Rekindled (A Star Wars AU Fanfic)

Part 1, Chapter 8

"You really need to take better care of yourself," Kylo mumbled, dabbing the cloth against her face. He was careful and meticulous with his aid, holding it to her forehead for a few counts before pressing it to the apples of her cheeks. 

"I know," she whispered, eyes closed. Kylo paused, his lips pressed together as he studied her.

"Do you?"

Remii opened her eyes and just stared up at him. He stared back. Usually Remii was the first to cave but Remii won this round. Kylo pursed his lips as he pressed the cloth back on her forehead and left it there. He offered her the bottled water first. The latte would be her dessert if the soup stayed down. "Drink," he urged. He'd already uncapped the bottle for her as she took a sip. "I assume you haven't done much of that today. Or eating."

Remii had always been bashful asking for help and despite being unwell, she made her shame known. She avoided his gaze as she took a few more gulps. "I haven't done much of anything today."

Well, at least she was honest.

Their eyes widened at the sound of her phone chiming on the coffee table. Kylo raised a brow at Remii - she nodded. Reaching over to read the message, Kylo immediately felt his grip tighten around her phone. If he squeezed any harder...

"Please don't break my phone..." Remii mumbled, pulling the blanket over her nose. She already knew who it was.

Kylo reread the message. Specifically who had sent it. He knew ahead of time that this would likely happen thanks to word of mouth from Leia, but... "You accepted Luke's internship?"

Remii started nibbling at her fingers, Kylo could see from under that lame excuse of a blanket. He would never admit it verbally but...he felt betrayed by Remii. Of all people...how could she? It must've been clear in his gaze that he was upset, he watched as Remii's brows crinkled. 

Remii closed her eyes, her lips parting and closing over and over. What was the right thing to say, along with the truth? "I didn't know what else to do. Once the internship is done, I'm gone." Remii looked up at Kylo, holding his gaze tightly, securely. "I didn't do this to intentionally hurt or betray you, Ben. I would never want to hurt you."

Kylo scoffed, albeit a bit louder than he'd intended. Remii winced.

"It's fine if you don't believe that but I'm telling you my truth. I did it because it's a good work experience, and that's all."

"And now you're sick because of him."

Kylo knew that was the cause, he'd've been able to figure that out on his own had Leia not told him. His uncle was one for dramatics, working through any type of weather no matter how violent. He'd probably gotten Remii to milk the cows in a torrential downpour. Remii said nothing which only confirmed Ben's assumption. He sighed, looking over and grabbing his coat off the armrest. 

Remii was breathing loudly through her nose now - she was worked up about something. "You're so important to me, Ben."

Kylo stopped, gripping his coat tightly. He caught her gaze and looked into a pair of innocent eyes, eyes that expressed pure vulnerability. He wanted to believe her, he did. He scoffed again, peeling himself from her gaze. As he rose from the couch he mumbled, "eat your soup, drink your drinks, get some sleep. And don't get worse." Kylo tossed his coat onto her blanket and left the apartment without a second glance. Remii didn't protest his exit either, he didn't think she would. 

When Kylo drove back to his apartment, shed his damp layers and crawled into bed, he was immediately struck with something. Guilt? Sorrow? He couldn't place it. All he knew was that for the rest of what remained of his evening, he would spend it picturing a sick and shivering Remii, alone. And he did.