Say No To This
Author's Note: Fate has a weird sense of timing. I happened to become obsessed with Reylo and the Hamilton album at the same time recently and this fic was born. I was inspired by the song of the same name, but you in no way need to have a knowledge of the musical or even the song to read this fic. Each chapter will include a few lines of lyrics that are pertinent to that particular chapter. That being said, I think listening to the song at least once will help give you the vibe I'm going for here.
I already have most of the story written, so I will upload regularly. I'm not anticipating more than 10 chapters. I don't have a Beta so if anyone would like to volunteer as tribute, I'd love that.
I haven't written fanfiction since 2011 and this is my first Star Wars fic, so please be kind. Enjoy!
There's nothing like summer in the city
Someone under stress meets someone looking pretty
There's trouble in the air, you can smell it
The climate here is not unlike Takodana, Rey thinks to herself as she takes in the lush greenery and vast ocean. After escaping the First Order on Crait, the small pack of Resistance fighters sought refuge on Theodosia, a sanctuary planet founded by ancient monks in the days of the Old Republic for those escaping political or religious turmoil. A perfect place to hide from the First Order, the general had said. To hide from that monster, Rey's mind rebuts. After recent loses, the band of survivors agreed the time had come to regroup and heal rather than fight.
Since their arrival, Rey has tried to occupy her time, enjoying anything from the open-air markets in the city to the natural beauty surrounding the small base the Resistance now calls home. Summers here are much more enjoyable than the desert. She attends meetings with Leia, flies with Chewie, trains with Finn. Anything to keep busy and keep her thoughts away from him.
The Force betrays her efforts every time.
When the Force connects them, she feels the ever-present conflict eating away at the man half the galaxy now calls Supreme Leader. His hard eyes become soft as their eyes and souls connect. An ocean, a parsec away, a war away, yet, here in her quarters, he only feels a moment away. She knows she should ignore him, curse him, turn him away, but in these quiet moments she lets him in.
They've long since accepted their fate; forever connected in the Force.
Conversation never lasts long. Rey attempts to bring out the light; he attempts to bring out the dark. A battle of wills. Sometimes Rey asks about his family. He asks about her location. They change the subject.
Resigned, they sit in silence. Rey studies his face and knows no matter how hard she tries, despite his sins, she can never fully hate this man. They let the force flow between them, comforting one another, chasing the loneliness away. The Force is palpable in these stolen moments.
In the late hours of the night, she fantasizes about those dark eyes bearing into her soul, beckoning her with an outstretched hand. Rey, join me. An incomprehensible heat grows inside her, a flutter deep in her core. What would have happened if she accepted his offer? Would she be in his bed now instead of alone in her Resistance bunk?
Images of his strong features flash through her mind. The brief glimpse of his bare chest is enough to fuel many of her late-night fantasies. Tonight, eyes closed, she imagines those strong muscles braced above her, rippling with exertion. She lets out a low moan as her hand slowly moves down her body and dips into her wet folds. She desperately wishes it was his hand replacing her own. When their hands had briefly met on Ahch-To, the electricity between them was palpable. She can only imagine the sensations he would create within her with his own ministrations on her clit. The thought excites her more and her hand moves faster with need. Soon she's reaching her climax and calling out.
"Ben!"
"Leia, may I speak with you? Alone?" Rey fidgets in front of the general as Resistance members pour out of the conference room after another recruitment meeting.
"Of course, my child," Leia responds with slight concern. Leia takes Rey by the arm and they move towards the large expansive window facing out towards the great body of water Rey admires so much. Along the shore, trees bloom pink. The view gives her a renewed sense of confidence. Rey waits until she hears the distinct hiss of the doors sealing behind the last of the multitude exiting to continue their duties.
"I have a plan." Rey hesitates, "But I don't think you're going to like it."
The seasoned general and hero of the Rebellion cocks an eyebrow.
"Is this in regards to new member recruitment?" Leia inquires, referring to the recently concluded meeting.
"Kind of… Specifically your son."
Rey's comment takes the heartbroken mother by surprise for the briefest moment. The last time Leia had heard someone refer to the newly appointed Supreme Leader of the First Order as her son was—Han. Rey sees a whisper of pain cross the general's face before returning neutral.
Rey lets out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She must press on. "As you know, during my time with your brother on Ahch-To, we discussed bringing Ben Solo back to the light. Master Skywalker didn't think it could be done. I did. I still do. I said he was our last hope and I stand by that."
"Rey-"
"I know my first attempt didn't work as I had hoped, but he's changing. I felt it. Kriff! He killed Snoke, his own master to protect me! In the eyes of the First Order, he committed high treason to save a member of the Resistance. I know there is good in him. And I know you do too."
"Rey, I'm his mother. Of course, I'll always believe there is good in him. I regret that I had a moment on Crait where my faith in him faltered. As the First Order advanced, I believed my son to be gone for good." Leia pauses, casting her eyes toward the midday sun sparkling off the magnificent blue water in an attempt to keep her own eyes dry.
After she's somewhat composed herself, she continues, "I want nothing more than to bring my son home. But look what happened to Han. To all the men and women of the Resistance who have died. He is so far from the light, I don't know how to bring him back."
"I do."
"Absolutely not!"
"But Leia, just hear me out!"
"Seduction?! I may not know as much about the Force as Luke, but I'm pretty sure seducing someone to the light side is not how the light side of the Force works!"
The idea had come to Rey one night after one of her encounters with the dark-haired phantom that haunts her day and night. Her failed attempts to bring him to the light weighed particularly heavy on her as of late. Rey could sense the dark side threatening to overtake him with each passing day. Clearly, her last attempt was the wrong approach. Time to rethink her strategy. She knew Ben Solo needed to be turned back to the light before it was too late.
The Force-sensitive pair had shared the briefest touch one evening when the idea came to her. The electricity in that one touch stunned her and she could see the same reflection in his own eyes. Standing close, his eyes filled with desire for acceptance, for… something else. She knew the same desires reflected in her own irises.
Just as before, this touch revealed insight into the man before her. The Force needed to tell her something. Almost like a dream, an image was brought before her mind's eye.
By the grace of your training, I will not be seduced…
The idea came as a spark and only continued to grow in heat and intensity. At first, she tried to extinguish it, push away the maddening thought. Rey, a nobody from nothing, seducing Kylo Ren, a prince from galaxy legend, away from darkness? Absurd, she thinks. The Force washes her in reassurance and she accepts her fate.
"Leia, Ben and I… we're bonded. Through the Force. I don't know how to explain this connection we have, but when we're together, I feel..." Rey trails off, not knowing how to even begin to describe her feelings towards Ben Solo turned Kylo Ren. "I know if I could just take advantage of th-"
"Take advantage of my son?"
"To bring him to the light!"
"By whoring yourself to the First Order?"
The comment is delivered like a blow to the face. Rey takes a step back and lowers her eyes. Leia, immediately regretting her choice of words, moves to take Rey's hand.
"Oh honey, I'm sorry. I realize there is more than one way of seduction. Unfortunately, that was more of my husband's expertise." The women share a smile. "I know you want to help. The compassion you have for my son is commendable. I think most remaining members of the Resistance would shoot him on site if given the chance." Leia let's out a sound that resembles a hybrid of a laugh and sob. Rey looks at her with sad eyes.
"Just give me a chance. When he asked me to join him, I could feel his compassion, his desire. If I can access his heart, he'll turn to the light. Please, he's our only hope," Rey begs like a love-sick teenager.
Leia sits, not saying anything for a while. Rey is about to leave, accepting defeat when Leia sighs, shaking her head. "Under normal circumstances, I would deny your request immediately. But the Resistance is all of fifty strong right now and we're desperate. The First Order gets stronger by the day and the galaxy needs all the hope it can get. And if there's any girl that can turn my son's heart, it's you."
Leia holds Rey's face in her weathered hands and Rey softly smiles.
"Be careful in the art of seduction, Rey. While he may be seduced to the light, you could just as easily be seduced to the dark. How do you think my son got to be where he is now?"
"I will not be seduced. I've resisted the dark before and I can do it again. I won't fail you, General," Rey says with a confidence that would put Poe Dameron to shame.
Leia offers her a smile lacking all confidence Rey just exuded. "Go. You'll be travelling to Coruscant, and you'll need to prepare for your journey. Return here after dining hour is over and we'll discuss your plans in more detail."
Rey nods, understanding that the older woman before her desires a quiet moment alone as a grieving matriarch before resuming the role of general. Rey's determination to save Ben Solo is only heightened as she exits the room.
"What do you mean you can't tell us anything about the mission?" Finn asks flabbergasted.
"That's kind of the whole point of a secret mission, Finn," Poe laughs.
The trio of Resistance fighters are sitting together sharing their mealtime like they do almost every evening. Rey decided it best to warn her comrades about her upcoming departure rather than disappearing for fear of the overprotective Finn leading an unnecessary rescue mission straight into the heart of the First Order.
"All you need to know is I'm leaving tomorrow and I don't know how long I'll be gone. The general has approved my mission and I'm going alone," Rey warns. She fears she being too harsh to her friends, but she cannot risk any interference.
Rey sits on a flat rock on the shore of the lake, peering out into its black depths. Preparations for her journey to the capital of the First Order had been completed and knowing sleep would not come easily tonight, Rey decided to seek comfort in the gentle sounds of the waves coming ashore. She admires the reflection of Theodosia's twin moons dancing on the surface of the water and smiles.
"Soon, Ben, you won't be an ocean away. You'll only be a moment away."