Ben and Rey's final evening on Tatooine fell on the end of the week. As customary on many planets throughout the galaxy, the locals marked their two days of freedom by socializing over drinks and playing music. As the twin suns dipped below the skyline, the mellow tone wafted through the single window in Rey and Ben's rented space.

"This is more like it," Rey sighed, thankful that the upbeat jazz music from earlier had ended before they retired for the day.

"I agree," Ben hesitated, and then asked "Would you care to join me in a dance?"

Surprised, Rey turned to face Ben. His expression was serious, but inviting. "I'm not very good," she warned.

"No matter," Ben held out his hand. "Neither am I,"

Nervous, Rey placed her arms around Ben's neck as he put his hands on her waist. Her solitary life on Jakku hadn't provided many opportunities to dance, and neither did joining the Rebellion. The only time she'd danced with a partner was with Finn when they'd attended a wedding for two Rebels in the Resistance. It had been awkward for both of them, Rey stepping on Finn's toes while he tried to sway his body in rhythm with the music. Nonetheless she'd had fun, and after getting over her initial self-consciousness, all she saw in the room was the man in front of her.

The same sense of contentment held true when Rey danced with Ben. They moved to the slow melody, lost in that special universe that can only be found in another's eyes. In that moment, they forgot all about the war and bloodshed, as if there were nobody in existence but the two of them.

Rey closed her eyes and rested her head on the crook of Ben's neck. "This is wonderful," she whispered. She'd spent her life searching for a place to call home, and it was only recently that she'd found it in Ben's arms.

Ben broke her thoughts when his feet stopped moving. Opening her eyes, Rey was about to ask what was wrong when Ben began to speak.

"Rey," he said, "From the moment you entered my life I knew there was nothing more I could ever ask for. You not only brought me back to the light, but you filled a void that had been tearing me apart.

"The universe could throw a million stumbling blocks my way, but with your support I feel as though I could overcome them all. And if you were to stand by my side for the remainder of my days, I would want nothing more out of this life. But first I must ask this question," Slowly, Ben knelt on one knee and pulled out a ring with a green stone in the center. "Will you marry me?"

Rey had envisioned her life unfolding many ways, from a Jedi Master to one of the Rebellion's top pilots. But she would trade any of these dreams for the chance to be Ben's wife.

Forcing her voice not to quaver from emotion, Rey responded, "Yes, of course I will be yours,"

Ben slipped the ring on Rey's finger, the fading light making a rainbow as it hit the stone from various angles. Overcome with emotion, Rey pulled Ben in and kissed him deeply, allowing his presence to fill her senses.

From that moment onward, there would be no more hesitation, no more wondering when they would part or for how long. No longer did they have to make excuses about reasons to leave, as they now had every reason to stay by each other's side.

Still smiling from the purest form of happiness, Rey looked down at the ring on her finger. "I thought green would be fitting," Ben said, "Seeing as how much you love forests,"

"I love you," Rey said, cupping his face in her hands, "More than all the green in the galaxy,"

[To be continued in the sixth installment of The Reylo Chronicles, "Where Loyalties Lie"]