Star Wars: The Lost Jedi

Chapter

The pair stared at each other, neither of them knowing what to say. Serer realized the severity of her words. She had just agreed to stay here, on this vessel, with a man who has been a terror to the galaxy ever since his corruption. However, for moments at a time, Serer felt as though he let her into his world. He wasn't always a blood-thirsty monster, perhaps he was just a conflicted man who could not decipher the light from the darkness. Did this atone for his injustices? Of course not, but confliction was not devotion. His eyes appeared to be scanning her face, as hers did the same. Each searched for any glimpse of understanding. 

"You need to rest." His voice was husky and demanding as his back turned to her. "I will ensure your safety."

"Ben..." Serer's voice was meek and gentle as her hand placed itself on his shoulder. "You need to rest as well."

She watched as his shoulders dropped. He seemed almost defeated. 

"I will go ensure your safety, and then I will return. Get some rest." And without a second glance, he was out the door, and Serer was left with nothing but an empty bed and a confused heart.

She paced the room for a moment. What did this mean? Was she a traitor for conspiring with Kylo Ren? Her fingertips ran along the smooth bedsheets. Her eyes grazed the room. It was simple and neat, nothing sentimental or subjective to Ben Solo nor Kylo Ren. Serer's eyes met a mirror on the farther side of the room. She cautiously approached it, not believing the woman who was reflected. Defeated, broken, and conflicted was practically etched into her furrowed brows. She scanned along the mirror, until her eyes caught a glimpse of something sticking out from behind the mirror. Something small and paper thin. A photograph. 

Serer gingerly plucked the photograph from behind the mirror. Her eyes studied the image. Staring back at her was a young Leia Organa and Han Solo. She could see the love in their eyes as they gazed at one another. Serer did not hear Ben reenter the room until she heard the door close. Her head whipped around, her hand still holding the photograph, as her eyes met Ben's. A small breath escaped her lips as his eyes landed on the photograph. 

"I'm sorry." Serer looked to the floor, extended the photograph towards him. "It wasn't my intention to pry."

She watched his shoes and lets come into view and felt a singular finger lift her chin to meet his gaze. His eyes did not show anger, but rather a hint of sadness as his hand received the photograph. 

"A secret." He whispered, sending a tingle down Serer's spine, as he moved past her to return the photograph to its original spot. However, this time, it was completely tucked away. 

Serer could feel the exhaustion radiating not only off herself, but from Ben as well. 

"I'll take the floor." He said before taking a pillow and one of the blankets from the bed. Serer had noticed he left the larger blanket for her. 

Serer cautiously tucked into the large bed. She felt the coldness of the sheets caress her skin as her head laid upon the pillow. She could hear him breathing from the floor below. Steady, constant, and in some ways... peaceful. It felt as though a part of herself was calmed by the steady rhythm. 

"You're right," Ben spoke softly. "There is a part of me within this husk that does dwell on them."

The rest of the time was silent, Serer not knowing what to say or how to respond. She let the moment pass but extended her hand off the bed and towards the floor. After a moments hesitation, she felt his fingers brush against her knuckles before taking her hand.

Both fell into a deep slumber.