[WARNING]: There is depictions of violence in the beginning of this chapter that might disturb some people, but I don't think it's enough to warrant it rated M. If you are uncomfortable just skip to the second section of this chapter.
Kylo angrily used the Force to pick Major Harding up. Viciously, Ren slammed him against the wall. The sound of his skull banging against the metal made a distinct yet familiar noise. Harding was the last officer in the Executive War Council he had to convince to vote for Captain Phasma. The other two officers has been very easily persuaded, just Kylo's presence was enough to terrify them into submitting to his wish. But he had a feeling Major Harding would not so easily swayed.
The Major was an older gentleman for someone in the First Order. He was in his mid fifties, with graying hair, harsh broad facial features and bright blue eyes. The man was a stickler for order and rules, which had made him a good candidate for the First Order.
"Let me go," Harding hissed. He was trying to move his arms and legs, but Kylo's telekinetic paralysis was one of the abilities he'd perfected. He didn't want the Major escaping his grasp too soon.
"Do you know why I'm here?" Kylo asked, his voice remained even under his mask.
"Colonel Dawson told me the whole story, you're rallying support for Captain Phasma's promotion. All the officers know you killed Major Brandson." There was venom in Harding's voice, and Kylo found it exhilarating.
Ren was smugly smiling under his mask. "You have no proof. Major Brandson was just a normal Lesai addict. He'd been dancing with the devil for a long time, and it seemed the devil finally got the best of him."
Harding remained silent, but his eyes were digging daggers into the dark lord. Ren was used to pejorative and fearful looks here in the First Order.
"I've done some of my own digging. You were once an officer in the Galactic Empire. You may have known my grandfather, and I can promise you I'm more malicious than him," Kylo uttered firmly.
"Lord Vader was a force to be feared, but actions speak louder than words. Vader definitely committed more atrocities than you."
He threw Harding against the wall opposite him and languidly Kylo moved to face him. "I have committed crimes that would make your blood curdle. I've annihilated whole villages without batting an eye."
"I doubt you have, you're just a poser. You're no true dark lord," Harding said defiantly.
Kylo felt his rage washing over him and he couldn't even control it. Intentionally using the Force, Ren snapped one of Harding's legs. It was easy, like breaking a twig against his knee. The harsh sound of bone breaking resonated with the sound of Harding's scream.
"I would gladly kill you, but I still need that vote – it's unfortunate for you," Ren said angrily.
Kylo extended his gloved hand toward Harding and with such ease he pushed himself into the Major's mind. Harding's face contorted into an expression of unadulterated pain. Ren searched for anything he could, anything to use against the Major.
It wasn't long until flashes of the Major's life started to flicked through Kylo's mind. He saw images of a young women and a little girl – a wife and daughter. It looked a lot like they were on the planet Bespin, in Cloud City. Kylo removed himself from Harding's mind.
Ren frowned under his mask. "So, you have a family hiding in Cloud City. You think keeping them hidden among the Resistance will keep them safe? If you did, you are sorrily mistaken."
Harding's expression was twisted between agony and terror. Kylo used the Force to pull Harding closer to him, now they were only a few inches apart.
Kylo paused for a moment, and thought of the small visions he'd seen on Major Harding. His family had been just his wife and daughter. He'd left the Galactic Empire after the destruction of the second Death Star, and he'd started a family. It wasn't until the First Order had fully formed did he pledge his allegiance to them.
"How would you like if I paid them a visit? Your wife, well, I would kill her –right in front of your daughter. It would be quite a tragedy, don't you think?"
"Please, don't," The Major's defiant attitude seemed to have fallen flat. From what Ren had seen, he loved his family. Harding sent over half the credits he earned with the First Order to support his family. Kylo knew a daughter was every father's weakness.
"But your daughter she is quite beautiful. After my visit I'll be sure to send her dismembered head to you. Unless, of course, you're willing to support Captain Phasma's claim on the Executive Council," Kylo said maliciously.
"I'll do it, just leave my family alone. I beg of you," Harding said softly.
"I'm glad we could come to an understanding." The dark lord dropped Harding right on the ground. The Major landed right on his broken leg. Kylo's saw as the bone jutted slightly through the skin – a shriek of pain escaped the lips of the old man.
Ren left the room without looking back. He made it back to the sanctuary of his quarters before he had to pull off his helmet and wipe the sweat that was beading on his forehead. He had been excited to bully some officers, but it had been more taxing than he remembered. Usually torturing people was effortless, it had been natural when he joined the First Order.
When he'd tortured Poe Dameron only a few weeks before it had seemed easy. He'd enjoyed meticulously pillaging his mind for the information he needed. And once he had completed his interrogation, it had given him a euphoria, knowing he was one step closer to completing his mission.
But something about torturing people had changed, it was stressful retaining such a cruel visage. He wasn't sure what made it more difficult – he knew he couldn't let himself go soft, not here, not now. The First Order needed him to be as heartless as ever, the Resistance had to be afraid of him.
It was later than usual when Ren finally reached the prison's block. He had contacted Captain Phasma to inform her everything was in place for tomorrow at the Executive War Council. He hoped there would be no hiccups in their plan, otherwise Rey would be handed over to Hux.
Impatiently, Kylo entered in the security code for Rey's cell. The door opened quickly to reveal her sitting on the floor meditating while wrapped in a blanket. She was so focused she hadn't even noticed Kylo arrive.
He noted that her cheeks looked more lively from the last time he saw her. She seemed more comfortable in her environment. There was no way to deny it, Rey's mediation was calming him greatly, it was like being submersed in bath water. It was relaxing and soaked right through to the bone.
"I'm glad the blankets are being put to good use," he stated easily. "I need you focused today."
Rey's eyes fluttered open and she nearly jump from where she was sitting. He felt no remorse for breaking Rey from her meditation, but he did feel a little guilty for startling her. As she settled down, Rey gave him a coy little smile.
"Yeah, these blankets are highly appreciated." There was a pause before she spoke again. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," he said cooly. "Today will be a tough day of instruction."
Rey give him a sly stare. "Why?" She muttered.
"I'm going to teach you the basics of wielding a lightsaber," he announced.
"Really?" Her voice was filled with surprise. "I thought you said that was something you wouldn't teach me."
"Instructing you on the basics won't make you exceptionally powerful." Last night he had decided it was harmless enough to teach her how to defend herself with a lightsaber. There was no way he was going to teach her how to be too adept with a saber, he didn't want her besting him.
Rey stood up eagerly, there was a newfound excitement in her steps as she folded up her blanket and tossed it on her bed. "What are we waiting for, let's go." Her enthusiasm was intoxicating, and Kylo had to mentally block her mania.
They were about to leave when Kylo heard what sounded like Rey's stomach rumble as they were leaving her cell. Instantly, he stuck his arm out to motion for her to stop. Ren slowly turned around and looked at Rey. Her face was innocent and a little bewildered.
"What's wrong?" Her voice was quiet and there was a trace of anxiety in her tone.
"Was that your stomach," he questioned.
Rey plainly nodded. Her bright hazel eyes were looking back at him in wonder.
"Have the prison guards been feeding you?" He asked, harshly. If those asshole weren't feeding her – he would personally kill them.
Rey seemed to pick up on his train of thought because she avidly defended the guards. "They are feeding me. One of the troopers was just clumsy yesterday when he brought my food. He dropped the tray and the food was all over the floor. He did nothing wrong."
Kylo sighed, he couldn't have Rey being hungry on the day he intended to instruct her on basic lightsaber usage. It would be an annoyance listening to her stomach rumble every few moments. And he definitely couldn't have Rey slacking today of all days; she needed to be sharp.
"You'll need energy for today, so you'll have to eat breakfast," he insisted.
Rey shrugged. "I could skip a meal, I'm used to eating once a day. But if you feel it's necessary, then I guess there is no arguing with you."
"No, there is no arguing with me on this matter. I'm calling in breakfast now." Kylo pulled his comlink right off his belt, and quickly contacted the cooks to bring one small breakfast to his personal dining area.
Bashfully, Rey was looking at her feet smirking. That little crooked smile was distracting him beyond belief, so much so that he nearly dropped his comlink while he was trying to attach it back on his belt. He loved seeing her smile – it made his heart flutter in his chest, like a bird trapped in a cage.
Ren directed for her to leave before him, and she quickly took the lead.
Kylo directed Rey straight to the dining area across the hall from his quarters. She seemed to know her way there without his assistance. He typed in the security code quickly and Rey entered first. The last time they had been here together things had been a little heavy, but there was different air between them. Things were lighter, Kylo felt like they could maybe have another normal conversation like last time.
Just as he'd ordered, her food was here without any complications. It was nothing special, simply a muffin and some fruit. Quickly, Ren pulled out a seat for Rey to sit down. Nimbly, she sat down and examined her food.
Kylo took a seat next to her, and without a second to spare he took his helmet off. The hissing of the pressure change left him dazed for a second before everything came back into focus. Rey was staring at him with very wide eyes. As if she was drinking in every detail of his appearance. It was odd to be a spectacle to her, but it was a rare occasion that he wasn't wearing his mask, so he reluctantly accepted her gaze.
For a few second they were both staring at each other with equally inquisitive gazes. He liked how her beautiful, coffee colored hair complimented her chestnutty brown eyes with their magical flexes of green. Her face was as flawless as ever, her cheeks were smooth and refined. Kylo purposely diverted his eyes from her lips – he knew if he looked at them now he wouldn't have the willpower to stop.
It wasn't long until Rey broke their stare and started digging into her food ravenously. There was something quaint in her uncivilized eating habits – like how she just devoured food with her bare hands as if she was starving. Jakku was a backwater planet that very few even knew existed. The people there were often trapped in a desolate life of servitude – so it was a remote place with little civility or manners.
He noted her pause as she gazed up at him. Kylo felt himself shift in discomfort as he was again subjected to her powerful stare.
"Are you ever going to tell me why and how you joined the First Order?" He could hear the curiosity wandering in her voice. Her unfathomable hazel eyes were looking at him intensely between bites of her muffin.
"Can't I have some secrets to myself?" He tried to bury a small smirk, but his efforts were futile. Instead he looked back down at his plate to hide it – but he knew Rey had seen his smirk.
"I only want to know a little more about my teacher, that's all." Rey's voice was innocent and teasing all at the same time. He felt like denying her request, just to annoy her for teasing him. But he knew he'd avoided talking about his past for some time, his reason for joining was painful to think about – least alone talk about. But her curiosity was harmless enough and Ren suspected she was only asking because she wanted to help him. There was no malice in her intentions; he knew Rey would keep his past to herself.
He had seen in her mind, against her will when he'd interrogated her. And now he felt obligated to reciprocate – to let her in.
Finally, Ren looked back up at her. "Okay, but it's a long story," he warned.
Rey's face lit up like a child presented with a gift; he noted how her already bright hazel eyes almost glowed with joy. "I'm not going anywhere, so take your time," she said eagerly.
Kylo leaned back in his chair and cleared his throat."When I was young, my family traveled to different bases around the galaxy. As you know, my mother was a General of the Resistance. But my father and I were thick as thieves while my mother was at work. He was always teaching me things my mother would never approve of, like flying, hand-to-hand combat, and how to fix ships. He even tried tirelessly to train me in the ways of being a smooth talker, but I never seemed to get that one down. I was too shy, as he put it." He saw Rey was smiling as he told his story, it was odd to see her happy about something so trivial.
"My father wasn't around as much as I would have liked. Looking for the Millennium Falcon was a large part of his life and keeping his smuggling contacts was important to him," Kylo's eyes shifted to the intricate carvings on the table.
"But when I reached the age of about nine, my father thought I should go live with my uncle at his newly formed Jedi Academy. He told me that Luke could teach me the things that he never could. My mother agreed with him, and so they sent me there, against my wishes. I was very resentful and bitter of the whole situation, especially since my father was the one who suggested sending me away. I felt betrayed that they would send me away so abruptly, and I felt alone for a long time after that."
He was about to continue when Rey intervened. "Didn't you make friends at Luke's Academy?" She obviously couldn't keep her curiosity at bay.
Ren's gaze shot to Rey, and she looked apologetically at him. "Sorry, continue," she muttered.
"My time at the Academy was dull. I was shy and didn't talk to many people. And on top of that, I surpassed a lot of my fellow students when it came to my skills with the Force. Being too proficient awarded me few friends. For a long time I was frustrated that no one approved of me there, some were even afraid of me. I could sense Luke feared my anger and frustration, so he started training me separately. He thought my anger might rub off on the other students. Shortly after I started training alone, I learned of my grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, also known as the powerful Sith Lord, Darth Vader."
Again Rey interrupted, with her endless questions. "Your parents never told you who your grandfather was?" Rey asked; she sounded slightly shocked.
"No. I think that's why I was so enthralled by my grandfather. It baffled me why my parents would keep such a secret from me, so I read about Darth Vader nonstop. From what I gathered he was the most powerful Jedi of his time and I started looking up to him," Kylo sighed; it was an understatement. Ren nearly worshiped his grandfather for the strength, fear and power he represented.
"It wasn't long until Snoke contacted me in my dreams. He said he could teach me how to be as powerful as my grandfather. He also said he could feel I was suffering, and that he could teach me how to harness that pain to make me stronger. All I had to do was kill my fellow students with the Knights of Ren and pledge myself to be his student."
He was about to continue but Rey interrupted him. "Who are these Knights of Ren? I saw it written on your note that you are their master."
"They are Snoke's trained Jedi slayers. Some of the most powerful men in the galaxy."
"I see, you can continue." Rey said with eagerness.
"I already felt alone and I loathed a lot of my fellow students, they frequently teased and mocked me. The idea of becoming the most powerful dark lord actually made me excited – I felt I could get back at them. So I joined Snoke without another thought. In secret I built my own lightsaber, and started crafting my own armor."
Kylo reflect on how much time he'd spent creating his lightsaber. He'd seen ancient designs for that style of saber, but creating it from scratch had taken hours of craftsmanship and careful engineering. His armor had been of a crude design, but he had based it off some of the ancient Sith Lord's styles.
"I agreed to bring the Knights of Ren to the academy, and they assisted me in slaughtering my fellow students. It was easy, my classmates were so novice when it came to their Force and saber skills. But Luke, he killed three of the Knights of Ren defending his students. When I finally got to my uncle he was escaping, and I never saw him again." Kylo grew silent, for that was the end of his tale. The rest of his story was a reality that Rey was witnessing.
"I'm sorry, that things turned out the way they did," she whispered.
Kylo felt his brow knit together. "Why are you sorry," he asked with confusion mixed in his words.
"That you were suffering alone. That a dark lord took advantage of your loneliness," she replied softly.
Kylo remained quiet. He knew the Supreme Leader had seen him as vulnerable and his master had also seen an opportunity. But what Kylo was always uncertain of was whether his master had solely been helping himself, or if he'd been trying to help them both. He always hoped it was for mutual benefits, but he would never know with his master being outside his reach.
He watched as Rey finished the final bites of her meal. "I hope you know you don't suffer alone," she called to his attention. He stood up when Rey did, and they were both facing each other. She was very close to him, only a few inches away from him.
"Why do you say that," he asked.
"I'm here. I know how you feel, I spent my whole life alone. And I can say I won't let you suffer alone." She said quietly. "Loneliness is a burden no one should have to bear alone, not even you."
Never before had anyone understood his loneliness, not even his parents. Anytime they would call him via hologram he put on a happy front – he would tell them he was having a good time at Luke's Academy, and he would relay to them how he was learning so much. They never really knew how much sorrow he was in. Sometimes his mother could sense something was wrong, but it wasn't often. But no one ever seemed to notice it, but Rey had picked up on the hints a week ago, because she knew what seclusion felt like.
Even in her own lonely state she wanted to help him – she was a caring person through and through. Ren wanted her to help him feel alive again, but he knew he needed his pain to remain connected to the Dark Side.
Her murky brown eyes shifted around his face, and he knew she was waiting for him to say something – for him to do something.
Kylo felt his eyes sliding down around her face as well, soaking in every detail of her in this moment. He wanted to remember her this way – gentle, strong and beautiful. He desperately tried to keep his eyes off her lips, but he couldn't. Rey's lips were tantalizing as she gave him a timid smile.
Before he could even control himself, Ren found he was closing the gap between them. He grasped her cheek roughly and quickly kissed her. The moment his lips met hers, was the moment he tossed aside all common sense and rationality. It didn't matter what side they were on, or what was going on around them. He wanted her and didn't want to repress it for one more second.
Her lips were as soft as he'd imagined them, and she tasted sweet like fruit. Kylo kissed her gently at first – he was unsure if Rey was going to kiss him back or slap him. There was a moment of initial shock or uncertainty before Rey surprisingly kissed him back with equal fervor. He felt her lean into the kiss, and instinctively Ren wrapped his arms around her to pull her even closer.
Kylo felt his kiss became more demanding, as if he had a certain thirst for Rey that needed to be filled. Rey's head tilted which caused him to invade her mouth with fervor; he felt like his head was spinning out of control as his tongue was doing furious exploration in her mouth. His thumbs started caressing her cheeks in a very slow circular motion, and he felt Rey let out a soft moan that reverberate in his mouth.
That only drove Ren to hungrily pull at her bottom lip with a lusty passion. Never in his life had he ever had such lascivious feelings for someone, but he couldn't deny that Rey broke every exception. Accidentally, Kylo leaned her against the metal dining table. Rey's hand bumped against his helmet as she desperately tried to find a holding. In seconds, his helmet clattered to the floor with a heavy bang. Instantly, they both jolted pulled apart, Kylo's eyes opened slowly to see Rey starting at his with wide and bright eyes. Her lips were a rosy pink that graciously matched the color of her cheeks. Kylo felt heat rising in his own cheeks as the reality of what had transpired hit him like a brick. He had felt very confident about kissing her before, but now with her looking back at him his boldness faltered. Quickly, he grasped for his helmet and slide it on; he needed to mask his flushed cheeks. By the gods, what line had he crossed, Kylo wondered.
[A/N]: I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! I would really LOVE feedback on this chapter, what did you guys think of the end? Writing that ending really had me anxious that I might have included it to early. Anyways, things are going to romantically pick up after this chapter, so I hope that excites everyone! :) Per usual, the next chapter will be from Rey's perspective. I hope to have the next chapter up in six days, but with midterms coming we'll see.
I just want to send a thank you to all you anonymous reviews! You guys have been so wonderful, I just want to give you guys all hugs! You need to make accounts so that I can thank you all personally! :)
On a small note, I've resurrected my old tumblr account moonflower04, so feel free to follow me on there for updates, and Reylo stuff. Again, thank you for all the support! I hope you all have a wondrous weekend! :)