Inevitable, A modern day Reylo AU

Chapter 29 - Communion (M+E)

A/N - Hi All!  I hope you're still with me after a longer than normal gap between posts.  Whew! This is a long one (a really, really long one - like 16,000 words long!!) - which is why its taken me so long to complete and polish it.  I struggled with breaking it into two - waffling back and forth, but then decided to just leave it as is.  So, get cozy, grab a bevvie, and settle in for a while!  And yes... its here!  The moment has finally arrived!  But, after such a long wait, I couldn't just let them rush it (which is why the damn thing is so long!).  Its definitely smutty - but with A LOT of feels woven in!  Hopefully its not too convoluted, and you still like it.  After this, I'm looking forward to finally moving the rest of the story along  😁.  Please let me know what you think (I love hearing from you all), and vote, vote, vote!  Thanks for still reading!  Enjoy!

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It was her laugh that did it.  That innocent, happy laugh that bubbled out of her in the bright afternoon sunlight.  It resonated through him, echoing through his blood like a drug, finally sending him over the edge.  They were casually strolling down the beach, enjoying the warmth of the day after spending the morning exploring the attractions at the Santa Monica Pier.

It had been something that Ben had been dying to show her – one of the attractions that he'd compiled in his mind – those he'd wanted to experience with her.  Since he'd been in L.A., he'd really barely done anything fun - had really only worked and gone for an occasional run.  But he'd seen the Pier area one day as his Uber had driven past it, and it had reminded him a little of their time in the Bahamas.  He'd immediately added it to his list of "things he'd like to show Rey".

After waking up to another typically beautiful day in sunny southern California – following a prolonged morning make out session that had turned very heated – they'd decided to do something outdoors, rather than being cooped up inside on such a lovely day.  He'd mentioned the Pier in response, and Rey became so excited that he'd had to stop her from practically dragging him out of the door.  He'd just laughed, rolling his eyes and telling her that nothing was open that early – but mollified her with the promise of a home cooked breakfast.  He'd kept their meal relatively simple though, suspecting that she'd prefer to sample a number of the "fair food" type offerings that would be available, just like she did at the small festival they'd visited in the Bahamas.  As soon as they were done eating, he'd ordered an Uber and they were off to the Pier.

Since it was a Saturday, it was already busy at 10:30 in the morning, with many people having decided to enjoy the warmth and sunshine of the late winter day.  After a quick look around, they'd decided to start with the small aquarium, since Rey had mentioned that she was excited to see the Pacific sea life instead of what she termed "the boring Atlantic cold water fishes" that were more typical of East Coast aquaria.

Throughout most of the day, he'd been content to stand back and simply watch her.  There was just something about the way she moved that he found so.....enthralling.  Of course he'd noticed it before, but had forced himself to keep from openly gawking at her until now, lest she figure out that he was looking at her in a way that was far from how a friend should look.  Gazing appreciatively were the words that came to mind.

He recalled a few moments from earlier that morning, when he'd watched while she'd peered through the glass of one of the tanks, her face practically pressed against the glass to get a closer look.  "Damn, I think I might need glasses."  She'd said, glancing at him sheepishly.  "All those hours peering at schematics on my computer screen may be catching up with me."  Noticing his look, she'd straightened up and gazed at him curiously.  "What?"  She asked.  "Why are you looking at me like that?"