A/N: This was completed as part of a Reylo Theme Song Collection on ao3. We were given moodboard prompts and we wrote stories for them. Mine was based on the song Little Red Riding Hood by aeseanaes, originally by Sam the Sham & the Pharaoh's. Those lyrics are in bold within my song. What I did is leave the song in its' original version and then wove my story around it. At times the lyrics seem awkward, but I think it's created an adorable dorky Ben as a result. Enjoy! 3
"Hey, Rey! Hold up! Are you leaving so soon?" a male voice called out through the night from behind her. Rey paused mid-step, hearing the sound of footsteps running on the sidewalk. She turned to see who was trying to catch up to her.
"Oh hey, Ben. What's up?" she asked, as her best friend's brother caught up with her on the busy walkway near the restaurant they'd just had dinner at.
"Hey there little, red riding hood," he said, teasing her about "the gift."
"Be nice," she sassed back. "I know my cardigan is a bit...bright, but your Mum made it with love and that's all that matters to me." She looked down at the fire engine red poncho that Leia had completed as part of her new knitting obsession. "These stitches were mangled with love. And I'll wear it until it falls apart."
"Don't shoot me! I think you sure are looking good in ...wool?" he threw out, trying to save himself. "In fact, you're everything a big bad wolf could want, little red," he said with a smirk.
Rey rolled her eyes. This wasn't the first round of teasing she had endured over her knitwear, and it probably wouldn't be the last. You'd think he'd be more understanding since his own mother made it, she scoffed internally. Rey had always wanted to catch Ben's eye, but not like this. Growing up best friends with his little sister, Rose, had left Rey eternally friend-zoned. She'd hoped things would change once she'd entered college, but here she was, freshly graduated from culinary school, and Ben had yet to show any interest.
"What do you want, Ben? It's getting late and I have a long walk home," she asked, shifting from side to side.
"I don't think little, err, um- big girls, should go walking these spooky old roads alone, so late at night. May I walk you home?"
"Ben, you know I can handle myself! I'll be fine. It's a nice night for a walk," she answered back.
"I know you can handle yourself; remember I drove you to all those karate lessons back when you and Rose were in school. Will you walk me home then? I'm afraid of the dark," Ben lied, running a hand through his dark locks.
Watching his hand, Rey wished, for just a moment, that she could run her hand through his hair. Maybe this was an opportunity to feel out her chances with Ben. Make him notice her?
Lost in thought, she missed Ben checking her out on the sly. His job had kept him too busy for socializing lately, but when Rose had invited him to come to a dinner celebrating her recent college graduation, he dropped everything. He was wrapped around Rose's pinkie. His little sister had stolen his heart the day his parents had brought an infant Rose home when he was in kindergarten.
What he hadn't realized tonight, was that Rey would be at the celebration too until she had walked through the door dressed to kill. The red satin dress she'd worn hugged every curve and had left him drooling like a wolf staring at his next meal. It had taken a mammoth effort to behave normally; if his mother had caught wind of his crush she'd have attempted playing matchmaker and that would have ruined his chances. Period.
My how little Rey had grown up, he thought to himself. Over the years, his feelings towards her had become less brotherly and more like attraction. By the time she was a senior in high school, Ben was head over heels for her. But she was too young for him; she a senior in high school and he was a senior in college. But now, now she was all grown up. Maybe he ought to take a chance...
"What beautiful eyes you have," Ben remarked out of the blue. "The kind of eyes that drive guys mad."
Rey blushed furiously, at this unexpected compliment. Maybe she wouldn't have to work so hard to catch his eye after all.
A mischievous smile spread across her face as she replied, "I'm glad you noticed, Ben. And I know you aren't really afraid of the dark, liar. But just to see that you don't get chased yourself, I think I oughta walk with you for a way."
Ben chuckled, beginning to walk, taking care to slow his steps to match hers. "Rey, I'm as big as a fridge," Ben snorted, "who would chase me?"
A leer stole across Rey's face before she replied cryptically, "Competition."
"Okay, that makes- no earthly sense. Maybe the full moon is affecting you tonight."
Rey glanced up through the trees at the moon hanging round and full overhead. She couldn't decide whether their present setting made it romantic or the beginning of a horror story.
"Do you remember the first time Rose and I watched Prisoner of Azkaban and we couldn't sleep because the werewolf frightened our pants off?" she laughed at the memory.
"Yeah, I do. You two were like eight, and so full of bravado until the lights went out. Then you both crept into my room and cried until I agreed to sleep on the floor in front of the door to guard you!"
Rey clasped her hands under her chin. "My hero…" she drawled, eyelashes fluttering.
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Rey," he breathed.
The unexpected words caused Rey to stumble, tripping over her own feet, she reached for something to hold onto.
"Watch out!" Ben cried, placing his arms around her to stop her fall.
Rey's waist tingled where his hands held her. "Will it, Ben?" she whispered, searching his eyes for sincerity. She couldn't help it if her eyes dipped briefly to his lips, not even trying to hide it.
Ben returned her gaze, heart pounding erratically in his chest as he strained to find the right words to tell her how he felt. This was his chance. His tongue felt like it was outside his possession, unable to form words despite the screaming of his heart. Iloveyou, you'reperfect, canijustholdyourhand?!
When the words finally came, Ben wished he could pluck them back out of the air between them.
"What full lips you have, Rey. They're sure to lure someone bad," he whispered, looking down at her still perched in his arms.
Rey's nose scrunched up. "That is literally the worst pickup line I've ever heard, Ben. And I've heard a few," she snickered. "Has it ever worked?"
In for a penny, in for a pound, Ben decided.
"I don't know. I haven't used a pickup line in- I don't know since when," he answered honestly. "Did it work?"
"Did you want it to?" she countered.
"Yes?"
Taking a chance Rey leaned forward and rested her head on his shoulder. "Is that a question, or an answer, Ben?"
Ben's inner wolf howled in delight at the feel of Rey finally in his arms. She was even nuzzling her head into his shoulder. Please, if this is a dream, don't wake up! She felt perfect in his embrace like she belonged there. Her hair tickled his nose, and he inhaled softly. She smelled like...dinner. Chinese. Huh, not as romantic as I thought it would be.
Rey waited on tenterhooks for his response, holding her breath and reveling in the feeling of safety with his arms wrapped around her. After a few heartbeats passed in silence, and then a few more, Rey felt her heart start to stutter. He was trying to let her down gently for the sake of their friendship. A lump rose in her throat. Quickly she schooled her face into a mask. The only sign of emotion that she let pass was a hiccup; she always hiccuped when she was distressed.
She stepped back, extricating herself as quickly as she could without blowing her causal cover.
"Thanks for catching me, Ben," she said with false cheer. "One of these days my two left hiccup feet will get me into some real trouble!"
Rey took off at a fast pace, heels clicking loudly. A very confused Ben was soon left behind on the sidewalk trying to figure out what had just happened. Why hadn't he answered her? That was a terrible moment to lose himself. Maybe he had misunderstood though? What if he'd made her uncomfortable and this was her gentle way of letting him down. Of course! Why would she want him?
"Hurry up, slowpoke!" She yelled over her shoulder. "Until we get to your hiccup Grandma's place, I think you oughta hiccup walk with me and be safe." She turned around to taunt him, walking backward. "You wouldn't want to meet the big bad
wolf under a full moon, would you?"
Ben lurched into a jog to catch up to Rey, disheartened by the turn of events. What had happened to their perfect moment? She was flowing hot one minute and chilled through the next.
Up ahead, Rey was desperately trying to stop her hiccups. She held her breath repeatedly, tried to laugh or burp, anything she thought might interrupt them. But nothing helped.
Gonna keep my sheep suit- err, keep my cool until we part ways. That's all. Maybe then he will think it's all an anomaly, and I can go home and have a proper cry out. Then, 'Til I'm sure that he's been shown that I can be trusted being with him alone again I'll avoid him for a while. I'd rather have his friendship than nothing at all, she dejectedly decided.
Ben walked beside her, afraid of interrupting the silence that had fallen awkwardly between them. It was like a dense fog and he couldn't see his way clear. Ben groaned internally in frustration. He could address a room full of executives, but not the gorgeous brunette he'd known for years. Little red riding hood,
I'd like to hold you if I could, he thought. But you might think I'm a big bad wolf so I won't…
They strolled along, side by side with only the occasional jogger out for a late run, or a car full of teenagers zipping past as company. So it was that he finally noticed her hiccups punctuating the night.
"Would it help if I scared you?" he asked, breaking the quiet.
"No hiccup, but thank you. It never works," she replied. "I don't scare easily. You know that" she smiled.
"Wanna talk about it?"
Rey started, and looked up at him. "hiccup What?"
"About why you've got the hiccups. You only get them when you're really upset about something," he said, nudging her shoulder with his. "I know you, remember?"
He watched as Rey appeared to shrink in on herself. Her arms wrapping across her chest as she bit her lip, the picture of uncertainty. His heart ached to see her sparkle dim. If only he could tell her what was in his heart. What a big heart I have, the better to love you with. Little Rey, even bad wolves can be good. I try to be satisfied, just to walk close by your side, but it's never enough. I want more.
"Ben?"
"Yeah, Rey?" He looked up from his feet to see her watching him warily. He gave her an encouraging smile.
"Do you- do you ever think about me?" Rey asked, her voice quiet, but with a hint of something inside it.
Ben looked askance at her. "I think about you all the time."
She twisted her fingers around one of the tassels on her cardigan. "Do you ever hiccup think about me?"
He tipped his head to the side, curious. "Like as a friend or human being or….?"
She shook her head, "No. Like…," she knew she was fishing, but she had to know if he saw her as anything other than a pesky little sister's friend. Overhead a lone star winked in the night sky, and Rey made a quick wish. If I get my wish maybe you'll see us my way 'fore we get to your Grandma's place.
"...a woman, Ben. Not Rose's little friend."
Ben looked down into her hazel eyes; they stared so earnestly into his own. Time to leap. At least if I fall, it'll be because I dared to try, he said to himself.
"I think you are the most beautiful woman I know," he said huskily. "Inside and out. Your laugh is my favorite sound. I love how competitive you get over games and how your freckles multiply during the Summer. I feel so lucky that I know you." He reached out and took one of her hands in his.
Her face looked thoughtful in the lamplight. Her eyes searched him, seeking something he wasn't sure of yet.
"I uh- " he cleared his throat, "I often wish I could tuck you into my pocket and take you everywhere with me."
Rey laughed at the silliness of his statement, and he delighted to hear it. Maybe there was hope yet.
"Rey, would you- could you ever think of me too? I mean, as like, a man?" he growled lowly, irritated by his own lameness. "That sounds so stupid!" he shook his head, dismayed at his utter lack of confidence around her. He ran his free hand down his face and tried again. "What I meant is, can I take you? -OUT! Oh, gosh, No!" Ben turned and leaned his head against the nearest lamppost. "On a date. I meant on a date. Why do I ever leave home?" he muttered.
Embarrassment turns his ears red, Rey noted, as she silently chuckled at her poor disheartened friend. She found his lack of charm endearing in its relatability. She remembered reading somewhere, "If I loved you less, I could talk about it more." Was it possible that this is what was Ben's struggle? She'd never seen him so tongue-tied before.
She stepped up beside him, reaching out to give his arm a rub with her free hand.
"Hey, Ben?" She moved up onto the lamppost base so that she could look him straight in the eye.
"Yeah," he mumbled, before turning his head to look at her.
Rey tentatively reached a handout and set it on his shoulder, watching for any indication she was making him uncomfortable. He didn't move a muscle and appeared to be holding his breath. She slowly slipped her hand up to cradle his neck, gently tugging him closer, and kissed him. It was only long enough to feel the warmth of his lips against hers but not nearly enough to satisfy her ache. She pulled back after only a moment to gauge his reaction. If his dazed eyes and flushed face were anything to go by, she wasn't alone in her feelings after all.
She drew him in for another kiss, and this time, Ben responded wholeheartedly. His lips, soft and full, covered hers. Kissing him was bewitching, she decided as she gladly fell under his spell. He gathered her closer until she was on tiptoe, then he picked her up and spun her around gently. Tipping her head back, she laughed for joy.
He placed her on her feet again and snuck another kiss before saying anything.
"Little Rey, you sure are looking good. You're everything this big bad wolf could want!" he exclaimed cornily into the night air.
Rey rolled her eyes at his cheesy joke but rewarded him with another kiss anyway. She'd never get tired of this.
"What big ears you have, Wolf!" Rey quirked an eyebrow and teased him, joining in the game.
"All the better to hear you with, Sweetheart," he answered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
She stepped back slightly and perused his face, fake consternation on her face.
"My what big eyes you have!" she stated.
Ben grinned, "The better to see you with, my dear."
Rey paused for a moment to recall the next lines.
"Oh yeah… My what big hands you have!" she said.
He drew her back against his chest. "All the better to hug you with!"
"And what a terrible mouth you have…" she whispered against his lips.
His eyes grew darker as they gazed at her.
"All the better to kiss you with, my love!" he vowed, as his lips met hers and devoured them.
And they loved happily ever after, all their days...