When Rey had asked Kylo Ren to "take her home," he hadn't thought she meant it so literally. But before he knew it, Rey had taken control of the ship and flown it to Jakku, her home planet. Kylo had to admit that he was impressed with her maneuvering tactics, but more so by the outrageousness of her actions.
"Why are we here?" Kylo Ren asked, impatient and confused. Rey was already on her way to the door when he spoke.
"Don't know. I felt like it," Rey replied, but she didn't look Ben in the eyes. It was obvious she was hiding something.
"This is where I grew up," she added.
"I know."
She didn't ask how he knew. It seemed better not to.
Without another word, Rey had slid open the door and departed the ship. Kylo had to admit that he had no idea where she was headed. There was only sand, as far as he could see. But he let her go, nonetheless.
She didn't ask him to join her. He didn't expect her to.
Instead, Kylo Ren chose to wait for her. Not like he had have anything else to do, really. So he waited, and thought about things, and waited some more. Sometimes he would wonder what Rey was doing.
By the time the sun was well on its way of setting, Rey returned. Her steps were heavy, Kylo saw that even from a distance. She must have hiked far.
Ben opened the door for her, and Rey climbed onboard. The silence still retained as she took her seat. Ben decided not to ask what she had been doing, or why her eyes were so red. She wouldn't have answered, anyway.
It wasn't until they were back at the base when Rey spoke again. They were leaving the ship hangar together when Rey turned to look at Kylo Ren. The look in her eyes stopped him flat.
"Thank you," she said, softly, so unlike herself. Ren tried to reply, but all he could do was open his mouth and close it again.
"Ben," she added, and her voice hurt so much to hear.
Kylo Ren flinched at hearing his old name come from her lips. "Don't call me that," he whispered.
Rey looked at him, and for a moment, he almost thought her gaze was tender. But then she turned to leave, and there was nothing at all.
"Goodnight," she called after him, her voice returned to the same seething cold as usual.
But Ben didn't respond. He just stood there, thinking of endless sands and fiery sunsets.