Another early update. Seriously, my muse is killing me. She wouldn't let me sleep until I finish this. So here it is guys.

I would like to again thank you to everyone who has continued to be on this journey with me and today, I would like to give special thanks to erikajakole who has recently been my sounding board for when I went into a slump. Thanks to you girl and your encouragement, I managed another early update!

Ben's eyes widened as he took in the sight of Rey, still in the shadows, still clutching the large paper bag to her chest. He felt his heart seize as a myriad of unexpected emotions assailed him—anger, pain, sadness, shame, betrayal...then nothing. It all just...disappeared.

He watched Rey take a deep breath and step into the light, a bright smile on her face, her eyes clear and free of tears. Had he just imagined it then?

"Hey, Ben. Hey, Lennett." She looked from Ben to Lennett and back to Ben again, her smile still intact. "Did I interrupt anything?"

"N-No." Ben shook his head then took two steps at a time to reach Rey and pull her in for a quick hug. "How was the excursion? Learn anything new?"

"I learned that your mother slayed a Hutt," Rey said with a hint of mischief that unnerved Ben. She saw, right? Surely, she saw. But why wasn't she making a fuss about it? She usually did whenever Lennett was around and being nice to him. What happened earlier definitely constituted as more than being nice. So why wasn't Rey throwing a fit?

"Oooh! I almost forgot." Rey reached into the large paper bag and took out a small box, delicate fingers gingerly taking it by the handle. "I got you some buttersweet puffs. I remember you saying you miss these. Happy birthday!"

"Thanks, Rey." Ben appreciated the treat. Really, he did. But Rey's chipper demeanour was starting to bother him. And not that he was complaining about the buttersweet puffs, but he'd gotten used to more personal gifts from Rey over the years. Like drawings, and handmade cards, a delicious meal she cooked herself in the mess kitchen. Not some store bought dessert. "What else do you have in the bag there?"

"Just some clothes I bought for myself." Rey quickly put the paper bag behind her, her eyes moving over to what he was wearing. "That's a really nice cloak you got there. Did Lennett give it to you?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I did," Lennett interjected and moved closer to them, the box containing the other cloaks in her arms. "I got him three, all of which are made of Lashaa silk."

Rey whistled. Ben had never heard her do that before. "Wow. That's pretty expensive. Can I touch it?"

Ben glanced at Lennett. For all the times she remained unperturbed whenever Rey was being particularly difficult around her, Lennett was clearly confused on how to act around this Rey. "Uhm...sure."

Rey reached into the box and touched the silk, openly admiring it and engaging in small talk with Lennett about fabrics. Pretty soon the conversation turned to Coruscanti fashion, and Ben was quickly lost. All he could do was stare back and forth between the two girls, unable to find a way to either steer the topic or join the conversation.

Finally, Lennett turned to smile at Ben. She seemed genuinely happy. "I'll be going now, Ben. I've got some homework I need to finish. Have fun catching up with Rey." She handed him the box of cloaks, patted Rey on the head before sauntering off to the woods, but not before throwing one last wave of goodbye.

"She's nice," Rey commented when Lennett disappeared between the trees. In an instant, Ben had his palm over her forehead, which she promptly swatted away. "What?"

"I was just wondering if you have a fever." Ben frowned. "Since when did you start thinking of Lennett as nice? Only a week ago, you were saying she was a fake."

"A girl can change her mind, right?" Rey shrugged, then paused for a moment. "You really like her, don't you?"

He sighed. "Of course I do, sweetheart. I thought that was obvious enough. Remember how I was so morose when she and Casthre dated last year?"

"I couldn't forget even if I tried." Rey fell into another moment of silence before continuing. "What exactly is it...that you see in her?"

Ben felt his shoulders stiffen. Why did he feel like he was suddenly put on the spot? "Well...she's beautiful. She's smart, kind, and very charming. She's also the only other person who's been nice and friendly to both of us."

"Is...is that all?"

"She's also a lot like me." If he wasn't defensive earlier, he certainly was now. Where was Rey going with this line of questioning? "We're both of a family legacy that's too big for us. So we both can relate to each other in that level."

Rey tore her eyes away from his. "Right. You're a prince and she's a princess. You'd be perfect for each other," she said in such a flat voice, he wasn't sure if it was sarcasm, sadness, or simply a lack of emotion.

"We're both of age too," Ben added, though he was unsure why he did.

He thought he saw Rey wince, but she had her face turned in such a way that he couldn't be certain what her expression was.

Then, after a time, she turned back to him and said, "If you really like her, then you should go and ask her out. I won't get mad anymore."

Ben's eyes widened, his gaze intense on Rey. No, he wasn't imagining it. She was serious. "Rey..."

"I promise, I won't," Rey affirmed. "I'm sorry I got mad before. I just...thought she was toying with you but I guess I was wrong. Seems she really does like you."

"R-Really?" There was no hiding the blush creeping up to his cheeks, even if he did duck his head. "You think she likes me?"

"Yep. Otherwise she wouldn't give you those expensive cloaks. Or kiss you on the cheek like that."

"You..." He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. "You saw?"

Rey blew at the side of her cheek. "I have eyes, don't I?" She winked and nudged him with an elbow before her smile slowly disappeared. "I'm sorry I couldn't get you anything other than the buttersweet puffs."

"It's okay, sweetheart." He reached out and pulled her into a sideways hug. "The fact you came home safely is enough of a birthday present for me."

Rey was quick to pull away. "Let's get back to the room. You need to put away those cloaks."

On the way, Rey rattled on about the academic excursion to Coruscant—the visit to the war museum, checking out artifacts, watching holos and listening to war stories from both Luke and Lor San Tekka, particularly in regards to the exploits of the Skywalkers and their allies during the war. She also talked about a friend, Kreio Thorsen, who said the funniest and wittiest things. It was this that nagged at Ben a bit. Who the kriff was this Kreio and why did his name sound so familiar? Dammit, he really needed to remember names better, he thought.

Once inside the room, Ben put the cloaks away in the closet, hanging them with extra care and running his fingers through the smooth fabric before turning to see Rey staring at him, her paper bag of clothes on top of her bed.

"Rey? What's the matter?"

"Ben..." He watched her look at the cloaks for a moment before her eyes moved back to meet his. "There's something...I've got to tell you."

He stopped midway through stroking the cloak and stared back at her more attentively. She sounded quite serious.

Closing the closet door, he walked over to where she stood and folded his arms. "Okay. I'm listening."

"You...uhm...might want to sit down." Rey sat on her bed and patted on the space next to hers. Ben sank down beside her and was quick to notice the way she flinched and instantly shifted away from him.

Something was very wrong. "What is it, sweetheart? What do you want to tell me?"

"I..." He watched her swallow hard, watched her clasp and unclasp her hands on her lap before she took one deep breath and said, "I'm moving out."

What's this, another cliffhanger? Really sorry guys, but it just felt right to end it here. The good news is, 1/4th of the next chapter is already done so there's another possibility of a quick update for that, but perhaps around Sunday if I can.

In the meantime, I hope you guys hang on tight with me coz this roller coaster ride of emotions ain't over. See you again in the next chapters!

PS
Buttersweet puffs are a thing. It's a dessert mentioned in Bloodline which Leia supposedly loves.