Ben turned on his heel and headed back into the hut. He heard Rey's footsteps puttering in the grass close behind him.
"3-PO, get on the Falcon with R2 and prepare to leave." He heard her say over her shoulder to the droid.
Chandrila. Just hearing the planet's name sparked memories from years long past. He was born and raised there, before going to train with Luke, right when the Galactic Empire had officially surrendered to the New Republic. His mother's political career was in full swing and his dad was struggling to adjust to marriage and fatherhood.
He wondered now which ghosts from his pasts he would encounter there.
But most of all, he worried about the welcome reception - or lack thereof - that they would receive from the people there. Who knew he was accompanying Rey? Would they consider him a war criminal? Who would recognize him? Was he just willingly marching towards his own death?
Would they persecute Rey for associating with the former Supreme Leader of the First Order?
She shared his fears. When 3-PO mentioned her friends had requested her audience, Rey's fear instantaneously spiked like a hot iron, making his own fear rise as well.
Ben ducked into the hut, feeling Rey hot on his heels.
"Ben," she caught up to him and grabbed his shoulder. He turned to face her. "Are you sure we're ready for this?"
Her hazel eyes were dark and serious, piercing into him, questioning. He attempted to smile reassuringly.
"Leave the worrying to me. I'm the one they may kill, not you."
She frowned, her eyes molding from solid to liquid fire, clearly unhappy with his attempt at humor.
He sighed and placed a hand on her cheek, "I knew - we knew - this was coming eventually. We can't stay here forever. We have to get back to real life, to the galaxy. I know you don't want to stay here, hiding forever with me." He shook his head, pressing his lips into a hard line. "I won't let you."
Ben could have stayed there forever with Rey, but he knew that wasn't what she wanted. She would never admit it, but he knew how much she loved and cherished her new found friends, especially after spending her entire life in isolation. She longed to see them again, that she could not hide from him. He felt it, like something was missing from her - a void he couldn't fully replace.
Her eyes closed and she reached up to cover his hand with hers, "We have to be smart about this. I'll contact Finn and Poe before we land, to ensure safe passage into Hanna City." Her eyes bore up into his, a promise, "I won't let anyone hurt you."
She had always promised she would help him. She kept her word, all the way back from the moment in the elevator on the Supremacy. Ben believed she'd try, until it was the death of her, which was what worried him most.
He nodded simply, then turned and began to gather up what little belongings they had in the small hut.
They walked up the Falcon's hatch door, with Ben leading the way. When he reached the top of the platform, he stopped short as he felt Rey hesitate behind him. He turned, seeing her facing outside, sighing as she took one last longing look at the planet.
She was a nostalgic woman and had always felt a deep connection to this place. Now, because of the time they had shared here, he guessed her connection to Ahch-To had deepened.
He threw warmth and comfort her way through their bond, bathing her in reassurance.
I know, my love. He thought.
She turned away, nodding towards him and slamming the mechanism to close the entry hatch. The Falcon's door hissed behind them as Ben led the way through the familiar halls.
He plopped the large duffle bag in the main living quarters where the droids were waiting obediently. Rey leaned her staff against the bench surrounding the holo-game table.
"You ready?" He asked, placing his hands on his hips.
Her brow furrowed and she stared up at him in that serious way she did.
She nodded. "Ready."
When they reached the cockpit module, Ben paused at the entry, suddenly struck by memories. His eyes danced over the vast array of controls, instantly recalling every switch and button, each holding their own specific purpose.
Rey slipped past him, touching his shoulder reassuringly as she assumed her position in the co-pilot's chair.
Her choice surprised him, expecting the female-alpha to plop herself down in the captain's chair. He looked at the back of her head in surprise as she began to flip the primary controls that brought the ship to life.
She paused and turned, grinning up at him, motioning to the captain's chair.
Ben's eyes flicked from her, to the chair, then back to her again.
"C'mon now, Solo." She winked at him, "We haven't all day for you to stand there gawking."
She turned back to the controls, flicking the mechanisms dexterously. The Falcon groaned and hummed mechanically, responding to her will.
"Fuel pump's primped..." She mumbled to herself, continuing to monitor the controls, double checking her work.
Ben shook his head, smiling as he stepped forward and settled himself in his father's chair. It felt natural, like he was born to sit there. He placed his hands on the steering, watching his fingers wrap around the controls. He squeezed the handles tight, recognizing immediately the distinct feel of the leather and dura-steel under his hands.
I remember this feeling much larger as a child...
Ben focused, kicked the thrust and lifted up on the steering.
"Let's go." Ben said, eyes narrowed on the dash of the center control. The shipped whirred and groaned beneath him as he moved the thrust forward to hover the ship over the ground.
Rey, with perfect cadence, flicked the compressor switch, sending the ship higher into the air, dust and rock billowing out from under them.
He pulled the ship higher, kicking them off towards the planet's atmosphere, as the force of the Falcon's supercharged ion thrusters threw them back into their seats.
He had forgotten how fast this ship was, how much it really moved, especially for a freighter. Uncle Lando sure knew what the hell he was doing when he first swaggered his way into buying this ship.
Uncle Lando... was he there on Chandrila too? Another ghost from his past he was sure to encounter eventually.
Though he couldn't credit Lando fully for the ship's performance. His father had suited the Falcon up over the years and as Han had always taught him, the pilot completed the ship.
Once they had exited Ahch-To's atmosphere, Ben began to punch in the coordinates to the core world into the navigational computer.
"Prepare for lightspeed." Ben said, glancing at Rey. She punched the compressor again, and nodded her readiness in his direction.
Ben gripped the handle and pushed the lightspeed switch to forward position. The Falcon shook, and they watched as the stars around them morphed into a thousand strings of bright, blue light that danced past the window.
The stars moved beautifully around them, a spinning vortex of light. Ben relaxed back in his seat, exhaling and crossing his arms over his chest. He smiled softly and looked at Rey, "That felt good."
Rey flashed her beautiful teeth at him, giggling, "I'm sure. Nice job, for not having flown the ship in, what, 10, 15 years?"
He shrugged and looked back out the cockpit's window, "Something like that." He eyed the navigational computer, "We have about...2 hours until we reach Chandrila."
Rey stood and Ben glanced in her direction at her hips, which were now at level with his eyes.
"I'm going to contact the others to let them know we're on our way." She said as she moved towards the door.
Ben suddenly wasn't ready for this moment to end, wasn't ready for her to leave, if even just for a moment.
Ben moved like lightning and snatched her hips just as she turned towards the cockpit's exit. Rey froze, turning towards him and looking down in surprise.
"Ben?" She asked innocently, her doe-eyes beaming hazel down at him.
"Stay," He said in a low voice, looking up at her with pleading eyes. "Just a while longer."
Rey stared down at him, hyperspace dancing behind her as understanding crossed her beautiful features. She parted her full lips and delicately reached a hand towards him, running it through his hair. Ben closed his eyes, leaning into her touch.
It was far too dangerous and distracting to be so close to her in such small quarters.
She does not know the power she has over me.
Ben tugged her down towards him and she let out a small yelp of surprise as he plopped her down onto his lap. He kept his hands wrapped around her small waist, feeling her torso move as she breathed.
He moved his face closer so that his face nearly touched hers. He took in the sweet scent of her, clouding his senses.
"I wasn't done with you this morning." He said, voice deep and dark.
Satisfaction fueled him as he felt her let out a shaky breath in response.
"Ah, is this payback?" She said in that beautiful, delicate accent of hers. She shifted her body and his breath caught in his throat as she threw a leg over to his other side so that she was straddling him. Her hands gripped his shoulders as she teased the tips of hair that brushed his neck.
She shook her head down at him. "Ben, now is neither the time nor the-"
Ben interrupted and pulled her suddenly to him, kissing and tracing his tongue on her neck. Her words caught in her throat as she gasped in response and gripped his hair harder. He relished in the power he had over her to take her breath away like that. He moved his hand to her back, crushing her closer to him.
He pulled back slightly, to mumble against her skin in between kisses. "This may be one of the last times we're completely alone for a long time."
She tutted, "Not completely alone Ben, the droids are-"
Ben reached a hand behind him, slamming the sliding doors to the cockpit shut with the force and locking them in place with a click. Rey let out a breathy laugh of defeat.
Now she had no excuses to resist him.
"I want you." He said breathlessly against her skin.
Force, she was intoxicating. She was even more tempting than the dark side had been, and he was completely tethered to her orbit whether he wanted to be or not.
And oh, he wanted to be, needed to be. It should have been alarming how much he needed her.
He was forever cursed by her, now that he had tasted her the way he did last night. The way she moved and writhed in pleasure beneath his touch and the way she desperately breathed his name as he moved through her had absolutely haunted him the way nothing ever had before.
Ben worked his way up her neck to her jaw, pushing all his want and desire through their bond. He felt her strong and stubborn walls slowly break down as he left a trail of fire against her skin. She moaned softly, a pitiful sound of defeat.
He grinned against her and she turned her head down to meet his mouth. He inhaled sharply, gripping her closer to him as she kissed him deeply. She pushed her body against him and he shivered as he felt her mold to him and her tongue flick against his.
Then, unbelievably, she reached between their bodies, trailing her hand down his stomach. She stopped when she reached in between his legs and gripped the length of him through the fabric of his pants and bit his lower lip, tugging gently.
Even after everything they did last night, her boldness still shocked him, all the blood rushing from his limbs to meet her touch.
He groaned loudly against her mouth, standing suddenly and cradling her bottom in his hands as she wrapped her legs around his hips. Rey laughed against him as he took two giant steps towards the closed door. They both grunted as he pressed her back against the metal, locking her between the door and himself so he could explore the front of her.
Ben pulled away, eyes on her chest as he yanked down the fabric of her tunic, perhaps a little too hard as the material ripped loudly, completely exposing her chest.
"Ben!" Rey yelped looking down. She pushed him away slightly and unwound her legs from him to stand before him. She frowned up at him as her bare shoulders moved to hold the ripped cloth in place.
Ben shrugged, "Oops."
The sight of her skin just fueled the fire, and he stepped back to her and craned her neck up, crashing his mouth back to hers.
Rey surrendered again, melting against him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders as she let him explore her mouth. He felt her bare breasts press against his shirt, the fabric and wrappings around her tumbling to the floor.
Ben felt Rey's desire escalate like wild ivy through their bond, doubling his desire as well. She reached down again to his hips and began to frantically fumble with the buckle to his belt. The buckle gave way to her will, and she disappeared from his sight as she bent down, dragging his pants down his legs.
She popped back up into his vision, smiling as she found his mouth again. Her hands flung to her own hips, shoving her pants down her bare thighs and kicking her legs free. Her leather utility belt was still strapped around her waist and her torn tunic and white wrappings hung in rivers of cloth around the top of her, but he didn't care.
They were both exposed now, and at last he had access to the sweetest part of her. Ben kept his eyes on hers as he bent down and hoisted her back up into his arms and propping her against the door. She gripped the muscles around his shoulders, holding herself up as she tied her legs around his hips.
Rey's breath hitched and her hazel eyes burned flecks of gold into his as her need pounded against his temples.
He reached a hand down to guide himself inside her. He studied her face, reflecting the blue and white flashes of light as they soared through hyperspace. As he pushed his hips into her, she closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the door, sighing seemingly in both relief and pleasure.
Ben groaned loudly in response. He slammed his hand against the door next to her head, the other supporting her bottom, as he buried his face into the crook of her neck.
She was unbelievably hot as he moved through her with ease. Rey fit him perfectly, two becoming one in the most beautiful and intimate way possible. His arm began to ache as it supported her, so he called on the force to help hold her weight.
Ben was more rough, almost desperate, compared to how he had been last night, though careful not to hurt her. He began breathing hard against her as his hair fell into his eyes and sweat began to build behind his neck. He could feel everything she experienced, and she him, adding to their pleasure and seamlessly binding their communication of their needs. Rey struggled to keep her breathing quiet as he worked, her breath hitching in her throat everytime he moved.
They continued like that for a while, their passion echoing shock waves through the force and threatening to completely implode the entire ship. Rey must have sensed him tire, because she deftly slid off him, and pushed him back down into the seat as she crawled back onto his lap.
Ben slipped from the cockpit and closed the sliding doors quickly behind him. He inhaled a deep breath, closing his eyes, then exhaled as he gathered himself. He opened his eyes and walked down the Falcon's hall, fastening his belt back around his hips.
He just finished clicking his belt into place as he turned the corner into the main quarters and was met with 3-PO and R2 waiting diligently. Ben stopped short, cleared his throat and smoothed his black hair back with his hands, which was surely a disheveled mess.
Chagrin was rarely an emotion he ever experienced, but he felt it then.
Ben nodded once quickly in their direction and made his way towards the large duffle bag Rey had hauled from Ajan Kloss.
The gold droid shuffled forward to Ben, "Master Solo, is everything alright? We heard a scuffle in the-"
"All good." Ben said curtly, squatting down to the bag and digging around vigorously.
R2-D2 beeped a knowing noise and Ben clenched his jaw.
Ben finally landed on the object he was searching for, which seemly took far longer than it should have with the audience in the room. He snatched out a white piece of fabric from the bag, a spare tunic of Rey's to replace the one he had ruined.
He heard 3-PO scurry after him as he rose and turned back to the cockpit, "Uh, Master-!"
Ben called over his shoulder, "Stay here, 3-PO. We'll be landing soon..."
His stomach twisted into knots at the sudden realization and he wished he could go back to just a few minutes prior, his entire mind and being engulfed in Rey.
Ben lumbered back into the cockpit and was met with Rey struggling to hold up the pieces of torn fabric around her chest. He handed her the new tunic, ruefully, and her eyes narrowed into slits as she playfully glared at him.
He smirked a reply, then sat back down in the captain's chair while she dressed behind him. He leaned forward to check the navigation computer - only one hour more of lightspeed travel and they would be arriving at his homeworld.
"We'll be there soon," He said to her, frowning at the controls.
And I'll be dead soon... he thought silently to himself. The knots in his stomach churned more intensely.
"Ok. I'll be back, going to let the others know." Rey touched his shoulder knowingly then exited the cockpit.
The final hour of space travel drug by, taunting him and leaving him to brood with his nerves. Rey cleared passage with Finn and Poe - they would be landing in an inconspicuous area, free from the eyes of the city.
When they approached their coordinates, Ben pulled the Falcon out of lightspeed. The ship jumped and shook, and the flashing blue and white lights of hyperspace were replaced with a single, giant, blue and green marble.
Chandrila. Ben inhaled shakily as he immediately recognized the contours of the world from childhood.
He wondered how many people here would know his face. Who had a target on his back? Hell, who didn't have a target on his back. Literally everyone in the galaxy would likely love to watch him die, aside from Rey.
He couldn't blame them, though. He had done terrible things, things he shuddered to think about now. How could anyone forgive him, how could he ever explain himself to the entire galaxy?
The memory of his mother's visit to him on Ahch-To seeped into his mind, her words echoing in his head.
"...solely bearing the weight of everything that has happened...influenced from birth, manipulated and used...let it go, Ben...let it all go...Rey is your destiny."
The memory comforted him, and he replayed her last words to him that day.
"I'm with you. Always."
He called on the force for strength, taming his nerves. When he opened himself up, he was met with Rey's warmth and comfort through their bond, pushing her reassurance and light to him.
Ben felt her reach over silently and rest her hand on his, an attempt to loosen his grip around the controls which he gripped so tight they threatened to snap.
"Ben. I'm with you." She whispered, unknowingly echoing his mother's words. "I won't let anything happen to you. As long as you're with me, you're safe."
Ben worked his jaw and nodded, eyes flicking over to her then back to the marbled planet. He pushed the ship forward towards the glowing blue atmosphere.
The Falcon pierced through the clouds, the royal structures of Hanna City bursting into view.
The planet and city were beautiful. The capital was tucked into grassy, rolling hills that led to a calm, blue ocean. The architecture was unique to the planet, metropolitan and strong like Corescant but soft and romantic like Naboo.
The city looked the same as it had from his childhood, only a few new buildings cropped up that Ben didn't recognize. Ben smiled softly as he recognized the tall living complex he had nearly crashed into when flight training with his father.
Rey interrupted his daydreaming when he heard her softly whisper, "Beautiful. I've never seen a planet like this. Such unique buildings..."
He looked over at her, admiring the innocent look in her eyes as she gazed upon the city and the vast, green hills.
She shook her head, coming out of her daze. "There," She said, intently pointing to the main steeple in the middle of the city. "They said there's a landing platform behind that building that is empty and a little more hidden than the others."
Ben nodded, "I know it."
He steered the ship, knowing exactly what Rey was talking about. His mother had used this hidden platform multiple times during dangerous diplomatic missions where she was forced to lay low, especially after the scandal of her lineage exposed itself to the galaxy.
The landing platform was empty and was connected to the back of the main building. It was tucked away behind the main capitol building, near the living quarters and apartments of the senators and diplomats of years past. Now, the city was much less lively as it had once been, many people moved and displaced from the war.
Ben defly steered the Falcon to the platform, settling the ship on the tan concrete with ease. It was almost eerie how empty this area was, not a soul in sight.
They flipped off the switches, powering down the ship. Rey took a deep breath and turned to him.
"Ready?" She asked.
Her hazel eyes pierced his gaze intently and he felt her continue to push her comfort and strength through their bond. He nodded, allowing her to lead the way out of the cockpit module.
She grabbed her staff from the living quarters as he swung the large duffle bag over his shoulder.
"Oh, R2, we've really come full circle! Back on Chandrila again..." 3-PO shuffled about, R2 whirring in agreement.
Rey turned to Ben, her knuckles whitening around her staff.
"Remember, let me do most of the talking, at least at first. They trust me and they have no reason to fear you..." She paused, hesitating. "I mean, now they...don't have a...reason to fear you any-"
"Let's just get this over with," He interrupted, walking towards the hatch door.
He slammed the mechanism and the door opened with a hiss. Rey stood at his side as the piercing sun and soothing heat flooded their senses.
The air was crisp and smelled of grass and ocean. The scent hit Ben like a force push, piercing the deepest hidden places of his memories.
They walked side by side, out onto the tan concrete of the landing platform, squinting as the sun beat into their eyes.
Rey looked around, her signature buns turning about as she searched.
Ben found himself searching the tall walls surrounding them, silently scanning for snipers.
Ridiculous...no one knows I'm here except Finn and Poe.
He shook his head and looked forward again, towards the gaping entry bay attached to the back of the building.
Suddenly, he spotted movement coming towards them. Two figures, walking briskly in their direction.
Rey spotted them too, her heart and breath catching in her chest as she recognized the two men walking towards them. He sensed her wanting to bolt towards them, but also her desire to stay close to him. She was torn, tethered between the two men in front of them and him. The conflict within her stoked his own emotions in a way he had never felt before.
The men slowed as they grew closer. Ben could see the features of their faces now, and recognition flooded him. Poe Dameron, the resistance pilot he had once tortured and the other, Finn, the ex-stormtrooper he had practically killed in a snowy forest on Starkiller base.
Their expressions were blank and serious as they drew closer. Rey shuffled her weight between her hips, clearly impatient and nervous. He noticed Poe's hand move slowly to rest on the blaster at his hip, a warning. They stopped when they were just a few yards in front of them - close enough, but far enough away.
I have a bad feeling about this.
