"When I dance alone, and the Suns's bleeding down

Blame it on me.

When I lose control and the veil's overused

Blame it on me.

What you're waiting for?

No, what you waiting for?"

Blame it On Me, George Ezra

The pair stares at each other from across the room, neither saying anything, mostly because there is too much to be said - and certainly, the types of things best not discussed in a casino.

Ben is the first to break the tension. "Let me handle Hux. You don't need to put yourself in danger. He is here for me, not for you."

"I…"

Ben's shoulders slump, and Rey feels a wave of loneliness overtake her. She recognizes the bitter emotion because she's known it - keenly felt the desperate isolation during long nights on Jakku. Before she can say anything further and he can think better of his actions, Ben rips the scarf from his face, quickly closes the space between them, and soundly kisses a shocked Rey. Perhaps it's the adrenaline or the rather dire situation they are in, but she leans into the embrace, giving as good as she gets - determined to explore just how plush his lips actually are. When Ben finally finds the fortitude to pull away, it is Rey, with a slightly glazed look in her glowing hazel eyes, who asks, "But why?"

"I'm not sure what will happen out there, and if I'm captured or something happens… I had to know." After raking a hand through his thick mane of black hair, Ben literally covers his emotions by replacing the scarf across his face.

Even under her makeup - the painstaking lip color now smeared by his rather intense ardor - he sees color on her cheeks. "And did you find the answer you were looking for?"

That I could keep kissing you forever… At the last minute, he is smart enough to pull shields around his immediate response. "Something like that." Finalizing his haphazard disguise, Ben asks, "Are you ready?"

"First step, avoid the First Order. Second, find that gun."

He knows he should tell her about her makeup, those perfect lips no longer the height of cosmetic application, but he thinks it creates a mysterious atmosphere (and possibly shows just how together they are - Finn will no doubt see when they meet up again). Below the surface, Canto Bight is not a perfect place. There are creatures attracted to the games of luck and fortune. Who owe everything, who place their lives on the line. Here, imperfection is a better fit than a bright, shining, unmarked young thing.

Is anyone really perfect?

The Garibaldo is offended you would think such a thing.

Perhaps the Garibaldo should've done a bit more research before traveling to Canto Bight.

Everything is a risk these days, Scavenger, but ventures some are worth the challenge.

"Fine." She lets the implied suggestion slide because if she doesn't, they might not leave the room.

Trying to remind herself to blend in with the rest of the crowd, it is completely on accident (perhaps she's not as recovered from their embrace as she believes herself to be) that Rey runs directly into a server carrying a full tray of drinks upon entering the room. With a calming breath, she stops herself from reacting with the Force and freezing the entire mess in view of everyone. The resulting chaos of sound echoes across the room, drawing the attention of all the guests, including one very angry looking redhead, surrounded by stormtroopers.

So much for being inconspicuous.

Can I use the Force to make a pit to fall into?

You cannot. Raise your head high and pretend you intended to make the scene.

Give me your arm.

Ben immediately steps forward and offers his bare arm, which she uses for balance. Together, they walk towards the high rollers suite, and business returns to normal. As they pass close to General Hux, Rey draws a sharp breath, then coyly lifts a finger to her lips, and flutters her eyelashes in the ginger's direction, smiling sweetly. The General's mouth goes instantly agape, and Ben is glad for the cover across his face, as he has to simultaneously hide a laugh and resist the urge to punch the man in the face. Hux completely ignores his presence, focusing his attention on the beautiful woman in front of him.

You think I'm beautiful?

Keep walking. We're not out of the clear yet. Hux's sense of entitlement will send him our way within minutes.

What about his mission to find you?

You really don't know how lovely you are, do you?

I… Rey is glad she doesn't have to look at him as they pass through a crowd. Ben steps behind her, guiding her with a gentle, but firm, touch to her lower back, his large hands warm on her glowing skin. So lovely a man would forget about hunting down the Garibaldo?

There are a lot of things he would forget. For instance, being the Garibaldo.

You're a scoundrel.

Said the scavenger.

If they weren't actively walking towards what could be a terrible end, she would find this fun. Where was this version of you earlier, Kylo?

Her use of his other name, a title he hides behind, takes their moment and utterly destroys it.

"After you," Ben lowers his voice further and utilizes a pitch-perfect Naboo accent. Rey can only hope to follow his lead.

Invent something about traveling a lot or studying in another system. Hux won't be focused on your accent. I promise.

Unsure how exactly they got into the suite or why they were so easily accepted, Rey settles herself at the bar, making a rather large spectacle of preening and smoothing her dress, while Ben stands stoically at his side, his exposed arms crossed in front of his chest. She orders another drink, and wonders if she should move to the tables when Hux appears at her left side.

She's not seen him up close before, only seen holos of him - the general and man behind the Starkiller base.

"I… Has an angel fallen onto Canto Bight?" She's lucky he barely manages these words in Basic. At least it's a language she can respond in.

Hux's horrible attempt at flirtation takes everything in Ben's considerable power not to laugh. Rey barely suppresses giggles herself, but manages a demure smile, figuring the General would rather a lady, than a forward type. "Sir?"

"I...uh…"

If she had been a normal girl and there wasn't the fate of the galaxy on the line, how would she have responded? Hux isn't so bad to look at, maybe if he smiled once in a while… He's tall, intense, and obviously motivated…

And a total psychopath. You have to draw him in. Buy Finn and Poe some time.

Are you ordering me to flirt with this man?

Apparently.

The universe depends on it?

Rey doesn't wait for a response, and pitching a husky voice, says, "Where are you visiting from? I don't think I've seen you here before."

Very original.

Are you going to sit here and critique everything I say?

No.

Because I can rip your veil off and this is all over.

"Oh, just stopping by on a mission."

"Sounds dangerous! I'd love to hear more." She reaches over to gently brush the General's arm.

Is it really this easy?

You didn't get out much in Jakku, did you?

Hux dismisses the nearby soldiers with a glare and flick of his gloved hand, and returns his full attention to Rey, who takes a large sip of her drink.

AN: IDK, you like? This might be my favorite chapter yet. I neglected my OC's for this, just so you know.