Chapter 9

It was the last night that Luke, Ben, and Rey would be on Ahch-To. Luke was busy packing everything he needed inside his hut. He didn't know if he would be coming back to this island that had become his home. But whatever tomorrow brought, he was ready to fulfill his duty to the galaxy and to the Force.
Inside her hut, Rey sat on her cot with Ben beside her. They were leaning against each other with their hands intertwined. The silence between them was both soothing and ominous at the same time. No words needed to pass between them due to the emotions they shared through their bond. Not knowing what tomorrow was going to bring, they sat together and tried to soak up as much time together as they could. Ben rubbed his thumb rhythmically over Rey's small hands grasped in his own. He leaned his head against hers and sighed deeply. There was so much peace he felt being here with this beautiful woman beside him that he wished this moment would stretch out for lightyears. He kissed her cheek softly and heard Rey sigh at his gentle touch, making him smile. She squeezed his big hands and snuggled closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder. They both stared into the fire that was keeping them warm from the cold winds that blew just outside. Shifting her face so she could look at his, Rey gazed at Ben's strong, stoic face and felt so much love for this man it was overwhelming. She began trailing kisses from his cheek down his jawline slowly and heard him let out a soft moan. Rey continued his kisses down to his neck and pressed her lips deeply against his neck, feeling his pulse quicken. One of his hands cupped her shoulder lovingly, pulling her closer to him. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her shoulder with his thumb. Rey only stopped her kisses when she pulled back to look at Ben in his big, brown eyes.
"I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. But I want you to know that I'm so thankful that you're here with us, Ben. With me," she spoke. Even though she had been calling him Ben for a while now, it still made him shudder in delight hearing his name on her lips. He tilted her chin up so he could look deeper into her eyes.
"You are my reason for turning back to the Light and I will forever be in your debt for what you have done for me. I will stand with you through anything that comes our way," he replied, brushing a lone strand of hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear with care. Rey's eyes brimmed with tears at his words and felt them fill her up. They kissed with such tenderness and sank into each other's arms. Their lips moved together in an urgency that intensified with each kiss. Ben laid Rey down on the cot and rested his chest on top of hers, not letting his lips leave hers. Rey ran her hand from his neck to his cheek and rested it there as she continued kissing him deeply. Ben moved his hand to intertwine with one of Rey's and gripped her fingers tightly in his. They stayed together through the night and gave each other their love, hoping to be able to continue to share their love after the battle to come.