Kylo Ren woke up again to find Rey sitting beside him. She was nodding in her chair, so he allowed himself a moment to look at her without being self conscious about it. He had watched her sleep once before, but the look she had given him when she awoke …
He was almost afraid to let her wake up.
She's so … He whispered into his mind.
Amazing? Beautiful? The one person who can make you feel better just be being in the same room with her? Dex suggested.
I'm a monster, Kylo whispered, but there was something less of the old bitterness in his words. No wonder she could never love me …
So you're not going to try?
Do or do not. There is no try, Kylo parroted back.
So now you're quoting Yoda at me. Wonderful.
They were laying down on one of the ratty old cots that his father had kept for extra guests. A quick look about told Kylo he was in one of the secondary holds. Rey- and possibly his mother- were the only ones who would be wiling to be alone with now. He imagined he would spent most of his time on the Falcon locked up here.
His hand went to his belt. "My light saber ..."
It was gone.
Rey sighed and opened her eyes. "Your mother has it. Poe and the others were afraid to let you keep it. General Organa is holding onto it for you. She won't let anything happen to it."
"So you got drafted into keeping an eye on me while she watched my weapon?" Kylo asked her with a smile.
"I didn't know you could do that," Rey said in surprise.
"Do what?"
"Smile."
"Well it does make my face ache a bit," Dex said before Kylo could say anything else. "But you're worth the trouble."
Rey blushed again and took his hand. His gloved hands, Kylo noticed with a pang. How could mere touch … the barest of contact … made him so enamored with this girl? "I'm glad to hear that."
Should I go back to my apartment? Dex asked softly. You two should be alone right now.
No, Kylo whispered. Don't. The last time I was alone with her I said the wrong thing. I almost lost her. I need you here to help me be human for her. Speak. I don't know what to say.
"So what happens now?" Dex asked Rey. He felt … like a voyeur. It was wrong. To stand here playing Kylo's life coach while Rey thought he was sharing himself with her. But … he could sense Kylo's need too. A fear of doing something to make Rey lose faith in him all over again.
So he stayed.
"We need to find a place to start over. A place to hide. General Organa says its only a matter of time before the First Order comes after us."
"What about us?" Kylo asked her softly. "What happens now between us?"
Rey blushed and looked away. "What do you mean?"
Kylo was silent, so Dex spoke for him.
"Are we … something?" The lie felt terrible in his mouth … Kylo's mouth. He shouldn't be asking this.
Rey looked back at him. "Do you want us to be … something?"
"I asked you first," Kylo said with a rare smile. Thank you.
"I care about you," Rey said softly. "You came with me. You chose me. No one in my life ever chose me before- ever put what I wanted ahead of their own wishes. That means something to me. You mean something to me, Ben."
"You mean everything to me," Kylo whispered.
Rey blushed again. Then … almost as if she was unsure of what she was doing, she leaned towards him, her eyes closed, her mouth half open.
Kylo stared at her in confusion.
Kiss her, idiot.
I don't know how.
Dex took over.
He lifted Kylo's body up and brought his mouth close to Rey's … and then he stopped. This is your moment, Kylo. You can do it.
Kylo brushed his lips against Rey and finally he understood:
There's a reason they call it falling.
She didn't seem to have any more experience than he did. She gasped slightly as she felt his lips on hers … and then she was burying her hands in his hair and holding him tightly as their mouths ravaged each other …
And then the hold airlock opened.
"Hey, Rey! I brought you something to eat-" Kaydel Connix stared at the two Force users in surprise.
They brought apart like children being discovered by a schoolteacher.
"I came in at a really bad time, didn't I?" Kay asked softly.
"You could say that," Kylo sighed.