Part VIII
After lying together for some time, Ben got up and ran them a bath and bless him if he didn't blush when standing completely nude in front of her as Rey took her time studying his body. The hot water felt heavenly between Rey's legs, experiencing a soreness that was completely different from that of hours spent training.
They joined once more that night with Rey sitting loving in his lap as she remained as close as possible, their lips and heated gaze barely parting the entire time. Ben pinched at her nipples how he now knew she enjoyed while pulling her into him with a strong arm around her rear. Her orgasm was quiet, just hushed whimpers and throaty moans, but it still rocked through both of them. Letting her ride out the last of the waves, Ben laid her back on the bed, never breaking contact with her and he set to thrusting into her dripping heat. Within minutes she was mewing up at him again and he lost himself to her.
"I don't think I have ever felt this tired but also electrified at the same time," Rey said when he rolled off her and they both tried to control their breathing.
"I never thought I could want something as much as I want you," Ben pushed back at his hair and turned his head to look at her.
Rey's stomach shook with her laugh, "You are going to have to give me time to recover Ben. I'm new to this."
Reaching a hand over both of their bodies, Ben drew her forehead to his lips, smiling at the joy that radiated off of her like the brightest star in his galaxy. "I'll make you a deal." He continued when she hummed in response, her eyes already starting to close. "For the rest of the night, all I will ask is to be able to hold you."
A sleepy smile bloomed across her kiss-swollen lips, "You have yourself a deal, Solo."
She was possibly the only person in the galaxy that could get away with calling him by his given name, and as he shifted them up in the bed and pulled the covers over her already slumbering form, Ben wondered if she would take the name of Solo or Ren, and better yet, he didn't care which she chose, as long as she was his.
They both had the best nights sleep of their lives. Both sated from their love making, in the arms of the person they loved more than life itself, and with the hum of the Force protecting them from anything that could ruin such a perfect moment.
Rey woke the next morning alone, but quickly heard sounds from the outer room of her accommodation and then the delicious aroma of caf came wafting into her. Still being sore at the apex of her legs and not wanting to be constricted into pants, Rey wrapped the warm duvet around her naked body and padded out to other room.
"Good morning, love," Ben said without turning around from his spot on the couch.
Rey came around to the sitting area and look down at him, only clad in his pants she wondered, "Aren't you cold?" Mygeeto was a planet plunged into a never-ending winter and even through the thick blanket wrapped around her, Rey could feel the chill in the air.
"I run hot," Ben said holding out a cup of caf to her.
"I'd say," Rey said more to herself but of course Ben heard and he gave her a signature Solo smirk. Huffing at how adorable the feared leader of the galaxy could be, Rey fell onto the couch next to him, snuggling up under his outstretched arm before taking the caf. Drinking a large sip of the hot liquid, she moaned, "This is so much better than the instant rationed caf we have on Dantooine."
He reached down, cupping her chin and turning her face up to his, pressing his lips to hers. They both tasted of the dark richness of the coffee and Rey was surprised at how normal this moment felt. "I could get used to this," she mumbled against his lips.
Looked down at her, Ben's expression took on a hardness, "I won't ask you to join me again Rey. I don't think I could handle the rejection another time, especially after this," he kissed her lips again to show her that he wasn't angry, just protecting his heart and his sanity. "But whenever you are ready to join me, there is a place at my side for you."
Rey understood his reasons. She had the same justifications for not asking him to come back with her to the Resistance, even though at this point he had nothing to come back to except her and she was starting to doubt her purpose within the rebels. So she just nodded and gave him a soft smile, "Okay," was her simple answer.
Going back to sipping on her caf, she peered over at the datapad in the hand that wasn't wrapped around her, "So what part of the galaxy are we saving today?"
He wasn't sure it was possible to love her more, but she was asking to rule with him, just in her own way. Ben was about to answer when he was reminded of something of the utmost importance. Leaning forward, he picked up a small glass cup and handed it to Rey.
"What's this?" She asked looking at the single white pill at the bottom of the glass.
Turning his body towards her some more so that they both didn't have to crane their necks to look at each other, he answered. "That will prevent pregnancy from last night."
The realization came over her of the consequence of sex beyond earth-shattering pleasure. When she stared down at the pill for a long moment, Ben spoke again. "It's completely your choice Rey. I just figured I would give you the option because you are still so young and I think two people should at least live together before bringing about another life."
"My choice?" Rey asked.
"Yes," he said with a smile and a kiss. "If you so desire, I will put as many babies in you as you want. But if you don't want that, then I am content to just have you."
Another kiss between them and then Rey tipped the cup into her mouth, following the bitter pill with some of her lukewarm caf. "Maybe someday...but not now." She reassured him.
Nothing else was mentioned about it for the rest of their time together. They spent the next few hours pouring over messages that needed the Supreme Leader's urgent attention. Ben thought about how easy it would be to rule with his Empress influencing him all the while her pert breasts peeking out from under the duvet. He prayed that Rey understood the amount of impact that she had not only on his soul but also dozens of worlds that have already been liberated and the countless others that were depending on the benevolence of Kylo Ren to deliver them from ruin.
He wanted to take her to bed again but a representative from the Lurman people was awaiting them, so with a quick but heated kiss he returned to his quarters and allowed her to get cleaned up and dressed without distraction.
Rey wore clothing provided by Ben, the style was much to her liking with a normal tunic and longer britches that were lined with the softest material she had ever felt. She donned her arm warps and a vest made of warmer material than the one she came with. When Ben returned to her she was studying the light gray cloak that was left out for her.
"We will be out in the elements for most of the afternoon," he said off handedly knowing that she wasn't used to wearing more than her arm wraps in warmer climates. He walked over to her, picking up the cloak and swinging it around her shoulders, fastening it across her collar bones and smooth the hood over her shoulders. Next, he pulled a pair of fingerless fur lined gray leather gloves from his surcoat pocket and held each out one for her to slip her slim hand into, they came up half her forearm and he laced the delicate buttons together, securing the gloves in place.
She was already staring to feel warm and doubted it had anything to do with the clothing, having not yet been exposed to the planet's harsh winter winds. Rey realized that she was flooded with need not only when Ben removed her clothing, but also when he painstakingly worried about her wellbeing and gifted her with practical items, even if they were a finer quality than she ever thought she would deserve.
They walked out of the door and over to the elevators as Ben slid on his gloves as well. "No mask today?" Rey mused not seeing the offensive helmet that was usually tucked under his arm.
"Kylo Ren has already done his part for the Lurman people. Today I am just a man taking the woman he loves out into the frigid cold to look at crystal caves…" his tone became lighter as he went on, watching Rey's face scrunch up at the mention of the tundra-like weather that awaited them.
"How about next time you pick somewhere tropical," Rey pulled at her cloak in preparation of the chill that usually ran through the lobby of the building.
"I'll keep that in mind," he smirked, thankful that she was asking for a next time. Once they crossed the lobby, he stopped and turned to her, pulling the hood up on her cloak. He knew that any time they were together that it would have to be with the up most discretion. Ben wasn't blind to the fact that the Resistance had a vengeful pit in their hearts and wouldn't put it past them not to capture and torture Rey if they were to discover the depth of their relationship.
He pulled up the hood of his cowl and then extended his hand out to her, lacing their fingers before venturing down one of the city's many catwalks towards a small landing area that held a craft that looked much like Kylo's Command Shuttle but in a much smaller version.
There was enough room for the two humanoids and three Lurmen who stood no taller than Maz, Rey mused. Two of the small creatures piloted the craft while the third sat in the passenger's area, introducing himself as Wag Too, the healer from the largest Lurmen tribe.
Rey settled in and was afforded a nice view of the landscape extending from around the city center. She wasn't sure how long they were in the air, but time had no relevance as Ben drew soft circles atop her leg, just above her knee, as he listened to Wag discuss the different types of mines around the world.
They finally landed and were ushered through frigid winds to a cave opening. Ben had to duck his head but Rey and Wag entered with no issue. Only a few feet into the cave Rey stopped in her tracks as if hitting a wall and she turned back to him, "Do you feel that?" She asked dumbly, knowing that the only other Force sensitive being in attendance would feel the powerful wave coming from the cave.
He just smiled and nodded his head, placing his hand at her back and ushering her forward again. Ben wanted to be able to feel her excitement when the cave opened up.
Rey did not disappoint, sucking in breath in awe. Now deep within the cave, the walls glowed with every color she ever imagined. "Kybers," she said through a whisper, not daring to disturb the tranquility that the powerful stones were giving off.
Ben stepped up to her and lowered her hood, cupping her face, "Yes, my love." He was basking in the power just as much as she was. "I want you to reach out with the Force and see if anything calls to you."
"But I already have kybers for my saber, I don't need another."
"Let the Force be the judge of that," He replied simply before placing a gentle kiss upon her lips.
Turning away from his embrace, Rey closed her eyes and reached out. The influx of power swirling around her was almost overwhelming so she reached back for Ben's hand to ground herself. If she had to put to words what she was feeling, it was as if thousands of voices were calling out and she had to find the one that was saying her name at a whisper.
After a long moment, her knitted brows relaxed and she walked forwards, eyes still closed and her fingers slid from Ben's. She glided across the rough terrain of the cave floor, never missing a step or faltering, the Force guiding her every move.
Finally, she reached out her hand before crouching to the floor and finding a kyber that was about as large as one of Ben's fingers. The quick thought sent shivers down her body as she remembered how it felt to have his digits deep within her and she grew hot despite the chill in the cave.
When she opened her eyes, she saw the most brilliant purple kyber under her fingers and she looked back at Ben with nothing but joy and wonder in her features. Wag came and made quick work of extracting the crystal from the surrounding stone and placed it back into Rey's hand, uttering a word in his native tongue that she didn't understand.
Walking back over to Ben, she showed him the crystal and he smiled down at her, "It suits you." It was a perfect mix of his red kyber that was stoked in darkness and the redeeming hope of the blue crystals that now powered her saberstaff.
"What did Wag say to me back there?" She asked as they started to exit the cave.
Ben reached out, pressing the new kyber between both their palms as he once more threaded his fingers with hers. "He addressed you as Empress."
"Oh," Rey bit her lip and looked down at their joined hands but didn't offer any rebuttal. She knew what the title meant to Ben and the Force had been very clear that she would end up at his side, but the idea of publicly being his, of being a ruler equal of the man that amazed her at every turn, was daunting.
They boarded the ship again and headed back to the city, Rey was scheduled to depart for Dantoonie and Kylo was needed back on Coruscant.
Back in her quarters, Ben used the Force to float the purple crystal from Rey's hand to his. He cupped his fingers around it and concentrated, pouring the lightest part of his being into the kyber. Not dreaming of training the pure balance of his love's new crystal, he still wanted a piece of him to always be with her.
When he handed it back to her, she sucked in a breath of surprise, closing her eyes as if the sweetest wind had just come over her. "I can feel you."
"Yes," he said lowly. "So you will never doubt my love for you and always know that you have a home...a family with me."
"I will never doubt this," Rey said, pressing the crystal to her chest.
They made love one last time before she needed to go. It was soft and slow, each of them holding on to the other, not wanting to admit that they would be returning to separate lives. They dressed in silence, exchanging longing looks, each of their resolves on the brink of crumbling with one more touch, one more kiss, one more whisper of love.
But Rey knew the time wasn't right. She knew that somehow she needed to return to the Resistance. Ben still had work to do and she couldn't be the distraction that let the galaxy fall apart just as it was on the cusp of peace. So they would wait and when the Force gave her that final undoubting push, she would go to him, stand at his side, be his home and his light, and the galaxy would be all the better for it.
They walked in silence out to the tarmac, saying everything they needed to between each other with the simple touch of his hand in her's. Rey looked around the landing area for her simple off-white transport craft but was unable to locate it among the other ships. Panic rose within her chest and she turned her questioning but not accusing gaze up to Ben.
"Where is my ship?"
"That thing was good for nothing but scrap. I don't want to continuously have to worry about you getting stranded in a ship that barely limped its way here. So I got you something more reliable."
"And traceable?" Rey asked raising her eyebrow and setting her closed fist against her popped hip.
"I don't need trackers to know where you are," he ran his fingers lightly along the side of her face. "I can literally feel you across the galaxy. That is how I found you the first time."
Rey was astonished, but shouldn't be, remembering that he trained for years under two different Masters. She at times forgot how strong Ben was in the Force, how easy he made it seem when he connected to his powers. For him it was more than just moving rocks or calling a saber from across the room, the Force was Ben's religion, the moral compass in which directed his actions. Now that he didn't have the poisonous words and abusive treatment of Snoke, Ben was doing what he was born to do, he was ruling.
But where did she fit in? How did a sand rat from the backwater world of Jakku end up on the arm of the Supreme Leader? By dumb luck and the intervention of the Force, she mused. Although Ben never made her feel less than, she wasn't blind to the differences in their social status, their births...families were polar opposites, but he was always focused on how they were similar and their shared dream for a future of peace.
"I want to be able to feel you," Rey answered in a small whisper now that he was pressed up against her.
He kissed her lips, so softly that she almost feared he didn't make contact at all. "You will."
They turned back towards the transport and Rey circled around it doing her pre-flight checks. It was a dark gray model perhaps a few years old, but the exterior looked well used, scorch marks stained the bottom from reentries and there was even a few dings and dents. She breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that if Ben truly had his way, she would fly around in a Command Shuttle of her own, but that would outright scream that she just spent the past few days in the Supreme Leader's bed.
"It's mechanically sound," Ben added as they stepped on to the craft. "Any time you come to me, fly this craft and you won't be bothered by any First Order scouts."
"I'm not gonna be the only one flying this ship. You're basically giving the Resistance a free pass around the galaxy."
"That my love is a risk that I'm willing to take," he said with what was becoming her favorite smirk.
"So how am I supposed to explain this new ship to Poe when I get back?"
Ben shrugged. "Just tell him the truth, that you conned it off some rich guy from Hanna City."
"That's not funny Ben."
He smiled again, "Tell them that you used your Jedi mind tricks." As he spoke he waved his two fingers in front of her face indicating the Jedi suggestive gesture.
"You're impossible." Rey returned his playful smile thinking about all the times she has gotten away with questionable behavior all in the name of the Force. "But that just may work."
It pains him to send her away but he knew that she was not ready to take her place at his side. He also wished that he could place the problems of the galaxy aside and focus all his time on her, but there was still so much work to do and it would not wait for his love life.
Still, inside the shuttle and out of sight of prying eyes, he pulled her in close, capturing her lips to his and was rewarded with a light whimper of need. "Gods, I love you." He whispered against her lips as he stroked his large hands over her soft as silk hair.
He was bent down enough to rest his forehead upon hers. Her gaze lifted, appearing to look into his very soul, and she whispered. "Across the stars…"
His breath shattered for just a moment, "You are my home."
Standing back on the tarmac, alone, and watching the love of his life through the tinted windscreen, Ben felt like a piece of his soul was being ripped from his body. If he had felt torn in two before killing his father…if he had felt conflicting before Snoke…he would hate to have to put a word to the way that his body was now feeling.
But on day two hundred and ninety-four he watched her leave.