Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or anything that relates to Star Wars.

Rating: T

Continuity: Set after Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.

A/N: This is my contribution for Day 7 of Reylo Week 2018 over on Tumblr under the Destiny – Paths theme. As opposed to the Day 2 smut fest of Possession, Paths is a sweet little one-shot about finding your way in the galaxy. Thanks for reading, friends! You can find me on Tumblr as sushigirlali.

Special Thanks: I like pandas and stuff (x2!) / Laxargames / ToughSpirit

Paths
By: sushigirlali

Rey raced down the dimly lit hallway that led to the makeshift landing bay, dodging rogue piles of snow and debris as she went. After the Battle of Crait, the Resistance had retreated to an old rebel base stationed on the ice planet Hoth. After years of Empire and scavenger occupation, there wasn't much left to the timeworn outpost. Still, the location was relatively low profile and had afforded the Resistance some semblance of security for the first time in months.

Well, it had been up until about ten minutes ago when Ben Solo suddenly materialized out of hyperspace and landed on their doorstep.

No, not Ben Solo. Kylo Ren. Rey reminded herself forcefully.

Despite everything that had transpired between them on the Supremacy, Rey's heart was beating out of her chest at the thought of seeing him again. They hadn't connected through the Force since parting ways on Crait, so Rey had no idea what his state of mind was right now. Was he here to finish off the Resistance, to punish her for rejecting him? Or had something else driven Kylo to their hideout?

Kylo hadn't brought any Stormtroopers with him, and the long range scans detected no other First Order ships in their sector, but his unexpected presence was unnerving. Why hadn't he contacted her before attempting to land? If he had come for her...no, she couldn't think like that. Not yet, no matter how much she wished it to be true. Not while he was still an enemy of the Resistance, not while he was on a path to the dark side.

Muffled shouting reached Rey's ears as she neared the open doorway, spurring her to run even faster. Finally rounding the corner, Rey finally slid to a halt in front of the huge blast doors, huffing as she took in the scene before her.

Kylo stood at the far side of the open-air hanger, his modified TIE Fighter parked behind him. Poe and Finn were positioned next to concrete barriers on opposite sides of the room, blasters drawn.

"Drop your lightsaber and hold your hands out!" Poe ordered, fingering a pair of stuncuffs in his free hand.

"I wish to speak to my mother." Kylo said calmly, ignoring the Commander's order.

"Not until you throw down your weapon." Poe reiterated.

"And leave myself defenseless?" Kylo scoffed. "I'm not about to trust my life to a man whose actions led to the near extinction of his own allies and a habitual defector."

"Do you ever stop talking?" Finn said tersely. "Drop him, Poe, we can sort out the particulars once we have him contained."

"You hear that, Ren? My buddy here is ready to get this over with. Put down the lightsaber and we can end this nicely. But one more word, and we'll have to do this the hard way." Poe informed him.

Kylo's lips twitched into a slight smirk. "No."

"Fine." Poe shrugged, tossing the cuffs over his shoulder and aiming his blaster at Kylo's chest. "Have it your way."

Moving hastily into the room, Rey held out both hands, pushing Finn and Poe backward against the hanger walls before they could let off a shot, while Kylo's ungloved hand was frozen on the hilt of his crossguard lightsaber.

"Rey, what the hell!" Finn yelped in surprise.

"I'm sorry, guys, but I can't let you hurt him." Rey said firmly. "He's mine."

Ben's head lifted at her words, his expression confused, yet hopeful. "Rey." He said softly.

Poe and Finn exchanged looks, connecting dots Rey wasn't ready for them to connect. Rey mentally groaned. Why had she said that?!

"Rey, what is going on here." Finn asked hesitantly.

"I didn't mean—I only meant that I will deal with Ben—Ren—Kylo Ren." Rey took a deep breath, trying to collect herself. "Do you promise to let me handle this if I release you?" Rey asked her friends.

"Sure, Rey, you've clearly got the situation covered." Poe said bemusedly.

"But what—" Finn started. "Hey!"

Rey turned back to Kylo as Finn and Poe dropped harmlessly to the ground.

"What are you doing here?" She demanded without further ado.

A smile ghosted across Kylo's face. "I've come to surrender…under certain circumstances."

"And those are?" Rey probed, trying not to soften as Ben's warm gaze sought hers.

"Best negotiated with General Organa." Kylo said seriously.

"Okay, let's put a pin in that." Rey held out her hand expectantly. "Give me your lightsaber."

"You'll have to release me first." He indicated the hand locked the hilt of his weapon.

Rey lifted an eyebrow. "No, I don't. You're strong enough in the Force to release yourself." She paused as something occurred to her. "For that matter, why haven't you?"

"I'm in no hurry." Kylo said easily, flexing his fingers as she freed him with a thought. "I'm wondering down a new path, and I intend to take my time."

"Is that right?" Rey extended her hand again. "Lightsaber."

Kylo gave her a pained look as he acquiesced to her request. Their fingers brushed as he slowly passed the weapon to her, sending a shockwave up Rey's arm. She ached to grasp his hand again but busied herself with tucking the crossguard into her waistband instead.

"Thank you, Ben." Rey said, gazing up at him in relief.

"You're welcome, Rey." He replied huskily.

"Are you done flirting, yet?" Finn broke in, looking from Rey to Ben and back again. "We have better things to do than stand around in this drafty hanger all day babysitting tall, dark, and psycho here."

"We're not flirting!" Rey flushed. "And don't call him that!"

"Now, now, we're all friends here. In fact…" Poe tossed the cuffs at Ben, who caught them deftly with one hand. "I don't even think we need these."

"Poe, you can't be serious." Finn protested.

"I'm perfectly serious." Poe grinned. "Besides, these two might find a better use for them."

"What do we need stuncuffs for?" Rey asked, confused.

"I'm already regretting turning myself in." Ben sighed, but he looped the stuncuffs on his belt all the same.

Holding out a hand to Rey, Ben's heart sped up as she absentmindedly laced their fingers together.

"But the stuncuffs—" Rey said again.

"I'll tell you when you're older." Ben deadpanned. "Now, I'd like to speak with my mother."

"Oh, alright." Rey said, tugging him toward the doorway. "This way, Ben."

Finn watched them go, at a loss for words.

"He tells jokes!" Poe exclaimed once they were out of earshot. "Who knew?!"

"Rey, apparently." Finn said sardonically.

"I think there's a lot more to those two than meets the eye." Poe mused, knocking Finn in the shoulder playfully. "Let's catch up, buddy, I don't want to miss a thing!"

-FIN-

A/N: I love Finn and Poe so much, so I'm hoping that they'll come around on accepting Ben once that redemption arc kicks in during Episode 9. Both men are quick to trust and forgive, so I hope that holds true for their characters in the future.