10
27ABY
It was a dark night at the temple as I sat in my hut finishing up what I had been working so hard on. I hadn't spoken to Ben for almost a month but I knew that this would fix it. Adding a final flourish of fruit, I gently picked up the plate of flatcakes and hastily carried them outside. Stealthily sneaking, I stuck to the shadows and made my way over to Ben's shelter. A single burning candle lit up the inside as I stopped just outside the entrance. A sheet like material covered the hole but I could just see Ben sat inside. He was speaking to someone so I leaned in a little closer to listen. 'You are wasting your potential here Solo. I could offer you so much more than Skywalker does as a master. I could teach you the ways of the dark side, the ways of the force. You would be one of the strongest leaders within the first order.' Ben looked conflicted, furrowing his brow. 'My mother would never agree to it Supreme Leader. And, I have friends here-' A wicked laugh filled the room and I felt my blood run cold. 'Friends? You don't have any friends. That one girl is just a distraction, diverting you from your potential. You could finish what your grandfather started, you could be the next Vader.' Swallowing hard, I felt my hands begin to tremble. Letting out the tiniest breath, I wrapped my knuckles on the stone wall. 'Anybody home?' I asked, disguising the concern in my voice. There was quiet whispering for a moment before Ben pulled the sheet back. 'What do you want?' His irritated growl made me jump a little before I presented the flatcakes to him. 'I just wanted to say happy birthday. I baked these for you as a gift.' He took them from me and a little smile partially flashed across his face. 'Thank you.' I nodded and turned to leave, awkwardly stepping on the damp grass. 'Wait, come in and stay a while. I can't eat these all on my own.' The invitation caused my breath to catch in my throat. I slowly span round and gave him a gratuitous nod before entering.
His hut was just as small as mine but somehow seemed less homely. His bed spread lay on the floor and a single desk next to it adorned with a candle, his lightsaber, a holoprojector, a calligraphy set and other trinkets. Ben saw me looking at the projector and threw a cloth over it hastily. 'Sit down then.' I followed his command and planted myself on the floor. He sat opposite me, handing me a flatcake. I watched him take a bite and a flash of joy filled his eyes at the fluffy texture. 'These are good Tess, thanks for remembering my birthday. I'd almost forgotten myself to be honest.' I batted a hand at him lightly. 'It was nothing. Have you heard from your mum today?' He chewed for a moment before answering. 'She sent me a projection this morning.' I nodded but didn't know what to say. We sat in silence, quietly eating our cakes. I looked out of the small window that framed the starlit night sky. 'I don't think I belong here.' I finally said, watching the stars glitter like billions of poorly circuited bulbs. 'I can't manipulate the force like you can. It doesn't call to me in anyway; I could never be a jedi knight.' Ben's long black hair fell over his eyes partially as he raised his head to look at me. His face illuminated by candlelight, he slid over to my side and followed my gaze. 'You don't have to be anything. Follow your own destiny, that's what I'm going to do.' His breath grazed my skin and I felt the hairs on my neck rise. 'Does Master Skywalker know this?' 'What he doesn't know won't hurt him.' I felt Ben lean back a little, pressing his back to the stone wall. 'You could do great things for the galaxy Ben Solo, but I will always be nobody.' Side-eyeing him, I saw him run a hand through his hair. 'I've missed your company.' His words rung in my ears as I leant back next to him. 'I've missed your company too.' I replied, resting my head on his shoulder lightly.