A/N – I do apologize for the extra wait time, this whole quarantine thing has been more difficult than I anticipated. I hope you all remain safe from this virus and that this update can at least be a little bit of light in your day.
Thank you to all who have left kudos and special thanks to those that have been commenting. I love interacting with you all and hope to see you in future stories!
Chapter 8 – Breaking Free
As the morning sun crept through the window of their humble little house, Ben was almost certain that he hadn't been allowed a single minute of sleep. He groaned as his head throbbed with a pain he had never experienced before.
Ben had thought their kiss would soothe the angry entity buzzing at the back of his skull. Instead, what had been a subtle tickle grew into an intolerable agony overnight as their bond sought to punish him.
He pulled his legs from under the loose blankets, sitting for only a moment before his head fell into his open palms. He needed to run, to train, to do anything to get his mind off the woman in the other room. It was improper, no, it was sickening to dwell on a single moment for so long. To relish in the memory of her lips pressed against his, to chase that beautiful smile that she seemed to save just for him. And yet, his once brilliant mind refused to think of anything else while the thoughts only amplified his torture.
Foolish desires swelled within him, rising to the point where he could no longer decipher if it was his own mind or the strength of their bond causing such insanity.
Ben wanted Rey to open the door to his room and walk straight into his arms. He wanted to fall to his knees before her, offering every ounce of his soul if she would accept it.
The threat of war brought no favors as the force seemed to wield the knowledge against him. Their time was limited, it would say, taunting Ben with everything he knew they could never have.
Rey deserved it all before the end, and oh how Ben wished to make it happen. To traverse the Galaxy together, showing Rey all the lands she had never been allowed to see. To spend months properly courting her, to prove that his feelings went beyond mere infatuation. To marry her on this peaceful planet that had once been his home and to whisper words of love as they shared a wedding bed. To raise whatever number of children she desired in a house surrounded by green. To ensure that the only time her feet would ever sink into searing hot sand again, would be instantly cooled by a wave drifting along the shore. And yet, a part of him knew it was selfish to dream of such things when he knew how the fight would end.
A sudden slice of guilt startled him as he realized just what he had done. He had given her hope the night before. Hope that all those wonderful dreams could one day come true when he knew far better. One of them would die, and like before, Ben would make sure that it would not be his Rey.
The pain thickened; as if punishing the dark thoughts. And then, an even greater strike sent him to his knees. He quickly scanned the empty room, hoping that his parents were still sleeping peacefully in their beds. That was all he needed for them waltz into their living quarters to find their wreck of a son shivering on the floor.
Ben's breathing grew heavy and after only a few more moments he was certain that his head would burst.
"Why are you doing this?!" He asked no one. To his amazement, something answered.
Why are you still fighting? A familiar voice whispered at his ear.
Ben managed another scan, but once again found no one.
"Grandpa?" Ben gasped through another wave of agony.
Let go, Ben.
Ben began to shake his head, sorting through the long list of reasons he had once concocted against binding his mind with Rey's. His brow scrunched at how foolish they all seemed now. In a moment of weakness, he allowed the thought to slip. Why was he still fighting?
He hadn't meant to activate the bond, to release the power tormenting his mind. And yet the moment it slipped, the moment his weak mind reached for hers, he felt peace.
For the first time in years his head felt clear; free of a burden he hadn't even realized that he had been carrying. Ben took a deep breath, basking in the sweet relief of his mind's release. And then, he panicked.
Rey appeared before him, sitting on the floor while sorting through an old book that his mother used to read him before bed. Her fingers scrolled along the pages that he recalled marking in ink when his parents looked away. Ben remained still as he watched her, both terrified and enamored by the way she smiled at his childhood memories.
For a moment, Ben had thought she couldn't feel him as several seconds passed where they sat in silence. And then, she gasped. The book fell to the floor as she stiffened, before she slowly turned to see him.
The girl's eyes went wide with an array of emotions that Ben didn't know how to decipher. He could see her mind racing faster than the speed of light, while her body stilled unnaturally. Rey's lips parted with a deep inhale and he was certain that she would spring to her feet to counter whatever rush of shock the bond had forced upon her.
Instead, she collapsed.
"Rey!" Ben sprung to his feet in a panic as she faded from his sight. He rushed through the hallway, fueled by his pounding heart as he pushed through the doorway and into his room. What had he done?
Rey looked delirious as she tried to pull herself to her feet. The scavenger only lasted a fraction of a second before falling back to her knees, barely holding herself up with trembling arms. Ben managed to make it to her side just in time to catch her next fall.
"Rey?" he choked anxiously; watching hopelessly as she heaved for breath. He encouraged her slowly to sit properly, cursing himself for his weakness. Rey brought an arm to cover his, while her face remained fixated on the floor. A moment passed where only raspy breaths filled the room.
"I'm okay," she managed to speak through a shaky breath. "I'm…"
Rey finally lifted her gaze to meet him, staring with wide eyes.
"Ben?"
"Here, let me help you to your feet," he tried to rise but was stopped by a pair of tight fists twisting against his shirt.
"Ben," she gasped again. Ben watched her carefully. Rey's panic molded into relief as she whispered in disbelief. "I remember."
His mouth fell open in preparation to question her meaning. Before the words could form, he saw it.
He saw a flash of red clashing against blue. He saw the touch made from galaxies apart. He saw them standing side-by-side against an army of red and then apart once more on the ruins of the Death Star half-buried in the ocean. Every moment that led to his collapse in the dark ruins of Exegol flashed into his mind. Except, the memories were seen from eyes that weren't his own.
"Ben, I remember!" Rey smiled; the same smile she'd given him when he gave his life for her.
"Rey?" He whispered in disbelief.
Her uncertain gaze showered him as her hands moved to trace the edges of his face. The first touch of her fingertips against his cheek caused her to startle, as if she too could not trust her own mind. Her shoulders rose and fell with heavy breaths as she continued to recover from the revelation.
Ben thought to ask if she was alright but knew that it was a pointless question when their thoughts were already entwined. He could feel the shock of a thousand memories flooding her thoughts and the slow yet welcome relief as she eventually caught up to the present. Rey watched him cautiously with shivering hands against his skin; displaying her fears that at any moment he would vanish once again.
"That's not going to happen," he promised in a whisper. Rey flinched, as if only just noticing their connected minds. And then, she dared to smile.
"It worked?" She breathed. The terrible discomfort faded, replaced by a warmth filling both their veins. Ben began to nod in response, but her fingers tightened against his face. The fierce grasp held him steady as she pulled herself to him in a bruising kiss.
The ferocity of her touch surprised him, nearly sending them both tumbling backwards to the floor before he caught their fall. There was a new intensity in the emotions, their emotions, combined into one shared soul. Rey's heart thundered alongside his own. Her desires rose, soaring through his veins before her heart tumbled once again. The feeling of their hearts intertwined almost frightened him.
"It worked," she sobbed in disbelief against his lips. Ben began to retreat, intending to wipe the tears from her lovely skin. However, the moment Rey sensed him parting, a strong hand moved to the back of his neck.
Ben only smiled at her behavior, amazed at the new confidence in the way her fingers weaved into his hair. The link of their dyad purred as at long last, his heart was sated. Then, Rey's loneliness ebbed into his thoughts, displaying the pain his delay had wrought. Ben felt himself scowl as he deepened the kiss, promising that she would never again be subject to the terrible emotions.
I'm sorry, the thought slipped. Rey simply answered with another caress. With her gentle palm half covering his ear, he couldn't seem to hear the footsteps just outside the door.
"Everything alright in there, sweetheart? I thought I heard someone fall…" Han paused.
Ben broke from her in an instant to hide his reddened gaze, while Rey stared in awe at the man standing in a mix of shock and amusement at the door.
"Kid, you know your mom's going to kill you if she finds you in here," Han sighed in false exasperation.
"Han Solo!" Rey leapt to her feet and crashed into his father's chest. Han stumbled backwards with his arms outstretched in shock.
"Uh, hey kid." His brow rose as his arms wrapped hesitantly around the scavenger, staring at his son in confusion. By the time Ben moved to his feet, Rey was pushing away from his father.
"Where's Leia?!" She asked excitedly.
"Uh, I think she's getting breakfast going," Han hardly finished answering before Rey dashed around him. A moment later, a surprised squeak sounded from the kitchen. The man turned to gaze at his son. "What was that about?"
"No idea," Ben merely shrugged as casually as possible; focusing his energy on taming his pounding heart.
There was an ease in the way his body moved. The dyad, separated for far too long, had been punishing him more harshly than he realized. For the first time since his return fifteen years ago, he felt free of a burden he hadn't even known existed. Ben's heart came to rest at an easy pace, thanking his foolish mind for finally breaking the chains that he himself had tightened.
Even now, rooms apart, he could feel Rey pouncing upon his unsuspecting mother. He refrained from smiling while his father stood smirking.
"So, I take it you had a good night?"
"Dad," he shook his head in a weak fight against the burning in his ears. Thankfully, his father merely chuckled as Ben moved around him. He only hoped the red on his face faded by the time he reached his smiling mother holding the scavenger through her confusion.
Leia cast a glance to him, similar to his father's, searching for an answer to the strange confidence from the girl in her arms.
"Wait, Ben!" Rey pulled away to glare at him. "We have to talk to Luke!"
"Luke? You just got here." Leia glanced between the pair. "What's going on?"
"We have some news that he must hear!" Rey urged.
"You have to tell Luke that you're dating?" Han asked as he entered the room.
"What? No!" Rey glared at the man. "We know how to get to Exegol."
Ben flinched as he finally began to understand.
"Rey…"
"Exegol?" Leia's eyes widened. "Why would you ever go to Exegol?"
"To stop my gran… To stop Palpatine," Rey blurted.
"How do you know…" Leia started to ask but Ben began to pull Rey towards the door.
"I need to speak with Rey in private," he silenced his family before closing the door behind them. Rey had the audacity to appear confused by his behavior as she stared at him. "What are you doing?!"
"What do you mean what am I doing?" Rey crossed her arms. "What have you been doing?! Why haven't you told Luke?"
"Because we're not ready!" he answered in exasperation. However, as the words passed his lips, he could finally feel just how foolish his fears had been. Given the way that Rey's glare deepened, he knew she felt the same.
"Not ready?" She scolded. "Ben, do you not feel it?"
Ben wanted to shake his head, but her thoughts sprung into his own. He did feel it. The unimaginable power flowing through their veins and the overwhelming aura of the force stationed around them. It was a power that even the dark side could not offer. They were together at last, truly as one. Ben had never felt so unstoppable.
"I'm going to see Luke, and then I am taking him to Exegol to stop my grandfather," Rey stated calmly, but no less firm. She waited for him to meet her gaze before continuing. "I would prefer that we try it together this time."
Rey reached out into the empty space between them, holding her palm upright for the taking. Days ago, no, hours ago he would have dug his heels into the ground and begged her to stay. But now, with the gracious power simmering between them, it was easy to take her hand.
"Alright," he sighed. "What do we tell my parents?"
"How about everything?"
They both flinched before noticing the pair scowling from an open window. Ben wanted to groan.
"Do you two not know what private means?" He growled at his parents.
"You should've closed the window, genius." Han scoffed before making a gesture with his hand. "Get in the house. Apparently we need to talk."
Forty-two minutes and thirty-four seconds.
Ben counted every moment where his uncle sat staring in doubt at the tale being told. When the old man wasn't sitting in silence, he would spend their time wasting his breath on alternative solutions to the impossibility presented by his nephew.
The interrogation would have been unbearable if not for the warm hand resting within his own. It had been Rey who refused to release him upon entering the Academy; a touch that had not gone unnoticed by wandering eyes. To his uncle's credit, the man did not produce any expression when his eyes first fell upon them.
"So," he began by clearing his throat. "You two think that you, what? Time traveled?"
"There's no 'thinking' involved," Ben groaned. "I know what happened."
Rey's patience flowed through their bond, and a gentle stroke of a thumb was all it took to soothe his rising temper. He cast her a subtle glance; both soft and grateful.
"Right, because you're a dyad?" Luke raised his brow. "A union unseen for generations?"
"Which part is confusing you, Master Skywalker?" Rey asked in a tone that was less than pleasant. Luke turned to scowl at the young girl before returning his attention to Ben.
"And you've turned my most loyal student against me," Luke accused half-playfully.
"You said it yourself, uncle. You've known for some time now that something's been off," Ben pressed. "You know I speak the truth."
"Yeah, but not this," Luke ran a flustered hand through his hair before rising to his feet. Within seconds, the man began pacing behind his desk.
"What would I gain from lying to you, uncle?" Ben asked.
"I've spent my entire life studying the force, the history of the Jedi, the sith even. What you're talking about isn't possible!"
"Our bond made it possible," he reminded.
"Your bond," Luke scoffed in disbelief. "A dyad."
Forty-five minutes, Ben counted with a sigh. He watched his uncle carefully.
It had been obvious that the news would be difficult for even the wisest person to comprehend. Ben knew he would have been a fool to think that Luke wouldn't resort to every other avenue of possibility before finally accepting the impossible truth. He did not, however, expect this much defiance from his uncle. The man who had already seen so many impossibilities come true.
"He just doesn't want to believe it because of what he did to you." Rey's impatience surprised them both. Luke halted in his tracks, turning to glare at his young student.
"When did you get so bold?" Luke asked.
Ben observed the man once more, noticing the way that Luke tensed at the very suggestion and how his lip trembled as he spoke. With a drop of his heart, Ben realized that Rey was right.
He recalled the moment of betrayal so long ago. The moment he had awakened to the threat of a saber at his throat in a home that should be sanctuary, by a man who was meant to protect him. He remembered escaping the temple on his ship, shoving the vessel into lightspeed just moments before collapsing on the cold floor.
So many tears had been shed that night. The memory of his sobs poked at his heart, recalling his desperate shouts that would never reach a listening ear.
"I didn't want this!" He had cried. Over and over, he had cried. "I never wanted this!"
Even without Snoke's taunts, Ben knew that he couldn't return to his mother or father. How could he?The heir of so many legends, of so many heroes, was the monster they had all feared him to be. With one final lash from his uncle, the beast had finally been unleashed. All because the great Luke Skywalker had failed his nephew.
The hand on his own tightened and Ben could feel Rey's attention shift his direction. There was no doubt that the sudden calm in his heart was a gift of her own fruition. With her gentle light flooding his mind, he didn't even feel bothered that she had seen the memory.
Ben looked to his uncle once more, observing the subtle twitch of his lips and the pool of tears growing at the edge of his lids. He could not help but wonder if more than one mind had been manipulated by the dark that night.
When he finally found the will to speak, it amazed Ben how easily the words rolled off his tongue.
"I forgive you," Ben said.
Luke looked to him softly. For a moment, Ben was filled with remorse for how he had acted since his return. Even after living two lives, it seemed that he still had much to learn. His failure to forgive had stripped him once again of a healthy relationship with his uncle. There had been a time when that truly mattered to him.
"You say that I tried to take my nephew's life. My sister's son," Luke whispered as a tear slipped along his cheek. "You want me to believe that?"
"You're not the only one who wishes that night had gone differently," Ben reminded calmly.
Luke's throat bobbed as he bit back a swell of tears.
"I failed you, Ben."
"Yes." He didn't even try to deny it. "But, I guess, I wasn't always easy to deal with."
"You weren't supposed to be easy to deal with," Luke laughed without humor. "That was why your mother entrusted me to take care of you."
Ben did not reply. He waited for the man to cope with the burden of so much information.
"Does anyone else know?" Luke finally sighed.
"Mom and dad," Ben answered. "Chewie as well."
"What, what do they think of your tale?" The man asked.
Ben knew that he shouldn't laugh, but a few chuckles escaped before he could contain the rest.
"Let's just say you should probably expect one of them to throw a punch," Ben tried not to smirk. Beside him, Rey appeared to share in his struggle as they recalled his father's reactions. He was glad that Chewie had been there to help calm the old man. "Though, I have asked them to refrain."
To his relief, Luke smiled lightly.
"Alright," Luke sighed. "Let's say I believe you. Tell me again exactly what we need to expect when we arrive on Exegol."
Ben took a deep breath as he stood amongst the same trees that had watched him grow into a man. Behind him in the distance, Luke and his fellow masters were loading supplies into the ships for their journey to Exegol. Several days ago, he had stood in that exact same forest, dreading the fight to come. And yet in that moment, not an ounce of concern remained.
There was a light that could be felt long before he heard Rey's footsteps approaching. The closer she became, the stronger he felt. Ben took a deep breath in reverence of the great powers of their dyad.
"Everything ready?" He asked as she moved beside him.
"Almost. Nearly all the padawans have returned home to their families, those without are eating supper." She replied simply. A moment later she smiled. "We were loading the ships with supplies when Hennix almost dropped a crate on Voe. You should've seen her face."
"She should know by now that he's clumsy," Ben smiled.
Rey began to nod before falling silent.
"I have friends, I grew up with friends." She whispered with a shake of her head. "I have memories from my childhood that I actually cherish."
Ben turned to see her, both wounded and comforted by the glossy sheen in her eyes. A wave of appreciation soared from her mind and into his own.
"Thank you," she met his gaze.
Ben smiled lightly.
"I wasn't going to leave you there," he spoke with confidence.
"Wait," she gasped suddenly. "We have to get D-O!"
"D-O? You mean that old droid?" Ben smirked. "Why?"
"Because he's all alone," she stared him down when he scowled, as if the task's merits should be obvious. "Don't look at me like that. We'll stop on our way back."
"We are about to face the most powerful Sith Lord in the Galaxy, and you're worried about an old D unit," he spoke playfully.
"He has a good heart," she argued.
"It's a machine," he smirked. "It doesn't have a heart."
"Are you saying that you won't go with me?" Rey's brow rose, but her mischievous smile was all too knowing. Ben couldn't help but smirk, knowing that he would not deny her.
"Anything you want, sweetheart."
Rey flinched at the term, before a blush covered her face. Ben was confused as to why he was showered with a mess of unease. Turning back to the girl, he examined her conflicted emotions.
"I'm not used to hearing you say that," she admitted quietly.
Ben looked to her in confusion.
"I call you that all of the time," he reminded.
"I-I know, it's just strange," she spoke quietly. "I can't explain it. I have all these memories, and yet a part of me feels like I woke up to a brand new life."
Ben waited a moment, before clearing his throat in discomfort.
"Do you want me to stop?"
"No," she answered quickly. Her face grew red once again. "I think I like it."
For a moment, they stood in silence while Ben mused on her description. He swallowed, uncertain why he felt so uneasy.
Thoughts began to plague him. Thoughts of everything his meddling with time had deprived her from. He had freed her friend, Finn, but what of the others? There had been the pilot that she now barely knew, even the droids she had grown accustom to were nowhere to be seen. How many others had he kept from her?
The emotions lingered until finally he could wait no longer.
"Rey, are you happy?" Ben asked nervously. "This new life, are you happy with it?"
Rey did not lift her frown right away, a sign that caused him to panic when she still said nothing. But then the gentlest of fingers slid along his own. His hand opened on its own accord to accept her grasp. Once her fingers found a home between his, she nodded with a smile.
"It's like this is how it was always meant to be," she answered softly. "Why did you wait so long?"
"Hmm?"
"Our bond. You could've opened it years ago," she asked. "Why didn't you?"
Ben flinched, knowing that he should have expected the question to arise. It was one he asked even himself over the years. How pathetic he felt now that his foolish concerns had deprived them both of their powerful bond.
"I wanted to give you a chance to choose your own path," he answered quietly. Staring at their entwined hands. "I didn't want to assume I had any place in your future."
At that, Rey stepped in front of him to force his gaze upon her. The scowl she wore would be enough to frighten the great Emperor himself.
"After everything that happened, after the way you…" she paused while battling her sorrows. Rey wouldn't say the word aloud, he knew as much. Though the memory of his passing flashed through his mind. Rey also reminded him of the gift she had given just before and then the terrible pain that lingered when he was taken. "I had thought my feelings were clear."
Ben felt his face flush, knowing that his heart was laid bare. He was almost regretful that she could see everything, feel everything. And yet, the notion also offered relief.
"So much had happened," he spoke quietly. "I thought that maybe you were just being… grateful."
"Grateful?" Her brow rose with her smirk. His face only burned hotter with every passing moment.
"I just mean that I wouldn't fault you for…" Ben stumbled over his own tongue. "Wanting someone… something else, and…"
Rey silenced him with a kiss. It was chaste and gentle, but no less as lovely as their others. It was all too short when she pulled away to rest her head against his chest.
"I hope that one day I can help you to see your own value, Ben Solo." She mumbled against his shirt.
Ben swallowed nervously before allowing his arms to wrap around her.
"I think I'm starting to," he answered quietly. Rey's grip tightened and for a moment, they stood in silence; savoring a moment of peace.
"Still worried about my grandfather?" She asked.
"No," he answered confidently.
"What's changed since a few days ago?" She half joked.
"You were right." His chin dropped to rest at the top of her head. "The bond feels stronger than ever. There isn't a scenario where I see us losing."
"Don't get overconfident," she warned. Ben smiled before placing a kiss at the top of her head. It was a feeling that he wasn't sure he could ever adjust to; being allowed, welcomed even, to show such affections freely. Rey nuzzled lightly into the base of his neck and he couldn't help but smile. Strangely grateful that the scavenger hadn't buried all her feral traits.
"I won't," he promised. "But we have an army of Jedi this time and a full fleet at the ready. I almost feel pity for Palpatine."
Rey was silent for some time. When he felt a rush of unease radiating from her mind, he pulled away to meet her gaze. She waited another moment before speaking.
"Ben, what did you see when we first touched?" Rey asked. "That time in the hut, what did you see?"
She was watching him carefully.
"I don't know Rey," he shook his head in discomfort. "I saw many things."
"Please," she whispered while her hands moved to grip his wrists. "Tell me."
Ben sighed, recalling a range of visions. Some had been of darkness, of great powers to overcome the pain he once carried, while others were too beautiful to speak aloud. But then, she spoke for them.
"I saw a family," Rey answered quietly. "Did you see them too?"
Ben flinched as his own memory replayed the image he had long since buried. There was a boy with dark hair, holding the hands of an even younger boy and girl; twins that strolled along a safe path. At the end awaited their mother, standing with a hand grazing her swollen belly ready to birth yet another miracle. The woman smiled with open arms as the three younglings rushed into her arms.
It was the same vision that had driven his desperation to turn her. After all, how else was he to ensure that the beautiful miracle could come to be? At least, that was how it seemed at the time.
Then, something strange happened. A new vision forced its way into his mind. It wasn't until a man opened the door behind them that Ben realized their thoughts were still intertwined. His heart leapt at the sight as he watched himself kneeling to hold his family.
Tears rushed to the surface at the beauty of the image. At the possibility.
"I saw them," he nodded. Ben closed his eyes to combat the rush of emotion warming his face. He had buried the vision long ago, knowing that it could never come to be. Yet now, the very same woman from the vision was there, filling his heart with hope.
"Do you think that's our future?" She dared to ask. Ben swallowed nervously.
"Is that the future you want?" He tried to sound neutral, but the hopeful tone betrayed him. Rey was quiet for some time, before she blessed him with a nod.
"I'd never be alone," she whispered.
"You'll never be alone, even without them." Ben pushed her away gently to meet her gaze. Pouring every ounce of sincerity into his promise. Even without me.
"Don't," she bit back a swell of venom. "Don't even think that."
"That's not what I meant," he smiled. Taking her face into his tender grasp. "I just meant that you already have a much larger family than you realize."
"Tell me that you believe we can both make it through this," she ordered gently. "I need to hear you say it."
"I know we will make it through this," he promised.
She leaned forward and he met her halfway. Ignoring the distant beckon from his uncle, he savored their moment a bit longer. Ben broke from her when she failed to contain her smile.
"I could have a family," she whispered in disbelief.
"Sweetheart, Exegol first," he reminded with a chuckle. "We have a war to end."
"And a droid to retrieve," she reminded vehemently.
When Luke beckoned once again, he took her hand as they began walking towards the ships. Smiling as the girl beside him blurted plans for a future; their future.
Ben looked ahead as they neared the gathering, spotting Rey's friend Finn saluting his mother. Beside them, he was surprised to see the pilot, Poe. His body flinched on instinct as the trio turned their attention towards the pair, smiling once their eyes met. Ben couldn't help but sigh in relief, knowing that this peace would have never existed in another world.
Rey's hand tightened at the sight of her friends and he didn't even have to look to know how widely she smiled. The girl raced to her friends, while Ben walked cautiously to his father.
Han smiled lightly, but his uncharacteristic shyness remained. For a moment, Ben regretted sharing everything with his parents. He knew they meant no offence with their cautious glances, but a terrible guilt had plagued them since hearing their son's secrets.
"So, Exegol." He mumbled.
"Is there a question there?" Ben asked. Han merely grumbled in response.
"I didn't expect things to escalate so quickly," the man mused.
"It's been building for some time now, you knew that." Ben shrugged.
"Mmhmm," Han groaned before falling silent. Together they watched Rey fall to her knees as she excitedly greeted the orange and white BB unit at Poe's feet. Several moments passed before he spoke again. "Kid, did all that really happen? Did I…?"
His hand moved to cover his chest where a red saber once pierced him. Ben ducked his head in shame.
"Yes."
"Huh," he nodded simply, as if the fact was a common matter to accept. "I'm sorry kid."
"You're sorry?" Ben gazed at the man in surprise. "It wasn't your hand on the other end of the blade."
"I never should have let you go," Han spoke quietly. "I never liked the idea of sending you off. In the end, we just thought it was what's best for you."
"I know, dad. I know that now," Ben sighed. "I'm, uh, I'm sorry for… you know."
"Hey, in a way I should be proud," Han smirked. "A lot of people have tried and failed to get me."
"Dad," Ben scoffed through a weak smile. "Only you would say something like that."
The man shrugged.
"Looks like it all worked out, kid. That's what matters," he smiled while glancing between his wife and the young Jedi girl beside her. "I like that girl, make sure you keep her."
Ben smiled as his face flared red.
"I will as long as she wants me," he answered.
"Good, because I want grandchildren before I die," Han patted his son's shoulder; leaving before even allowing the stunned boy to recover from his embarrassment.
Ben released a breath, hoping to cool his burning face. He only hoped the red had faded as Rey returned to his side.
"You ready for this?" She asked.
Ben smiled as once again her hand found its way into his own.
"With you, sweetheart, always."
A/N – Friends, thank you again for reading and I hope you all have enjoyed the story. Subscribe/follow me if you'd like to see more of my writing. I am also Neeklos on Tumblr, I try to keep story updates and previews there as well. God bless you all!
PS: I am going to try to write at least one more Reylo short story, which would be my version of how the story would have gone had Ben survived the end of TROS. That, and I do hope to tackle some of the missing moments that many of you have suggested.
Review Replies – As always, thank you to all anonymous guests that left comments!
11morsmordre – Oh wow! Good job at avoiding spoilers this long! I am glad that you have been enjoying the story and I hope to at least get some of your snippets written. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
Tee – Thank you very much! I am glad that you enjoyed Rey's characterization and I hope that you enjoyed the way Ben opened the bond finally. Thank you for reading and leaving your comments!
FourShot411 – Aw thank you very much! I am very glad that you have enjoyed the story! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
Kagami420 – I am glad to hear! Thank you for reading
The Doctor Rose – Thank you! Glad you liked the chapter!
Stepanka hanusova86 – Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! I'm leaving it open-ended a bit, but the assumption is that they will make it through the war absolutely fine. Thank you so much for reading and leaving your thoughts!
Brainy-brownie123 – I am so glad that you enjoyed the chapter! I figured Ben would be too insecure to make the first move. Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts!
FluffFox – I am so glad that you enjoyed the kiss! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Drama – Yes, finally! I like slow-burns too much… haha You're very welcome and thank you for reading and taking the time to comment!
CrazyCherryBomb – Glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for reading!
Icy-rain499 – Haha glad you liked the chapter! Thanks for reading!
Rainne 2000 16 – Haha finally indeed! I am so glad that you enjoyed the chapter! Thank you for reading and leaving a comment!
FranQuel – I had to google translate your message, so I apologize if my translation seems off in anyway. Thank you so much for your lovely comments! I am so glad that you have enjoyed the story. Thank you for reading and commenting!
