A/N: As always, thank you very much for supporting this story! It means the world. We're getting close to the end now! Just one or two more chapters, I think, before these two officially get their happily ever after. :)

Rey is kissing him.

Rey is kissing him.

For the first time in Ben's life, that gaping maw of darkness in his heart — that ever-present, unbearable well of sorrow — goes silent. He feels whole.

It only takes a moment for him to begin kissing her back, one arm curling around her waist, his saber clattering to the floor as he draws her against him. He wants to be closer to her, so close that he could disappear into her light, let her goodness swallow him whole and obliterate every horror he has ever seen or done.

She thinks him attractive.

Howcan she think him attractive? When he looks at himself, he sees an ugly, mismatched creature with eyes that betray his every thought. Yet Rey — radiant, beautiful Rey — likes his appearance. He cannot fathom why.

Rey's hand shifts from his cheek to his hair, and Ben trembles, overwhelmed by the tenderness of her touch. If the galaxy were not already hers, he would lay it at her feet, so long as she promised to treat him with this aching, gentle sweetness.

When they part, Ben rests his forehead against Rey's, breathless. Everything he has tried to hold back from their bond since Crait pours out of him, unfiltered. Rey's eyes widen, but not in pity, as he once feared. She artlessly pushes her emotions back to him, and Ben is overjoyed to find that they mirror his.

Her hands slide down to his shoulders, gripping them tightly. "You'll never be alone, Ben. I promise."

"Neither will you," he replies, fiercely, his heart so full that it hurts. Is this what happiness feels like? He can't remember.

Rey leans up again and kisses his cheek.

"Rey." If she keeps this up, she will be the death of him.

She gives him a sheepish smile, then hides her face against his chest, wrapping her arms around him. Ben takes a deep breath, letting it out on a shaky exhale.

They stand there for a long time, simply holding one another. With each matching beat of their hearts, Ben feels the jagged edges of his soul smoothing out, until they no longer needle him with their sharpness. They do not disappear, but they ease, scarring over and leaving behind the kind of light that he has not felt in years.

Balance, Ben thinks, allowing himself to bask in that light.

The next day, the light in Ben does not fade. He finds himself less prone to violence, less driven by his rages, and more in control of his darker impulses. They are still present, certainly, but they are not as all-consuming as they normally are. It's an unexpected relief, even if he feels a bit unmoored without their strength.

Rey has found a sense of peace as well, he notices. Her Force signature is a shade darker than usual, but the painful loneliness that always clings to her has faded. Throughout their final preparations for the coronation and wedding, he feels her presence reaching for his, and often turns to find her looking at him warmly, a smile on her face. Each time, Ben returns the smile with a slight upturn of his own lips.

He will finally have something — someone — entirely his. Rey will belong to him, and he will belong to her. Tomorrow, they will be united before the galaxy, just as they are already united in the Force.

Rey interrupts his musings, nudging his shoulder with hers as they exit the conference room. "What are you thinking?"

Ben raises an eyebrow. "You don't know?"

Her brows furrow in concentration as her mind probes his, but Ben holds his shields steady. She relents with a huff. "You could help me."

As they round a bend in the corridor, he lets the back of his hand brush hers. "I wouldn't be an effective teacher if I did."

Rey rolls her eyes, smirking. Ben's heart picks up speed when, instead of allowing their hands to rest side by side, she weaves her fingers through his and holds tight. "Well, you're certainly the best teacher I've had. Not that I've got a lot of experience to go off of. But still."

Her words warm him from head to toe. Praise is yet another of the things he has gone without; he wonders if he will ever grow used to her kindness.

"Where are we going, anyway?" Rey asks.

Nerves and anticipation flutter in Ben's stomach at the question. He has spent the week since Crait with one particular dilemma in the back of his mind: what can he give Rey as a wedding gift? He is already offering her the galaxy, though she has not asked for it. And try as he might to decipher her desires, she has not revealed anything particular in their time together. Simple things make her happy. But finally, last night — after their kiss — Ben had been struck by the perfect idea.

More than anything else in the galaxy, Rey longs for family. For a home.

Ben can give that to her.

"I have something for you. An early wedding gift." He allows himself a small smile at her surprise. "But we have to get off the ship first."

Her excitement tangles with his own, easing his nerves. Still, he carefully maintains his shields as they walk the corridors of the Finalizer, not wanting to ruin the surprise.

The moment they step off the ship, they are met with brilliant, blinding sunlight and green fields as far as the eye can see. But Ben does not spare the beautiful landscape a glance. He keeps his gaze on Rey, thrilled by the wonder on her face.

"Where are we?" she asks breathlessly.

"Naboo. It was my grandmother's home. She was elected queen here, many years ago, when she was even younger than you."

Ben gently tugs on her hand, urging her to follow him. They make their way up a small hill. As they crest the top, Varykino comes into view, the familiar green domes causing a bittersweet pang in Ben's heart. He can't remember the last time he visited his grandparents' old home.

Rey gasps as she takes in the sight. Wisps of her hair stir in the gentle breeze. "Oh Ben, it's beautiful."

"It's yours."

"What?"

"This is my gift to you, Rey." He sweeps an encompassing arm across the villa, the surrounding countryside, and the lake. "We'll still rule from the Finalizer, but we won't live there. This will be our home."

She says nothing, simply gaping at the landscape for several moments. Ben's anxiety spikes. Has he done something wrong? Said something wrong? He has never been a man of eloquent speech; action suits him best. That's why he had tried to keep this as simple as possible.

Then Rey lifts a hand to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears, and all his worries fade. She lets out a short, watery laugh, and throws her arms around him. "Thank you," she whispers, her cheek pressed to his as she clutches him tightly. "Thank you, Ben."

Wordlessly, Ben returns her embrace, their bond as warm and bright as the sun in Naboo's sky.