Prologue
It wasn't until Ben Solo opened his eyes that Rey realized what had been lost. They were in Snoke's lair, his evil finally vanquished, but in those last moments, something had happened. Rey remembered a flash of blinding light emanating from the spot where Kylo and Snoke had stood, locked in combat. When she came to, there was a shriveled corpse in Snoke's place and the prone body of a naked man next to it.
When she saw the body, her heart filled with a choking fear and a terrible hope. She raced to his side and turned him over so she could feel his heart and touch his face. But it wasn't his face, not that of Kylo Ren's. The man had his features, his hair, his height and build, but the silver scar that Kylo had worn since their first duel was gone.
Rey didn't know how long she held him, cradled to her chest. She didn't know why she didn't try to rouse him, even as the walls of the cavern trembled around them. Except, that's a lie, she did know. Even then, she had felt it. Something hadn't been right.
Finally, hearing the footfalls and shouts of Resistance fighters, she pressed her lips to his. They tasted like ash.
He began to stir just as Finn entered the chamber calling her name. The man in her arms opened his eyes and Rey's hopes soared once again only to shatter when he twisted back from her embrace.
"Who are you?"
A/N: Thanks for reading! I'm dusting off my account after a long hiatus so please bear with me. This idea just came to me and wouldn't let me go. It would be great to hear your thoughts and speculations! Questions and constructive criticism are also very welcomed. I will eventually cross-post to AO3 (still waiting on an account).
Beta readers: Desperately seeking someone to beta for the whole fic! It's all plotted out (should end up 4-5 sections total), and I'm hoping to finish the entire first draft this week. Please let me know if you're interested!