Author Thoughts: So the cool news is, there's 112 followers and 77 favorites and 99 reviews. I'm super excited about that, especially after the week I had. It's just been busy and annoying and writing this story is the only time I get any sense of calm. So this has been fun to come back to.
But I think we can do better. I'm disappearing for the next 4 days... think we can get to 105 reviews? I want to hear from you guys! Even the new followers! Say hey!
Speaking of reviews...
Reviews:
warnaudrey: hehehe thank you so much, I hope you keep enjoying!
TishaLiz: Never ever ever ever apologize for a long review! I loved reading your thoughts haha! We'll definitely be touching on why Ash doesn't want to see what Taka's thoughts are in a later chapter, don't you worry! And yeah, the general consensus is that our dark force user will totally not behave, but who knows! Thanks for reviewing!
LoveFiction2017: Thank you so much!
ravenclauses: That is so awesome to read, thank you so much for your review! I hope you keep enjoying!
Anyway, I'm having a meh sort-of day and I won't bore y'all anymore so let's just get this party started, shall we?
The hut was small; a kitchenette on the left with a small picnic styled table in the middle. There was a washroom further back and to the right upon entrance was a worn down couch and a broken bookshelf. Behind the kitchen was a doorway that lead to what Ashlyn assumed to be the sleeping area.
Ash hesitated a moment before placing her bag down on the table, her eyes locking on the man in black as he emerged from the sleeping area. He wasted no time exploring and seeing the entire place. "The bed is rather small." He said. "Shouldn't be a problem since you practically sleep on top of me." Kylo joked.
"You don't seem to mind." She retorted.
"Not in the slightest." He said absentmindedly as he wandered back into the bedroom to grab something from his bag. Kylo Ren had to remember to bring food for the week, well, Phasma so kindly reminded him, as the hut had nothing stored in it. He'd have to thank Phasma later for not packing anything too awful, just packets of dehydrated food. Luckily, there was water.
He wandered back out of the room, tossing two packages onto the table before walking over to the kitchen area to find plates. "What are these?" Ash asked, picking the packages up.
"You want to eat, don't you?"
She frowned. "I meant what's in them."
He shrugged, grabbing two plates and walking over to the table with them. "Guess we'll find out, won't we?" Kylo said with a smirk.
Ashlyn couldn't help but smile in return as she sat down at the table, while Kylo Ren grabbed water to hydrate the food. He came back with two cups of water as Ashlyn unpackaged the food and distributed the food evenly on each plate. Kylo silently added water and soon the plates were full with bread, vegetables and some meat that Ashlyn didn't dare ask about. "Wow, look at this." Ash teased him. "Private getaway complete with a romantic dinner." He gave her a pointed look as he sat down across from her.
"Nothing but the best for you, starshine." He replied dryly before beginning to eat.
Ash followed his lead and began to eat her meal as well. Silence took over for their dinner conversation as neither one said anything; only stealing awkward glances every so often before the silence became too much for Ashlyn as she broke it. "I want to explore after dinner." He looked up from his meal, unsure if she was asking or telling him. "I mean-" She began, placing a strand of her red hair behind her ear. "I just want to see more of the planet. From what I gather, nothing will eat me out there. I mean, hopefully nothing will eat me-"
He interrupting her little rant. "You don't need my permission to explore, Ash."
"Well, no. I don't need your permission for anything." She said. "I was just… I guess I was-"
He smirked knowingly. "Would you like me to go with you?"
She smiled sheepishly. "Please?"
Kylo Ren kept his smirk as he looked back down at his plate, shuffling food around with his fork before deciding if he even wanted to eat anymore. "Where would you like to explore?"
Ash shrugged. "I don't know what's around here. I know it's night time, but I think it would be fun to see what's out there."
His brow quirked as amusement adorned his face. "Not afraid of the wildlife?"
"I looked into the natural species of this place, from what I gather a lot of it is on the smaller side or harmless herbivore creatures. The only carnivorous beast is found more in the mountain area. "
"So nothing that can eat you." He restated her babble from before.
She smiled. "Exactly."
"Then let's explore after we eat." Kylo agreed, noticing the girl before him shifting happily in her seat. It was the little things that brought smiles to her lips, little things he'd never grow tired of giving her if it meant her happiness. By the stars, she was awful for his reputation. He knew that the more and more he felt the tug to the light. It was always worse when she was around.
The moon was full that night, illuminating the grassy fields outside of the hut with a slight blue tint from the night. The air was still warm from the beautiful day they had earlier, yet a slight briskness began to invade as the two ventured outside and towards the forest. They walked quietly at first, only their boots crunching with the grass and leaves echoed into the night as they wandered. There was somewhat of a path that they followed, unsure where it would lead them, but they weren't concerned by the destination right then. "I love it here." Ash commented as she looked up through the trees, seeing the light from the moon peek in every chance it got.
"We haven't even seen all of it yet." He mused at her enthusiasm.
"I know." Ash explained. "I just have a good feeling about this place all-together." So did he. "With all the chaos on StarKiller, after everything that's happened… it just feels right to be here."
"It's been an interesting six months." He agreed. "Your arrival turned StarKiller upside down."
Ash laughed. "So I'm to blame for all the chaos?"
Kylo Ren pursed his lips, thinking for a moment before replying. "Just in my life."
"Really now? How have I caused chaos in your life?" Ash asked, stepping over a rather large tree branch as the two continued their walk deeper into the woods.
"Isn't it obvious?" He snorted. "You've bewitched me."
"You think so highly of my abilities, Commander." Ash teased. That was when her attention fell on this beautiful, blue winged butterfly resting on the tree to her immediate left. "Oh wow." She gasped, slowly walking over to it. The butterfly fluttered slightly at the sudden intruder, but overall remained still on the tree trunk.
"Carrier butterfly." Kylo informed her. "They were used to deliver messages during the Clone Wars. This planet is covered in them."
"They're beautiful." Ash said; awe evident in her voice. With that, the carrier butterfly took off, flying upwards into the tree. Ash followed it for as long as she could until it disappeared into darkness. She looked back at Kylo Ren as he nodded back to their path. The two continuing on as Ash had another question for him. "You seem to know a lot about the different wars and events of our galaxy. You knew about the Brain Rot plague when I mentioned where I grew up." She said, her stomach turning at the thought of the outbreak.
"You forget, I grew up on a very politically influenced planet." He explained with little to no attachment to the memory. "I had family that were also very big into politics."
"I think it's good to know the history of our galaxy." Ash said. "It makes repeating mistakes a little more difficult."
Kylo smirked. "You think people learn from history? Most of the time history is just repeated. Look at what's happening now."
Ash shook her head. "It's not considered repeating if it never ended to begin with." She said. "Most wars often have a digestion period in which things get settled and then the rebuilding begins. This war never had that, the Empire fell and there was still that internal struggle of who was right or wrong. Then the First Order formed."
"We're not solely to blame." Kylo snorted.
"No, but if we all took the time instead of pointing fingers and accepted the blame, maybe we could fix this."
"You seem to have a very strong opinion on this. What happened to being a neutral party?"
Ash frowned. "I am neutral. It just seems obvious of an answer." He hummed in reply, dropping the conversation as they continued on.
The two found themselves exiting the forest only to be met with a lake that sat quietly in the middle of the forest. It was surrounded by the woods around them, their own private lake it seemed. The moon reflected directly in the middle, illuminating every little detail around them. Ash could see a few rock formations in the lake, signifying it wasn't as deep as it looked in the night. The view, overall, was breathtaking. "This place isn't even fair." Ash groaned, receiving a chuckle from the man next to her. "How can something so pure exist?"
"The galaxy can be a beautiful place outside of all the bad things." Kylo agreed, taking in the sight before him, and not just the lake but the excited red haired girl to his right. Her saw her sudden hesitation as she began to walk forward, only to stop herself. He grinned. "You want to swim, don't you?"
Ash frowned. "I thought about it, but then immediately regretted it."
"Why's that?"
She looked at him. "You won't behave."
He laughed. "I promise my mischievous ways won't be a hinderance on your fun. If you want to swim, go swim."
"I would, but I'm not exactly prepared for it." She said, looking down at her black tank top and black pants.
Kylo shrugged, as though it were so obvious. "Go naked."
The sudden rush of panic coming from the red haired girl was amusing to him. "Yeah, not happening!" She stumbled over her words.
"I'll go in with you." He said, his tone even as though it wasn't a big deal. It was to her; her heart thudding in her chest only confirmed that. "Unless, of course, you're scared."
Ash frowned. "I'm not afraid of swimming in the lake naked. I'm afraid of swimming in the lake naked with you." She explained. "You're trouble."
He grinned wickedly as he began to pull at his shirt. "Fine, then I'll go swimming without you." With a swift motion, his shirt was off and Ash immediately found herself turning around to avoid him and any chance of wandering eyes. She shuffled on her feet nervously for a few moments until she heard the breakage in the water. She turned to see the dark haired man now waist deep in the lake, his clothes lying on grass in front of her. By the stars, he did it. "Well, this is lovely." He commented at the whole scene as he lowered himself into the water more. The water wasn't too deep, he could touch the bottom and his shoulders were still well above the water.
"It's not going to work, Kylo Ren." Ash informed him, even though her will was faltering. It was working. They both knew that.
"Live a little." He said, his tone tempting in all it had to offer. With a loud and obnoxious sigh, Ash grabbed at the bottom of her tanktop. "That's my girl!"
Ash glared. "Turn around!" Here merely laughed as he obeyed her command. With shaky hands, Ash followed the Commander's lead and removed her clothing, leaving it on the grass near his and got into the lake.
The water was warm, she had no problem adjusting to the temperature difference as she swam closer to Kylo Ren, yet keeping a good distance between them. Unlike Kylo Ren, the water did come over her shoulders. However, she could touch the bottom. "Glad you could make it." He teased.
"Yeah, yeah." Ash said, rolling her eyes. "It's the view that got me, not you."
"Sure." He said knowingly as he splashed her
Ash glared, splashing him back. "Stop it!"
Kylo grinned, once again splashing her. "Make me."
Even though she was still glaring, Ash couldn't hide the smile that was growing on her lips as she splashed him with a little more gusto. He wouldn't lose so easily and with one, large swoop of his arms, a wave basically crashed over Ashlyn. She laughed out loud as her red hair was now covering her face from the force.
Without warning, she dipped her head backwards in an attempt to tame her wild red hair. She stood upright again, running her hands through her hair to smooth it down. She was smiling as she looked back over at Kylo Ren. He was staring. He couldn't help himself as he looked at her. Whether it was the way the moon illuminated her in the lake, or just an overwhelming sense of how much he really liked her, he couldn't stop looking at her. "What's wrong?" She asked.
He shook his head. "You're just beautiful." His voice was quiet, his cocky demeanour fading immediately as he found himself powerless against the redhead… if only she knew how powerless she left him.
Ash's teeth raked over her bottom lip; her cheeks burning red. The water wasn't enough to calm down the heat that was taking over her body. She had never felt this way about anyone, ever. He made her feel a whirlwind of different emotions, yet at the end of the day, it always came back to the one. And while, Ashlyn Novafall was not ready to admit to what extent that feeling went, she knew deep down it was there.
Whether it was the natural current or the fact that they had been playing a moment before, Ash realized the two were a lot closer than before. If she reached forward, she could touch him. They both knew that.
He, however, reached out first. His arm snaking it's way behind her back as he pulled her to his chest. She didn't resist as her arms reached up and wrapped around his neck, pulling him down to her level, as his lips connected with hers. Their kiss growing more fiery and more passionate as it continued.
Kylo gently nipped at her bottom lip, causing her to gasp slightly. That was the opening he needed as his tongue slipped into her mouth. A welcome change as their tongues began battling for dominance. Her hands now tangling in his perfect, dark hair. Their bodies getting dangerously close as they continued. Their last window to stopping this desire slowly slipping from their grasps as his hands explored and traveled downward, stopping at her hips as he went to pull her closer.
He pulled away then, much to Ash's dismay. The two breathless as he leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. His eyes were shut tightly, his hands moving away from her hips as he tried to regain some composure. "Sorry." He mumbled. "I said I'd behave." Ash's heart was thudding against her chest, she was almost certain he could hear it too. She slid her hands down his arms, finding his hands and shakily placed them back on her hips. He looked at her then, unable to tell what she was thinking in that moment, her head a fogged mess as he asked the only thing he could in that moment. "Are you sure?"
She swallowed; nervous sure, but there was one thing she knew… she wanted this. She made that clear as she nodded, leaning in again to kiss him. He pulled her closer to his chest, their bodies now flush against one another. The two would be fully bonded now, there was no denying it as their actions led to a welcome consequence. There was certainly no going back now.
Ash's eyes fluttered open slowly, her vision beginning to focus as the ceiling became increasingly visible from her blurred vision. The sun was peeking in through the window of the hut, lighting the ceiling just enough as it began to kiss the sky.
She felt like her entire body was wrapped in a million blankets; she was warm and her entire being was at piece. Granted, she was completely and utterly trapped under the arms of the naked man next to her, their legs entangled and the bed sheets only tangling them more together. For once, Ash didn't mind the state she woke up in.
After their night at the lake, the two had silently returned to the hut only to end up in the same position all over again. At least this time there was a bed.
She turned her head, looking over at his sleeping form. The way his hair fell slightly in front of his face; how peaceful he looked… his lips. By the stars, she loved every second of it. She loved every second of him.
Wait… loved? That implied that there was something else there. That implied that there was an infinitive to go with it. That implied… no. That couldn't be it. He would never… she could never. The two could never admit it. Never verbally. That was clear. It would always be a secret that they held, a secret she'd keep to herself.
"I wish you wouldn't panic in the morning." The sleepy man grumbled next to her as his eyes slowly opened. He was frowning.
She smiled sheepishly. "Sorry." He pulled her even closer to him, kissing her forehead before sighing. His eyes closing again as he relaxed against her. "One of these mornings, I won't freak out. I promise." She joked.
"Thank the stars." His voice tired, he opened his eyes again. Kylo Ren looked down at the state of the bed they had slept in, noting how tangled they were in the sheets before smirking. "Well, that's evidence of a good night."
Ash's cheeks burned as she playfully hit his chest. "You said you'd behave."
With a chuckle, Kylo Ren rolled over, now on top of Ashlyn as he rested on his elbows. He looked down at her deviously. "It's a bit late for that, don't you think?"
Ash scoffed. "Quite late." He leaned down to peck her lips, the kiss turning heated almost immediately. Ash reluctantly pulled away. "Don't we have to train today?"
Ren feigned hurt. "Is that all I'm good for? Training and sex?"
Ash couldn't help but laugh out loud at that as she cupped his cheeks with her hands. "It doesn't hurt that you're good looking too."
He smirked. "So you think I'm good looking?"
Ash groaned, rolling her eyes in response. "Alright, enough out of you. Get off me!"
Kylo rolled off her, the two trying to untangle themselves from the bed sheets; Kylo was the first to break free and was soon off the bed thereafter. Ash… well, Ash had more of a difficult time untangling herself. She blamed Ren for making it so difficult as she finally broke free and got out of bed.
She was silent as she dressed for the day; hearing Kylo Ren leaving the hut to head outside into the morning daylight, she grabbed her lightsaber and lazily stretched. Her body was sore, but for all the right reasons.
Ash tied her red hair into a ponytail before finally deciding to greet the day and see what the Force User outside had awaiting her.
He was sitting in the tall grass again, like they had done the previous day. Ash didn't mind, she loved being outside here. This place was heaven on earth in her eyes. She copied his position, sitting crossed legged in front of him as he rolled his shoulders back, adjusting to being awake. "So what are we learning today?" Ash asked hopeful."
"I need you to become mentally stronger." He was abrupt in his phrasing. Then again, he typically was. "Currently, your will is weak, any Force User can get into your head without much of a struggle."
Ash frowned. "Well when you put it that way-"
He quirked a brow. "I'm being serious. You need to learn to block out those who want to hurt you."
"You seem convinced that those people are out there."
"Because they are." His tone quickly turning to aggravation as he inhaled sharply through his nostrils. "You're part of the First Order, whether you like that or not. What's worse, you're close to me and someone could use any information you hold like that against me just by getting into your mind. Without exerting too much energy, I can get into your head right now and take what I want from your mind. You need to learn to counter this."
Ash nodded, her tongue darting out over her lips as she licked them. "You're right. Teach me to keep everyone out."
"It's not as simple as keeping someone out. It's closing the door and keeping all focus on keeping that door to your mind shut." He looked at her seriously now. "I'm going to push my way into your mind. Keep me out."
She was nervous, but ultimately Ash knew that this was for her own benefit. He wouldn't overstep his boundaries, not this late in the game. Had this been months ago, Ash would have swiftly objected. Now, she was somewhat thankful to have him. With a determined nod, she was ready.
The pressure in her head came at an alarming rate; he wasn't holding back. Ash winced against the pain and throbbing, it felt like his fingers were digging into her brain; sifting and sorting through her memories like a filing cabinet. He pulled at them, one by one, bringing them to the surface. She saw everything…
She suddenly saw Laynor. He was telling her the importance of keeping her gifts a secret. That she needed to keep things locked inside, it was better that way. A memory that was painful in it's own right.
"Fight it, Ash." She heard Kylo Ren's voice echo in her head and immediately tried to push him out. Her eyes shutting tightly, Ash pushed him out of that memory. However, he moved on to the next one. He was everywhere at once in her mind; showing her where her weakness lied.
Sid. He was there, laughing and smiling one moment. Then it all went black. The heat from the flames, the screams… she was reliving it all over again. He was pulling it out of her mind and bringing it to the surface again. It hurt, everything hurt in her entire being as she struggled against it. The visions and memories fading to another one. That one precious memory that she fought so hard to keep in the back of her mind, far away from the surface.
The bed where the blond boy lied, her mother sitting next to him, trying to comfort him as the sickness took over. The way her hand ran through his yellow hair, the song she sang. She could hear it. He was so little, the bed was too big for him, but he needed to be comfortable. He was coughing, crying… everything ached in his body and she could feel it all over again. Not that memory, anything but that memory. With one last attempt, Ash thought of the only thing she could do, the only thing that ever seemed to work against Kylo Ren.
She built her brick wall house and hid inside. At first, it was quiet; eerily quiet. Then, with force, something was bashing against the brick wall. With the strength of a thousand stampeding banthas trying to force their way into the brick house. She could see bricks beginning to dislodge from the wall and immediately ran to them, pushing them back in place and holding onto them for dear life. She had to keep him out, she had to focus.
He kept pushing with a relentless force, trying to cave in the brick house she built to keep him out. After a few more tries, he pulled back. It wasn't until she felt herself being physically pulled from her mental state, she realized he had stopped.
He had scooped her up in his arms and onto his lap as he held her, her mental state returning back to the world of the living as she felt the pressure in her head subside all-together. Her eyes snapped open as she looked around, realizing that she was resting against Kylo Ren's chest as he held her. Ash jerked away slightly, her hands going to her face as she wiped stray tears from her cheeks, her body shaking.
"It's all right." He said softly. "You're okay."
She was to a certain degree. She managed to push Kylo Ren out of her mind. That was something to be proud of. Yet at the same time, it still terrified her that a human being could do that to anyone. While his intent was not malicious, someone else would be and they'd fight much harder to get into her mind.
Ash pulled away then, removing herself from his lap and returning to her original position. She wiped her eyes again, making sure no stray tears were falling. "I'm fine." She said, forcing a laugh. "I'm fine."
He didn't believe her. "Your enemy won't be so kind next time." Kylo regretfully informed her. "You need to keep practicing; build the wall stronger. It's the only way."
She nodded. "Show me." Her determination returning. "Show me how to be stronger."
With a nod, Kylo Ren was back at it again. This time, Ash was ready. Though, the brick enclosure was shaky at first, she kept building at it over and over again as the two repeated this lesson for the rest of the day. She was going to prove her worth and her strength; she was going down as a fighter and nothing was going to stop her.
Final Thought: Fully bonded force users?! Ash is actually getting pretty good at this Force thing!? What the heck awaits them over on the Finalizer anyway? All this and more on the next episode of... This thing!
Lord, I need sleep! Anyway, remember to review! See y'all next time!