Beyond - Legends Love is Fragile, Heart is Strength ~ L/M, One-Shot, Hurt/Comfort

Title: Love is Fragile, Heart is Strength
Author(s): mayo_durron_666 [SITH_MAYO]
Timeframe: 26 ABY
Characters: Mara Jade Skywalker, Luke Skywalker
Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Mush
Keywords: Illness, worry …
Summary: A moment between Luke and Mara during Yuuzhan Vong war..
Notes: Disclaimer. Just playing with SW toys.


~



Love is Fragile


“Mara …”

“I’m alright.” She uttered weakly, “Just bit tired.”

It was more than exhaustion. And he knew it.

She was fighting a losing battle. The elusive disease was taking its toll. He saw the strain on her. It made his throat constrict with sudden fear.

Lately she had appeared frailer. She sat on the sofa pale and faint, pretending to rest her eyes when she was really scanning herself with the Force, checking and double checking.

She blamed the pregnancy. But Luke knew it was the combination of the illness and being with child. Her body couldn’t cope. With every passing day he saw her strength crumble.

Rarely did Mara admit to tiredness. Her simple declaration made all breath leave his body. It was happening. He was losing her. A deep rage of denial swamped him. She couldn’t leave him. Not now. Not ever.

Inside he screamed at the injustice of it.

He hated seeing her so sick. And worse yet there was nothing he could do to aid her. The great Skywalker was useless. His knuckles whitened as that thought brought a new red haze over his mind. It wasn’t fair.

Dark thoughts began to drown him in worry. Luke set his jaw. He wasn’t going to let these personal horrors rule him. Not when she looked so vulnerable, sitting there on the verge of collapse, so beautiful and calm.


Heart is Strength


After several deep concentrated breaths, she managed to keep the disease under control and push the fatigue aside, again, for the time being.

Mara’s vivid green eyes blinked open.

She glimpsed up, caught sight of him and her heart stuttered. He seemed so forlorn.

Silently, Luke stood very still by the open kitchen, completely focused on her. His striking blue eyes were shadowed with unease. And his body tense with anxiety.

Forcing a sad smile, she spoke quietly,
“Not giving up on me already, are you?”

Returning a half-hearted grin, he replied ever so softly,
“Never, Mara, never …”

Wordlessly, Mara held out her hand to him.

Instinctively he walked over and sat beside her, one hand holding hers as the other rested on her bump. The bump where their son lied, safe and warm. Unconsciously their baby kicked. Both Mara and Luke smiled at their child’s eager energy.

Content, Mara relaxed against Luke. For a while she studied his solemn expression. He said nothing but changed position slightly to better hold her. His gorgeous face remained troubled. How she wished she could wipe those lines of fret away and make him laugh again.

She leaned up to kiss his jaw. Against his warm skin she whispered,
“I’m not made of glass, Skywalker, I won’t shatter.”

Hoarsely, he murmured back,
“But you are breaking …”

With her free hand she traced his jawline with gentle fingertips. Turning his head to hers, she reached up to place a soft kiss on those lush lips. She sighed into him and forgot all her fears for one perfect moment.

His hot mouth caressed hers sweetly, melting her insides with his tenderness and reassuring love. If he could, he’d kiss her forever, savouring the gift of her.

Resting her forehead on his, with their lips still brushing tantalising kisses, Mara breathed a little desperately,
“Only on the outside, Luke. Inside, in my heart, my resolve is strengthening. I’ll beat this. Believe in me.”

With his soul open to her, he stared down into those emerald eyes and answered huskily,
“You’re the only thing I truly believe in, Mara.”

She kissed him again and held those words close to her heart. That one statement from him gave her all the determination and strength she required. Yes, he was shaken. But he kept faith, for her alone.

Mara’s heart began to beat a new rhythm, steady and sure.

She would survive this.

 

They truly earn strength from each other., and their love, their bond, their child are truly gifts of the Force.

 

That was utterly beautiful *wipes tears* I thought for sure I was going to cry...

 

Lovely.

 

That was very beautiful. Amazing.

 

Beautifully written!

 

Beautiful but oh so sad!

 

mayo_durron_666, this was breathtaking in its poignancy & spot-on characterization. Thanks for sharing this perfectly portrayed missing moment.

 

I love this story of Mara's inner strength and her desire to fight for her son, for Luke and for herself. Beautiful.

 

Just lovely, quiet but heartfelt emotion.

 

Demendora: Perfectly put!

EmeraldJediFire: Aww thanks.. (passes tissue)

taramidala: Cheers!

Briannakin: Thanks for clicking..

Jedi_Lover: Thanks

Hazel: I know was tricky.. I wanted a hint of sadness.. but not too much.

Jade_eyes: Cheers for reading and commenting..

ginchy: I always loved Mara for her strength, how could you not? Thanks.

Valairy Scot: Cheers for clicking!

 

Beautiful!

The first part really got me... it's really hard to be the one watching and not really being able to help. Seemingly unlike most people, I really liked this story line in NJO (what can I say, I'm a sucker for hurt/comfort) so I love to see stories written in this time and this was wonderful! I could really feel the exhaustion yet the strength from Mara.

 

Beautiful.