Disclaimers: All right reserved of the originals "Star Wars" Characters, Names, Places, etc., to George Lucas / Disney. I pledge to return all characters after the story is complete.
Warning: Major Spoilers of TRoS.
Note: This is a Reylo FanFiction (slow-burn)
Be Aware: Concepts contained in this chapter include an overwhelming sweetness and semi- silliness. ^_^
「Act 58: Dumbfoundedness 」
Celestial Forest, Eanor, 37 ABY
Like a heavy coat, the night grew old above them as they reached the path that would lead them to the deep valley. Their journey had just begun, and they would spend days hiking along that path next to the river. They had decided to camp next to the river; the rocky area that Ben had earlier pointed out was perfect to set a small base for the night. The east wind was streaming through the trees' bare branches and seething in the dark pines on the hills. Ragged clouds were hurrying overhead, dark and low, as the company started slowly settling down.
"We should fear the enemy," Ben said as he was gazing upon the river towards the uneasy trees. "I do not doubt that the news of our arrival has already reached them."
"Maybe, we can never be sure," Poe agreed, "We better keep the fire low and be aware of our surroundings."
Rose and Hux were already busy trying to find the pots and the food. They surrounded the droid that was carrying all their belongings and started searching for their bags. Rose began to helping Hux.
"Let's go gather some wood," Jannah said, "Without it, I doubt we can start a campfire."
Rey placed her hand on Jannah's shoulder and stopped her. "We will gather wood! You never know what secrets this area may hold," she announced.
"Rey, I thought that," Finn added and followed behind her. Both turned around and walked into the forest, gathering sticks and small branches that could be used to set up a fire.
Rey stood there a moment, collecting her thoughts. She started gathering a few sticks spacing out. She loved the green of Eanor, but something was surrounding that planet that made her creep to her core. Only knowing that a clone that looked exactly like her was on the same planet was enough to speak to her. But she wasn't the only reason that made that eerie feeling rise.
Finn kept walking in front of her wordlessly; he worked to collect some more wood as well, as they both were in silence. However, it didn't last for long.
"You okay?" at last, Finn said as he stopped and turned to face her. "You have been acting differently since my confession."
Rey nodded, ensuring him she was okay. Though she was taken by surprise when Finn mentioned something she was trying to forget.
"Whatever is holding you back, you can't trust it. You can always talk to me," he assured her.
She felt dazed. Her mind kept replaying the sickening vision in her head over and over: The clone appearing in front of her, the clone talking to Ben, and the feeling of the clone being closer every minute made things worse. "She was talking to Ben. She knows how to connect through the force to reach us," she whispered.
Finn paused what he was doing to stare at her. "Rey," he said, astonished by her answer. There he was still hoping that Rey would offer some of her time to think about his confession and maybe give him an answer. But he was wrong. Rey was worried about the clone and Ben. Ben Solo, lately, everything and everyone was concerned about him.
"We need to destroy her as well, not only the black stone." she interrupted Finn. She turned around, picking up a few more wooden sticks as she felt his eyes on her as he considered her words.
"That doesn't sound like you." Finn responded as he cut her way, appearing in front of her, "I know you. You had the same thoughts back then with Palpatine. Why are you worried about Ben? He can take care of himself."
Rey glared at Finn. "Stop telling me that you know me. I'm afraid no one does. I'm not worried about Ben..." she paused and took a deep breath as the memory of Ben and the clone talking made her anger rise. "I didn't like it! The clone and Ben..." she stopped denying to say the words, "Anyway, she can be dangerous."
"Okay," Finn countered, "what you say it's important. She is dangerous." He jerked his head aside, confused, studying her for a moment. "No, you aren't worried about how dangerous the clone is. You are jealous." Finn finally realized.
"No," she retorted, "it's ridiculous. Me jealous of a clone?"
"That's not it!" Finn argued back, "You are jealous of Ben talking to the clone. You are unbelievable, Rey. I shared with you my feelings, and you ignored them. You never gave me a reply, and I am sure you didn't spend a moment to think them over. Yet here you are worried about Solo. What's so special about him, anyway?"
She gave him a humorless smile as she acknowledged that Finn's words were hiding some truths in it. She was jealous when she watched the clone and Ben talking so close. She knew there was nothing to worry about. But still, her chest burned, and her stomach felt uneasy. She didn't know if that feeling could be called jealousy, and even if she did, she would not accept it.
"You know you are wrong," she said and turned around, starting walking towards the camp. "I'm just worried about Ben. And I never gave you an answer because you said you didn't need one." Rey suddenly turned around and faced Finn. "You know you are my best friend, Finn. I didn't have to think about an answer because I already know how important you are. You are family, like Poe, like Chewie..." she sighed. "I love you, but I'm not in love with you."
Finn seemed disappointed that was not the answer he was hoping to hear, but at least Rey finally responded to his question. His feelings would never change towards Rey; Rey was the most important person in his life. But he could accept her answer. He knew love couldn't be forced. He leaned forward, placing the sticks aside, and hugged Rey. "Thank you for giving me an honest answer," Finn said and pulled back, smiling at her. "And between us, you are jealous!" He smirked and turned away, walking around to the camp.
Rey hugged Finn back, happy that her answer was enough, and Finn didn't overreact. Though when he called her jealous once more, her face turned red. She ran after him trying to convince him that she wasn't jealous. Though whatever explanations she offered were not enough to cover the truth.
Meanwhile, back at the camp, Rose was waiting for Rey and Finn to return with the wood. "I hope they are back soon," Rose said.
Jannah nodded as she had already washed and cut all the ingredients to prepare dinner. Hux had already steadied the base and the pot and waited for the wood to start the fire. The droids gathered around the carrier droid and called it a day off. The unfamiliar planet and the night made them feel uneasy, and they decided to rest. Ben, Poe, Chewie, and Zorii were setting the camp.
Zorii separated the river so the front would be used by men and the back for the girls. They could wash or take care of their needs without getting confused. Chewie was unpacking the sleeping bags. And Poe and Ben were going through the map once more, making sure they were following the right destination. They kept some nods for future use; they even figured out if they couldn't pass through the deep valley, which other ways they could choose.
After Rey and Finn returned, Jannah started preparing the dinner. That night they sat around the fire in a deep hollow shrouded by great bushes of holly, and their late-dinner was merrier than it had been since they set out. They did not hurry to bed afterward, for they expected to have all night to sleep in. Ben was silent and restless. He left the company to scan the area. Then he turned to the brink of the dell and looked down at the others laughing and talking.
"What is the matter, Solo?" Rose called up.
"All things, but you are silent. I can sense it." Ben noted as he caught everyone's attention.
"But what do you guess is the reason?" Poe asked, glancing at him with a genius smile on his face.
"I hope that is it," answered Ben. "But I have a sense of watchfulness and of fear that I have never had before."
"I sense it too," agreed Rey, "we must be more careful."
It was Poe's turn that night to take the first watch, but Ben joined him. He could hardly sleep. The others drifted asleep except for Rey. She couldn't sleep. She sat against the nearest brick, leaning against the tree behind her. She crossed her hands against her chest as she noticed the chilling breeze. Her mind hopped in old memories as she watched the fire burn slowly. The silence grew until the breathing of the sleepers could be heard.
Unexpectedly, she felt a calmness and blazing, dazzling her. She lifted her eyes and saw Ben taking a seat next to her. She blinked and stared at him for a while. The night colors made it easier for her to observe him in detail. He was tall, taller than she thought. Also, immensely strong, at least he seemed that way. As of his face, that night, it seemed fair of face beyond the measure of Men. It took her a great effort to lower her eyes away from him. She was sure if she kept gazing at him, she would be bewitched.
Ben was, as well, surprised by Rey's appearance. The moonlight that was effortless, reflecting against her, made her seem prettier that night. He took his time to examine every detail on her face as if time had frozen. He gave her a last glance as he turned his eyes away.
"You are jealous, I heard?" Ben asked in a slow tone keeping a calm expression on his face. Earlier, when he saw Finn following Rey into the woods, he felt his heart skipping a few beats. He felt uneasy, and he almost was ready to run after them when Rey's thoughts reached him through the Force. He was sure Rey didn't notice but finding out that he was the reason that Rey was jealous somehow made his day.
Rey didn't answer at first. The last thing she needed now was a conversation with a smart Ben. But she couldn't stay silent very long. She tilted her head, "You heard? You eavesdropped!" she voiced up, glaring at him.
"I didn't mean to," Ben added with the same softness as before. "Your thoughts sprang into my mind suddenly."
"How long will you keep it up... Listening, private conversations that you haven't been invited to?" she asked with irony in her voice and a stern look in her eyes. "Those were private thoughts."
"Pretty much, all the time." he cut her off. "Our connection works in both ways; as you hear my thoughts, I can hear yours."
She leaned forward and glanced at him. "I don't want this. You freely know all my thoughts. Some things are personal."
Ben smiled at her, one of those that lid her world again on fire. "It never stopped you know my thoughts. But you can always block the ones you don't wish me to know."
"I'm not as good as you in keeping parts of my mind hidden," she defended herself. "But, I'll break your walls." Rey's gaze softened, and she dropped her defense as her eyes rested against his. The heat from the campfire seemed to be sucked into the frigid air before ever reaching their frozen hands. They added more wood and poked it with long sticks. It seemed to die a little as if unsure of itself, unready to devour the new offerings.
A fire crackled in the corner of the campsite, projecting long shadows on the surrounding area. The light cast by the flames danced across the dark trunks of the trees, twisting and curling in obscure shapes and providing a small radius of light. Ben dropped his dark eyes against hers, and he didn't respond for some time. "You are welcome to try." he teased her, and his voice came soft as a whisper.
The fire itself was pulsating; the glowing embers seemed to move in rhythm with the flames, matching every dip and sweep. Like it was fed by their burning emotions. As their gazes connected, the dyad secured their bond to that incredible oneness, and a unique moment was once again created. Ben and Rey were slowly pulled into the moment, her minds emptied by reason and consequence, and their hearts took over.
The fire's flames were mesmerizing to watch; colors of orange and red gave way to yellow and white near the center, where the emanating heat was the greatest. The night sky like a blanket offering more to the magic moment, and the sounds of the water streaming down the river completed the perfect moment. Ben surrendered into it fully; he closed his eyes and leaned forward. His lips were suddenly touching Rey's; only this time, she accepted his actions. It felt as his lips belonged there with hers. He wrapped an arm around her pulling her closer, and deepened the kiss.
Surprisingly, Rey leaned towards him and kissed him back. She didn't pull away, nor did she slap him. She simply accepted the kiss as if it was something ordinary that was happening daily. She wrapped both of her arms around him and kissed him back, adding more passion to the kiss. His lips brushed hers. Not innocently, like a tease, but hot, fiery, passionate, and demanding. Rey returned the action. She felt losing herself in the kiss, her senses had been seduced, and time stopped.
Ben pulled back, allowing them to gain their breath, and then he kissed her again, and the world fell away. This time it was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words would never be. His hand rested below her ear, his thumb caressing her cheek as their breaths mingled. She ran her fingers down his spine, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them, and she could feel the beating of his heart against her chest.
Unexpectedly, his hand drifted to her hip. It settled there and pulled her closer. She inhaled sharply. She was against his warm chest, chiseled to perfection. They remained like that for an extended amount of time, kissing through the night close to the fire that was slowly fading away. Softly like that, their kiss faded away, and Rey sat next to him, resting her head against his shoulder. Neither of them said anything that night.
No thoughts, no explanations, nothing, just acceptance. In the morning, it would be sure the kiss would be denied. They were both too proud and stubborn to deal with the reason behind the kiss. Each for their reasons. They stayed like that for an extended amount of time.
Ben was about to take his leave as he felt something leaning against his leg. He lowered his gaze finding Rey sleeping against him. His eyes remain above her as he was noting every little detail. Rey made him curious. He had questions that couldn't be answered. And he knew he should stay away. He was not allowed to touch emotions like those; he knew it. But he was not sure how long he would manage to ignore those new emotions that rose inside him.
Nothing further happened that night. The next morning dawned even brighter than before. But the air was chill again; already, the wind was turning back towards the east. Rey woke up as the sunlight was noticeable. She opened her eyes and closed them again. A few seconds later, she opened and gazed at Ben. She was baffled why he was still sitting there next to her. She removed her hands to sit up. And only then she acknowledged that she was clenching against his feet all night. With a terrifying look, she realized what she had done. She lowered her eyes, not even wanting to look at him. She glanced over to note if she had drooled over his boots.
What came next was more shocking. Her eyes burned as she had realized everyone was staring at her. She looked up only to find Ben's satisfying look. Like he wanted this to happen. After all, she had drooled all over his boots the rest of the night; ending up in such an embarrassing position was fair. Ben stood up as now his foot was finally free and smirked at her, walking away and leaving behind a very reddish Rey.
"Rey, what happened to you?" Finn questioned as he was the only one who wasn't laughing; the rest of the company tried to hide their giggles and laughs as the scene with Rey drooling all over Ben's boot was hilarious.
Poe was also amused and laughed. "All right, we had a sunny sunrise. But we have to move on. Gather your stuff and get ready; we are leaving in an hour." He stepped next to Ben and tapped his shoulder, "Getting lucky, Solo, having our only Jedi drooling all over you!" Poe mocked Ben. And Ben smirked satisfyingly at Poe.
「Upcoming Chapter: Act Fifty - Nine」
Okay, guys, that's all. I hope you enjoyed reading the 58th chapter.
Thank you all so much! Stay awesome! Stay sweet!
And be nice to each other, see you soon, in the next chapter!
Feel free to Review and Follow the story!
Feedback is always appreciated!
Misshavoc84: Thank you once more. I wanted to share more moments with each character, but it takes a lot of time. I'll try in the next chapter to offer some more time to the rest of the characters. Now about the old smut, my stories were never rated as mature, meaning I don't add detailed smut scenes. Surely though, there will be some adult content, placed as T. ^_^ We need more moments between Ben and Rey after all.