Rey bit her lip nervously before coming to a decision. The thought of anything escalating was not a good one. She looked intently at Han and Chewie, her voice monotone. "You will forget that you saw us and return to the Falcon—"

Han, who had still been staring at Kylo, turned to look at her.

The Wookie's presence alone had been enough to cause anyone lingering near them to make themselves scarce, Rey noticed. At least they wouldn't have an audience for whatever would occur- not that anything would occur because Rey was sorting it. Maybe.

Rey sat forward slightly and waved a hand for emphasis. Her voice became more insistent as she repeated her instruction. "You will forget that you saw us and return to the Falcon—"

Kylo had fully turned to face Rey and was now staring at her incredulously. Bast made a strangled sound and brought a fist up to his mouth.

Han stared straight into Rey's eyes and raised an eyebrow. "I will forget that I saw you and return to the Falcon?" He shook his head. "Not today, sister—"

Chewie huffed and shook his head in agreement.

Bast was extremely amused. His face was red and he wiped away a tear. "Rey—you're the best, darling—you really are—"

Rey crossed her arms and leaned back on the bench with a petulant huff. Slightly embarrassed that she was so untrained as to not be able to pull off a simple mind trick, her cheeks reddened under the morning sun. "It was worth a try—I didn't see the rest of you doing anything—"

Even Kylo was amused, if his slight smirk was anything to go by. "I was handling it—"

That was not a reassuring thought. It seemed to Rey that Kylo's version of handling things was to look murderous and make threats. Suddenly restless, Rey stood and rounded on Han Solo. "So—first it's General Organa that sends you after me and now it's Luke Skywalker—"

Han gave her a disappointed look. "Looks like they were right to worry, kid—"

Rey shook her head incredulously. Yeah, Luke worried so much that he left her there. The concern was overwhelming. "Are you listening to yourself? I haven't done anything wrong—"

Han nodded his head toward Kylo. He gave his son a dubious look. His voice was dry. "Yeah—you hooked up with a real group of philanthropists here—"

Kylo, who was still sprawled on the bench, slowly brought up a hand and made a very deliberate rude gesture in Han's direction. If looks could kill, then Han Solo would have been dead a million times over.

Rey ignored Kylo in lieu of giving Han a scathing look. "Better than getting involved with Kanjiklub or the Guavian Death Gang—which—you're welcome, by the way—sorted that for you—didn't I?"

Despite herself, Rey recognized her desperate need to please a father figure, and it rankled. There she was attempting to explain herself like a youngling to someone that cared, but Han Solo was not that person as far as she was concerned. She was not blind to her faults, and she very much considered wanting parental figures at this late stage to be a fault. She didn't need them. She had survived just fine, no thanks to anyone else. She had had no formal education, no one to care if she lived or died, and her own parents had sold her off for a drink. She should have had no place in this story of the galaxy, yet she was thrust into it anyway. Rey had no one but herself in the end.

As if finally deciding he couldn't get anywhere with Rey, Han looked at Kylo again. "Ben—"

Kylo sneered at him. "I don't think so—"

Bast looked around in mock confusion as if searching for another person. "Who?"

Han waved an accusing finger directly at Bast. "Don't think I don't remember you either—"

Rey huffed and crossed her arms. This was completely ridiculous. "If you want any kind of relationship with him, you may as well call him by the name he goes by—"

The moment Han Solo decided to actually take Rey's advice showed on his face. For the briefest of moments he looked as if he was going to argue the point but then he sighed. He looked pained. "Kylo—" He ran a hand through his hair. "Kid—you and I both know I'm the worst father in the galaxy—and I don't deserve your forgiveness—"

Kylo was watching Han with narrowed eyes. "You're so right—you don't—"

"I deserve that. Ain't got no idea what I'm doing—I never did—it's no excuse—but you know how your mother is—"

Rey certainly knew how Leia Organa was. She was practically nodding along with Han in agreement on that point. Leia Organa told other people what to do all the time, and Rey could only imagine how the woman tried to handle Han Solo and her own son. Han being Han, he wouldn't have put up with it for long. He was too much of a free spirit. The less said about what happened with Kylo the better.

Kylo's hair was in his eyes and he looked up at his father with a bored look on his face. "Where is this going exactly?"

Han's expression was at odds with his words. "Your mother wants you to come back home—"

Rey knew that Han wanted Kylo back just as much.

Kylo's voice was dry. "To the Resistance?"

Han sighed. "You know as well as I do that she practically leads the Resistance—"

Kylo's question was deceptively light. "And Luke will be there?"

Han gave Kylo a flat look.

Kylo gave a disturbing smile in response. "Just checking—it might actually make up for everything if you did take me to him—I didn't finish the job I started the first time—and I fully intend to see it through—"

Pure confusion crossed Han's face. He looked at Kylo as if lost. He asked the question, the only question he could think of, and it asked so much. "Why?"

Kylo went completely still and then sat up straight. He had the look of a man that had a sudden revelation. He looked at Han Solo in bewilderment. "He never told you—" He ran a hand through his hair and stood up in shock. "He actually never told you—"

It had not occurred to Rey that Han Solo might not know about how Luke tried to kill him in his sleep. She should not be surprised considering Luke had even told her a very abridged version of the incident that conveniently left out that detail. Now that she was thinking about it, wouldn't his parents be livid about it if they knew? Rey twisted her hands together and looked to Kylo worriedly. Rey projected her thoughts to him. «Considering what Luke told me, it's very likely he didn't.»

Kylo acted like he'd never heard her. He looked at Han accusingly. "Yet you were more than willing to simply believe whatever he did tell you—"

Han looked worried. "Never told me what—what are you talking about—"

Kylo clenched his fists and looked as if he wanted nothing more than to take his lightsaber and start hacking at everything around him. Kylo looked like he could barely breathe. He looked away from his father and growled. "That kriffer tried to kill me in my sleep—"

Han shook his head in denial and shock. "That's not—he wouldn't—"

Rey shook her head at Han seriously. "It's all true—I've seen it—"

Han cut his eyes to Rey and looked at her to gauge the truth of her words. His voice was gruff. "You're telling me that Luke Skywalker tried to kill my son in his sleep. My son."

Rey nodded.

Han closed his eyes. When he opened them again they were hard. "Screw that lightsaber shit—if I get to him first—it's a blaster shot right between the eyes—"

It wasn't the complete truth, but Rey would give this to Kylo. Luke had had his chance at the truth and told an edited version. Han finally deserved to hear Kylo's side and if it brought the estranged father and son closer, then who was Rey to say anything about their murderous intentions? She couldn't promise she wouldn't have done the same if her own circumstances were different.

For his part, Rey could tell that Kylo was affected by his father's concern for his well-being. However, in typical Kylo fashion, he resorted to anger first. He practically growled at Han. "Don't think this changes anything between us—"

Han looked disappointed, but didn't disagree. "I understand—"

The buzzer went off.

Bast held it out. "Our table is ready—"

Kylo snatched it out of Bast's hands and stalked towards the café. He was obviously in a foul mood. He glanced back at Han with a dark look. "Just stay out of my way—"

Bast followed after him rather quickly, glancing back meaningfully at Rey.

Rey stood there awkwardly and looked at Han and Chewie in indecision. She settled on looking towards the bay, still unused to seeing bodies of water. She wasn't sure what she should do right now, if she was being honest.

Han gave Rey a considering look. "So, you and my son, huh?"

Rey wrapped her arms around herself. The bay was suddenly more interesting than before. "It's not like that—"

Han rolled his eyes. "Sure it isn't. You met him on Coruscant, didn't you? Went on a date—"

Rey opened her mouth to protest.

Han held up a finger in her direction. "Don't say it—"

Rey huffed in annoyance. She didn't know what it was between her and Kylo. She didn't exactly have any experiences that she could compare it to. All she knew is that her feelings for him were definitely complicated and that it scared her more than a little bit. She changed the subject, not even attempting to be subtle. "I don't know if I can go back to the Resistance—"

Han's voice was insistent, his eyes searching. "Because of him?"

Rey shook her head in denial. "No. I was questioning everything before I ever met Kylo." She let out a little bitter laugh. "I'm not even a Populist—"

It was time she fully acknowledged the truth of that at the very least.

Han snorted. "Don't ever tell Leia I said this, but kriff all that political crap. Kid, I've lived through a few different governments, and they're all rotten. Only thing that's gotten me this far is a good blaster at my side, my mad sabacc skills, and the Falcon—"

Chewie roared in protest.

Han gave Chewie a smirk. "I was getting there, fuzzball—"

Rey was a bundle of nerves. She quickly blurted out what was on her mind before she could stop herself. "I was thinking of joining—the First Order that is—"

He didn't look surprised so much as disappointed. There was a kind of grim acceptance there. "Why?"

Han Solo was getting good at asking the all-encompassing critical question, wasn't he? His estranged wife may have been part of an important bloodline, but he wasn't. Han Solo would always be a smuggler that had loved a princess. He'd been a nobody like Rey. For that reason alone, Rey felt that she could talk to him.

Rey felt as if she had been shuffled like chattel from one thing to another. It had all been about destiny and fate and going with the flow and reacting to her circumstances. However, she was being given a choice by one side and she had the option of walking away if she didn't want what was offered. Rey had no doubt that there might be consequences to her actions, but the fact that she was being given a choice was clear. It was not assumed nor was it expected that she would do as they asked her to. It mattered to someone like her. It mattered a lot. It meant pretty much everything. Yet, even still, Rey felt that such choices as she had been given were nothing more than a play at manipulating her. It was the way of Jakku and it was the way of the galaxy, apparently.

She finally felt confident enough to look Han Solo in the eyes. "They've offered me a choice—a chance for a real education—I find myself wanting that—" Rey looked around briefly before lowering her voice. "Their vision for the galaxy has to be better than what we've got now—"

Han gave Rey a look of pity. "They want to use you—"

Rey's response was biting. "And the Resistance doesn't?"

Han didn't look as if he disagreed with her statement. He gave Rey an earnest look. "Snoke has his own agenda. He just wants power. He twisted my son and he'll do the same to you—"

That stopped Rey in her tracks. She hadn't thought about Supreme Leader Snoke's role in any of this. Perhaps Han had a point when it came to Snoke. She'd have to investigate the matter before coming to a firm conclusion. "If what you say is true, then I'm at a loss. If I decide that I can't go to the First Order and since I refuse to return to the Resistance, then there isn't much for me. I won't go back to Jakku."

Rey had long since seen the folly of trying to deny the truth of her situation- and persisting in her old delusion of two dead drunks coming back for her did her no favors.

Han spoke hesitantly. "There's a third option—you might not like it—"

Rey had a feeling that she knew where this was going. She pursed her lips. "Don't tell me you're going to offer me a job again—that worked out so well the last time—"

"You won't be with me and Chewie on the Falcon—I was just going to let you borrow another ship of mine—and you'll be able to do what you want in between runs—"

Suddenly intrigued, Rey gave Han her full attention. "What kind of runs—"

Han looked evasive. "Ones I can't do on my own anymore—"

Rey narrowed her eyes at him. "In other words—dangerous and probably not legal—"

He held his hands out in a placating gesture. "Hey—you'll get a cut—but I'm warning you now, kid—it's best not to ask too many questions—even I don't ask them when it comes to this kind of thing—I just take jobs—"

Before she could second-guess herself, Rey nodded. "Maybe—"

Han looked at her suspiciously. "Well, that was easy—"

Rey gave a little shrug. "I said maybe. If I do this it will give me time to figure things out. You're right—I don't know what I'm doing—but at least it's something—"

Han gave a sheepish look. "You can't tell Leia—she won't like it if you don't go back to the Resistance and the Jedi thing—and she doesn't know I've been doing those kinds of runs again—"

Rey kept her thoughts on that part to herself. She wouldn't be surprised if Leia knew exactly what Han was up to. "So long as you don't mention anything about Kylo and the First Order—any of it—"

He pursed his lips in disagreement. "Rey—his mother deserves to know—"

Rey felt spiteful. She could see Leia knowing what Luke did and forgiving him because she feared what her son was becoming as she held her ideals more highly than blood. "Shouldn't he get to decide that? Do you really want to see Luke right now anyway?"

Han was obviously done with their conversation. His expression closed off. "Go eat, Rey—meet up back at the Falcon when you're done—"

Making her way into the café, Rey spotted Kylo and Bast in a corner booth. She walked over towards them.

Kylo's eyes immediately sought out hers and he stood up so that she could slide in and sit near the window. He wasted no time in sliding in next to her. His voice sounded derisive. "What did you and the old man talk about?"

Rey refused to look at him and instead focused on Bast, who was seated across from them. He appeared to be engrossed in the menu. Following his cue, Rey picked up a menu as well. She sighed. "He offered me another job—"

Kylo was glaring at the table and idly playing with his silverware. He gave a huff. "Consisting of criminal endeavors no doubt—"

Rey knew he was right. She was still unsure about her course of action, but it seemed the best option until she could figure things out. It seemed like it would be as dangerous as anything else though, but she was used to that sort of thing in her life. She spoke softly. "I was told that it was best to not ask questions—"

Kylo pursed his lips and glanced at her seriously. What he said wasn't a request so much as it was a demand. "You should come with us—"

Rey gazed down at the table as if it could give her the answers she was seeking. She could feel Kylo's and Bast's full attention on her. Suddenly nervous, Rey felt her face grow hot. She was not used to sharing her feelings, plans, or the details of her life with anyone. "Well—I told him that was my plan—and then he mentioned Snoke—and I realized that I couldn't truly make a decision until I knew more about him."

Kylo turned to face her fully. He spoke hastily and with no little fear. "The Supreme Leader is wise—"

Setting the menu back down, Rey finally looked at Kylo. She frowned. "In what way? I've heard he's ancient, so I wouldn't be surprised if he knew a lot. But if he's only consumed with lust of power, that can't be good for the rest of us, can it?"

Kylo clenched his jaw in annoyance. "You don't know what you're talking about—'

It then dawned on Rey that she had pretty much ignored something critical in one of their previous interactions. It all came together in a sudden revelation. She lowered her voice and leaned closer to him. "This Starkiller thing—that wouldn't actually be a third Death Star—would it—"

Kylo glared at her, his voice a growl. "You need to tread carefully, Rey—"

Rey's eyes widened. She was truly surprised. Her voice was a hissed whisper. "Are you people insane? That right there is all the proof that your Supreme Leader has become unstable. If he can't have the galaxy, no one will, because he'll just destroy it, is that it? It's not even original. Do you have a way to replace him if things get too out of control?"

Kylo almost sounded petulant. "He wouldn't do that—"

Kylo was like the First Order version of Poe Dameron. She had Kylo fanatic-to-the-cause Ren in front of her, didn't she? Rey rolled her eyes. She let her tone convey her disbelief. "Sure—and the X'us'R'iia is just a little bit of wind—nothing to worry about at all—"

Completely dominating Rey's personal space, Kylo seethed. "It's treason to talk about the Supreme Leader this way—"

Rey almost felt sorry for Kylo. Almost. Something was wrong here. Perhaps Han was right that Snoke had twisted him somehow. Rey placated him as much as she could. "Don't get me wrong, Kylo—the goals of the First Order—I get it—this galaxy needs some massive changes—and if a military junta can produce the results—then I say—let you try—but there at least needs to be a galaxy in the end—"

Kylo snarled at her, ready to say something scathing no doubt.

Rey cut him off. "It's the one thing General Organa said in her argument that I thought made it invalid—but perhaps she had a point. Sometimes you have to have leaders you can replace—It was my belief that it went without saying—it was her belief that certain groups would never allow it—"

Mentioning his mother had Kylo shutting his mouth with a frown.

Rey's look turned sly. "You know—you could be the Supreme Leader—I'd even help you—"

The thought had just occurred to her, but she was serious. If he wanted, she would help him there.

Kylo looked intrigued by this, but quickly schooled his face into a blank expression. His voice was still a low growl. "Would you—he'd kill us both before we ever had the chance—"

Rey nodded emphatically. "He'd try—but—old and wise doesn't mean invincible—you know—" Rey smirked. Her voice was teasing. "If you're not up to the task—maybe I'll do it myself—Empress has a nice ring—"

Where had that suddenly come from? Rey was surprised at herself.

Rey was suddenly kicked under the table. She looked at Bast in annoyance. "You have anything to add?"

Bast nodded. "In fact, I do—we should order—I'm starving—"

Rey took the hint and dropped the entire line of discussion. However, now that she was thinking about it, perhaps she wasn't joking at all. She may have been a nobody from nowhere, but maybe she could run the galaxy better than anyone. She certainly couldn't do a worse job. She shook her head ruefully. Entertaining delusions of grandeur did her no favors.

«You lack agency.»

It was the Emperor again. His shade had the worst timing.

Rey sat there with her back ramrod straight. She was furious and terrified all at once. Why did he always turn up? What was the point? Would she find herself haunted from here on out? Even so, she could not resist. «What do you want with me?»

«A legacy.»

Rey set her face into a snarl. She felt him in the Force and he was still powerful. «Is the afterlife so dull that you need to amuse yourself with haunting me? You had your chance. Your day is over.»

For all of the talk of a light side and a dark side and of an alleged balance, there was a reason the two sides of the Force called to so many for so many countless centuries; likely since the beginning of the universe. True balance was likely nearly impossible to achieve for anyone except in transitory liminal moments. One could be dark with shades of light or light with shades of dark, but true balance? Rey thought it unlikely. Irreverent sarcasm came to her mind. «Can a dead Sith even have an apprentice?»

His voice was hostile in a way that promised things worse than death. «I do not concern myself with what is possible until after I do it. You will turn, girl. I will have you as my last and greatest apprentice. I have foreseen it.»

It almost sounded like an odd restatement of something Han Solo once said. The Emperor spoke of agency on one hand and then spoke of the inevitability of her fall to the dark side on the other. Rey clenched a fist. Not if she had anything to do about it. Rey did not much like the Force.

Kylo's hand came to rest on her right thigh with a squeeze. His voice was low. "What did you see?"

Jolted to awareness, Rey gasped for breath. The sounds of the café suddenly washed over her, whereas they had been completely absent before. She was still staring straight at Bast and had apparently been looking through him in an unsettling way, if his worried look was any indication. A ball of dread formed in her stomach. She spoke nervously. "It wasn't—anything—"

Kylo's gaze became assessing. "I felt it—the dark side—you had a Force vision—"

She still didn't want to think about it. Rey closed her eyes. "It happened before, on Coruscant—"

His voice was demanding and soft at the same time. "Tell me—show me—"

She felt his breath right in her ear. Eyes still closed, Rey's breathing hitched. She sounded desperate. "No—"

His voice took on a pleading tone. "Rey—"

Kylo Ren almost sounded as he had the night before. That was a dangerous turn for her thoughts to take. Rey opened her eyes and shook her head in disagreement. "I said no. I'm not entertaining this. It didn't happen."

Kylo was so very close to her. He murmured in her ear. "All right. You don't have to tell me- but don't lie to yourself. You can't keep running away from your destiny—every little thing that makes you uncomfortable—"

Rey's voice was breathless. She didn't sound a bit convincing, even to herself. "I'm not running away, Kylo—"

His eyes were now roving over her neck more than anything. He looked like he was debating kissing her jaw. "Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart—"

Had she not been boxed in with their seating arrangement, Rey would have done just that. She felt on edge- too exposed. She must have looked like a girl ready to run.

Kylo gave her a knowing look. His hand was still on her thigh and he only reluctantly removed it and moved back away from her to place his order with the serving droid.

Allowing herself to be drawn into Bast's sudden need for meaningless conversation was as frustrating as it was nice, Rey thought. Eating new foods was even better. It was likely for the best that Rey did not have regular recourse to such varied cuisine. She could not afford to become spoiled.

Soon enough their meal was over and Rey was no closer to any answers or a course of action. She felt torn in multiple directions. In truth, she wanted nothing more than to go with Kylo and Bast, yet she was wary over Snoke and this Starkiller thing. She also didn't particularly wish to truly become some sort of galactic criminal- and even Han Solo wasn't too excited to see her take his new job offer. No doubt, he would rather she go back to the Resistance, all things considered.

The moment Rey dreaded was upon her. She had to leave. She had to make a choice. She felt as if she needed more time. They were outside of the café now and it seemed as if they both expected her to go with them to wherever their ship was. She walked with them as the Millennium Falcon was sure to be docked in the same area.

As the Millennium Falcon came into view first, Rey came to a stop. She felt a ball of dread form in her stomach.

Bast was blithely still continuing on, none the wiser, but Kylo, he was ever attentive to Rey's every move.

He stopped too. The look Kylo Ren gave Rey was one of betrayed resignation. His voice was flat. "So, that's it then—"

Bast caught on and also stopped, turning to look at Rey in dismay. "You can't, Rey!"

Rey swallowed thickly. She felt so raw and emotional. This was going to be harder than she thought. Her voice was tremulous. "I just need more time—I'm not going back to the Resistance—"

Bast was suddenly right in front of her, bracing his hands against her shoulders. "Darling—while I appreciate your need to be sure of your convictions before committing to anything—I don't want to see you swept into a life of crime in the meantime—that's not the way—"

Blinking through tears, Rey responded with a little laugh. "I don't know anything, anymore, Bast—"

Bast squeezed her arms in reassurance. "Then take your time—I think we can wait a bit for you to get it together—"

At this, he glanced over his shoulder at Kylo with a meaningful look before turning back to Rey and pulling her comm unit of our her bag. He messed with it a bit before placing it back in her bag without Rey's consent. "Now you'll be able to contact me directly if you need to—and I expect you to do so regularly—"

Bast didn't give Rey a chance to say anything before he gave her a charming smile and set off towards their ship.

Rey was left alone with Kylo.

Kylo Ren didn't look happy in the slightest. In fact, he looked angry. His arms were at his sides, clenched into fists. "You're better than that, Rey. Becoming criminal scum isn't your destiny and you know it—"

Rey shook her head defiantly. Her heart was in her throat. "That's not—Kylo—that's not what I'm doing—"

Kylo glared at her. "That's exactly what you're doing, Rey—"

Rey's eyes felt wet. "It isn't! I just need time!"

Kylo sneered at her. "Why are you so intent on being my enemy, Rey—"

Rey hugged herself. "I'm not your enemy, Kylo Ren! This is—hard for me—I want to go with you—I really do—but I need to be sure—"

Kylo's expression turned into something else. It was softer somehow? Rey wasn't sure.

Rey looked awkwardly to the side. She suddenly didn't know what to do with her arms, so she let them hang limply at her sides like some kind of idiot. She didn't even know what to say. This whole thing felt wrong and she didn't have the social graces to make it any better. "Well—I reckon I'll see you around then—"

Kylo stood there in front of her with an assessing gaze. He wasn't saying anything.

Rey could feel the tension. Why wasn't he saying anything? His stare was becoming too much. She suddenly felt nervous. She chanced a glance from beneath her lashes and was suddenly struck speechless. "I—"

Kylo Ren stepped closer to her, holding her gaze all the while.

Rey resisted the urge to back up. He looked absolutely determined and intense to her eyes. Her hands were slightly shaking. She swallowed thickly. Her voice was breathless. "I still need to figure things out—"

Kylo was so close to Rey that he cast a shadow and was blocking out the sun.

This was the Kylo Ren that Rey had first met; the one that was dangerous in the most enticing way, the one that encouraged her to run and stay all at once. Rey's heart rate increased at his proximity. She began babbling. "I'll comm you though—"

Kylo reached out a hand and cupped Rey's face.

Rey's breath hitched. Her entire body stiffened in anticipation. His action startled her but she didn't pull away. His hand was warm against her cheek, his fingers ghosting against her ear. She fought the urge to close her eyes and lean into his touch.

Kylo brought his other hand up to rest against her neck and closed the remaining distance between them.

Rey barely had the time to process that he rubbed his thumb in a caress on her neck, when he tilted his head to the side and placed his lips on her own. His assault was gentle, yet demanding.

Rey didn't pull away. She inhaled sharply, her hands coming up to grasp desperately at his clothing.

Kylo pulled back slightly with a smirk, his eyes showing his hunger, before immediately going back and claiming her lips again.

Rey was slowly being coaxed into returning his fervor. She heard herself make a noise that was halfway between a moan and a whine. His name sounded like a prayer on her lips. "Kylo—"

Kylo swallowed her desperation. He gave off the aura of one that was more than willing to indulge in his passion. His tongue began to gently find purchase in her mouth.

Tentatively, Rey let him show her how to reciprocate his attentions. She felt consumed.

Desperate hands still cradling her face, Kylo walked her backwards.

Rey found herself up against the side of the Millennium Falcon. She really didn't care either. In fact, she felt the sudden compulsion to pull him closer, wanting to feel the length of him against her. She buried one curious hand in his curls. His hair was soft, she idly thought.

Kylo eagerly obliged with a growl. One of his hands grasped Rey's hair and pulled her head back slightly, so that he could move searing lips against her neck and jaw.

Being on the receiving end of such avaricious attentions had Rey panting, on the edge of being undone. Rey felt feverish, her body frantic for something more. A gentle nip on her neck sent an explosive jolt through Rey's core. The action left her struggling for breath. She fought the urge to writhe against him in abandon.

Kylo's wicked lips found her ear. He whispered to her hotly. "Bet you're wet for me—"

His words were shocking to her. What would ordinarily anger her at the sheer audacity, only served to amp up her own desire. She was wet for him. Her attempt at chiding him only came off as flirting, especially with the noises she was involuntarily making. "You're—a—degenerate—"

He was attempting to mark the skin of her neck, with sucking, biting and licking. His own breath was coming in pants. "If you stuck around—you'd see just how degenerate—"

One hand moved from her face to grab her ass and pull her flush against him.

Rey definitely felt all of Kylo Ren this way. If he tried to take her right here, she was certain that she would let him. Her heart rate increased.

Kylo's look was smug and knowing. He claimed her lips again. "You like that?"

Far from being dissuaded by his smug look this time, Rey was only vaguely aware that she found it to be pleasing. She found herself wanting to tell Kylo Ren anything he wanted to hear, and in this case it happened to be true. "Mhmm—"

Han Solo's voice cut through their haze of lust. "I'm pretty sure public fornication is illegal even on Canto Bight—"

Kylo pulled away from her slowly and reluctantly. He didn't look at Han Solo at all. He kept his dark and lustful eyes on Rey the entire time. He addressed his father, the threat implicit. "If anything happens to her—"

The sudden loss of contact had Rey almost falling over. Her legs felt like they couldn't hold her up. She leaned against the Falcon in a daze. She wanted to feel upset at Kylo Ren's implications with that last statement on a variety of fronts, but she found herself unable to muster the energy to do so. Instead, she found herself incredibly flattered that he cared enough to want to resort to violence on her behalf, and that possibly made her as sick as he was. She should not like even the idea that he felt possessive over her; however, nobody had ever defended her in such a way before either. Rey suddenly looked away from him with a blush on her face. She was being absolutely ridiculous.

Rey's dazed state was obvious and it was obvious through the Force that Kylo Ren was more than pleased with himself. Rey's blush deepened as she hurriedly and awkwardly made her way past Han Solo and up the docking plank into the ship proper. She hadn't realized Han had witnessed anything. That was more than slightly embarrassing. Before she could stop herself, she looked over her shoulder at Kylo Ren.

Kylo leveled a rakish smirk at Rey. «See you around, sweetheart.»

With a weary sigh and a disapproving glare at his son, Han Solo hit the button to close the ramp.

It took all of Rey's considerable will power to keep standing exactly where she was. She closed her eyes and gave a sigh of her own. The Force hated her, didn't it? One way or another, Kylo Ren would be the death of her.


I appreciate everyone that has read and stayed with me thus far. Please let me know what you think.