Feeling immensely pleased with himself, Ben savored the knowledge that he'd found several boutiques catering to humanoids. He steers them towards the most opulent, and while he'd like to just buy her one of everything, he knows he must go slowly. So he's hoping to convince her to select something for their time on Eshara and perhaps a few other ensembles for when they arrive on Corellia.

She's looking through the glass at a dress displayed. It's a pink that's so pale it's almost ivory, and it reminds him of the image he'd had of Rey spinning in the sun. He just needs to keep her from checking the cost, as Chewie seems to have set them down near a rather affluent part of Eshara. It's nearly evening, perhaps he'll be able to find somewhere nice to take her to dinner?

Ben's mind spins out in so many directions, all the ways he wants to spoil his precious love. There's so much in the galaxy he wants to share with her, magical places he'd never really cared for but now the idea of showing them to Rey has him eager and impatient to start right now.

"Would you like to try it on?" he asks. She almost has her nose pressed against the window.

"Oh, no, it's not practical. I just thought it was … pretty." He sees the ghost of the girl she could have been and he once again swears to himself that he'll fix this, give that little lost child what she should have had.

"It's alright to have something that's not practical. I … I'd like to see you in it," he offers honestly.

Her eyes widen slightly. "You would?"

Ben takes her hand and caresses her palm with his thumb. "I really would," he says, a ragged neediness in his tone. The thought of her at his side as they wander through the town, dressed in clothes he's provided stokes something primal inside him.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try it on."

He smiles broadly and pulls her into the shop.

She's never, not once in her whole life felt even half as pretty as she does right now, wearing the dress from the window. The warm pale pink, like the beginnings of the sunset, contrasts with her skin and the fabric flows down her body. Somehow, it makes her shapelier. The long sleeves whisper against her skin—the fabric designed to shield her from the sun but allow the air to flow. The design is perfect for the climate.

But her favorite part is the light embroidery covering every inch with thin vines and leaves. The thread shimmers and when she moves it looks like sun glinting off of water.

Taking a deep breath, she steps through the curtain to show Ben. At first she's nervous because his face is completely blank. But then he goes slack jawed and blinks repeatedly.

"We'll take it," he says swiftly to the kind Togruta who's running the shop.

"Wait, Ben, it's so expens-"

His eyes bore into hers and he almost growls. "There is no way we're leaving this shop without that dress, Rey."

"You … you like it then?"

Striding towards her, he clasps her about the waist and pulls her to him. There's a confidence to his movements that makes her tummy swoop and she's never seen his eyes full of so much liquid heat. In her ear he rumbles, "You look like you've been created from my dreams; please let me buy this for you. You're so beautiful and this dress is almost worthy of you. Almost."

She can't quite believe she could ever look like what he says he sees. She's just a scavenger, she can't let herself forget that. Yet … hearing that he thinks she's beautiful, confirming his earlier words, it makes her want to believe, want to let this dream last.

But a lifetime of essential pragmatism still yells loudly in her mind. "I don't know, Ben … after we leave here when would I ever wear it again?"

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm going to take you to so many places. You'll need dozens of dresses."

She can't process that, not really. However, they'd only just decided to take care of each other and for Ben, a large part of that seems to be buying her things. If she wants him to let her in, let her support him when he's in pain, she has to try.

Fingers tighten at her waist and he whispers, "Please," into her ear, His breath makes a shiver race up her spine.

Pulling back, he takes her hand and kisses one knuckle. "Please." Another kiss, moving along her hand. "Please." And another. He kisses her hand one last time, having held her eyes the whole time. "Please."

His entreaties are so earnest and the tension between them is deliciously taut. She can do nothing but assent. "Alright … alright."

Ben grins and it makes him look like a different person, lighter, almost whole.

Beckoning to the shopkeeper, he instructs, "She also needs a few outfits suitable for a planet with chilly, rainy weather."

"Ben!" she gasps out. He wants her to select even more? Spend more of his credits?

"Rey, I want you to have appropriate clothing."

Frowning she says, "Leia always makes sure I have things to wear."

She notices the shadow pass over his face, but he doesn't say anything about his mother. "I want you to have things meant for you. Not just whatever is available. Honestly, I'd like to get you an entire wardro-"

"Oh, no, I couldn't possib-"

"I know. That's why I said a few. I don't want to overwhelm you, I truly don't. But you do need new clothes, I know you do."

He's not wrong, and the idea of having new clothes to wear, items she's selected herself, being able to make sure the sleeves won't get in the way when she works, that they would fit without having to belt them … it's truly enticing.

"I know you're right. But … how about just two outfits instead?" She peeks up at him through her lashes.

He's frowning but he nods. "Alright, Rey." Then his expression brightens. "We'll just have to find more on Corellia."

She laughs at his dogged determination to spend a small fortune on her. "I only ever had two sets of clothes on Jakku, but something tells me you wouldn't be happy about that."

His expression tightens and she senses that storm of anger growing again. This time, however, he breathes out slowly and it recedes.

Kissing her forehead, he says, "Try not to think about the credits. Just enjoy yourself."

So she does.

While he'd prefer to just watch her flit between the stands of clothing like a honey bee, he has his own wardrobe needs.

It's been such a long time since he had any genuine choice in what he wore, he doesn't quite know where to begin. His inclination is to find something black, but he'll look like a looming specter next to Rey …

He selects a pair of long, gray, loose trousers that hang low on his hips. The fabric is light and he almost feels like he's in his sleepwear. In addition, there's a pale tunic that goes to his mid-thigh with an open neckline. It's much less oppressive than his clothing meant for the snow and ice. But he's not had this much of him showing in years and he's not quite sure what to think of it as he looks at himself in the mirror.

Sighing, he steps out into the shop and goes to find Rey, who has several pieces hanging over her arm. She actually does a double-take when she sees him and he feels as her eyes move over his body, her sudden desire broadcasting in the Force. She … she likes him like this.

Her eyes linger at the opening at his neck and he finds himself swallowing.

"H-have you found what you need?" he asks to pull himself from the building warmth in his belly.

"Well, I don't need any of it."

"Rey …"

"I'm sorry. I … it's going to take time. It all seems impossible to fathom. I've never …" She looks down on the skirts of her lovely dress and draws her fingers along the fabric. "I've never had anything new before, never mind something so beautiful."

"And do you like it?"

"The dress?"

"No, being cared for."

"Yes," she whispers.

"But?"

"I'm scared. I'm scared I'll believe in it, believe in you and you'll … you'll leave me. Leave us." Her hand unconsciously settles on her abdomen.

Swiftly, he takes her face in his hands. "No! No, that will never happen. Never."

Her eyes grow fearful. "I … I want to believe you, most of the time I do, but … this, it's … it's becoming real, isn't it?"

"It's always been real to me, Rey." His voice is low and full of meaning.

She blinks slowly and he strokes her cheeks with his thumbs. Her little pink tongue darts out and he's utterly trapped in her hazel eyes. Then his face is descending, almost without conscious thought, the need to capture those beckoning lips overriding any other thought.

His lips touch hers, just a whisper really, when the shopkeeper calls out, "May I help you find anything else?"

Ben's mouth drags along hers as he turns his head, staring daggers at the Torgruta. "We're fine," he growls, but Rey slips away from him and when he looks back to her, he sees her retreating into the rows of clothing.

Breathing quickly, Rey tries to concentrate on the racks of shirts and leggings, but all she can feel is the ghost of his lips on hers. Finally, finally he was kissing her, but when she'd realized they'd been observed, she'd had to run. She's not even sure why. Her first kiss … almost kiss? There lips had barely touched, does it even count?

She wishes she hadn't run away, but she'd been so overwhelmed by it all that she hadn't known what else to do. Now that she feels more centered, she knows she has to go back. She can't let him think she's afraid. Even though she is. Taking in a deep breath, she turns on her heel and determinedly marches back to Ben.

When she finds him he's sitting in a chair, staring at the floor. Not giving herself time to second guess herself, she walks up to him and lifts his chin so he's looking at her. Now it's her turn to hold his face in her hands.

He's blinking in surprise and there's an air of rejection around him that she can't allow to go on for one more minute. She wants this. She wants him. Maybe she even loves him. But she doesn't want her first proper kiss to be in the middle of a store. He's sure to have kissed dozens of women before; he probably doesn't understand.

Leaning over, she presses a kiss to the soft skin right before his ear and breathes out, "When we're alone." Slowly, she trails caresses along his jaw as she pulls back.

What she finds is his eyes absolutely huge with hope and a small, eager smile on his lips. "That was why you ran from me?"

She shrugs. "I just … I want it to be special."

Standing, he pulls her into his arms and her body hums happily, it's always so right to be close to him like this. His voice vibrates against her ear as he says, "So do I, Rey."

Ben carries their purchases with one arm while her hand is tucked around the other. He likes walking with her like this, keeping her body close. They'd both found simple, practical clothing for Corellia and he's feeling a profound sense of satisfaction and excitement. She wants him to kiss her, what's more, she wants it to be special. That means something, doesn't it?

They're near the center of the town and he walks them towards the grove of fronded trees. The sky is brilliant shades of pink and vivid orange, drapped against the darkening blue of the coming night. He smiles slightly to himself as the street brings them to a small park with a pavilion made of ivory stone and winding pathways throughout the oasis. There's an elaborate fountain and he's very pleased to find that they have the space to themselves.

A spike of alarm slices through his chest as she pulls from him, but then she's spinning in the dying sun. Her dress flares from the movement and he realizes it has two slits, giving him enticing peeks of her thighs. His desert clothing doesn't hide much and he focuses instead on her face.

Her expression is wide open and the smile on her lips is joyous as she begins to spin and spin, happiness sparking from her so loudly he can't help but mirror her smile. He's never seen her look so free and he hopes he's part of this unbridled display.

Arms out, she continues to spin, turning her face to the dimming sky, her eyes closed. This allows him to stare as openly as he wants. In his entire life he's never been so beguiled, so drawn to anything or anyone. Even his crystal hadn't pulled at him so strongly. She glows in the pink light from the sunset.

She comes to a stop in front of him, her hair wild from exertion and still grinning.

"What was that about?" he asks with affection.

"I just … I've never been so happy. You … you make me happy," she offers shyly.

"Oh, sweetheart, you make me happy too. You make me feel so many things."

"Good things?" she asks, a hint of insecurity in her tone.

That won't do. He traps her about the waist and pulls her against him, growling in her ear, "Very good things." The shiver that runs through her gives him confidence and he nips at her ear. She lets out a little whimper and he kisses along her cheek until he's at the corner of her mouth.

Holding his lips just at the edge of where he desperately wants to be, he's seized with trepidation. Their whisper of a kiss was the closest he's ever come to knowing what it might feel like to kiss someone. No, not someone. Rey.

This is Rey, the mother of his child and the owner of his heart. He needs to fulfill her shy request that it be special, but he has no idea how.

She waits patiently in his arms, but the time is stretching. "Oh, Rey … you're so beautiful, so precious to me. Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he murmurs against the edge of her mouth.

He can feel her words when she says, "No … but I know what you do to me. What I want you to do to me."

No more stalling, his love deserves everything he can give her and he will give her this. Slowly, so slowly, he shifts and gently presses his lips to hers. There's a delicious spark between them as he hesitantly kisses her, once, then again.

Oh, oh … her lips are so soft, so pliant and her hands are fisting the fabric of his tunic, pulling him closer. Answering their mutual need, he pulls her bottom lip between his and now tight heat coils in his center. Her mouth, oh dear, gods, her mouth is perfect.

He wants to deepen the kiss but he's not sure precisely what to do until she tilts her head and suddenly their lips are slotted together. It all begins to make some sort of primal sense and he tangles his hand in her hair, holding her firmly, some part of him needing to make sure she doesn't run from him this time.

But he needn't have worried, as her arms come up around his neck and he feels that tempting tongue that drives him mad flick against his lip. He realizes he's been groaning when he gets even louder and he opens for her, tangling his own tongue with hers.

How can this feel so good? Every nerve ending is alight with delirious pleasure and his whole body throbs with need and satisfaction in equal measure. Maker, he's never going to stop kissing her.

Then she shifts and presses into him and his eyes fly wide, realizing she can feel his erection. Her lips pause their onslaught and she wiggles her hip against him experimentally. The friction makes him whimper in humiliation and desperation. Almost against his will, his hand at her waist strays lower and grasps her bottom, pulling her tight against him as he thrusts along her tight body.

He realizes what he's done and he rips his lips from hers and steps back immediately, gasping, "I'm sorry!"

Rey looks hurt and stutters out. "W-why? I … I thought you wanted to kiss me."

"Force, Rey, I've wanted to kiss you for far longer than you'd be comfortable with. That's … that's not what I meant."

"Oh, you meant your … uhm … that." She vaguely gestures towards his aching length. Now she just looks confused. "Doesn't that just mean you … want me?"

"Rey, I beyond want you."

"I don't understand then. Why were you apologizing? Isn't that … a good thing?"

Her confusion dispels his dread that he'd done something unforgivable, pushed her too far and he shakes his head, trying to reorient himself. "It's a good thing if it's … welcome."

"Oh." She moves closer to him again, but not quite touching. Looking down, she takes his hand and encourages him to wrap his arm around her again. She steps forward and now their bodies are flush against each other. She looks up and her beautiful eyes are burning when she declares. "It's welcome, Ben, so very welcome.

Then he can't think any longer because she's the one kissing him now, fiercely, possessively. He's dizzy and desperate, needful and utterly lost in the heat of her mouth.

His entire galaxy has narrowed down to Rey's lips on his and her hands in his hair.

And he never wants it any other way.

A/N: Thank you, ArtemisBare. Were there enough crunchy bits? That's what she calls it when I manage to actually describe something other than feelings or smut. I am so lucky to have such an amazing editor. Seriously, when there's real trust you learn so much about yourself.

Thank you readers! It happened! They kissed! Thank you for your patience, slow burns can be so painful, I know. I wish I could say we are on the express route to smut town but ... well ... no. It's going to continue to drive you demented and I hope you'll forgive me and my muse. She's currently smoking a cigarette and feeling proud of herself. She hisses when I point out it was just a kiss.

Have I mentioned that you are all simply the best? Because seriously, your reviews keep me going. See you tomorrow!