The Brighter Dark (Kylo Ren X Reader)

Ch. 16- Paint It Black (Part 1)

As you eyed the expensive-looking dress that was laid across your bed, you became increasingly aware that no amount of staring was going to make that neckline any higher.

You had returned from your run with Kuruk only about twenty minutes ago before promptly hitting the shower. When you had emerged, you'd been greeted by the sight of a zippered garment bag hanging on a hook beside your door. Excited and a little bit nervous, you'd carefully removed the dress from its bag, taken a good hard look at it, then gingerly laid it onto your bed.

"Nope," you muttered to yourself as you ruefully shook your head, "absolutely not."

Throwing on a pair of leggings and a sports bra, you walked down the hall to Kuruk's door and announced yourself with a quick knock.

"Did Master tell you anything about some First Order gala happening tonight?" You asked, not waiting for him to answer the door.

"Give me a second-" You heard Kuruk's muffled response before the steel doors slid open. Like you, he was still damp from a shower, clad only in a simple pair of black pants.

"Yeah, we're all going together." Kuruk replied, using a towel to squeeze any leftover moisture out of his pale golden hair. "Why?"

You let out a sigh of relief at that- a part of you had been nervous that this gala meant you would be spending an entire evening alone with Kylo Ren. The tension between the two of you had been growing exponentially ever since you had re-entered each other's lives, and that tension was starting to feel like a ticking time bomb. Having the other knights around to act as a buffer had been enough to keep the two of you from giving into any... impulses... but if you were alone with him for an entire night? You weren't sure what the two of you might have done if given the chance.

Best to keep things professional. Uncomplicated. Platonic.

Which is why you weren't sure what to make of the choice of gown Kylo had opted for you.

"What...ah..." you stuttered, "what are you planning on wearing?"

Kuruk cocked his head to the side as he ruffled his damp hair with his towel. "He didn't give you something to wear?"

You shook your head ruefully. "No, he did..." you trailed off, deciding how to voice your concerns. "Not really my style."

Kuruk's mouth quirked up in a lopsided grin. "Fancier than you're used to?"

More exposed skin than I'm used to, you thought, but you nodded anyway.

His face was a thin veil of sympathy shrouding obvious curiosity. "I'm sure it's not that bad. Just wear it for tonight, then you'll probably never have to wear it again."

You rolled your eyes and gave him an exaggerated sigh, but conceded and trudged back into your room. You sent up a silent prayer that the other knights would look at least half as ridiculous as you were going to feel tonight.

***

Vicrul felt hot as fuck.

In the absolute best way possible, he felt hot as fuck.

Smoothing down his open collar underneath the black suit jacket he had donned for tonight's event, he squared back his shoulders to give himself one last once-over before exiting his room. The suit was certainly one-of-a-kind; it featured numerous cuts of black fabrics in various finishes from ribbed to sleek satin-even a touch of leather- and was tailored to flatter his waist in such a way that accentuated his shoulders' lean muscle tremendously. It was a tad flashy- but he knew he would be a far cry from the flashiest one there. The gala was being hosted on Canto Bight for Maker's sake.