Kylo Ren needed to get away from the First Order. Ever since the Battle of Crait, he just needed to clear his head and try to forget about the one who left him…the one who chose people she hardly knows instead of him who offered her everything.
Although they never went to the lake country on Naboo as a family, but as often as his mother spoke of it Kylo committed it to memory in the hopes of perhaps visiting one day all together. This never happened of course. But Kylo still remembered it and kept this lake house location in mind should he need to get away for a while. He had been trying to forget her since arriving at his family's vacation home. But, of course, life always has different plans.
Kylo stares at Rey from across the living space, waiting patiently for her next move. He knows she is always quick to react first and ask questions later. His fists clench together as he tries to still the rapid pulsing of his heart from seeing her again. Through the Force he knows she's actually here, which makes it all the more difficult for his heart to calm down.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off terrorizing a planet or something?" Rey asks in a huff, her eyes narrowing as he takes a few tentative steps forward.
"Well, my main objective has been to find you. Seems I've accomplished this task. So, this is a good start to my day," Kylo replies with a smirk.
Rey rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. Her hip slants to the side and it takes everything in Kylo's power not to stare at how her breasts rise and fall with each breath.
"To think I spent my whole life waiting for my family to come back to me and it's been you who's found me. I suppose I should be thanking you," she retorts.
Her heart breaks from her words at the truth of this statement. In all the years she spent living on Jakku waiting for her family to return, they never did. Kylo has been the only one to keep showing up in her life, no matter if she wants it or not. They stare at each other with a few beats of silence passing between them.
"So what are you doing here then? It's not like this is your family house," he asks curtly.
"Why should I tell you? It's not like I was looking for you anyways," Rey snaps.
"And yet here we are. We always seem to keep finding each other. It's…destiny," Kylo replies with a small smile.
"Say whatever puts yourself at ease. I'll just get what I came for and be on my way," she replies as she walks around the space.
Her eyes flick towards him as she searches for the diaries. Rey can feel his gaze on her and she fights the trembles working through her body.
"I could help you find whatever it is you're looking for," he offers, walking slowly over to her.
"That's quite alright, thank you. You just stay put," she quickly replies.
"Well, if you won't let me help you, you can at least tell me why you left me and closed our bond," Kylo states.
This brings pause to Rey's actions. She whips around to look at him and gasps when she sees he's right in front of her. With an annoyed huff, Rey pushes past him and continues her search.
"Really? This is what you want to ask me right now? I thought I would be bombarded with questions of where the secret Resistance Base is or another ridiculous proposal from you about 'ruling the galaxy together,'" she teases cooly.
"Hey!" he shouts, banging his hand flat against the wall.
Rey jumps and faces him, gasping once more as he moves into her space. She backs up until she's against the wall looking up into his chocolate brown eyes.
"It was NOT a ridiculous proposal. You really think I would offer the whole galaxy to just anyone?" he asks, a hint of hurt in his voice.
"Well, you sure know how to woo a woman," Rey replies, rolling her eyes before losing herself in his eyes.
"Listen, I've never had this kind of experience with women. What else am I supposed to do? Bring you your favorite flower? Pick you up for the show at the theater? Take you to dinner like a knight in shining armor?" Kylo retorts.
"No!" Rey shouts, pushing past him.
She whips around and glares at him. He stares back at her, his hand still resting on the wall as his chest heaves in frustration.
"Ok, you want to know what I want? What I know? Fine. I don't know much about men other than the countless pilots I've seen come through Niima Outpost. Did they ever give me a second glance? No, because I'm a filthy scavenger rat with no family. I get it. It didn't matter because love wasn't an option nor had time in my struggle to survive on that planet," Rey begins.
Kylo watches as she falls onto the sofa, breathing hard before placing her head in his hands. His heart breaks for her as he sees her shoulders begin to quiver and move with her quiet sobs. He takes a step closer to her but doesn't reach out.
"I don't even know what love is. But what I do know is what I thought about late at night on my own. I thought about my family coming back and taking me away from Jakku. If I happened to meet someone, I just had hoped they would love me for me - nothing else. There wouldn't be any fancy declarations or gifts, just them being with me and showing their love and affection through words, touches, and smiles," she continues, trying to speak quickly as tears threaten to spill onto her cheeks.
He moves over fully and sits beside her. His hand is almost close enough to grasp Rey's but he waits again, not wanting to overstep his welcome.
"Love is supposed to be support. Love is supposed to be unconditional. Love is…love is…" Rey tries to finish but can't as the tears finally take hold.
"Rey," Kylo says firmly in a quieter tone.
Through bleary eyes, Rey looks at him. She relishes the sound of her name on his tongue. Rey stares into his eyes and whimpers softly when she feels his hand slide into her own.
"Rey, I…I don't know much about love either. I had a father and mother who seemed to 'do their best' yet turned me away. No one has ever given me a chance to be myself. No one, that is, except for you," he says softly.
"I…but you…we can't…" she whimpers.
"Why? Why can't we Rey? You feel this connection…our bond…I know you do. Why can't you give in?" Kylo asks, almost in a pleading tone.
"You know…if you had not offered me the galaxy, a place to rule…Ben, if you had just offered me yourself, I…I would have taken you in a heartbeat," Rey says gently through her sobs, which are growing more quiet.
Kylo raises his eyebrows as his eyes widen. They still hold hands as they gaze at each other. Their eyes roam slowly all over their faces.
"I only wanted you, Ben. I only -" she says before she is interrupted by Kylo's lips on her own.
He pulls away, raking a hand through his hair and mumbling apologies one after another. But Rey takes his other hand in her own and they hold hands together. They gaze into each other's eyes and feel the Force surge around them through their bond.
"I'm sorry, Rey…I'm so so sorry…I just…I never…I didn't think you would want me for me. You are the first person who's ever seen me for who I am and hasn't turned away from me. You…you are everything to me," Kylo whispers.
Without another word, Rey leans forward and presses her lips against his. It's tender and slow at first before hands begin moving all over to make room for the kisses.
"Ben, I…you are the only one who truly understands me. You…you are home to me," Rey confessions quietly.
It's Ben's turn now to kiss her back, this time with fervor. They pull apart for air and gaze into each other's eyes. Wordlessly, their hearts tell them it's finally time to give in.