Rey closed her eyes and took a slow, deep breath. Her legs were crossed underneath her frame. Arranged on the floor in front of her, were the individual components for a lightsaber. The Skywalker lightsaber. Every busted piece had been meticulously rebuilt. It took two weeks to complete the painstaking task.
"Perfect," Rey said dryly. There was a sudden change in the wind, enough to give her pause.
A bulky transport passed overhead, disturbing the peaceful night and rustling the ancient forest. It came in a little too low, rattling Rey's treehouse. The young Jedi tensed for a moment and waited for the noise to die down. With all the activity around the new Resistance Base, Rey wanted a residence on the outskirts. A quiet place where she could train and meditate in private. Someplace far enough from prying eyes and ears.
Just in case The Force sent her a certain unwanted visitor.
The treehouse was everything she could have hoped for and more. Built in the highlands, it had basic amenities and a comfortable cot. For the most part, it was a quiet location. But every once and awhile, a security transport would come around and scan the area. That part was General Organa's doing. Leia understood that Rey needed her own space, but it didn't stop her from worrying. She didn't like having the young Jedi so far away.
Rey straightened the lightsaber pieces, getting them back in a perfect line. The annoying transport was long gone. Outside her window, the leaves had settled. The firebugs inside her lanterns had come to a rest as well. The tiny insects gave off a steady, ethereal amber glow. It was comforting and familiar in a way that she couldn't quite put a finger on.
"Okay," Rey said to herself. She was ready.
Stretching with her feelings, Rey could see her treehouse from above. The moonlight bathed the circular, thatched roof, making it stand out against the leaves and branches. She could see the Resistance Base off in the distance—the last of the security transports coming in for a landing. Then, the whole of Kashyyyk. The system was quiet. Not a ship in sight. Good news for the Resistance.
Turning her palm and rolling her fingers, the lightsaber pieces started to vibrate. They raised from the mat beneath her feet as Rey took a steady breath. The blue kyber crystal spun slowly in the middle. Rey could sense its storied power. It called to her; just like it had on Starkiller Base.
As the pieces arranged themselves in the correct order, Rey caught glimpses of the crystal's previous owners. They appeared in smoke, like images dancing over a campfire. Rey had to open one eye, just to make sure that her treehouse wasn't on fire.
Anakin Skywalker appeared first. His strength was present with every parry; every contact from his deadly blade. Conflict radiated from him in waves. How could the Jedi Order not sense it sooner? His anger was bubbling beneath the surface, but it didn't frighten Rey. In a way, she understood the feeling. His emotions bore a striking resemblance to someone she knew.
The lightsaber pieces continued higher, moving above her head. She could feel them settling into the correct alignment—the edges nearly touching.
Then she sensed Luke. Rey smiled a little bit. He looked different. Much younger and so full of hope. Even as he battled Darth Vader for the first time. It was inspiring to watch.
The floating pieces steadied and started to touch. Rey could feel it. She was so close to assembling the blade. Finally.
Suddenly, she sensed a third owner. The imaginary smoke shifted.
"Ben," Rey whispered.
It was Ben Solo, but not the statuesque man she was expecting. A lanky teenager appeared before her. He was maybe fifteen or sixteen. Rey furrowed her brow. She watched as Ben took the lightsaber from Artoo. They were on a hot desert planet in a binary system, trying to avoid blaster fire. The scene around them was chaotic.
Bolts of crimson buzzed near Ben's ear, narrowly missing him. He raced for cover, diving behind a supply crate. Scared and alone, he finally ignited the lightsaber. In an instant, his expression changed. Rey saw a spark in his eyes. Letting out a cry, Ben rolled out from behind the supply crate. He deflected an incoming blast before burying the hilt in a bounty hunter that came too close.
"Ben!" Rey called.
Why would he be facing hardened killers alone? Where the hell was Luke? Rey turned quickly and scanned the area. That's when she noticed the Millennium Falcon parked off in the distance. She could barely make out its silhouette through the heavy layers of dust.
"Han," she breathed. Where was Han? Where was Ben's father?
The smoky vision faded.
"N-no," Rey said. Her stomach turned in knots. Her outstretched hand waivered. It was just enough to break her concentration. The lightsaber pieces wiggled, despite her efforts to keep them in place. One by one, they dropped from the air. Every dull "thud" they made sounded painfully familiar. It sounded like failure.
"Not again," Rey hissed. She was so kriffing close. Leaning forward, she slammed her palm into the floor.
Just then, she heard it: a low frequency rumble. It sent a shiver down her spine. She wasn't alone anymore.
"Go away," Rey barked. Her voice echoed across the Bond. She didn't need to look over her shoulder. He was already standing there.
Kylo Ren remained silent. His gaze roamed over every inch of her, committing it to memory. He looked like a man dying of thirst. And he was. Rey hadn't let him in since Crait. Judging from her tone, she didn't intend to speak with him now.
Rey sighed. The heat from his stare was making her cheeks and ears turn red.
"You called me," Kylo said softly.
Rey scoffed and looked down. She took the opportunity to smooth out the front of her undershirt. It shouldn't matter how she looked, but Rey couldn't help it. Her fingers combed over her ears, pushing the stubborn tendrils back into place.
"Just leave."
"How many times?" Kylo asked, taking a step forward. He wasn't about to leave.
"What?" Rey said. Her gaze shifted to the kyber crystal. Kriff. Did he know? Could he see her surroundings?
"How many times have you tried to assemble your lightsaber?" Kylo Ren hated repeating himself, but Rey would never know it from his tone. His voice was deep but soothing.
"I don't need your help, Ben," Rey said, finally looking over her shoulder. It was good to see him again, as much as it pained her to admit.
"I know," Kylo said. He moved slowly around the cramped confines of the hut. Although he couldn't see her surroundings, he knew to duck below the connecting wood joists.
Rey followed his every step with her round, hazel eyes. He wasn't here to fight. So why was he here?
Kylo knelt in front of her, joining Rey on the scratchy mat. The pair stared into each other's eyes for a long time without saying anything. He was happy to see her—as happy as he could look, anyway.
"Thirty-four days," Kylo said, finally breaking the silence between them.
"Thirty-five," Rey corrected, confirming a suspicion he had. She was keeping track as well.
His eyes never left hers, but his hand moved over the newly constructed handle. Somehow, he knew right where it was. The reflective piece levitated under his control.
Rey inhaled sharply. "Can you see my surroundings?"
"No. Just you," he answered. That was all he ever wanted to see.
"Then how did you know?" Rey asked. The hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. Kylo Ren could be lying.
"The same way I know there are candles in your room," Kylo replied. He looked around the treehouse, trying to picture the space. "You have candles… or firebug lanterns. Something like that. The light here is natural. It dances in your eyes. It kisses your skin."
His leather clad fingers ghosted over her exposed shoulder. Rey swallowed hard. She should have flinched or pushed him away. Kylo was so close to touching her. He wanted to touch her, but instead, he pulled his trembling fingers away.
"I know the feeling Rey," he continued. "The feeling of frustration. I failed to assemble my lightsaber on the first try, too. It takes some Jedi weeks to assemble their lightsaber. To an outsider, it seems like a simple task. A handful of machined parts and a kyber crystal. Elegant and more complicated than they could possibly know."
"It does seem that way," Rey nodded. She felt foolish for thinking it would be easier. "So, how many tries did it take you?"
"Four," Kylo answered. "The first sword is always the hardest. It will get easier. I've constructed several lightsabers over the years. How many times have—"
"Three," Rey said abruptly. Her freckled cheeks were burning. She couldn't help but feel defensive, and a little competitive. What if she couldn't complete it on the fourth try, like Ben? What would that mean?
"Okay," Kylo soothed. "The number of attempts doesn't matter. That's not the point. You have natural skill, Rey. You know… a lightsaber is—"
"I already told you," Rey gritted out. "I don't need your help."
"I know. I think… I need yours," Kylo said, trying to keep his voice calm.
Rey's heart skipped a beat. For a split second, she saw her vision of Ben Solo again. The same vision she shared with him on the way to Snoke's throne room.
"If I can show you something. Anything. Even if it's just one lesson…"
His voice trailed off, but Rey could tell where he was going.
"Maybe you could stay away from me," Rey finished. It was like getting slapped in the face. Rey couldn't keep her eyes from fluttering. She should hate Kylo Ren. She should never want to see his face again. But to lose the connection forever?
"That's what you want, isn't it?" he said with a quirk of his brow.
"I don't… I don't know," Rey said quietly. "Is that what you want, Ben?"
Kylo lowered his gaze. He couldn't take the look on Rey's face. Her confusion. Her uncertainty. It cut him someplace deep.
Rey took in his features. He looked tired. "When was the last time you slept?"
Furrowing his brow, Kylo tried to avoid the question altogether. He couldn't hide the truth from Rey. She'd see right through his façade. Instead, he focused on the lightsaber pieces on the floor. With a deliberate wave, his fingers nearly brushed along her knee. The hilt came up in sections, floating in front of them.
Kylo cleared his throat. "The mistake is believing that it can only be one way. Even with lightsabers. There are infinite ways, Rey. The books you're reading… they probably tell you to find a cave or mountain top. Someplace secluded. Back to nature. Wise words from old men in robes."
The last part sounded bitter. Rey's gaze drifted to the bookcase under the window. Kylo knew about the ancient Jedi texts. But how? He had never been to Ahch-To. Had he?
"That doesn't work for everyone. It shouldn't take weeks to build a lightsaber. The process doesn't have to leave you starving and physically drained," he continued.
"I know all about starving," Rey countered. "Are you always looking for shortcuts?"
"I'm not suggesting a shortcut," Kylo said. "You're different. We're different. You don't need a quiet place, Rey. It didn't work for me."
"What are you suggesting?" Rey said, licking her bottom lip. Kylo looked so good in the warm glow of the lanterns.
"Don't do it here. You don't need to be in nature. Go to your home. The place you love. Build it there… in that noisy, piece of junk—"
"Stop!" Rey snapped. Her hand opened quickly. Using the Force, she yanked the hilt from Kylo Ren's control. Catching it firmly, the young Jedi stood up and backed away.
Kylo Ren was just as quick. Getting to his feet, he crowded over her. His head was lowered just enough to avoid hitting the treehouse roof.
"Your jealous that I have your father's ship," Rey accused.
"Do you know how easy it is to find the Millennium Falcon? The entire galaxy knows what she looks like," Kylo barked. He gritted his teeth for a moment. This wasn't the plan. This wasn't the conversation he had rehearsed so many times. Yelling at her wasn't going to accomplish anything. Couldn't Rey see his concern? Wasn't it written in his eyes and trembling lips?
Kylo Ren started to turn away, but Rey grabbed his wrist. The Darksider flinched slightly at the contact.
"Why do you care so much, Supreme Leader?" Rey said. She couldn't stop her voice from shaking. "Aren't you tearing the galaxy apart, trying to find me."
"The First Order is hunting down the traitors you call allies," Kylo growled. "But I don't want you found."
"I don't need you to protect me!" Rey said, pushing his wrist away.
They were breathing heavily now.
"You can't have it both ways, Ben! Star Destroyers pummel any system that has ever supported the Resistance or your mother. Massive amounts of collateral damage are piling up. You act like it's nothing. And eventually, they will find us again. Your First Order will find me!"
"I need you to stop. Stop flying around in that blasted ship!" Kylo bellowed. He was seething, but Rey wouldn't yield. She was crowding him now, just as much as he was crowding her.
"Ben," Rey said sternly.
With a clench of his fist, the Force shook the treehouse. The firebug lanterns swayed dangerously, and the tiny insects abandoned their homes. Hundreds of little balls of light flew between Kylo and Rey. Their frantic glowing ends switched colors—turning from amber to green—alternating quickly as they passed. It was a beautiful display, considering.
The pair exchanged heated glances as the last of the firebugs escaped out of the window. Darkness crowded the room in their place. Kylo and Rey remained locked in a silent stalemate. The only light on their bodies came from the moon itself.
"Please," Kylo said, reaching for her elbow. His fingers finally pressed into her arm guards. The hardened curve around her elbow felt so inviting. The kind of touch that only lovers know. If she would only let him go further.
"I'd like you… to leave," Rey said. Her voice had grown strong and steady again.
Kylo clenched his jaw and let her go. Turning his back, he paused. This time, Rey didn't make a move to stop him. Their connection started to wane. He could feel it. Kylo dreaded this part.
"Forever?" he asked.
Rey's lips parted. She wanted to say 'yes.' Her brain screamed at her to say it. But her heart wouldn't let her.
"That's what I thought." With that, Kylo Ren was gone.
Rey blinked, instantly missing the dark form that once stood there. Something told her that he would be visiting again soon. The Force wasn't ready to close their connection. And she wasn't ready to let go.
A/N: Inspired by the awesome work of Nihterne on tumblr. Working on the second chapter right now. This will be a short story, full of visual goodness. :)