Rey woke with the sunrise, savoring the sound of crashing waves and the songs of the birds as they started their days. Yellow light bathed the room as it streamed through the slats in the blinds, casting stripes across her blanket. She slid out of the hammock where she had fallen asleep the night before, wincing as her book slipped from it spot under her pillow and crashed rather noisily onto the hardwood floor. She glanced up to see if Finn had woken, but he snored on.

Once in the bathroom, she tied her hair back into a bun and changed into her swimming suit, a golden one-piece with white daisies. Throwing on a knit ivory shawl and floppy sunhat, she glided out the door as quietly as possible, granola bar in one hand, book and towel in another. Cool winds blew across the beach, stirring the sand and wild grasses that grew around it. Rey spread her towel out in a patch on sunlight, and settled in to watch the world wake up.

_SW_

Ben shuffled into the kitchen around eight, scratching his head and yawning as he peered out the window toward the beach. White froth swirled around the tops of the waves as they crested, sparkling in the brilliant sunshine. Fluffy white clouds drifted across the sky, occasionally blotting out the light before moving along. He spotted a figure clad in a yellow suit lounging on the sand, poring over a book. "What a nerd," he scoffed, rolling his eyes before returning to his room to get changed. He emerged several minutes later wearing a t-shirt and swim trunks. "Good thing that's my nerd."

He walked out the door, towel slung over his shoulder, listening to wind through the leaves of the trees surrounding the little house. He caught himself staring as he approached, entranced by the very sight of her. Tendrils of dark hair whipped around in the ocean breeze and freckles stood out against the tanned canvas of her face. Her suit practically glowed in the sunlight, casting a golden haze across her arms and hands. Nose buried in book, she didn't noticed him until he stood in front of her, blocking out the sun.

"What the—" Rey raised her head and squinted at him in confusion, breaking into a smile as soon as she recognized him. "Hi."

"Hi." He tossed his towel on the ground beside her and began to smooth it out. "Is it okay if I sit with you?"

Smirking, she folded the corner of her page and closed the book. "Aren't you worried about getting a sunburn?" As he gave a noncommittal grunt, a mischievous grin spread across her lips. "Actually, I was thinking of going swimming. Wanna join me?" Without waiting for a response, she rose and plodded across the sand to the water. A moment later, he was by her side.

"I don't know why people love the ocean so much," Ben began as they waded out, waves trying to push them back to shore. "I mean, yeah, it's pretty, but it's every sea creatures' toilet."

"You are so strange," Rey studied him, brow raised. "You know what will help? This!" She dove forward and tackled him, pushing him down into the water. A moment later, he came back up, sputtering indignantly.

"What is wrong with you?" he brushed his hair out of his eyes, trying to glare at her and failing.

Rey floated past him on her back, her arms moving gracefully as she propelled herself along. She smiled innocently as she drifted past him. "Oh, no. Would you look at that. Your shirt is soaked." She feigned concern, bringing up a hand to cover her mouth in pretend shock. An impish grin replaced her formerly angelic expression. "I guess you'll just have to take it off."

"You planned this, didn't you?" Ben shook his head as he peeled his shirt off, flinging it at the sand. It landed with a solid, wet thwack. He turned to her, almost glistening in the sunlight. "Better?"

She stood and moved closer, humming her appreciation. "Much better." She placed a hand on his cheek, watching his whiskey eyes as they flitted across her face. A blush crossed her face as she caught him glance at her lips for a long moment. She pulled away, tsking. "You are a naughty boy, Solo."

He reached out and caught her wrist, bringing her back to him. "You started it," he murmured into her ear, and she felt goosebumps rise across her arms. Rey leaned closer, drawn to his warmth, as he pushed an arm out and shoved her backwards into the water.

"You ass!" she yelped, grabbing onto his extended hand to haul herself back up. She jabbed a finger into his chest. "We're even now."

"Are we?" he cocked his head, and she felt her anger melt away.

"Damn you," she muttered and looked away, heat creeping across her face.

Ben brushed a strand of hair away from her mouth, and gazed intently at her. Eyes of topaz brown connected with her golden sunbeams and he felt something blossom in his heart, warm and light. He whispered, "In case you forgot, I love you."

"How could I?" she murmured, swaying slightly as the waves flowed around them. "I see it on your face every time I look at you."

They stood together in the sea, holding each other, the wind spiraling about, the music of moving water lulling them to a state of peace.

From inside the house, Poe and Finn stood by the window, studying their friends.

"Honestly, how did it take them so long to realize that they were perfect for each other?" Poe turned to his roommate as he sipped at his mug of tea.

Finn shrugged, munching on an everything bagel and picking at peeling paint on the windowsill. "I don't know, but I'm glad they finally did."

A/N: here we have another peep of thirsty Rey. But honestly can we blame her? No one can resist Ben Swolo