Poe got them safely to Ahch-To, arriving just as the sun was beginning to go down on the beautiful planet. As they disembarked, Rey couldn't helped but feel a bit sad and nostalgic. There would be no Luke there to greet them or give them a hard time. Just the empty shell of the ancient house he had once lived in. The four of them unloaded what they could put on their backs and Rey led them up to the old Jedi stone huts

"Doesn't it feel SO good here?" Rey said as they dropped their stuff off by the small stone houses.

"It's better than the last few planets that's for sure..." Rose said out of breath. They each chose a respective hut, Rey picking one closest to the firepit, and Rose picking one a bit further back. Poe said he would just be staying in Luke's old home until morning where he would head back to the resistance for support.

Ben put his stuff in a hut near Rey's, not trying to start a war while Poe was still here. He figured he would have to patch things up with Rey a little anyway before she would want him close again. After everyone was all unpacked and settled in, Poe started a fire in the fire pit nestled in the side of the hill and began to cook for them. Ben was the first one out there to join him and immediately began to help.

"I can handle it," Poe said gruffly not looking at him. Ben ignored him and continued to unpack the plates and silverware out of their container.

Poe watched him from the corner of his eye. Why was he trying to help? Did he feel obligated? Was he trying to impress him?

"You know, helping make dinner isn't going to make me trust you..." Poe said stoking the fire. Ben glanced over at him, then back to his work.

"I know that. But I'll be here taking care of these girls by myself and you need to see I'm capable of doing so before you leave," he said calmly. Poe certainly couldn't argue with that.

Rey came out a minute later and came to sit by the fire.

"Whatever you're making smells heavenly Poe," she said grinning at him. He grinned back at her.

"It's a secret," he winked. Rey turned to Ben.

"Poe is a really good cook. One of his many talents he uses to help the resistance," she smiled, taking a seat on the stone. Ben awkwardly smiled at her and didn't say anything. Rose came out a few minutes later and the four of them sat around the stone fire pit and ate. Ben sat off by himself as the other three talked loudly and excitedly about anything and everything they could think of. He got that sad sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach he used to get when he was a child and no one would sit with him to eat lunch while in Jedi training. He had grown used to loneliness by now but watching Rey interact with her friends made him feel kind of...sad. Sad that he never had that. He wasn't outgoing enough, nice enough, good enough...

"What do you think Ben?" The question caught him off guard and he suddenly had to pull away from his dissociative state.

"What?" He looked around, lost.

"Come over here and sit with us! You're one of us now, you don't have to be a loner," Rey said. He glanced at the other two. Rose was grinning politely at him and Poe looked down quietly and ate more food. Ben scooted so he was sitting much closer to Rey now.

"We were saying if we would be able to eat a porg...do you think you could?"

"I...I guess if I had to I could."

Rose dramatically yelled 'no!' And Rey started laughing hysterically.

"You're telling me you could look them in their big, adorable eyes and kill it, then eat it?!" Rose stared at him, obviously astounded.

"If it's between me starving or eating a porg, I'm going to eat one," Ben answered honestly. Rey was still laughing uncontrollably, Poe even looked as though he was hiding a smile. Rose continued to make heartbroken noises as if she couldn't imagine a person doing something so foul.

"Forget the planets you've destroyed. THIS is the real crime here," Rose declared. There was silence for a moment then they all burst into laughter once more. Ben smiled, trying to contain his own amusement. Rey elbowed him in the ribs slightly.

"It's okay you laugh you know," she looked him in the eyes playfully.

Ben felt so strange. He'd never had 'friends' before. These people were talking to him, joking with him even. He knew he didn't deserve such treatment. And he was sure Poe felt the same as he had remained quiet this entire interaction.

"I'm pretty tired...I think I'm gonna go to bed," He said quietly. Rey gave him a disappointed look.

"But we want you to stay with us, we're having a good time."

"Yeah Ben," Rose spoke up, "you can't stay Solo your whole life."

As soon as she said those words, Rey and her burst into laughter once more. Ben internally cringed so hard.

"I think somebody spiked your drinks," He said standing getting ready to go. Rey grabbed his hand and he looked down at her. Rose was practically dying of laughter still in the background.

"I'll come say goodnight in a bit," she said quietly. Ben nodded, he knew Poe was watching from the corner of his eye. He took one last glance at Rey then walked back to his respective hut and pushed his make shift door closed.

He felt...weird. He wanted to stay outside by the fire, joking and laughing, having a good time with Rey...but it didn't feel natural to him. He didn't understand why they would actually WANT him to be there with them. Nobody ever WANTED him to 'hang out' with them. So he retreated to solitude like he always did. He set up his pallet on the ground of the cold stone hut and lay down on top of it. He was lost in thought wondering how he would ever get used to this life when he heard a slight tapping at his 'door'.

"Come in," he said mindlessly, knowing it would be Rey. He sat up in surprise when he saw it was actually Poe.

"Hey um...can we talk for a minute?" He asked kind of awkwardly. Ben nodded to him and he took a step in but stood by the door looking uncomfortable.

"First of all, I really appreciate you saving Rey and I's skins back on Jakku, we would have been screwed without you, seriously. Second, I am willing to give you a chance because Rey, for some reason, seems to really trust and care about you. And third, I think we both need to be honest with each other...about everything."

"I can agree to that," Ben said calmly.

"Ok good," Poe looked around. Ben could tell he had specific topics in mind. He decided to speak first this time. It was time to get everything out in the open now.

"Look...those things I said while I had you captured on my ship...Rey being tied to my bed and stuff...they weren't true. I tried to force myself on her once, yes. And she threw me against a wall for it. The deal we made to let you two free was a dirty one, I admit. I wasn't thinking clearly, I had never had any feelings for anyone before, and I know I handled it wrong. I asked for her forgiveness shortly after and for some reason, even though i didn't deserve it, she forgave me. She knew it was eating me up inside."

He gave Poe a minute to absorb everything then continued.

"I think you should also know that we were...together...a few times after that. Both sides consensual. I told you I wouldn't hurt her and I'll keep my word on that. I care about her. More than I think she even knows."

Poe was staring at a spot on the wall, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Ben remained quiet until he could process what Ben had said.

"I'm going to be honest with you, I still have my doubts about you. But I also have to believe that you are going to keep these girls safe when I leave tomorrow. They are like sisters to me and if anything happens to them I swear I-"

"You won't have to worry about that," Ben assured him. Poe finally looked him in the eye.

"Man to man I promise to protect them. And that baby. With my life if need be."

They seemed to hold eye contact for a longer moment than usual, then Poe finally nodded.

"Okay...alright you get this one chance. I'm going to be back in a week with supplies and I promise you don't want to make me regret leaving you here unattended."

Ben could appreciate Poe's anger, but it was unnecessary. He wouldn't hurt anybody else unless it was in defense, he had promised himself that.

"Ok...that's all I wanted to say..." Poe said awkwardly and quickly rushed back out into the evening air.

That may have been the strangest encounter Ben had ever had with another person. But he felt...better. Lighter somehow. As if getting Poe to give him a chance was some kind of accomplishment. And in a way he guessed it was.

I'm so sorry I'm slowing down writing these chapters! I'm back in school and so busy nowadays! I wanted to add this chapter to kind of establish relationships and have a setting for the upcoming ones so forgive me if it was kind of boring! Better stuff to come I swear! :)