Ch 25
Ben
I had seen a boat approaching the shore of where I was, but I couldn't figure out who it was. The more I tried to reach out with the Force the more it felt like something was deliberately blocking my perception.
I ran and hid behind some bushes near the trees and made my way around, hoping my tracks would be lost and then I sat, waiting for whoever was coming. I wish I had a weapon in this moment, it would have been good to at least have a blaster.
I watched the stranger pull up and upon closer inspection I saw clearly who it was.
I couldn't believe it, but it was her. The dark hair and strong cheekbones. The way she moved and her small figure and then the saber she held was a dead giveaway once she ignited it.
She was in a nightgown, how she ever thought she'd be able to fight wearing that was beyond me but she was always full of surprises.
I sat there frozen for a while, what do I say to her? How do I show her I'm really here? How will she react?
She came closer towards the forest where my footprints disappeared, and I made my way further down the side. If I came out through there, I would be on the shore again, behind her.
She kept walking but suddenly stopped. This was my chance, so I took one step onto the sand and then another.
"Rey" I called out in a soft voice. I couldn't imagine she would be any more still but she was frozen.
She turned around slowly and it took every ounce of strength in me to not fall on the ground and weep. I couldn't say the same of her, she shook her head and tears poured from her eyes.
"No... no it can't be... you... Ben you're dead... am I dreaming? This has to be a dream..." I started to feel worried about how she was feeling. Had she already moved on? Did she not want me here? Did she not love me anymore...?
That's when I felt the connection open again and I felt her enter my thoughts. Trying to determine if this was real or not, if I was really back. Having her be a part of me again was amazing, I couldn't compare it to anything else. It just felt like I was complete, like a part of my soul had been restored.
"It really is you..." She said with resolve. I needed and held out my hand to her. She glanced at it and suddenly she ran towards me and was in my arms and I held her as close as I possibly could. I felt her fingers run through my hair. I had forgotten how incredibly small she was but, in that moment, I was the one who felt small, I felt like a child. I buried my face in the crook of her neck and by Force she smelled like heaven and her skin was so incredibly soft and warm.
After a moment we pulled away and looked into each other's eyes.
She held the same look from Exegol. I could feel everything she felt and hear her every thought, I wasn't alone anymore.
She moved one of her hands to my face, tracing the outline. I couldn't believe she was here, her touch sent chills down my spine and it felt like a feather kissing my skin. Her hand moved lower and traced my lips slowly, and I looked down at hers, craving the way she tasted. I could never forget how they felt against mine. She looked up and met my eyes with hers.
I hadn't noticed that I started crying until a breeze passed and parts of my face felt slightly cooler than the rest.
"Please don't leave me again" she begged me, her voice breaking mid sentence. That was all the invitation I needed and I kissed her.
Her body melted with mine and I heard her shocked thoughts. I couldn't resist her, I needed her, what if I lost her again? What if I was still dreaming and this would be last thing I felt before waking up just like when I died?
