𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝙠𝙮𝙡𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙣.

o2. nightmare

CHAPTER TWO
'NIGHTMARE'

❝ and when times were rough,
i made sure i held you close to
me.     so call out my name.  ❞

— CALL OUT MY NAME, the weeknd

:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.:

MERCILESS WHISPERS CROWDED Ben's head as he tossed in his sleep. Sweat had beaded from his forehead and attached itself throughout his extremities. Soft groans of fear escaped his lips as his heart was pumping at a pace it hadn't before.

It had been two weeks since Andromeda and Ben shared alone time under the light of the stars and bugs. They hadn't shared a moment like that since. Ben had grown distant from her; usually she could find him with ease. These days, it was as if he was hiding from her.

It was Ben's whimpers that pulled Andromeda from her dream-like state. It was as if Ben was calling to her.

A confused Andromeda rubbed her eyes, sitting up
while her knees pulled to her chest. It was four in the morning.

Ben's whimpers caught her ears again as she dropped her hands, squinting in the darkness. She was desperate for her eyes to adjust.

Letting her bare feet hit the cold floor, she stood up
from Ben and made her way silently across the hut. Ben withered underneath of her, fighting a silent battle in his sleep. The sight of him so powerless and hurt pulled at Andromeda's heartstrings.

"Ben," She whispered, leaning down to his level and placing her soft hands on the sides of his face. "Ben."

Her voice was soothing to his ears; it was his solution.

The thrashing ceased as the nightmare had stopped. Andromeda let out a sigh of relief as she stood straight, pulling her hands away from him.

Ben was awake but he was far too embarrassed to let her know that. The next thing he knew was a leg that slipped in beside his. Andromeda had lowered her body onto the bed, snuggling into Ben's side silently. The bed was fit for one person; Ben shuffled onto his side, pulling the smaller woman closer into his frame.

The two lay in comfortable silence as Ben pulled the blanket over the two of them. He snaked his arm underneath her head as she took in his heavenly scent.

Andromeda was dead tired; she fought her eyes fluttering shut for as long as she could. She was much too comfortable to stay awake.

Ben sensed her calm heartbeat, indicating that she had fallen into a deep slumber. Holding her tighter, he slowly pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Thank you." Ben whispered.

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THE SOFT GLOWS of the morning sun cowered over the intertwined bodies of Andromeda and Ben.

Andromeda stirred, "Ben." She whispered, wiggling from his warm embrace.

Ben blinked a few times as he adjusted himself to being awake. Looking over to the woman beneath him, he grinned at her appearance. Her curls were running rampant around her soft features.

It took Ben a moment before he realized that this sleep was his first slumber in weeks that he hadn't had a nightmare. After Andromeda crawled in the bed, of course.

It was Andromeda; she was the light.

"Meda," Ben began, using the nickname that he had given her when they were younglings. "I—"

Andromeda smiled with a shake of her head. "No need to thank me. I just want to get to my own bed before Master Skywalker sees us."

Ben chuckled, sitting up in the bunk. A soft blush crept upon his cheeks as he looked up at her. She stood in front of him in between his thighs. Biting her bottom lip, Andromeda smiled, lacing her fingers in Ben's. "I'll see you later, Benny."

Ben shook his head as he barked a laugh, "Let's never say that again."

"Okay, Whatever you say," Andromeda began, walking away as she held her hand out, still laced with Ben's. "...Benny."

Ben watched as she walked out from the hut, his stomach pooling in warmth as his cheeks remained flushed.

Upon entering the refresher, Andromeda came face to face with her best friend.

"Andi." Kayla chuckled, bringing the water up from the spout to continue washing her face. "Didn't see you in bed last night."

Andromeda rolled her eyes playfully, "Don't say a word."

Kayla giggled, rinsing her hands off. "I don't have to. Just me looking at you is torture enough."

Andromeda giggled, throwing a wash towel at Kayla's face. "Stop!"

"If you insist!" Kayla caught the towel with a chuckle, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" She winked, heading out of the refresher.

Andromeda looked in the mirror; the ghost of a smile on her face from the interaction. Taking in her appearance, she noticed the red hue of her cheeks. Biting the inside of her cheek in a smile, she shook her head.

Ben Solo would surely be the death of her.

rensapprentice