Ben must have lost track of time, because he heard a knock on the door, and Han appeared. That meant they must have gone into hyperdrive. He still didn't know where they were headed. But what he did know is that most anywhere in the core planets would be better than Jakku.
Han stood there leaning on the door for a few seconds before coming in and straddling the chair. "So, uh, son," he started talking, clearing his throat and his eyes slid to where Ben's hand was still stroking her hair. It was tangled, but some of it had fallen out of the hair ties, and Ben marveled over the softness. Touching her let him feel like he was doing something. Given, it wasn't much, but maybe it offered her some sort of comfort. Han paused for so long that Ben startled when he started speaking again. "You know, we talked a few years ago. About how men and women…"
Ben's head snapped up incredulously. "She's unconscious. Please tell me that you don't think that little of me."
"No, of course. I mean, of course not. I mean, jeez, you know what I mean. I just meant that she will wake up. And she's a pretty girl… And well, hormones, especially teenage hormones, can make you make choices that you haven't really thought through. And son, nineteen is young to have a kid. And with your training…" Han trailed off, breaking eye contact with his son.
"Did she put you up to this?" Ben asked.
" Your Mom? Kriff no. I just thought… Well, I don't know. I knew you were back here with her, and then I walked in and saw the look on your face."
"What look? You know what, never mind." Ben's hand fell from her hair, and he hoped that somehow miraculously his face and ears weren't burning up. He shifted her and sighed as Han stood up and awkwardly backed out of the room.
Kriff! He chooses now to give me the sex talk. Again. It was bad enough the first time. Ben thought to himself, stifling a groan. He sat in silence for a while, staring down at her face, and pondering again what connected them. He didn't even know her name, but he knew that he'd do anything to protect her, to make her happy.
He fell asleep with his head resting against the wall, content with her warm weight tucked against him. He could almost pretend that she was just sleeping in his arms instead of injured. He woke up a while later, it could have been minutes or hours, he wasn't sure, to a warmth spreading across his lap. His brow furrowed and he frantically tried to remember his dreams. Surely his subconscious didn't latch on to Han's awkward talk and made him cum in his pants like a prepubescent, but he was completely flaccid. And dry in that one spot.
Leia appeared at the door, giving him a small smile. I felt your confusion. The medical droid wanted to cath her but you left so quickly.
Cath? Ben thought. Wasn't that a medical term for something to do with the bladder? Oh. Oh! Well that explained the warmth. He didn't mind but he felt a pang of pity for her and strangely, embarrassment but he wasn't sure who that was for.
Leia approached him and made to lift the girl from his arms, and he tightened his grip a bit, possessively cradling her closer.
"Rey," Leia whispered as she took a step back.
"What?" Ben asked, his brow furrowed.
"Her name. Her name is Rey. One of the villagers was asking about her."
Rey. Ben thought. It fit her and made him think of sunlight, which was what her tanned skin reminded him of. He smiled and reached up to stroke her hair again. He must be broadcasting for all the world to hear. Leia was reading him all too easily, so he put his shields up again, not wanting the voice to intrude on his thoughts and speak to him anytime soon.
"Why don't you let me clean her up. I can take her to our shower, it's bigger, and you can get cleaned up in here."
He didn't want to let go, and something in his face must have shown that.
"Ben, are you going to clean her up?" His face caught fire as he realized what all that would entail. He didn't want his first actual glimpse or touch of a naked female to be like that. He didn't know if he could manage clinical detachment so he reluctantly relinquished his hold on her. Leia took her into her arms and smiled softly at Ben before leaving his room and nudging the door closed with her foot.
Ben ran his fingers through his hair, and realized how much he could use a shower as well. His hair was matted with sweat and dirt. He shed his damp clothes and stepped in. He intended to be in and out so that he'd be there when Leia brought Rey back, but once he was under the hot water, he couldn't bring himself to hurry. His muscles relaxed and he allowed himself to slip into a meditative state so his mind would calm. He didn't want to worry about where they were going, when she might wake up, if she would like him, if she would be happy to be off that planet…. If, if, if…
It finally quieted and he felt the force wash over him. It was all light for the first time in a long time and he sighed with relief and relished the moment.
When he finally came back out, Rey was tucked into his bed, several lines snaking from under the blanket. Nutrition and a cath. Leia answered his unasked question. She's already so skinny. Leia tutted absentmindedly. He felt a surge of appreciation for his mom. She was a senator, and grew up royalty. Yet for him, Leia cared for this girl she'd just met the day before, she would shower and dress her, and put her theoretical medical knowledge to helping Rey. For him.
"Where are we going?" Ben inquired around the lump in his throat. The times where he felt abandoned and in second place to saving the galaxy often warred with the affection and love that her eyes held. No matter what mistakes he made, no matter the fear and sorrow in her eyes when he'd misstep and embrace the dark. Or when he pushed her away, regardless of how many things he trashed…
Only one thing could break him out of this cycle and make his eyes harden again. And those were the next words out of her mouth me
"Yavin 4," she replied warily.
Of course we are. Straight to the person who has even less faith in me than my parents. Ben thought. Then he considered it again. If anyone had the power to heal Rey it might just be him. They were on course to visit dear old uncle.
Luke Skywalker.
