A continuation of chapter 6, Friend.
"Ben, will you at least try and talk to them?" Rey groaned, eyes narrowing slightly. "Really, it's not going to kill you."
"Rey, I don't see why I have to!"
"You need people you can to talk with!" Ben opened his mouth, ready to object but Rey cut him off. "You need friends, Ben."
"I have made friends!" Ben yelled.
"Rose and I don't count!" she stressed. "You need male friends, and that's why I want you to talk to Finn and Poe."
Ben crossed his arms and glared at her. "You're being unreasonable."
"I'm being - Ben. If anyone is being unreasonable, it's you! I don't understand what you're so afraid of!"
She watched his jaw clench. "What happens if they still hate me?" he said through gritted teeth. "If they want nothing to do with me?" Ben sighs and takes a step forward. "They know firsthand who I was. Everything I've done, people I've hurt, Rey. What happens if they decide that I'm still dangerous and make you choose between them and me?" He reached out and clasped her hand in his. "I don't want you to have to make that decision, because I know how much they mean to you."
Rey was stunned at Ben's admission, but the last part made her eyebrows furrow. "Is that what you're afraid of? That I'll choose them over you?"
Ben stayed quiet for a moment, eyes choosing to look at the ground beside them. When he spoke, it came out in a hushed tone. "They were there for you since the beginning. They never tried to hurt you or the people you care about. I have."
"Ben," she said softly. "Ben, look at me." When he refused to, Rey squeezed his hand. "Look at me, please."
Ben reluctantly trailed his gaze up until it met Rey's and she breathed a sigh of relief. "Ben, you have to believe me when I say that I won't leave you. Ever. If they make me choose between them or you, I'll choose you. But if they are really my friends, then they will not make me pick sides. Do you understand?"
Slowly, Ben nodded. "Okay. I'll… try."
Rey smiled. "That's all I ask."