While we sit in silent, I look everywhere but Rey, and fully observe the room we are in it is: dark and atmospheric, with tall candelabras attaches to each booth which provides a beautiful halo above us. The seats are cosy; I don't think I will ever be able to comprehend the luxury of comfortable seating and soft mattresses after spending my pitiful beginnings surrounded by metal and flat surfaces. Dammit, what am I doing, why am I even upset at her? Rey finally has the chance to be someone she wants to be, someone with opportunities, of course I want that for her. I turn to look at her and she looks down, at the grooves in the wooden table, I open my mouth but just as I am about to speak the waitress returns with our meals. Rey looks up and notices I have my mouth open to speak but I quickly thank the lady, and so does Rey.
I catch Rey's eye again, both of us continue to hold the other's gaze, "I'm sorry," I whisper and my shoulders slump, "You're right. I would follow you across the galaxy if you asked," I confess, and she frowns focusing on the table again.
"I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to do," She says quickly.
"Look at me…" she does as I request, "Neither do I," she sighs and I squeeze her hand a little tighter.
I don't say no, but I also don't agree to returning, not just yet. "Let's eat our dinner before it gets cold," Rey nods, having to let go of my hand to eat her meal.
I twist the fork in my fingers and try to collect the slippery strings and herbs. After the first taste, both of us nearly inhale the rest, it is unlike anything either of us have eaten before. We don't speak much besides telling each other how much we love it.
"Should we have desert?" I propose as Rey pushes her bowl in front of her moments after me.
The pasta may have filled us up, but Rey's face splits into a toothy grin and I watch her chest shake in a satisfied laugh, "Yes, please!" her excitement is uncontainable and my lips turn up in adoration. Jakku wasn't able to break her spirit, and I wonder if a part of her has always stayed a child; I will treasure it if that's true.
"What should we get?"
"What about the chocolate fondue?" The waitress says as she appears from behind me and takes our empty bowls, "Fresh fruit and melted chocolate, perfect to share," She informs us and I raise my brows at Rey, she nods her head quickly.
"Okay, we'll have that, please," She writes it in her notebook and walks away. "I'll bring it in a while," Rey thanks her, and we drink our soda in the meantime.
"Do you like it here?" I ask her when she puts her nearly empty glass down.
"I really do, do you?" her genuine response makes me smile, and I nod.
"It is unlike anything I have experienced before," I admit, knowing Rey understands what I mean.
"I could get used to this: enjoying a meal in luxury and not having to worry about portion sizes," she groans.
"I agree, we can have another serving if we really wanted to," Rey's eyes flutter and she grins at the idea.
"One thing I am grateful for is the fact there is always enough, even if the portions don't always seem to be sufficient," I can't stop myself from pitying her.
"Was it hard?" She gives me a questioning look, "Growing up on Jakku?" My voice is small and she looks away. This being the first time I have opened up the sensitive topic she seems to seclude into herself and leans her back against the booth. When she does not answer I feel heat rise in my cheeks, "Of course it was, sorry." I add and gulp down the remainder of my drink.
"It was never easy," I look up from my glass and notice that she is sitting towards the edge of her seat, leaning slightly forward.
"You don't have to talk about it; it's in the past," I don't want her to be uncomfortable because I know I would struggle to tell her the horrible things I was forced to do before I met her.
"Some days were better than others," She admits and I nod, "Some fights were easier than others, and I think you saw that," Her voice is quiet. I look down at the indentations in the wood table, and Rey takes my hand in hers.
"How… You know – what happened?" I stumble for the words and she runs her fingers through mine.
"I was thirteen, thought I had living the solitary life perfected, I became overconfident," She laughs and I can't help but smile at the thought of a little Rey thinking each grain of sand belonged to her. "Let's just say: someone else thought that a rusty piece of metal belonged to them too." I frown at the thought of Rey having her back slashed open by some creature with claws, but it is the image of her suffering afterwards that makes my heart ache.
"How were you able to treat it?" I look at our hands before meeting her eye, and she hesitates for a moment.
"I couldn't, Unkar Plutt did – he was the one everyone made trades with at the Niima outpost. We made a deal that I would let him keep my earnings that day for free, if he was to help stitch my back…" before I can respond the fondue is placed in front of us with an assortment of fruits.
Rey smiles and takes her hand out of mine so that she can use the small prongs to stab the berries, dipping them into the chocolate, her eyes sparkle from the moment the sweetness touches her tongue and I'm quick to share in her ecstasy.
I couldn't be more surprised, I never knew food could taste like this; it is so amazing that I almost don't want to leave. Rey and I disregard our manners and use our fingers to scoop up the remaining chocolate from the warm pot.
We are full and satisfied, and all I want to do is kiss her sated smile. "What's that look for?" She questions, her voice low and she flickers her eyes from my eyes to my lips. I gesture with one finger for her to move closer, and she does. I lean over the table too, until we are a few inches apart, my focus is on her lips which are stained red from the berries. I take my hand under her chin and lead her forward; closing the remaining space between us. Her lips part and the taste of the delicious desert and the sweetness that is Rey combines and the mixture is intoxicating.
We pull away after another moment, "I just really needed to do that," she blushes at my words and I kiss her once more before I sit back.
"I wanted to do that too," she admits and I grin.
"Shall I get the bill sir?" The waitress interrupts and I flash Rey a surprised glance at the way she addressed me. I proceed to explain the bill will be covered by the hotel to which she smiles and walks away, leaving up to make our way out.
I take Rey's hand in mine as we walk from the restaurant. The streets are dark, lit by large lamps every few metres. Both suns have set, and Rey and I look at each other, then towards the clock tower, the time reading 8. We shoot each other worried glances, its past curfew and we have a few blocks until we reach the Complex.
"We better hurry," Rey says quickly, and I agree. The two of us laugh as we rush through the still busy streets.
We return to the hotel and sneak down to the staff quarters unbeknownst to anyone else. I kiss her promptly before hastily entering my room.
I have a shower and do some exercises in the warmth. I loosen my muscles, and feel a lot more relaxed; my stomach is full and grateful for it.
I put on some bed shots and walk out of the bathroom, however I have no desire to sleep; I have the urge to see Rey. I want to kiss her properly I don't want us to be alone after the night we just spent together. I throw my jacket over my bare chest and sneak out of my room and walk down to hers.
I enter the code and her door opens, my cheeky grin immediately vanishes once I close the door and turn to see her crippled on the hard floor in a tight ball.
"Rey…" my voice catches as I rush over to her. I drop to my knees and gently roll her into my arms; she is barely breathing and her small frame in heavy in my hands.