Halo

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A/N-thank you to everyone who kindly reviewed the last chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Seven-Ahch-to

"The kid's a quick learner." Han observed as he watched Rey deflect another blaster bolt from one of the training remotes he had unearthed in the bowels of the Falcon. They were the same ones that Luke had used when he was training under Jedi master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, but Han didn't tell Kylo that. He passed him a flask of what his son presumed was water. It wasn't until Kylo flipped opened the lid and smelled the strong aroma of Corellian Whisky that he balked and glared at his father. "Oh, get over yourself." Han continued gruffly. "You're about to see Luke again for the first time in years. It'll help."

"This is your version of helping?" Kylo grouched. "By getting me drunk."

"It'll take the edge off." Han pointed out. "And I always aim better when I've had a fortifying drink."

"Aim?" Kylo questioned suspiciously as he gave in to his father's demands and raised the flask to his lips so he could take a tentative sip. He had never been much of a drinker, not like his old man. Being drunk in combat was a great way to get yourself killed. He couldn't believe his father was encouraging him to do so now, but when he felt the cool liquid slip down the back of his throat and warm his insides, he changed his mind.

"You didn't think I was gonna go up to your Uncle and shake his hand when I saw him." Han muttered sarcastically in response to his question. He snatched the flask out of Kylo's hand and took a long swig, licking his lips in satisfaction afterwards. He curled his fingers into a tight fist and feigned a swing at his son's chin, chuckling when Kylo glared at him again. "Ah, lighten up, son."

Kylo scowled when Han passed the flask back to him. He gulped some more whisky, spluttering as the kickback from the strong alcohol burned his throat on the way down. Han laughed and slapped him hard on the back until Kylo had his coughing fit under control. "You have got a lot to learn, Ben." He said, grinning.

Rey had become distracted by Kylo's coughing fit. She made the mistake of glancing over at him in concern at the same time the Marksman-H training remote fired at her. The laser bolt hit her square on the left shoulder like a stinging reprimand and she let out a surprised yell. "Ow!"

"You alright there, kid?" Han called out to her.

Rey nodded her head in response as she felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. She had been doing so well up until that point. Her tunic was clinging to her back in places after such a vigorous work out. A glossy sheen of perspiration coated her forehead. She watched warily as Kylo walked over to her, his expression serious, and waited with baited breath for him to critique her performance. But to her surprise, he caught the remote in his hand, shutting it down, before motioning her to do the same with her saber.

"That's enough for now. Take a break. You did well." Kylo praised her.

"But I missed." Rey said in confusion. "I got distracted."

"Blame him and the stupid Corellian whisky." Kylo replied sardonically as he threw an irritated glance over his shoulder in Han's direction.

"Want some?" Han teased as he held out the flask toward Rey jokingly. He wasn't really expecting her to take it, let alone drink it, but when she did and suffered no aftereffects like his son, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"What?" Rey scoffed when she saw both men looking at her in shock. "There were always smugglers passing through on Jakku and they certainly never drank just plain water." She passed the flask back to Han. "I'm going to freshen up and then head to the cockpit to check on Chewie."

"I like that kid." Han said, giving his son another lopsided grin.

Kylo rolled his eyes as he sat settled back down next to the Dejarik table. Han put the flask of whisky away and switched on the game as a distraction. Soon the two of them became immersed in the game, both competitively trying to outsmart the other, as their respective teams of holographic creatures battled each other on the circular board. It was Kylo who proved victorious in the end. He gave his father a triumphant look when he won. Han glared at him in annoyance, muttering under his breath that he let him win.

"I never took you for a sore loser." Kylo said in amusement.

Han shrugged, rolling his shoulders to ease the crick in his neck. "We'll be there soon. You need to prepare yourself."

Kylo felt his mood plummeting in the wake of Han's warning. The looming spectre of his uncle sat heavily on his shoulders as he began to brood silently. He could hear Skywalker's lecturing voice in the back of his mind even though he hadn't seen him in years. He remembered all the things his uncle used to say, his familiar catchphrases, the way Skywalker would look at him sternly when he accused him of showing off to the other Padawans. There had always been a division between him and the other Jedi students, and Kylo often blamed his uncle for that rift. Sometimes he thought that Skywalker stoked the flames of their resentment toward him by being extra hard on him in order not to show favouritism just because he was his nephew. The other students excluded him, only one of them, Tai, had reached out in friendship, but even that was ruined when Skywalker intervened and put a clamp down on any social activities. Not that stopped the others, they just did it behind their master's back, though they made sure never to invite Kylo in case he blabbed to Skywalker.

Han regarded his troubled son thoughtfully. He had been desperately trying to earn his trust, to show him unconditional love, even though he struggled to express his emotions properly, he hoped that Kylo had seen through the playful banter and understood how much he wanted to be there for him, after being absent for so long. For Han had come to realise he had been sorely mistaken in the past when he had incorrectly assumed, he would never be able to connect with his son just because he was so Force sensitive. It was only now he noticed how many traits Kylo had inherited from him.

Han's first instinct was always to run when things got hard, but he never ran far and always came back and stepped up again, knowing that there was a time to run and a time to make a stand. Even though it had taken him far too long this time, he was making a stand now. Han felt immensely guilty about not fighting for Ben when Leia proposed the idea of sending their son to train with Luke. It was his biggest regret. His own relationship with his brother-in-law had been rocky over the years.

When they had first met, he and Luke immediately disliked each other: Han found Luke irritating and overly eager, and his open disdain for Kenobi's beliefs and actions did little to change Luke's initial view of Han as nothing but an extortionist. However, after Han demonstrated his bravery on the Death Star and proved his loyalty, they had become genuine friends, and soon after, Han became loyal to the Rebellion. Aside from his seemingly self-centred ways, Han was actually very loyal to his friends, and a good man. Having endured a difficult childhood as an impoverished orphan with no identity, Han instantly related to the Jakku scavenger Rey, who shared some of his skills. He was grateful to the kid for the way she related to his son. She was non-judgemental and stoutly refused to let her opinion of Ben be swayed by those less forgiving. Kylo's own mother being one of them. Han felt a heavy sadness consume him as he thought about his wife. If it was the last thing he did, he was going to drag Luke back with him to face Leia and tell her the truth about the night the Jedi temple burned down.

The Falcon juddered, disturbing both men out of their private reflections. Rey reappeared, announcing they were now orbiting Ahch-to. "Chewie's beginning the landing sequence." She explained. Her face was shining with excitement after piloting the ship with Chewie. The patient Wookie had been giving her the benefit of his vast experience navigating the Millennium Falcon through difficult patches of space, even sharing some funny stories from Ben's childhood, when the little boy had stowed away on the ship without their knowledge.

Rey's concerned gaze drifted to Kylo when she noticed how tense he looked. "Are you okay?" She asked telepathically.

"No." Kylo answered honestly.

"You're not alone, Ben." Rey reminded him with a small smile.

"I know." Kylo maintained eye-contact with her, his emotions telling him he needed more of a connection.

Rey felt his longing and tried to reassure him with her thoughts that he could handle this difficult reunion-even though she didn't know the real reason behind his estrangement from his uncle. Kylo's eyes were so different in moments like these, softer than she knew eyes could be. If it were anyone else, she would have dropped her gaze by now, but with him she was drawn in closer, always wanting more.

Han cleared his throat to regain their attention and just like that the connection was broken.

From space, Ahch-To appeared to be a world of nothing but deep blue oceans orbiting twin stars. Dotting the oceans, however, were rocky island archipelagos covered with green trees and grass, where birds, such as Porgs would congregate. The first Jedi Temple was built on one such island, known as Temple island. By the time of the conflict between the First Order and the Resistance, Temple island was dotted with Jedi ruins. Han headed toward those ruins now. He had told the others to remain on the Falcon while he went to confront Luke alone. Surprisingly, his son hadn't protested, Han had a feeling Rey might have something to do with that.

The wind blew around him, ruffling his greying hair. The green grass swayed beneath his feet as Han ventured through the island's ancient ruins until he reached a rocky promontory. Standing on the edge, clad in fraying brown robes, stood Luke Skywalker. He stood with his back to Han, staring down at the choppy ocean waves below. His long shaggy hair swirled crazily around his head as he slowly turned to face his unwanted visitor. When his eyes landed on his brother-in-law, they widened slightly in surprise. "Han." He said in disbelief. "Is that really you? How did you find me?"

Han's face was grim as let his fist do the talking and punched Luke in the face.

A/N-thanks for reading! Please review.