Negotiations (Kylo Ren x Reader)

Dreams & Nightmares

You had been dozing in the passenger's side of the cockpit when the ship came out of hyperspace and the lush green and blue of Arkanis came into view. It wasn't near as large as Hosnian Prime, but it was beautiful. You entered the atmosphere, the landscape below blocked by a thick layer of dark gray clouds. Kylo was silent as the ship glided through them, leaving behind droplets of rain on the windows. You descended, peering out the window to take in the endless ocean below, coastline visible on the very edges of the horizon. Strong winds made for a bumpy ride as Kylo steered toward the cliffs, flying down so close to the water that it made ripples.

"We should rest for a day or two before we go in. The lab is about ten miles out from here in the middle of the forest." Kylo didn't look at you as he engaged the landing gear, settling at the base of a large, vertical cliff on the sand.

"I don't want to wait. Every second we're out here gives them another chance to rally their defenses. Or hell, even move the subjects to a different location entirely."

"You're injured." When he finally glanced over, the dark circles under his eyes were prominent. He was tired, neither of you had rested for more than a few minutes since you'd escaped from the Supremacy, and you supposed you'd need it if you wanted your mission to be a success. You breathed a sigh, pointing and flexing your left ankle and crinkling your nose as pain radiated from it, the swelling already making it twice the size of your right.

"Okay," You relented, feeling exhaustion settle like a weight over your shoulders. "We sleep for a few hours. But then, we make our way toward the lab. I want to leave at dawn." Kylo rolled his eyes as you limped from the cockpit, stripping off your bloody clothes and leaving them in a trail to the ramp. You pressed the control button, cool wind whipping over your naked body as breathed in the fresh, salty air. It reminded you for a moment of the complete and utter failure on Delphon, but you opened your eyes, scanning the dark clouds and fog, feeling the raindrops on your bare skin. This was different, this was new. You could succeed here. You could get these people out. You'd take them to the Senate yourself if you had to. You strode down the ramp, toes curling in the sand, goosebumps peppering your skin as the cool surf washed over your feet.

"You know, there's a very nice shower on the ship." Kylo called from the top of the ramp as you ventured further into the water. You turned, looking at him over your shoulder.

"I've never been in an ocean before." A small smile played on Kylo's lips as he started down the ramp, stripping off his shirt and trousers.

"This isn't even a good one, though." His lithe, muscular body was on full display now, flinching when the water lapped up by his toes. "It's too-" You dived under a wave, the shock of the temperature hitting you all at once.

"Cold!" You exclaimed as you surfaced, wrapping your arms over your torso and chattering your teeth.

"I told you." You laughed, falling backwards into the water and floating, feeling raindrops fall on your face, the water fading to a temperate chill once you got used to it. You peeked up to Kylo, who was watching you intently.

"Are you going to stand there and look pretty, or are you getting in?" Kylo shook his head at your challenge, taking a running start before diving in after you. You swam into deeper water, the current drawing you out until you couldn't feel the sand under your feet anymore. Kylo swam out to you, grabbing you around the waist and pulling you in. His skin was warm in the icy water and you wrapped your legs around him, your arms around his neck, using all your weight to try to pull him down into the water.

"You are insane." He smiled, dimples standing out on both sides of his cheeks. You touched his face, brushing a clump of wet, black hair off his forehead, trying to pretend that tomorrow wasn't what it was, that you had the rest of your lives to explore planets and oceans, your only responsibility to each other.