Rey had fallen asleep on the ride home from dinner. He'd kept her out quite late after their day at the botanical gardens, not wanting to share her. As he glances over at her sleeping face, he's absolutely certain that he's never done anything in his life to deserve her trust. That she's willing to be so vulnerable in front of him steals the breath from his lungs.
After pulling into the space below their building, he comes around to Rey's side of the speeder. He hopes he can get her inside and to bed without waking her.
"Hey, kids!" Han bellows as Ben gently carries Rey through the foyer.
"Shhh," Ben hushes his father sharply as Han pokes his head around the corner.
Han makes an apologetic face and whispers, "Sorry!"
Luckily, Rey had only stirred slightly and he continues to make his way to their bedroom.
As he lays her down on the bed, he can only watch her peaceful face, enjoy the feel of her. That he's allowed to touch her at all is an absolute miracle. He never would have thought it was possible to love her more, but here he is, his chest nearly exploding with the intensity of his devotion.
He's feeling so much that his eyes prick with tears, his emotions needing to find a way out of him. In that moment, he wants to make love to her so badly, show her with his body that he's entirely hers. Though he's always a bit aroused when in her presence, this need comes from a completely different aspect of his adoration.
It's a deep, foreign place, that to go into that undiscovered land together might be how he can make it clear to both of them that he will never turn to the dark, because to do so would be to turn on her.
Removing her shoes, he murmurs, "I love you so much, Rey. I hope … I hope someday I'll be able to show you."
She sighs in her sleep and mumbles, "Love you."
He smiles and kisses her forehead before padding back to the family room.
"Good day?" his father asks from his chair. The holo emitter is on, with the volume low in the background.
Ben makes a small smile. "Yeah … yeah it really was."
Han nods approvingly. "Well, your mom had to work late. I told her it'd be okay since you kids were out."
Blinking in confusion, Ben says, "Wait. Are you telling me mom checked with you about staying late?" He has no memory of her ever considering her impact on her family.
Sadness fills his father's eyes. "Ben … your mom and I have talked. A lot. And I've talked to Rey a fair bit, too. We know we made mistakes and we … well we're gonna be here for you from now on. I'll still be gone from time to time, but I'm hoping you'll want to join me, at least sometimes, now that you're home for good."
It strikes Ben then that he really does have to decide what happens next. Is it too late to go back to school? Though it is tempting to learn his father's trade … The Force would be awfully handy in that line of work.
He's enjoying the time with his parents, surprisingly, but he doesn't want to live with them forever. Rey deserves her own home. He still has enough saved away that he should be able to buy a small apartment. Maybe he can work out a deal with his father, begin to earn something?
"Yeah, I'd like that. It was … it was fun last time."
"We make a good team."
Ben grins, feeling like his father really is beginning to see him. "We do," he agrees.
Han yawns hugely. "Well, I think I'm gonna turn in. I just wanted to make sure you kids got home alright."
"Dad, we aren't children. I think I can be trusted to keep both of us safe."
"I know you can. But your old man is allowed to make sure."
Ben chuckles. "Okay, okay."
Han's knees pop as he stands, making him grimace. "Don't get old."
He manages to keep his face neutral, but his father's comment makes ice trickle down his spine. His future used to end at age 30. Will it still? Plastering a smile on his face, he says, "Goodnight," hoping he sounds normal.
His father starts to leave before turning around, "Oh, hey. Your mom wanted me to remind you. Poe is visiting tomorrow.
Groaning, Ben winces. "Don't suppose you have an urgent job?"
"Oh, come on. He's your friend."
Ben just snorts. He's not exactly a friend he would have chosen.
He slides into bed next to Rey and gathers her in his arms. He can't stop thinking about making love to her, with her. He wants it to be special, so special, not in his childhood bedroom with his parents at the other end of the apartment.
Already mindful of being overheard—Rey gets spectacularly loud—he decides he needs to make plans to take her somewhere else. But he doesn't want to take her to a hotel, with the intent of getting her naked. It feels … tawdry.
Hmmm … his family keeps several properties, maybe he could take her to one of those? He'll have to talk to his mother. His cheeks heat at the prospect; stars, he hopes his mother won't figure out why.
All this thinking about being with Rey, completely, has him stirring to life, and almost without really meaning to, he's pressing against Rey, his hand wandering to her breast. Force, she feels so good and his body is always ready for her in moments. But she's sleeping.
He could go to the 'fresher, he supposes, but that feels disrespectful, to just nip off to have a quick wank with her sleeping just on the other side of the door. So, he tries to focus on his breathing and not the growing tent in his sleeping pants.
She sighs in her sleep and wriggles back against him. That's not helping. Maybe he should get up, meditate, but then she does it again and he gets the distinct impression that she's not quite as asleep as she seems.
Letting his senses stretch out, he finds just a glimmer of her awareness, but it's muted and that's when he realizes she's hiding from him in the Force. The little minx! She's feigning sleep!
A glorious giggle bubbles up from her throat, and she presses back against him with serious intent. She wants to play, does she?
Swiftly, he flips her on her back, and pins her wrists on either side of her head, finding her eyes wide open and full of mischief.
"Naughty girl," he purrs.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she says with false innocence.
"I'll just have to show you, won't I?" His voice is low and full meaning.
Her smile is pure sin when she responds, "You'd better."
It doesn't take him long to get her naked.
Ben wakes up alone realizing two things. One, Rey was right, it really does feel profoundly wrong to find her gone when he wakes; he wonders at how completely they've become entwined. Two, he has a raging erection and no idea what to do about it.
Now that he and Rey have become so physical, it just feels wrong to take care of it himself, but he certainly can't wander the apartment looking for Rey like this. The thought of running across his mother in this state helps quite a bit in that department.
Not enough, however, so he grumbles as he sits up, taking his meditation pose.
He finds her in the first place he looks. Of course she'd be in the conservatory. However, she's sitting in the middle of the floor, her orchid in front of her and her eyes are closed. Quietly, he observes her, not wishing to disturb her obvious communion with the flower.
If they're lucky, she'll be able to get some idea about what's happening on Kamino.
She's concentrating deeply, so he stays as still as he can and tries to rein in his tendency to let his senses find her in the Force. He always has an awareness of her, but he has to actively listen to touch the bond. Sometimes things filter though, but he's not sure why.
Then she gasps and her eyes fly open as she looks around wildly. When her gaze lands on him she exclaims, "Ben!"
"What is it?" Her frightened face has him instantly concerned.
"They're … they're trying to strip the Force from them!"
The thought makes him feel cold. If he were to lose the Force … well, he can't even bear to think about it because he would lose his connection to Rey.
"Just how aware are they?"
"I can't really find the words. It's mostly … feelings. They're terrified. One by one, their creche is being ripped away. They aren't killing them, but they're pulling the Force right out of them. We have to find a way to stop it," she cries out, her eyes full of tears.
He reaches down and pulls her to her feet. "We will. Maybe my dad can work his contacts, offer them another shipment of orchids."
"Put more of them in danger?" she asks with horror.
"It might be the only way. And … as much as I know you want to help them … the larger issue is why they're doing this."
"I know." Her face fills with dismay. Whatever it is, I'm sure Snoke is behind it," she snarls.
He pulls her into his arms and nuzzles her temple. "We'll stop him. Both of them."
She stiffens in his arms. "I don't even know if Palpatine is back yet. He was very frail when we faced him."
He can feel strongly through their bond that Rey prefers to focus on Snoke. But of course she would. It would be better for everyone if Palpatine never came back.
"Maybe stopping Snoke will be enough," he muses.
Rey relaxes back into his embrace. "We're going to end them, permanently."
"Together," he confirms.
"Together."
"Oh, good, you're up," Leia says in greeting when they make their way to the kitchen.
She's already dressed for the day. He's come to realize that her elaborate fashions are almost armor and not just vanity. She looks formidable in her fine dresses and jewels; no one could forget they were in the presence of royalty when faced with his mother.
His dad has his nose in his datapad, but he looks up and grunts, "Morning."
"Now, we'll be going out tonight with Poe. Please don't be late," Leia instructs.
Ben glowers. "I don't suppose we could miss it?" he asks hopefully.
The look his mother gives him makes it clear that he'll be home and dressed appropriately or there will be hell to pay.
"We're going to the opera," Han grumbles in a mocking tone, making a face.
Leia bats at him. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity! The Castaltos rarely leave their system!"
"Yeah, yeah."
But, privately, Ben perks up because the Castaltos really are something not to be missed and the thought of being able to share the experience with Rey has him almost excited.
Rey, however, is looking confused. Ben explains, "They're extremely talented singers, with a huge range. Sometimes seven octaves."
She nods, but her face doesn't show comprehension. It's then he realizes the whole conversation is outside her frame of reference and he could smack himself for being so obtuse. How would Rey even know what opera is?"
"It's a performance, a story told through song," he elaborates.
"Oh! Like the bards," she says, understanding lighting her eyes.
He decides that's close enough and nods. Now she's smiling brightly. "I always loved when they would come through Niima."
"Then you're in for a treat!" Leia says with a smile. "And Poe is very charming."
Ben's face falls at the reminder. The last thing he wants to do is watch Poe Dameron grin his rakish grin at Rey all night. He knows he shouldn't be worried, that Rey is his and his alone, but a childhood of never being as well-liked as the older boy has him rankled.
"Moving on," Ben says with bad grace. "Rey and I need to share some new information about the orchids. Dad, we're going to need your help."
After spending the day working with his father on the Falcon—and plotting how to infiltrate the facility on Kamino—it had been time for him and Rey to get ready for the evening. His mother had absconded with Rey in order to dress, leaving him to his own devices back in their room.
He already knows that he'll be expected to wear his traditional Alderaanian garb, a deep blue tunic embroidered with the family crest in the same shade. He's a bit nervous about what his mother will select for Rey. She'd looked so … edible when she lost donned a gown, and while he's eager to find out what they selected for her, he doesn't like the idea of Poe seeing her looking even more beautiful.
Ben knows the affect Poe has on women, and he's equally certain that he doesn't possess the same allure. Yes, Rey seems to want him, rather badly, but he can never shake the feeling that she'll wake up and realize he's just not worth the effort.
As he fastens his tunic, he winces at his own insecurity. They share a soul, for Maker's sake! What more could he want? But he can't deny that his desire to bind her to him in all ways is an ember that always threatens to burst into possessive flame. They're far too young to be married, and yet … and yet.
He wishes she'd picked out a ring instead of the cuff, lovely as it is.
When he sees her in the foyer, he can't breathe. He can't think. His mother has dressed her in matching Alderaanian blue, but in a rich velvet. It's a deceptively simple gown, but the way the fabric flares at her hips makes her slender waist that much more elegant. It's the neckline, however, that both thrills and terrifies him. It's cut quite low and her gorgeous breasts are pushed up, making him want to bury his face right there. But it's going to make other men think the same thing. Especially Poe.
It's her hair, though, that has him incredibly irritated with his mother. They've left it loose around her shoulders. All it signifies in Alderaanian tradition is that she's a young, unmarried woman. True, of course, but it makes him want to sit her down and braid it. Preferably before Poe gets any ideas.
He's stayed silent for far too long and Rey's beginning to look nervous.
"Don't you like it?" Rey asks, her eyes holding trepidation.
"I more than like it. Rey, you look … well, I didn't think you could be any more beautiful, but I was wrong."
The smile she grants him soothes the jealous beast that always slumbers in his chest.
Leia joins them and looks at Ben appraisingly. At first, he thinks she's checking his appearance, but he gets the unsettling feeling that she's seeing far more about his train of thought than he'd like.
"Rey, dear, I think we should put your hair up, show off that lovely neck."
Ben breathes a sigh of relief and Rey looks at him curiously. Then Leia continues, "In fact, Ben, why don't you help her, I need to check on some things for tonight."
Before he can respond, his mother has already disappeared. Then he wants to run after her and hug her. She's left it to him what Rey's hair will convey.
Rey's hand goes cautiously to her hair. "I only really know how to put it up in buns or a single braid."
"Don't worry, I know just what to do," he says, then leads her back to their bedroom.
Working deftly, Ben plaits a braid at either temple, gathering them and the rest of her hair into a bun. It's a simple style, but it means that she's … taken. Poe has spent enough time with his family that he should get the message pretty quickly.
"Ben!" Rey exclaims when she looks at her hair in the mirror he hands her. Then she turns her head from her seated position and catches his eyes. "How did you learn to do this?"
"Hair … it's special for my people. The way you wear it has meaning. Mom taught me."
"Is that why your mother's hair is always so perfect?"
Ben snorts. "My mother always has a lot to say. Her hair is no different. If you know our traditions, mom's hair speaks volumes."
She fingers one of the braids. "What does this mean?" she asks curiously.
He grips her shoulders and growls, "It means you're mine."
A/N: Thank you, ArtemisBare, for finding my oddly bilingual typos and coming up with a great idea for next chapter.
Thank you, Readers! Thank you so much for reviewing, they give me life and I'm beyond grateful for the feedback. It really does help shape the story. *throws Mardi Gras beads*
