hand before catching the young woman barreling into her. Fairly small, she's still taller than Jyn and curls her arms tightly around Jyn's shoulders while Jyn pats her back with her one free hand, because she's not letting go of Cassian just yet. "Hi, Lissi."
Perhaps hearing the strain in Jyn's voice, albeit patient, Lissi draws back with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, we've all missed you and Rey in the lab and without you it's only me and Annkara and I know it's selfish, but I like having another girl around. The men can be so tiresome." Her yellow eyes cut to Cassian, sheepish smile turning even more sheepish, "No offense!"
He doesn't get to answer her, but he makes a note to try and do so before he ends up draping himself all over her. He recognizes Lissi barreling towards them from the data on all of Jyn's coworkers, but his expression is one of mild interest, even if he gives Jyn's hand another squeeze at the engulfing hug.
Cassian adopts a curious smile. "None taken. There's probably a reason I prefer the company of my wife and daughter these days." It's true, but it's not really because men are tiresome. They are, but Rey is just his favorite. "I would miss them too with such an absense, so I can't blame you."
One of the very few nice things about being Cassian Acuerdo is he doesn't need to speak with a different accent. Draven thought about it, but given the extremely long term nature of the mission, they decided it was okay for him to just speak normally.
Lissi's eyes brighten at his accent, already charmed and reaching out to shake Cassian's unoccupied hand.
"Oh, you're not from Coruscant! I should have guessed from Jyn's married name and since, as you know, she hasn't been here since she was a little girl but it honestly never occurred to me. Me, clearly not from Coruscant." She scoffs as if scolding herself, which makes Jyn bite back a smile -- this may be one of the few scientists Jyn can stand if her amusement is any indication. Lissi is almost too sweet and bubbly not to like. "I'm from Pantora. I know Jyn's never been there, but have you?"
Lissi is very curious.
Jyn is also a little curious, head tilting as she looks at her husband. "Have you? I'd never thought to ask."
He shakes her hand without issue, even if he completely ignores telling her where he's from after the Coruscant comment, which would be the polite thing to do. From the way Jyn reacts and the way she talks about Lissi at home, Cassian can tell this is probably the closest Jyn gets to a favorite coworker. "Cassian Acuerdo," he says before he pulls his hand away. "It's good to meet you."
He has been, once. But he shakes his head at Jyn before offering Lissi an apologetic smile. "No, I have not, but that means you'll just have to tell me all about it."
"Maybe if I can pry you away from your wife sometime this evening, she's heard all about it, she'll be bored hearing my stories again," Lissi says, giving everyone an out in the most diplomatic and conversational way possible, it's really impressive.
Jyn honestly wouldn't mind hearing about Pantora again, but everyone involved also knows that.
"Speaking of wives, where is Berrys? I'd thought she'd be here."
"Oh she is!" Lissi points over to where a devastatingly beautiful Zeltron woman with creamy, pale rose skin and a long cascade of dark blue hair talking to a portly human man with a balding head of white hair. She's hands down the most beautiful person in the room. "She's right there, trying to explain literature to a scientist. What a pet."
Jyn leans over to stage whisper to Cassian: "Berrys writes dirty romance novels."
Cassian recognizes the out for what it is, and he appreciates the offer. He does not, however, completely table the Pantora discussion in case it proves useful. He squeezes Jyn's hand again and smiles as he pulls it up, kissing her knuckles again. "We may be glued for the night, if I can persuade her to join me sometime to listen."
He does not recognize Berrys, but he's not liable to forget her, especially married to a Pantoran. He files all this information away accordingly, including the balding man.
His reply is every bit a similar stage whisper. "Perhaps that's a genre every scientist should get into."
The romantic buried deep inside Jyn has always thought Lissi and Berrys looked sweet together, Berrys hair was in the same family as Lissi's skin and the pink and blue complimented each other. They were like a set.
Lissi sighs happily when Cassian kisses Jyn's knuckle and her faint discomfort shows in the flush that starts to creep up her chest. It's fine. She'd forgotten what going out in public was like and now... now that she still feels nothing because nothing has changed, nevermind. It's fine. She tells herself it's fine, repeatedly.
Enough to twist her mouth into a wry smile to answer Cassian, "Not this scientist, I'll leave the sweet nothings to you." A Grange pet name is on the tip of her tongue, unbidden, but she doesn't let it pass. She's not going to use that when they're not them.
Cassian abruptly kisses her cheek with a wide smile, then steals a glance at Lissi while his face is still very close to Jyn's, close enough that her hair tickles his ear. "She secretly likes it."
She probably hates it, and he feels terrible. He gives her more space and tilts out of her bubble, even though he's keeping the promise to hold her hand. It's mild, he knows, compared to other affection he might need show her tonight, but she's already vaguely uncomfortable. It's not like they haven't done this before, but there's something tiny and different between them now.
Analysis later, spying now.
"You will have to introduce me to your wife later, assuming she lets the poor scientist go sometime this evening."
Oh no, she feels the loss of warmth immediately and it's not like he's even gone far, he's still holding her hand, warm and sure, but...
Lissi doesn't seem to notice, expression having melted at Cassian's affection toward Jyn. She's clearly in love with love and a laugh bubbles past her lips at Cassian's comment. "I should rescue him, you're right. We're seated near each other so I'll see you at dinner." She offers a bright smile and leans forward to hug Jyn quickly before skipping away.
Immediately, Jyn tugs on Cassian's hand, pulling him to a secluded corner.
"I'm fine," she spits out quietly, like she's cutting off the question at the pass, squeezing his hand automatically before puffing out a sigh. "I forgot what this was all like. I just need a minute."
He doesn't fight it when Jyn tugs him into the corner, recognizing immediately her need to have a moment. It probably doesn't help, but he steps into her space, settling a hand at her waist, the one not squeezing her hand back. Everything about it is casually and quietly affectionate from a distance, should anyone do more than glance over.
"It gets easier," he says matter-of-factly. She's not very fine, but she's right; she just needs time. Despite her nerves, Cassian would have pulled out of the mission by now if he didn't believe Jyn capable. If they spend a couple minutes talking quietly in the corner, no one is going to think it odd if he plays it the right way.
"I know you'll be fine. We'll get some food in a bit, how does that sound?"
It shouldn't help, and yet Jyn relaxes under his touch, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest until her own breathing turns less erratic. They're not alone, but the affection is easier, less scary when it's just the two of them.
Eventually she looks up, mouth slanted down sheepishly, gaze lingering briefly on his own mouth before her eyes drift further upward to his eyes.
"Food always sounds good." She's got weaknesses and apparently Cassian is willing to exploit them. She'd still rather be home sleeping or watching a movie curled up on the couch, her legs draped over his lap. Instead she shifts in her high heels, leaning into his touch automatically. Her nose crinkles up a little, chewing on her lip. "I need you to kiss me now before you have to do it later."
Some of the tension in her deflates, and it puzzles him because he's the only variable that changed the situation. Maybe it's the seclusion, the way it seems to cut off everyone else.
For two seconds, it seems like she's staring at his mouth before she meets his eyes. He blinks, shaking it off.
His hand leaves her waist so he can cradle her cheek. "I'm sorry if it ends up being more often than usual tonight," he says, genuinely apologetic, but then he does kiss her. His mouth slants on hers, and even though he lingers for a long few moments, it's very chaste despite the show of it. True to his word, he's still holding her hand.
Sometimes Jyn wonders why he can't see it, how she feels about him, but then she remembers that this is his job. It's his job to look like he loves her and she was too naive and stupid to not take the bait. She'd spent her entire life trying to erase her feelings but she didn't succeed well enough and now here she is:
At a party with her pretend husband having to pretend she isn't in love with him while pretending she is in love with him.
"It's fine," she assures him dismissively when they part. They have to do what they have to do. "So long as you don't eat anything disgusting. Or extra spicy. Besides, I just gave you the most perfect baby in the galaxy, it's only natural you fawn over me. I grew an entire human being. I'm incredible."
Even after they part, he keeps his hand on her face. For the show, obviously, not because he likes how warm she feels under his fingers. Fawning over her is part of the act, but it's not hard. She did give him the most perfect baby, and he likes her. He wants her to feel special and incredible and he wants some of his affection to be genuine, because she doesn't deserve fake appreciation.
He knows she's being facetious about it, that she probably doesn't believe it, but he does. Without a doubt. "You are incredible." He kisses her quickly again, then kisses her forehead gently. The second part at least he knows is real. "And Rey is perfect. I promise not to eat anything you hate."
Her expression softens reflexively. Rey is the most perfect thing in the entire galaxy. Slowly, she reaches up to curl her fingers around the hand on her cheek, twisting their fingers together as she tugs it down. She puffs out a breath of a sigh, steeling herself.
"Alright." She nods decisively. "Let's do this."
Hand in hand, they enter the breach, smiling and laughing like new parents on their first night out on the town -- which isn't as hard once Jyn relaxes a little. It's nice having Cassian around to take care of the talking when she's grown bored and annoyed and it's easy to mask the way they slip away so she can download Imperial information as just two people taking advantage of their privacy.
Jyn's giggle and blush sells it completely.
It's a job well done and even if Jyn feels a little hollow after it, at least she knows that regardless of anything -- she and Cassian are the best possible partnership.
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ohnofeelstho2017-05-14 03:23 pm
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And oddly... shy.
Unsocial, yes, introverted, definitely, but Jyn isn't shy. It's a new feeling.
"I have no doubt that you'll leave them wondering how someone so charming could have ever married such a prickly wife." She knows what she is about, more thorns than roses, but it's meant as something of a self-deprecating compliment, even if it is probably exactly how it's going to go down. Her coworkers care for her, she knows, some of it left over affection for her father, but she's fairly aloof in the lab, stuck in her work, having to be coaxed into conversation.
Much like her father, actually, even if Jyn is unaware of this.
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He squeezes her hand and offers her a small smile, one that's all Cassian Andor and not Cassian Acuerdo. "They will just assume my charms worked their way through you, which will make me all the more impressive to them." She is very prickly and hates people, so he's already assuming that gives them a good impression of him to have won her over. However fake it is. "I'll just tell them it's my favorite part of you." Which is kind of true, but he'll never admit it.
He tugs only their hands in the direction of the restaurant. "Are you ready? We can take our time. A slow stroll to enjoy the weather."
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It's just a party, she'll be fine.
"No, I'm ready, we can go in." In is where the alcohol and food is for one thing, but it's also one of those things where the sooner you give in, the sooner it's over. Might as well get it over with.
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Cassian squeezes her hand again. "We've got this," he says one more time, then starts walking again, tugging her along and keeping his grip tight without turning into a tourniquet, occasionally brushing his thumb along her skin. He keeps a slow pace, half to go over all contingencies in his head again, half to make sure they're both still ready by the time they reach the end of the walkway.
The restaurant is fancy, but not overbearingly so. It's not a place he thinks he'd go normally, but at least from the look of it, the inside set up is slightly more casual with an odd display of tables and chairs. He knows upstairs are Imperial offices, which is very clearly a big pull moreso than Jyn's coworkers. The hostess is very polite as she invites them inside, and while normally he might tuck his hand at her back as custom dictates, he keeps their fingers woven together instead.
He already knows most of the people inside here from data, but it won't be hard to feign otherwise.
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The shout seems to have come from, hilariously enough, the waif-like, blue skinned Pantoran hurrying over to the couple, lilac colored hair done up in an intricate updo and her yellow eyes sparkling in delight above a golden tattoo on her cheek.
Jyn squeezes Cassian's hand before catching the young woman barreling into her. Fairly small, she's still taller than Jyn and curls her arms tightly around Jyn's shoulders while Jyn pats her back with her one free hand, because she's not letting go of Cassian just yet. "Hi, Lissi."
Perhaps hearing the strain in Jyn's voice, albeit patient, Lissi draws back with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, we've all missed you and Rey in the lab and without you it's only me and Annkara and I know it's selfish, but I like having another girl around. The men can be so tiresome." Her yellow eyes cut to Cassian, sheepish smile turning even more sheepish, "No offense!"
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Cassian adopts a curious smile. "None taken. There's probably a reason I prefer the company of my wife and daughter these days." It's true, but it's not really because men are tiresome. They are, but Rey is just his favorite. "I would miss them too with such an absense, so I can't blame you."
One of the very few nice things about being Cassian Acuerdo is he doesn't need to speak with a different accent. Draven thought about it, but given the extremely long term nature of the mission, they decided it was okay for him to just speak normally.
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"Oh, you're not from Coruscant! I should have guessed from Jyn's married name and since, as you know, she hasn't been here since she was a little girl but it honestly never occurred to me. Me, clearly not from Coruscant." She scoffs as if scolding herself, which makes Jyn bite back a smile -- this may be one of the few scientists Jyn can stand if her amusement is any indication. Lissi is almost too sweet and bubbly not to like. "I'm from Pantora. I know Jyn's never been there, but have you?"
Lissi is very curious.
Jyn is also a little curious, head tilting as she looks at her husband. "Have you? I'd never thought to ask."
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He has been, once. But he shakes his head at Jyn before offering Lissi an apologetic smile. "No, I have not, but that means you'll just have to tell me all about it."
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Jyn honestly wouldn't mind hearing about Pantora again, but everyone involved also knows that.
"Speaking of wives, where is Berrys? I'd thought she'd be here."
"Oh she is!" Lissi points over to where a devastatingly beautiful Zeltron woman with creamy, pale rose skin and a long cascade of dark blue hair talking to a portly human man with a balding head of white hair. She's hands down the most beautiful person in the room. "She's right there, trying to explain literature to a scientist. What a pet."
Jyn leans over to stage whisper to Cassian: "Berrys writes dirty romance novels."
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He does not recognize Berrys, but he's not liable to forget her, especially married to a Pantoran. He files all this information away accordingly, including the balding man.
His reply is every bit a similar stage whisper. "Perhaps that's a genre every scientist should get into."
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Lissi sighs happily when Cassian kisses Jyn's knuckle and her faint discomfort shows in the flush that starts to creep up her chest. It's fine. She'd forgotten what going out in public was like and now... now that she still feels nothing because nothing has changed, nevermind. It's fine. She tells herself it's fine, repeatedly.
Enough to twist her mouth into a wry smile to answer Cassian, "Not this scientist, I'll leave the sweet nothings to you." A Grange pet name is on the tip of her tongue, unbidden, but she doesn't let it pass. She's not going to use that when they're not them.
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She probably hates it, and he feels terrible. He gives her more space and tilts out of her bubble, even though he's keeping the promise to hold her hand. It's mild, he knows, compared to other affection he might need show her tonight, but she's already vaguely uncomfortable. It's not like they haven't done this before, but there's something tiny and different between them now.
Analysis later, spying now.
"You will have to introduce me to your wife later, assuming she lets the poor scientist go sometime this evening."
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Lissi doesn't seem to notice, expression having melted at Cassian's affection toward Jyn. She's clearly in love with love and a laugh bubbles past her lips at Cassian's comment. "I should rescue him, you're right. We're seated near each other so I'll see you at dinner." She offers a bright smile and leans forward to hug Jyn quickly before skipping away.
Immediately, Jyn tugs on Cassian's hand, pulling him to a secluded corner.
"I'm fine," she spits out quietly, like she's cutting off the question at the pass, squeezing his hand automatically before puffing out a sigh. "I forgot what this was all like. I just need a minute."
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"It gets easier," he says matter-of-factly. She's not very fine, but she's right; she just needs time. Despite her nerves, Cassian would have pulled out of the mission by now if he didn't believe Jyn capable. If they spend a couple minutes talking quietly in the corner, no one is going to think it odd if he plays it the right way.
"I know you'll be fine. We'll get some food in a bit, how does that sound?"
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Eventually she looks up, mouth slanted down sheepishly, gaze lingering briefly on his own mouth before her eyes drift further upward to his eyes.
"Food always sounds good." She's got weaknesses and apparently Cassian is willing to exploit them. She'd still rather be home sleeping or watching a movie curled up on the couch, her legs draped over his lap. Instead she shifts in her high heels, leaning into his touch automatically. Her nose crinkles up a little, chewing on her lip. "I need you to kiss me now before you have to do it later."
She needs to get used to the audience again.
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For two seconds, it seems like she's staring at his mouth before she meets his eyes. He blinks, shaking it off.
His hand leaves her waist so he can cradle her cheek. "I'm sorry if it ends up being more often than usual tonight," he says, genuinely apologetic, but then he does kiss her. His mouth slants on hers, and even though he lingers for a long few moments, it's very chaste despite the show of it. True to his word, he's still holding her hand.
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At a party with her pretend husband having to pretend she isn't in love with him while pretending she is in love with him.
"It's fine," she assures him dismissively when they part. They have to do what they have to do. "So long as you don't eat anything disgusting. Or extra spicy. Besides, I just gave you the most perfect baby in the galaxy, it's only natural you fawn over me. I grew an entire human being. I'm incredible."
Almost sounds like she believes it, too.
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He knows she's being facetious about it, that she probably doesn't believe it, but he does. Without a doubt. "You are incredible." He kisses her quickly again, then kisses her forehead gently. The second part at least he knows is real. "And Rey is perfect. I promise not to eat anything you hate."
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"Alright." She nods decisively. "Let's do this."
Hand in hand, they enter the breach, smiling and laughing like new parents on their first night out on the town -- which isn't as hard once Jyn relaxes a little. It's nice having Cassian around to take care of the talking when she's grown bored and annoyed and it's easy to mask the way they slip away so she can download Imperial information as just two people taking advantage of their privacy.
Jyn's giggle and blush sells it completely.
It's a job well done and even if Jyn feels a little hollow after it, at least she knows that regardless of anything -- she and Cassian are the best possible partnership.
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