Kylo stands in shock in his private chambers. He is speechless. Once his shuttle returned him to the Finalizer and he had walked into his chambers, he had felt the familiar pull of the bond he shares with Rey. Kylo saw and heard everything Rey was saying. He couldn't see the traitor Stormtrooper but knew she must be talking to him. But what shocks him the most in this moment is how she defended him. No one has ever believed in him like Rey does. Even though she closed the connection on him back on Crait, she still cares about him.
Although he couldn't hear the traitor speaking, he could hear Rey's echoing of the words spoken. The traitor had stated that Rey loves him...Kylo...Ben…
"She...loves me?" Kylo whispers to himself.
Although they never have spoken these words to one another, Kylo has felt there has been something far deeper than their mutual understanding of one another. Since the day he met her and removed his helmet for her, Kylo had been in love with this girl. But knowing now that she loves him too...it is too much for him to handle.
Kylo begins pacing in his chambers. His mind is racing like mad as he thinks about her, his head in his hands. He had given orders to his troops and officers to search for her and the Resistance. He did this as a way to seem like she meant nothing to him...just a means to gain more power. But in this moment, now knowing how she feels, how she truly feels, he cannot do this anymore. All he wants is Rey, just Rey. Suddenly he stops in the middle of the room and he looks up. He takes off his gloves and takes a deep breath. Dropping his hands to his sides, he closes his eyes and reaches out to her. He focuses all his thoughts on Rey, only Rey.
"Ben?"
He opens his eyes to find Rey standing just a few meters in front of him. She is still wearing her outfit from when he last saw her. But as he looks closer, he sees she has taken off her arm wraps and her boots. She is standing in socks that look cozy, despite a few holes in them. Rey holds onto one of her wrists as looks at him curiously.
"I thought you wouldn't want to see me again after…" she begins softly.
Kylo locks eyes with her and takes a gentle step forward.
"Of course I want to see you again. I always want to see you again. I would not have reached out to you again because I didn't want to make you...angry," he explains in a soothing tone.
"Why have you reached out again?" Rey asks, knowing full well this must have something to do with feeling him just after speaking with Finn.
She watches him as he takes another step forward and sheds his cloak from around his shoulders. He is timid as if frightened he might scare her away. Rey holds still, rubbing the back of her hand with her thumb as she watches his every move.
"I reached out because...you reached out," he states.
Kylo expects her to start going off and expressing how wrong he is and how she would never contact him after leaving him. But she just stares and waits patiently. She doesn't say a word.
"I was shocked but noticed you must have opened it without knowing you did," he continues.
Rey stares at him and nods quietly.
"Why didn't you say anything?" she asks.
Kylo shrugs and Rey fights to hide a smile. She cannot help but love how he acts around her. How every time they connect she gets to see the true man beneath.
"I didn't because...I didn't want to cause you anymore pain," he says quietly.
His eyes drift to the floor as his fists clench at his sides. Rey takes a deep breath and takes a small step closer to him. She keeps a slow pace until she is standing right in front of him. Carefully, slowly she reaches out and places a tender hand on one of his clenched fists.
"The only pain I feel right now is knowing I failed saving you," she says, choking back a sob.
Kylo instantly looks right at her and watches as her shoulders shake. She shudders but still holds his clenched fist in her small hand, closing her eyes as she fights back tears. Her eyes open again when she feels his hand opening up slightly. She watches as his fingers slowly entwine with hers. Rey's heart catches as he holds her hand softly with his. Her eyes open wide with how wonderful their hands look together.
"What if I told you...you didn't fail," he whispers.
Rey looks up into his eyes. Ben looks down into her gentle face and raises his free hand cautiously. He rests it tenderly against her cheek and sighs when he sees her nuzzle into his palm softly. She sighs and looks into his eyes.
"I thought I would be able to have you at my side if I offered you the entire galaxy. But seeing you leave again...I can't lose you anymore. My heart can't take it," he breathes.
Her breath catches again and she feels a single tear roll down her cheek. It is quickly whisked away by Kylo's thumb. He does not break eye contact with her. Rey watches as he suddenly kneels down before her still holding her hand in his large one. Kylo rubs her knuckles gently with his thumb.
"I will do anything you ask. Anything to make you happy," he says softly.
Rey stares down at him. Silence passes between them for several moments. Kylo hangs his head down, hoping she will accept him at last. He feels her step forward and risks looking up. Kylo readies himself for disappointment once more. But as he looks into her eyes, he sees the same warmth he felt from her back in the elevator and even when they touched hands on Luke Skywalker's hidden planet. Rey carefully places her free hand against his cheek. Her thumb traces the scar she gave him during their first battle together. Then her hand travels into his thick, wavy locks and she pulls him close to her. She hugs him against her, his head resting against her belly. Rey sighs as she feels his arm wrap around her waist to hug her back.
"All I want is you, Ben Solo. It's always been you," she whispers.
He pulls back and slowly stands up again. Wrapping both arms around her, Kylo pulls her close and shudders when she rests her palms against his chest. His thumbs softly rub her back and her body trembles. They look into each other's eyes and they can feel one another's emotions clearly through their special bond.
"For you Rey, I will be Ben Solo," he breathes.
Rey breathes deeply as her eyes trail all over his face until they reach his lips. They lean forward together, nothing keeping them apart. But as their lips almost touch, the connection ends and Kylo is left standing alone in his chambers. His arms are held out as if Rey was still there.
"No!" he cries out as he drops to his knees.
His fists clench again over losing her from their unpredictable connection. Through shaky breaths and his trembling body, Ben Solo makes a choice.
"I've lost you once, Rey. I won't lose you again!"