Ch 35

Rey

Meditation is such an interesting and funny thing you see. It clears your mind, sometimes it lets you see things of the past, of the future, of the present. It brings clarity.

This time it took me to a very distinct memory from when I was a child. Probably around 12-13 years old. I had just finished scavenging an old ship that had crashed a few weeks prior.

It's where I found my small pink flower that I put in my room. I always thought it made the place look a little brighter.

I remember coming home after getting my rations, only about two quarter portions…

It had been a rough day, but it was better than the days I'd received no rations.

It wasn't that what had spiked a memory shock. It was the fact that it had been one of the hottest days of the year on Jakku and I was freezing cold. I had this feeling inside me like a million knives were stabbing my chest.

I remember for a second seeing a man in my head but… he looked and felt like a boy. He was terrified.

And just like that the strange vision and the cold feeling was over. It was so strange,

There were other times I remembered that feeling. The feeling like there was always someone there throughout my life. It was like a shadow I couldn't quite see but I could feel it.

It was why Ben had always felt sort of… familiar. Even when I had first met him on Takodana and he was submerged in the darkness. They were fleeting moments and I always remembered feeling cold.

So that's what I felt now, but it was different. This was cold from having sat in a bathtub for too long and the water lost all its heat.

I got out and dried off quickly and got dressed. I combed my fingers through my hair and realized how long it had gotten. It reached almost to my waist, maybe it was time for a trim…

"Or maybe not… you have beautiful hair darling" said a voice behind me. It had startled me, but a smile spread on my face. I ran to hug him, and he met me with a kiss to the top of my head.

"You look beautiful sweetheart," he said pulling away, "and I mean it about the hair. I think it suits you." He moved a strand of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear.

I gave him a half smile and grabbed his hand to lead him back to the bedroom.

"What did you order for us today my love?" I asked him as I sat in front of the vanity to try and fix my hair and I noticed how I looked in the mirror. The light blue fabric made me look slightly tan, but it was a beautiful contrast against my brown hair. The ensemble was two-pieced. The top was cropped around my waist and the pants were lower than I thought, exposing my navel. The sleeves flared out at the end and the pants did too. The top was a little low on the neckline but hugged my chest very well. The neckline and hem of the sleeves and pants had a navy-blue pattern embroidered and the pants had a dark blue sash with silver lace at the end of it.

I decided to do my hair with two thin braids and I clipped them in the back with a sapphire butterfly hair comb. The rest of my hair was in loose, natural waves.

"Well as soon as the princess decides to stop admiring herself in the mirror, I would be more than happy to offer her some pastries and eggs that look and smell delicious"

I turned around and took in the smell of the food. My stomach growled in response to which Ben chuckled.

"Yes, that's what I thought" I walked over to him and took a seat, serving myself a plate of food in the process.

"So, Mr. Solo, what's your plan for us to get to Coruscant." I asked with a mouthful of pastry in my mouth.

He laughed at me again, I knew I ate like it was my last meal, but I didn't care. I had lived too long on rations to not enjoy the little gifts life had given me. Although it, was a little embarrassing. Ben ate with such grace and poise, the way royalty should.

"Stop it, you are adorable when you eat. I don't want you to change anything. Now if you want me to teach you some etiquette I can, just in case it's ever needed, but you shouldn't change for me Rey, I love you just as you are."

I blushed at the comment, his love and tenderness flowing vividly through the bond.

"As far as us travelling, I know you came here on the Falcon and you brought your BB unit. We just need to pack some supplies and we can leave tomorrow. While you were taking your bath, I was able to find a way to access my bank accounts and my mother has a hidden safe in the closet. I can get us the money from there and all we need to pack is food and clothing" I looked up and nodded at him in the middle of a bite.

"Please make sure to pack light… I can't imagine carrying 20 bags with your new outfits princess" he said giggling.

I glared at him and made a pillow fly towards his face, he dodged it flawlessly of course.

"Ben Solo I still like my old clothing, these are just fun to wear, and may remind you none of my clothing will be as remotely heavy as that cape you used to wear all the time!"

"Ha! That cape is a weapon princess, it protected me against many lightning attacks and from the cold mind you. Now hurry up and finish that food, we have work to do and I want to work… on the falcon. It needs to be ready for whatever we encounter."

"Fine! You owe me one for that comment though"

He got up and walked towards me with a menacing look. I put my plate down and reached up in a protective way. He grabbed my wrists and pushed me all the way down on the couch and kissed my neck. Force that felt amazing.

His tongue traced along my collar bone and went up my neck, the gesture made me shiver. He reached my ear lobe and he nipped it, a moan escaped my throat and just as quickly he let me go and walked towards the door.

As he opened it he looked back at me.

"Ben 1, Rey, 0" he said with a wink and left me bewildered.