Fair Warning: * This chapter contains fair amounts of smut *
** Like always, please review! **
Kylo eventually found Rey outside, in the same spot as the night before. The archive hidden beneath his shoulder, he approached Rey, who sat meditating. He smiled to himself when he noticed stones floated midair around her.
"Seems like I always find you in this spot." He observed.
Without opening her eyes, she responded. "What can I say? I like it here." She mused.
"Hmm." He found her amusing.
The stones fell slowly, hitting the grass one by one. Rey opened her eyes, squinting towards the bright sun. "What brings you here? Wanted to explain why you were rude earlier?"
It took him a second, but he realized she was talking about earlier.
"I… I thought of doing this." He stuttered, reaching for archive.
"What is this?"
"I've been reading all afternoon. With Leia." He confessed.
Her eyes widened.
He rolled his eyes. "I know. Must be surprising to you."
"No, it's just… what did you end up finding?"
Glad she hadn't thought too much about it, he continued. "What I meant to say was that I wanted to have a better understanding of our Force bond. And then after searching for hours, I found this." He opened the archive folder, a few papers falling out. He handed them to Rey, who proceeded to read the texts. After a few moments, her eyes grew big, and she looked up to him excitedly.
"What does this mean exactly?"
"I think our Force bond is stronger than we think." Kylo relayed. "A Force bond can be used during both meditation, like we have done… and battle. Each person can use the other to strengthen their own weakness. For instance, if I was stronger than you, you could draw energy from my strength."
"So it's not just our thoughts and emotions?"
He shook his head. "No, it's so much more than that. We can use each other's Force energy. We could be unstoppable. And these archives document how we can do it." The thought of this power saturated his thoughts.
Her expression changed.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
She looked back to the papers. "You have to promise me that we will only use this power to destroy Snoke. He is our ultimate goal." Rey insisted, pleading in her voice. "Not for our own gain."
Kylo sighed; she always seemed to put his thoughts into check. He knew she was right. But it was still difficult for him to not think about gaining power.
"Alright." He finally agreed. "I trust you on this."
He could tell she felt surprised, yet relieved, that he had agreed so readily. She sprung up, ready to get started, saying they had no time to waste.
The pair had one week. One week to learn how to use their Force bond. One week until Kylo and Rey would face Snoke, hopefully once and for all.
Even after knowing this, Kylo couldn't help but feel like their fight wasn't over yet. Not by a long shot.
One week later
That night, Rey found herself tossing and turning. She didn't know if it was because of her anxiety for the next day's mission, or just restlessness. Either way, she wasn't sleeping tonight.
She walked silently through the convoy. The last few mechanics, who had been touching up on ships and engines, had finally retired. The large doors were bolted shut, so she opted for a side door.
The night was warm, for which she was grateful; the moon shone bright, lighting up the runway. Stars and far away planets scattered the skies. For a moment, her anxieties for the upcoming mission seemed to drift away.
Someone moved to the far end of the runway by the Millenium Falcon. Rey watched as the ramp to the ship opened, and the tall figure stepped inside. She followed on instinct, with really nothing else better to do.
As she boarded the ship, there wasn't a sound on board. The silence was deafening to her; she had grown accustomed to the hums and buzzes of the moving ship. Eventually, she came to the cockpit, finally discovering who had boarded the ship.
Kylo Ren sat in Han's old seat. He was silent as he moved his hands over notches and buttons, reminiscing the years he had spent on this ship. Not wanting to startle him, she knocked on the wall as she entered.
"Hey." She said quietly.
He turned his head towards her, then back to the controls. "It's been years since I've been alone on this ship." He said, barely paying attention to her. "There are so many memories… most I want to forget."
"Why would you want to forget? Our experiences make us who we are. They shape us into the person we become." She advised.
"Exactly." He sighed. "There are so many paths we can travel down. If only things had been different…" his words trailed off.
Rey felt maybe tonight was her chance to know the real Kylo- the man, hiding behind the mask and the name. They had been so busy, day after day, practicing and concentrating on combining their Force bonds that they hadn't found time to talk about anything else. So she knew it was finally time to talk about the elephant in the room.
"Kylo… I haven't asked you about this, and for good reason. But I wanted to talk about it now."
His expression didn't change, but she could sense he knew what was coming.
She pleaded, hoping he could answer truthfully. "Kylo, why did you kill Han?"
Kylo stopped playing with the controls, his gaze falling out to the dark runway before them. She knew he was avoiding eye contact with her. Placing his gloved hand on his forehead as if he had a headache, he let out a long sigh.
"I know you don't want to talk about it, but I have to know." She emphasized, a hint of leftover anger leaking through. She needed to put her anger to rest.
Finally, he spoke. He shook his head back and forth. "I was vengeful. I had always wanted him to accept me for who I was, but by the time he did, it was too late. I thought… I thought by killing my father, it would complete my training, allowing me to embrace the dark side fully."
Rey's heart broke a little. "And did you?"
"At first. When I was taken back to Snoke to complete training, I was fully consumed by the dark side. Yet I dreamed about what I had done, night after night. The guilt haunted me, until I buried my feelings. But then I began to dream about you."
Oddly enough, Rey felt relief that Kylo could admit his guilt. It was another step in the right direction for him. It would still take her time to forgive him for Han. But what he admitted also shocked her. "What do you mean you dreamed about me? Well, other than the one dream you told me about…"
He raised his eyebrows. "I think you know it was a two way connection for the few months we were apart, Rey. For months, I saw visions of you, a dream that was always the same. I can feel your emotions, hear your thoughts. I still don't know why, but somehow, I think it was always meant to happen. The light has found its way back, and I'm not sure what to do."
"Then let it in." she urged. It's what she had wanted him to do all along.
He shifted in his seat to face her, and her pulse began to rise. "This past week, I've felt the Force bond at its full strength." He whispered, edging closer to her seat. "And it's grown immensely stronger the longer I'm near you. I know you've felt it too."
Kylo did something he had never done before. He began to caress her cheek— not in a taunting way, but affectionately.
She didn't flinch, didn't move, something she had done earlier. Rey had felt his touch before, but this time, it felt… different. Like they were the only two on the whole planet. Like time had slowed down to a standstill, and they were in the center.
The moon shone brightly through the cockpit windows as Kylo kissed her. First, it was a slow kiss, his thumb moving down her jaw. He paused for a moment, making sure she was okay with it. Caught up in the moment, Rey pressed her lips hard onto his. Kylo took this as his cue; he opened his mouth to let her in. He threw off his gloves and cupped her face with his bare hands. The feeling of lightning struck her skin and she embraced it fully.
Rey forgot everything: their history together, good and bad. She didn't want to think about her conflicting feelings, only the here and now. There was heat and power radiating from him, and she couldn't get enough of it.
Their bodies shifted closer, the sides of their legs now touching. Without thinking, she swung her left leg over his right, letting herself hover over his seated position. He kissed her passionately; his desire took over him, and he abandoned all thought.
Kylo brushed his large hands up her legs until they reached her hips. Kissing her deeper, he shoved her hips closer to his torso, yearning to feel her warmth. She gasped, feeling pleasure swim through her being. Closing any space between them, she wrapped her legs around his back.
They stopped kissing for a moment, resting on each other's foreheads. Eyes shut and out of breath, they savored the moment. Rey reached for him, her hands delicately running through every dark hair on his head.
"Hmmmm…" he murmured, soothed by her touch. After a moment, he opened his eyes. "What if we moved this somewhere more comfortable?" Kylo proceeding to bite his lip was enough to make her say yes.
She kissed his forehead and then looked deeply into his dark eyes. "I'd like that." Her pulse quickened.
After a few moments, he put her on her feet. She felt safe as his hand wound itself around her own. The pair turned a few corridors, Kylo guiding her the whole way.
Kylo pressed a button in a more private section of the ship, and a large cot fell out. She paused for a moment. "How did you know…?"
"I used to basically live here you know." He teased.
"Right."
"Are you sure you want to?" he paused. For a moment, she did too. There was no going back from this point. Her heart said one thing; her head told another story. So she ignored them both.
Absentmindedly, her free hand reached up towards his face, tracing his scar. "No more talking, okay?" she whispered.
He nodded. "Okay, scavenger girl." He let go of the hand he had been holding. Rey stopped tracing his face as he gently began pushing her body on to the mattress, holding her gaze the entire time. When she rested her head on the soft pillow, his gaze fell down her frame, his hand going with it.
His hand stopped on her hip yet again, his fingers lightly brushing the top of her pants. He teased her lips, and then moved his mouth down her neck.
More. She thought, projecting her emotions into Kylo's thoughts.
Almost instantly, his hand sensually fell below her abdomen, sliding its way under her bottoms. An irrepressible feeling of euphoria swept over her; her mouthed opened, gasping for air as he massaged his finger deep inside her.
She arched her back and let out a long, deep moan. Rey grabbed at his shirt, attempting to take it off. Kylo took a break, and in one swift motion threw off his top.
His chest was ripped, and his body towered over her. Grinning seductively, Rey sat up on her knees, wiggling off her shirt.
Both chests now bear, Kylo stared at Rey's body in awe. He was aroused by her perfect physique and overwhelmed with desire. He had been staring for longer than he had hoped, when Rey asked him what was wrong.
"Nothing." He truly meant it. "Nothing at all."
Sometime later, with their bare legs entwined in the sheets, Rey snuggled closely next to Kylo. His chest was warm against Rey's face; it beat steadily, Kylo now fast asleep. That was fine with her. He seemed more at peace when he slept. She parted one of his curls that covered his eyes, and turned over. Unconsciously, he moved his arm around her waist to draw her closer.
Now that their passionate episode had subsided, Rey knew their Force bond had grown immensely stronger. But it wasn't just the Force bond that had grown.
She yawned, too tired to think. Bits of moonlight were breaking through the hallway. Particles of dust drifted through the air, too many to count. Rey finally fell into deep slumber knowing that it wasn't Kylo she had fallen for: it was Ben.
Kylo woke up just before sunrise. And for the first time in a long time, he didn't want to get out of bed. But he knew that if he didn't want to cause a scene, he had to get to his room on base. Being seen with Rey in the early morning hours wouldn't bode well with Luke— or anyone— for that matter.
As careful as he could manage, he slipped his arm out from Rey's side. She shifted, but stayed asleep. He rolled off the bed and put his shirt and pants back on.
He stared at the women asleep before him, savoring the moment. He tried reading her thoughts, to see if she was dreaming, but she seemed to be in the stage between being asleep and waking up. He placed the blanket up farther so it covered her chest. Then as quietly as he could, he slipped out of the Falcon.
Rey woke up to the sound of clanging and a frustrated Wookie. She groaned, cursing Chewie for being up this early, and then panicked.
She felt the spot next to her for Kylo, but it was empty. Smart move. She mused. It would have been awkward for Chewbacca to walk in on them…
Getting dressed quickly, she followed the source of the clanging. It was coming from outside; Chewie was dropping tools everywhere while trying to balance on his ladder.
"Here, let me help!" Rey offered, running over to the Wookie. He muttered a thanks as she handed him the tools he needed to repair the outside of the ship.
"Why are you up so early?" she asked.
He responded with his own question instead of answering. "I couldn't sleep." She responded. "The Falcon helped."
He said something along the lines of "I'm sure" and then went back to work.
He really does know when I'm lying…
Her stomach began growling. "Tell you what Chewie, I'm going to get some breakfast before we head out! See you inside?" he nodded and she ran off.
By the time she had changed and washed off, the breakfast line was at least twenty people long. She saw Poe at the end and decided to wait with him.
"Oh hey, Rey." He gave her the usual grin. "You ready for today's mission?"
"Oh…"
"What is it?" he suddenly looked concerned.
"Nothing!" she said quickly. "I just… forgot. For a moment. Must be tired." She tried to laugh it off, but she had been deep in thought. Thinking about the night before…
Suddenly the room went quiet as a man stepped into the hall. "Well I'll be damned…" Poe scoffed.
Kylo Ren usually ate in solitary. Rey guessed it was because everyone felt uncomfortable around him. Even with his change of clothes— his brown pants and black vest she had seen him in before— he probably still felt like a threat to some people. Only she knew why he chose today to finally be more social, although she hadn't expected it.
He headed straight for the back of the line where Rey and Poe stood. Rey winced as the two looked each other up and down, sizing each other up. Poe cleared his throat.
"Long time, no talk?" Poe said, and then didn't say another word.
Kylo nodded. "Sorry about…that."
Poe looked as surprised as Rey felt. Did Kylo Ren just say the words sorry?
Finally Rey broke the tension. "So… waffles anyone?"
As soon as they were out of the breakfast line, and Poe was out of earshot, Kylo took his chance.
"I don't think I gave you a proper 'hello' this morning." He teased.
"It's quite alright, I can forgive you this time." She teased back.
His eyes grew wide. "This time?" he laughed. "Well, I didn't know I was—."
Realizing what she had just implied, she smacked his arm. "You know what I mean." She played it off, but blushed anyways.
They had made it to the far end table where Rey typically sat, only this time, Leia and Luke had pulled up chairs. Acting normal, Rey plopped down next to her best friend and ushered Kylo to follow.
He seemed hesitant though. "Do you guys mind if I?" he asked, not asking anyone in particular.
Leia was the first to speak up. "Good of you to join us." She pointed to the empty seat next to Rey. Rey doubted Finn thought the same.
He gave a small thanks and sat down.
Jessika cleared her throat just as Rey shoved food into her mouth. "So where were you this morning, Rey? I didn't see you all night."
Next to her Kylo almost choked on his food.
Poe chimed in. "I was wondering the same thing." He said in between bites of food. "I came by to ask you to go for another training run, you should have waited for me."
Rey felt like everyone's attention was on her, and she wanted to make a run for it. She knew she was terrible at lying. "I couldn't sleep." She answered. "I… uh, sat in the Falcon for a bit." At least it was a half-truth.
Suddenly, Jess changed her tone. "Oh, that's right! I remember you mentioning that." Rey wondered why her roommate was suddenly covering for her, but she was grateful nonetheless.
She changed the subject. "So when do we meet our team?" She asked Leia.
"Right after breakfast." She replied.
It's actually real. She thought. The moment had come, after all these months. She didn't know if she would ever be ready for it.
She began to nervously play with her hands in her lap, her anxiety for the day ahead bubbling to the surface. As if on cue, Kylo nonchalantly placed one of his hands in hers, and lightly squeezed. And in that moment she knew, whether she was ready for it or not, at least she had Kylo by her side.