A shiver runs through her body as she hugs herself, trying to keep the tears from freely flowing down her flushed cheeks. Her eyes close and she tries to take a deep, steady breath. She breathes in then out, repeating the exercise to help push away the hurt and disappointment she feels. A figure comes to mind as Rey breathes, someone who might be able to understand...someone who might know how she is feeling at this moment. Taking one last deep breath, her lips part slightly as she speaks aloud into the empty space.
"Ben," Rey whispers.
The air instantly changes around Rey and she feels a warmth she is growing accustomed to. In the days since meeting him, Rey would never have guessed that he would be the one to make her feel comfortable...make her feel like she has a home. She opens her eyes and sees Ben sitting across from her, the fire flickering across the scar on his face she had given to him. Rey can't help but feel a blush creep across her cheeks as she remembers giving him the scar. She hopes the firelight is hiding her pink cheeks from him.
Ben looks at Rey silently, his eyes softer than usual. She is looking down at the ground and he feels a pang in his heart at the sight. Through their apparent bond, he can feel all of her emotions. It's almost overwhelming for him but he closes his eyes and pulls them all in. Shock. Deceit. Hopelessness. Loneliness. Ben opens his eyes again to the shivering Rey sitting across from him. His eyes well up with tears and he swallows shakily. He sees a blanket draped beside him and slowly stands up with the blanket in hand. Ben makes his way over to Rey and carefully drapes the blanket around her shoulders. A small gasp leaves Rey's lips as she looks up to see Ben beside her. She feels her heart racing as his hands connect with her shoulders. The electricity between them can be felt even with the blanket in their way. Ben leaves his hands on her shoulders for a moment longer before making his way silently back to his seat. He sits across from her once more and nods his head. Rey takes a deep breath and begins her story.
"I...I went to the cave beneath the island. It has been calling to me ever since I've arrived. Luke says it's plagued by the Dark Side. But I couldn't help but feel like it was drawing me to it because it had something to show me. After we last spoke…" Rey pauses.
Her blush deepens as she remembers what happened the last time the Force connected them. Seeing Ben without his cowl and coat...Rey shakes herself softly and tries to focus back on the story. Ben feels her embarrassment through their bond but says nothing. He swallows again and tries to fuel calm feelings into her.
"After we last spoke, I decided to go see the cave for myself. I fell in and splashed down into the waters below. When I surfaced, I noticed a mirror of sorts against the wall. I could hear voices coming from there and knew this was what was calling to me," Rey continues.
She pauses briefly to pull the blanket closer around her shivering body. Her eyes flick to Ben's and she trembles from the way he looks at her. She can feel her heart beating once more and feels so safe in telling him her story...telling him everything.
"I touched the surface and had a vision. I should have felt trapped, but I didn't. I reached out my hand and asked to see my parents. There were two shadowy figures that made their way towards me from the opposite side of the mirror. They grew closer and then morphed into one figure with long, dark hair…" Rey stops again.
Looking at Ben, really looking at him, she takes in a sharp breath. His outline matches exactly with the figure she saw in her vision. Ben looks at her questioningly, nodding again silently as if to say he's with her and still listening.
"The figure reached out a hand to connect with mine. But when it touched, the figure faded away and I was left staring at myself," Rey finished.
Ben watches as she chokes back a quiet sob. His heart yearns to comfort her in some way but is unclear how. It has been so long since anyone has willingly come to him for guidance...or just to be with him.
"I thought I'd find answers there. I was wrong," Rey says softly, trying to hold back her tears threatening to spill over.
"I've never felt so alone," she continues in almost a whisper.
Rey stares at the fire and feels her eyes sting as the flames jump and dance dramatically. Ben takes a deep breath, his fist clenched on his knee. He hated seeing her like this...hated that there was so much hurt in this sweet, wonderful girl. No one deserved to feel alone. But he couldn't help but feel more connected to her. There was finally someone who knew exactly the pain he feels each and every day. He swallows and looks at the girl kissed by the firelight.
"You're not alone," Ben says gently.
Rey's eyes flick to him instantly. She watches as he swallows with glistening eyes. Her heart melts with his words and she feels all of his emotions through their bond. Loneliness. Understanding. Longing. Compassion. Her blush deepens as she feels his calm thoughts pushing forth to help her and feels a smile threateningly pulling on the corner of her mouth. They gaze deeply into each other's eyes even with the fire between them.
"Neither are you," Rey replies with a newfound confidence.
A few moments of silence pass between them with no words spoken. But their bond sparks to life with emotions flooding back and forth. Ben gazes at Rey. Rey gazes at Ben. No words truly need to be spoken, but Rey takes a breath and begins again.
"It isn't too late," she whispers.
Ben shudders as he fights to hold back his own tears. He watches as Rey softens even more and carefully lifts up her hand, uncurling it from her fist. His eyes look down at her hand and he takes a deep breath before locking eyes with her again. She nods slightly and holds her hand out towards him. Her eyes widen as she watches Ben pull a glove off to expose his big, bare hand. She brings her eyes back to lock with his and holds her hand out to him strong and true.
Timidly Ben begins bringing his hand closer to Rey's outstretched hand. They become lost in each other's eyes as their hands grow closer...closer...closer still. Ben's hand finally reaches Rey's fingertips and they slowly, tenderly connect at last. A jolt of energy rushes between them and they both shudder as a vision takes hold:
Ben and Rey hand in hand. Lightsabers drawn. Fighting as one. A passionate kiss shared between them.
A tear rolls down Rey's cheek as her hand begins closing firmly around his fingertips. Ben goes a step further and covers her hand completely with his massive hand. The blanket slides down Rey's shoulders as she moves to stand with Ben. He stands and the fire roars between them. Without letting go, he moves around the fire to stand in front of Rey. His height and closeness make Rey shudder as he squeezes her hand gently. Her free hand reaches out to brush against his other hand still gloved. She tugs at it softly and they watch as it falls to the floor. Ben brushes his fingertips against hers as he slides them into an interlocking hold. They look at one another again as they stand together holding hands.
The last time they were this close, they were locked into a heated lightsaber duel. It was intense and a fight for survival from both sides. Standing close again this time is so different...so unreal. And yet, Ben and Rey have never felt more at peace. Ben gazes down at Rey and notices she is looking at his lips. A small smile crosses her lips as she looks back into his deep, brown eyes. Her heart catches as she watches a soft smile begin to spread on his face. He looks at her lips briefly before looking back into the beautiful hazel eyes of Rey...a true wonder he is holding right now. Rey nods gently and Ben slowly leans in to press his lips against hers. He is careful not to push too much for fear of losing her again. Ben pulls back slowly and presses his forehead to Rey's tenderly. He sighs in content and Rey can't help but smile. She carefully lifts up onto her tiptoes and presses a gentle kiss against his lips in return. A soft chuckle rolls off Ben's tongue and makes Rey's body tingle.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to do that," Ben whispers as he squeezes her hands gently.
His hands slowly move out of her hands and he feels Rey's confusion and loneliness return. He smiles and coos in her ear as he moves his hands to slide around her waist. Ben brings her in close and presses a kiss to the top of her head. Rey trembles as he holds her. Of course she has been hugged before. But this feels different from anyone else who has held her. It feels like...home.
"I'm not letting you go, Rey," he murmurs tenderly.
His breath catches when Rey leans her head against his chest. Her arms move to wrap around his torso and she gives him a gentle squeeze. Ben gives her a squeeze in return. Rey pulls her head back to look up at Ben and smiles at him as his eyes meet hers. Their lips come together and they both moan into the kiss. It feels so perfect.
"Ben?" Rey breathes as they pull away from the kiss.
"Yes, cyar'ika?" Ben replies with a smile.
"Will you...stay with me?" she asks quietly, trembling from him calling her this term she only hoped to hear one day.
Ben presses another kiss to her lips before moving to her cheek and then up to her forehead. He leans his forehead against hers again and nuzzles her nose.
"Of course, Rey. I don't want to be anywhere else," he whispers.
"What...what if the bond ends?" Rey whimpers.
"I will stay until it ends. I'm not going anywhere, cyar'ika," Ben coos as he kisses her again.
Rey melts into his kiss as they sit down together on the bed. They lay down and Ben pulls Rey close so their noses touch. Rey yawns and fights to stay awake. Ben chuckles softly and kisses the tip of her nose.
"Rest, Rey. I'll always be here for you," he whispers as his hand strokes her back.
She cuddles closer to him and drifts off to sleep in his warm embrace, a smile on her face.