Published October 29, 2019

"Promises"

She knew how to hit to a hair's-breadth that moment of evening when the light and the darkness are so evenly balanced that the constraint of day and the suspense of night neutralize each other, leaving absolute mental liberty. It is then that the plight of being alive becomes attenuated to its least possible dimensions. ~ Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'Urbervilles

It was twilight on Takodana when Ben returned. He had thought about taking the Millennium Falcon, but Han said he needed to clean out some personal items in it and make sure everything was in relatively good condition—or at least functional—before passing it on. Ben decided to trust that this would not be another unfulfilled promise, like so many others his parents had made to each other and to him.

As he made planetfall, it occurred to Ben that he had never seen Rey transform from a porg to a human. The only time he had been on Takodana when it happened, she had been out of his sight. Today would be the first time since then that he was with her at nightfall.

He still was not sure exactly how to go about talking to Rey about everything he needed to—the sorcerer, the party, or their relationship. He only knew that he needed to be there for her—and, if he was honest, also for himself.

Ben spotted some porgs as he walked around the lake, one or two at a time. They looked at him with no more curiosity than usual, until he tried to approach a group of them near the shoreline. Then they started to squawk and either fly inland or swim further into the lake. He guessed they were alerting the others of his presence. He wondered if he would be able to recognize Rey if he saw her, as a porg, among other porgs.

He approached the tree where Rey kept her belongings. "Rey? Are you here?"

Almost immediately he heard rustling from the tree itself, and then a porg poked its head out of the hole. When Ben met its gaze, he realized, for the first time, that its eyes were exactly like Rey's as a human, brown and beautiful.

"Hey," he said softly. "Sorry if I startled everyone."

Rey leapt down from the tree and landed on the ground. Ben bent down on one knee to be closer to her eye level. The porg and human looked expectantly at each other, waiting, wondering. Before Ben could think of something to say, the last of the sunlight faded.

Ben had thought that he knew what to expect. Indeed, as the sun set, the porg's body shimmered and expanded, lengthening vertically. But seeing the porg turn into the human girl was even more awesome than Ben had imagined. She seemed exultant, returning to her human form: she spread her arms out slightly and flexed her hands, as though making sure she still had all the faculties of her human body.

Kneeling before her, seeing her stand in the moonlight, any uncertainty Ben had felt about the nature of his feelings vanished. And when she met his gaze, the way she smiled at him, and the breathless way she spoke his name, gave him hope that her feelings were similar.

She ran to him, and Ben stood and caught her in his arms as she hugged him. For a long moment they held each other, swaying slightly, happy to be together after a long day apart, and not quite ready to sort through everything weighing on them.

He loosened his hold to draw back and look at her. "How are you?"

"Fine," Rey answered quickly. "And you?"

"Fine."

"What are you doing here so early? Not that I'm complaining—I just need to let Maz know if I'm not working."

"I needed to see you. I mean, to talk to you." Ben tried to get the words out quickly without stumbling over them. "I thought maybe, instead of training, we could … just talk. But we can get dinner first, if you're hungry."

Rey nodded and led him by the hand to her tree. She only let go of him so she could retrieve her lightsaber, which she attached to her belt, but when Ben extended his hand again, she slid her hand back into his. They walked together to the castle that way, as if it were the most natural thing.

Ben tried to ignore the knowing looks Maz sent their way while they were in the castle cantina. She grumbled about Ben "stealing" her mechanic and insisted that Rey at least tend to the dishwasher droid before taking the night off. Hoping to stay on good terms with the pirate, Ben slipped a better tip than usual with the payment for their food.

They did not talk about anything of importance while they ate. Somehow they both knew that whatever was worth discussing at length would be better discussed away from other ears.

As they were talking about the different types of food Maz's kitchen staff served, something occurred to Ben for the first time. "I don't think I ever asked—do you eat while you're a porg?"

Rey shrugged. "Only if I'm awake and too hungry to wait until night."

"What do porgs eat?"

"Mostly fish, sometimes crustaceans."

"That doesn't sound so bad. Humans can eat food like that; most would just want it to be cooked first."

"Hmm." Rey made a noncommittal noise as she chewed. Then she swallowed and said, "I think I like human food better."

As they walked back to their usual section of the beach, they gathered dry wood to make a fire. Rey laid out a blanket on the sand for them to sit on.

"So," she said, clasping her hands around her knees. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Um …" Ben avoided her gaze, shifting on the blanket. "There's a lot I need to tell you. But I'm not sure where to start." He tried to think of the most casual news, something to ease into the more important topics. But even the most casual thing he could think of was exciting in its own right. "My father is giving me his ship, as part of a deal we made."

This sparked Rey's interest and something that might have been envy. "Your own ship? That's wonderful."

"Yeah. But I realized that I'm going to need a co-pilot, a first mate. Someone who's good with ships and would appreciate this one in particular—she's pretty special. When I thought about it, you came to mind."

Rey's mouth dropped open in an incredulous smile. "Are you offering me a job?"

Ben took her reaction as a good sign, but tried to caution her, "I don't know if I'd be able to pay you much. I'm not even sure where I'll go or what I'll do. But … you'd be welcome to come for the ride."

After a moment, Rey's excitement seemed to deflate. Her expression became pensive, regretful. "If you were, I'd be flattered," she said politely. "But …"

"But what?"

"I haven't left Takodana since I was cursed. I don't know if the transformation depends on the rotation of the planet, or where I am in relation to the sun. I don't know how the curse will affect me if I leave."

That was something to consider, but Ben did not see it as much of an obstacle. "We can test that, see if going offworld changes anything."

"If I can leave this place without turning into a porg, I should get back to Jakku."

Ben frowned, baffled and a little dismayed. "Why?"

"I've already been away too long."

"I don't understand. What's waiting for you there?"

"No one, now, besides my old boss," Rey admitted. "But I need to be there when my family comes back."

Ben had been on the cusp of understanding her situation after what happened the previous night. When he heard her say those words, it clicked in his mind.

He was silent for a long moment wondering if he should even attempt to have this conversation. Rey was already trapped in so many ways, by her poverty, her inexperience, and her curse. He hated to see her trapped by her very self.

"Rey, I need to ask you something, and I want you to tell me the truth. Not what you believe or what you hope, just what you know."

She looked at him warily, as though she already knew and dreaded what he was going to say.

"In the dream, I saw something that seemed like a memory from your perspective. You were small, and you were upset because someone was leaving you behind on Jakku. Was it your family?"

After a few moments, Rey nodded reluctantly.

"Did that really happen? Did they abandon you?"

Her voice shook as she answered. "They … left, yes. That really happened." She would not meet Ben's eyes, looking instead out at the lake and the starry sky above, where a few ships could be seen entering or leaving the atmosphere. "I always believed they'd come back."

"How long has it been since then? You seemed pretty young."

Rey shrugged helplessly. "I scratched a mark on the wall every day. But I didn't count them. I don't know how old I was when they left." She laughed humorlessly. "I'm not even sure how old I am."

Ben looked at her, trying to seem sympathetic while keeping his own emotions at bay. He felt so much on Rey's behalf, partly because he identified with what she had felt—betrayal, loneliness, disappointment, a fear of never being loved, a clinging hope that the people who were supposed to love you would make up for whatever they had done wrong. He didn't want to make her feel worse, but it sounded as though she already knew the truth. Once she admitted it to herself, she would be free to do what she wanted with her life.

He searched his heart for the right words. "Rey … I don't know how to say this nicely. I don't think there is a nice way to say it. Maybe your family meant to come back, but if that was the case, and were able to, they would have by now. Considering how long it's been … I don't think they're coming back."

Rey did not argue, but her face seemed to crumble, the same way it had last night when she stopped trying to fight her emotions in front of Ben. Tears leaked out from her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

"I'm not the first person who's told you this, am I?"

She shook her head. "Maz said the same thing, after I found the lightsaber. You probably saw that in the dream too. I just … didn't want to hear it."

"I'm sorry." Ben let a moment pass, then took her hand and squeezed it gently. Rey did not pull away, and after another moment she squeezed back, acknowledging his support.

"If it's any consolation … I know what it's like to be left behind. Or sent away, in my case."

Rey wiped her eyes and looked at him curiously. "Are you talking about your parents?"

"My parents didn't know how to raise a Force-sensitive kid. They feared my power, and had other things to do besides—" Ben broke off, feeling his voice about to crack. He tried to collect himself, clenching a fist as he remembered. "I never wanted to be a Jedi. When I was little, I wanted to be a pilot, like my dad. But since I was so strong with the Force, they sent me to Luke. I'm more powerful than any of his other students, but nothing I do is ever enough. I'm not disciplined enough, not dedicated enough, not selfless enough. I'll never be a Jedi." He surprised himself with those last words, but he immediately knew they were true. There was something freeing about saying them, like the thrill of realizing he could get away with breaking a rule.

Rey studied him for a moment, then asked, quizzically but not unkindly, "Then what are you doing training me?"

"You needed to learn about the Force, to control your power. But that doesn't mean you have to be a Jedi." Ben paused. "Plus … with you, it doesn't feel like a burden."

"Really?" Rey sounded surprised and a little shy. "I could say the same about you. You make it all seem bearable."

"I guess … you make it bearable for me. Coming here these past few days, being with you … it makes me forget about everything else."

Rey blushed at this, and the firelight made her look like she was glowing. Ben wondered if this was the right moment to make a move. But then Rey took a deep breath and spoke. "Listen, Ben. While you were gone, I had the thought that … maybe you shouldn't keep coming here."

He looked at her, trying to figure out what she meant, what she was getting at. "Well … I won't have to, if you come train at the temple."

She shook her head sadly. "I'm still not sure if I'll do that. I don't think I could while the curse is in effect."

"Well, what about—"

"Ben, what I'm trying to say is … I think it's better if we don't keep seeing each other."

He balked. "What? Where is this coming from? Did I do something?" Had the truth about her parents been too much?

"No, no!" Rey was immediately reassuring, turning and kneeling directly in front of him. "It's not anything you did. It's—something happened to me."

"Is it as serious as being cursed by a dark Force-user?" Ben was being sarcastic, but Rey looked at him with troubled, serious eyes.

"I felt him, while you were gone. I heard him in my mind."

Ben stared, his blood turning cold. "What did he say?"

"He knows about you. About our training. And that … we're getting closer. Maybe closer than we expected. Ben." Rey took his hands in hers. "I don't want you to be around if he comes here again. I need to figure out how to beat him before I can think about my future."

That made no sense to Ben. "You'll have a better chance of beating him with my help. If he's trying to intimidate you now, it's because he knows you're a threat." He withdrew his hands from Rey's. "I don't know if this happened before or after you heard him, but earlier today, I was meditating, and I tried to talk find him. I almost made contact before I was interrupted."

"What?" Rey was aghast. "Ben, do you not understand how dangerous he is? I have the lightsaber to keep him at bay, but if you seek him out, open yourself up to him—"

"What? What do you think will happen?" Ben demanded. His anger prickled the way it did whenever Luke expressed doubt in his abilities. "If you're going to be free, you need to find out who he is and what he wants. I thought I could find out."

Rey sounded angry too. "The curse is my problem to solve. Not yours. I'm not your responsibility."

Ben could not hide how much those words surprised and hurt him. "I guess I thought you were, since I've been teaching you."

Rey looked at him with a fierce expression that bespoke several emotions. "You're not my master," she said flatly. Ben's heart sank, thinking she was rejecting him; but then she said, simply and sincerely, "You're my friend. The best friend I've ever had. If you get caught up in this—I couldn't bear it if he hurt you to get to me."

Ben stared, bewildered by the opposing emotions in both himself and Rey. "I feel the same way. That's why I can't stop coming. Even if you weren't in this situation—even if you didn't need a teacher, or have a sorcerer stalking you—I couldn't leave and pretend you don't exist. I …" He hesitated, stumbling over the words in his mind, trying to figure out how to convey the depth of his feelings without frightening her with their intensity. "I care too much about you."

"I care for you too. That's why this is so …" Rey trailed off, her voice cracking.

"So what?"

"Scary." She shook her head, trying not to cry. "You have to understand—since I was little, I've never had anyone I really cared about. Now I have you, and … it's scary, caring that much. I don't want to stop seeing you, but I'd rather that than have you get hurt."

Ben opened his mouth to argue, but then closed it. His father had said he would have to respect her decisions. If he mattered to her that much … should he do as she suggested?

He had already sought help from Luke, the person most likely to find out how to identify and defeat the sorcerer. Did that absolve him of responsibility, or increase his responsibility toward her? If Luke succeeded in finding a way to break the curse, Ben wanted to do everything he could to help; and if Luke was unable to do anything for her, Ben felt he ought to find another alternative.

Suddenly wanting to move, Ben stood up and walked a few paces away from the blanket. He found himself wishing one of his relatives were there to advise him now. What would they want him to do?

Luke already knew about the sorcerer, but he also knew how powerful and capable Ben was. He had not been overly concerned about the danger Ben might put himself in by helping Rey. If his parents knew all the details about her situation, would they have felt differently about him pursuing a relationship with her?

The Skywalkers and Solos had never been ones to turn away from danger. If anything, they were notorious for taking risks, sometimes unnecessary ones. They also valued loyalty, integrity, and freedom.

Ben knew this much: his family would want him to be smart and selfless. Luke would want him to consider what kind of Jedi he would be. Leia would want him to reflect on what kind of person he would be. Han would want him to think about what kind of man he would be. Chewbacca would probably tell him to help his friend regardless any personal risk.

Rey was silent as Ben sorted out his thoughts. She had said what she felt she should say, and now seemed resigned to wait for him to make a decision. She had spent so much of her life waiting—for her family, for a way to break the curse, for some sign that she had a place in the galaxy.

How long would she have to wait for any of those things if Ben left her forever?

He could not back out now. It would not be right for him—as a person, as a man, as a Jedi, as a teacher, as a friend—to turn his back on a fellow Force-sensitive youth in order to avoid danger.

Ben turned back to Rey and took a deep breath. "Look." He held out his hand to her, and when she took it, he pulled her to her feet. "I realize this whole situation is complicated. And I appreciate that you're so considerate. You're selfless, like a true Jedi."

The compliment brought a smile to Rey's lips, though her eyes were still sad.

"You're right that you're more than just my student. I can honestly say you're the best part of my life. And …" Ben hesitated, then pushed the words out in a rush: "I'm falling in love with you."

Rey's mouth dropped open slightly, her breath catching in her throat. Ben swallowed and went on. "I meant what I said last night, that I'll be whatever you want me to be to you. If you just want to be friends, I'll respect that. But I'm not going to leave you to face this alone. Not if you want and need me."

Tears were forming in her eyes again. All at once Rey came forward and threw her arms around him, burying her face in his neck and shoulder. Ben held her tightly, wondering at this reaction. The way she trembled and shuddered told him she was crying. He did not ask why, but did what he had done the night before, soothing her, shifting his arms around her to hold her close.

When her sobs subsided, Rey spoke haltingly, her voice little more than a whisper. "I just … I'm afraid … because I love you too, and I don't want anything to happen to you, especially because of me."

Ben thrilled to hear the words I love you from her, but that treasure was overshadowed by all the other emotions she expressed.

"Nothing is going to happen to me," Ben insisted, "or to you. Look at me."

Rey lifted her head and drew back enough to meet his eyes. She seemed afraid to look at him for too long, lowering her eyes or looking to the side.

Ben cupped her cheek in his hand and wiped away her tears with his thumb. "I'm scared too." In truth, his fear was not quite the same as hers. He was not afraid of what might happen to him if he stayed, but of what might happen to her if he left. To Rey, though, he only said, "But I'm not going to let fear get in the way of us being together. You're stronger than you know, and we're both stronger when we're together." It was the first time Ben had ever felt this brave, because for the first time, he had something to fight for—not something abstract like hope or peace, but a person, one with whom he could share his life. "If he comes after either of us, then he'll have to take on both of us." He smirked. "And after seeing your progress, I pity anyone who tries to cross us."

Rey narrowed her eyes in disapproval, but could not stop herself from smiling. She put her hand over his, pressing his palm against her cheek. "Okay," she whispered.

"Okay … what?"

"Okay … we can try."

Ben felt a flood of relief, warm with affection and hope. "Thank you." He pulled her gently to himself again, hugging her slight but strong frame. She slid her arms around his middle and rested her head on his shoulder.

After a moment, Ben turned his head, bringing his lips almost to Rey's ear. "Can I kiss you?"

He felt her inhale sharply, stiffening just a little, though her arms did not slacken around him. Ben wondered if he should take those words back, if he was asking for too much too soon. He had thought it more respectful to ask for permission than presume …

Rey lifted her head and turned so they were cheek to cheek. "Yes."

"I—" Ben gulped. "If I do anything you don't want, just say so, and I'll stop."

"Just … keep holding me." It sounded like a child's request.

"I will." He kept his arms around but took a step back, drawing his head back to see her face. Rey looked … not afraid, but self-conscious.

Ben looked into her eyes for as long as he could as he brought his lips to hers, until he closed his eyes and closed the distance between them.

For an interminable amount of time all he knew was softness and closeness and gentleness—as though every quality he had ever lacked and longed for was contained in that kiss.

Ben would have been content to stay like that, his full lips pressed against Rey's soft ones, his fingers in her hair, their arms tight around each other, their hearts beating against each other. Then Rey's lips parted, and Ben found himself drawn in as she offered more of herself and asked more of him. At first he was the one kissing her, overwhelming her, but then she seemed to rally herself and respond to his movements, which was even better.

It was the first time Ben understood, in a physical sense, the truth of what Luke taught about authentic love, that it was not about taking, but about giving. Rey allowing him to kiss her was blissful, but her kissing him in return was intoxicating. He had never felt so wanted.

His mind went fuzzy, and for a moment he wondered if he was dying of happiness; then what was left of his rational brain told him he needed oxygen. Rey must have sensed it too—he could feel her becoming heavier in his arms.

They broke the kiss, gasping and almost breathing into each other's mouths.

"Rey," Ben rasped. "I …"

She kept one hand on his neck but brought the other to his face, cupping his cheek.

"I know."

Ben had heard his parents say that to each other after one of them said "I love you" to the other. It had always seemed like an inside joke, their way of being cocky and arrogant. Now, however, he understood it differently. It was a reassurance that their feelings were understood, that they did not need to express them with words.

Ben pushed her hair back from her face and kissed her cheek. "Thank you," he whispered into her ear.

"No. Thank you."

When Ben pulled back, he was startled to see that tears were falling down Rey's cheeks once again. Ben was pained by the sight of them, wildly wondering what caused them. "What's wrong?" Had that been too much? He had asked, and she had responded with what he thought was enthusiasm.

Rey shook her head and wiped her eyes with the heel of her palm. "I've spent most of my life … just trying to survive. Like an animal. But now …" She smiled ruefully through her tears. "I've never felt more human than when I'm with you. You make me want to be one all the time. I wish I could be, for you."

Her earnestness, her plaintiveness, made Ben's heart feel fuller and more human than ever. He hugged her again, and she clung to him tightly. Ben only pulled back so she could see him as he promised, "I'm going to help you, Rey. Not just with your training. I'll find a way to save you."

He almost expected her to protest again, to express doubt and insist that he not risk himself. But she looked at him with a quiet confidence that was so rarely ever directed at Ben that it took him a moment to identify it: trust.

"I believe you," Rey said.

Training forgotten, they spent the remaining hours of the night sitting on the beach, holding each other. They spoke little, except to ask if the other was comfortable being touched or held a certain way. Such physical affection was new to both of them, something they had longed for without being able to articulate it. Neither of them could have guessed that it would feel so nice to hear someone breathing beside you, to feel their pulse and warmth, to stroke their hair and skin, to feel their arms around you.

"You can sleep if you're tired," Ben said. "I'll watch over you."

"Like you did last night?" Rey quipped.

"I'm not tired now."

"Well, neither am I. And I want to be awake while you're here. And I don't want us to end up sharing a nightmare again."

"Okay, fair enough." The silence that stretched between their words was peaceful. "Can I ask you something personal?" Ben asked after some time.

"Okay."

"Have you … ever been in love before?"

"Of course not."

Ben frowned. He should have felt relieved to hear that, but the way Rey said it seemed strange, as though it were impossible for her to fall in love with anyone, or for anyone to fall in love with her. "What do you mean 'of course not'?"

Rey shrugged. "There was no one on Jakku I could fall in love with. There was no one who loved me or wanted to be with me."

"You didn't have any friends?"

She shook her head, but then seemed to reconsider. "There was a happabore that helped me carry a whole ship to Niima Outpost. And there were some other scavengers who helped me rebuild a ship, before they stole it from me to go offworld. That's the closest I'd come to having friends, until I met BB-8 and Maz." She looked sideways at Ben. "Have you ever been in love?"

"No." The answer came automatically, but then Ben paused, thinking back. "I kissed a girl, once, but it didn't mean anything."

Rey's brow crinkled. "How could it not mean anything?"

Ben sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, partially hiding his face from her. "The other padawans and I were playing a stupid game where we spun our lightsabers and kissed whoever it pointed to. It was more embarrassing than anything else." He lowered his hand and looked at Rey with a serious expression. "I've never wanted anyone the way I want you."

"What way is that?"

"Whenever I'm away, all I think about is what I want to do when I see you. Whatever I do, I want to tell you about it."

A moment of silence passed before Rey spoke. "I have a question for you. It might sound silly, but it's something you should probably think about."

"What is it?"

She looked at him shyly. "Would you still love me if I were a porg all the time?"

Ben considered this briefly, but pretended to mull it over longer. "I'd still love you … but I wouldn't want to hold you and kiss you. At least not like this." He leaned down to kiss her lips. It was slow and sweet.

They were both smiling when they broke apart. Ben brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. "In all seriousness, Rey … you're cute as a porg, but you're beautiful as a human."

She blushed, and that made her look even more so.

Ben remembered something Luke had once told him, a bit of wisdom from an old Jedi master who had survived Order 66. Master Yoda had told Luke that people were luminous beings, and that physical matter, such as their bodies and their surroundings, was crude and illusory.

Ben had a sudden and certain conviction that the old master had been wrong. Looking at the beauty of the lake and forest and sky, it was clear that the world around them had some innate goodness. As for people, their physical bodies were as good and beautiful and important as the souls within them. They might not even be separate entities. According to Luke, some Jedi became one with the Force when they died, and when that happened, their bodies disappeared along with their souls. Perhaps the body did not mask the soul, but manifested it.

When Ben and Rey touched, it seemed as though their souls brushed each other. Ben wondered if all couples felt this way about physical contact, or if it was more intense for them as Force users. He did not know of any couples in history where both partners were Force-sensitive. He would have to ask Luke if there were any records of such people.

"Now I'm curious," Ben said. "If you were human all the time … would you think about having a future with me?"

Rey smiled coyly. "That depends. Are you going to offer me that job?"

"I don't really want to be your employer. I want us to be partners. Equals. But yes, the offer to join me stands."

"I'll think about it."

All too soon, the sky began to brighten.

"It's almost dawn," Ben murmured.

Rey closed her eyes and snuggled into his chest. "I don't want this to end."

"Being human, or being with me?"

"Either one."

Ben let a moment pass before he ventured, "I can't stop you from turning into a porg … but we don't have to separate."

Rey turned her head to look at him. "Can you stay here?"

"I could … or you could come with me."

She sat up straight and pulled away from him. "Where? To your home?"

"There, or the training temple, or wherever you want. I can protect you."

"You already are. You're showing me how to protect myself."

As they cleaned up their campsite, Ben realized he had completely forgotten about the two things he was supposed to tell her about: his family, and the party. It seemed almost wrong, somehow, to mention them as an afterthought, when they only had a few minutes left to say everything they wanted to say before they parted.

They had come a long way tonight, searching their feelings (Luke would have been proud of that) and talking about their relationship. Maybe such a big revelation as his family should wait. Besides, he wanted to enjoy this period of knowing she loved him just for who he was, not because of his connection with the heroes she admired.

"I'll be back tomorrow. And we'll have a real lesson then," Ben said.

"Alright." Rey smiled at him, trying to be cheerful despite her reluctance to say goodbye. "I love you."

Ben's smile was cheeky. "I know. I love you too." To show it, he kissed her again. She reacted enthusiastically, seeming just as desirous of making the moment last as he was.

They were still kissing when they felt the transformation begin. They both let go abruptly as they realized what was happening. Ben stepped back and watched as Rey shrank and became a porg again.

Her eyes were as large and ostensibly sorrowful as those of any porg, but they were still recognizably her own. He could see the understanding in them.

Ben knelt in front of her, holding his hands out with his palms facing upward. "May I?"

Rey answered with a squawk, which Ben took to be an assent. He cupped his hands and held them out on the ground. Rey came forward on her webbed feet and sat in his hands, which were large enough to hold her securely. He brought her to his chest, one hand under her and another at her back, running his fingers gently over her feathers. She nestled her head against him, trusting and content.

"This won't be forever," Ben vowed. "We'll find a way to set you free." He lowered his head until his forehead touched Rey's top feathers. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Author's Notes

It's now been over a year since I first had the idea for this story and started researching and drafting it. It's hard for me to believe it's been that long; this still feels like a new project.

If you think they reached the point of professing love too quickly, keep in mind that in the original story, Odette and the prince fall in love in a single night. I stretched it out over a few nights in the hope of making it more realistic and in character, though ultimately it is a fairy tale and should be taken as such.

Something cool happened recently: one of my favorite Star Wars podcasts, What The Force, discussed Swan Lake in their Power of Myth & Symbolism episode "Dark Vs. Divine Union." If you don't already listen to this podcast, I highly recommend it!

I don't think I'll update this again until after The Rise of Skywalker comes out, because that may shape my understanding of Snoke and other Dark Side villains' motives.

Disclaimer: The friends Rey mentions appear in the Star Wars Forces of Destiny short "The Happabore Hazard" and the book Before the Awakening by Greg Rucka.

Ben's thoughts regarding the human body and soul are based on Pope St. John Paul II's teachings, which are today called Theology of the Body. I have another Reylo fanfic, "My Everything," that explores these ideas in the context of marriage. If you have questions or would like recommendations for further reading on TOB, let me know in a review or personal message.