A Reylo Romance: "Don't be Afraid, I Feel it Too"

Ahch-To, Part 1

"BB-8," I whisper and she turns her little head to me. I'm lying down in the most comfortable bed I've ever been in. A breeze blows the sheer curtains in. The large archway windows have no glass but are open to the sky. Many shades of sunset orange glisten through. We're on Ahch-To, where the original Jedi Temple is and the ancient city once was. Now, some of the islands serve as a second Rebel base location for troops to rest and eat when needed.

The Temple is on another Island near this one and I haven't seen it. There are many Islands on this planet of endless ocean. This one houses the living quarters of the ancient Jedi monks, a castle of white sand stone and pillars, archways and open rooms, built into the sharp mountain edges of the rock island. There's no escaping the sound of the waves below, it lulls me to sleep. I shake my head to push away the drowsiness.

"I can't lay here anymore," I say to BB-8. "I'll fall asleep."

"Isn't that what General Leia wants you to do?" she asks.

"Yes, well..." I swing my bare legs over the side of the bed "She's not the one that has to dream my dreams if she falls asleep."

BB-8 bleeps in her questioning tone but I don't feel like explaining it to her. My bare feet touch the cool tiles on the floor. The smooth marble floors run all throughout the hallways and archway bridges that connect the gathering space and dining hall and other rooms of this castle-like residence in the middle of the ocean.

"The sun just doesn't want to set," I say, squinting towards the East, where the sun is still persisting.

"It doesn't fully set in this season on Ahch-To," BB-8 explains. "It circles around the horizon."

I smile. This planet understands me, not wanting night to ever come.

"Want to go explore this dark castle a bit?" I say to BB-8. She does a little spin and I take that as a yes.

* * *

The pillars in the main hall lie in shadows, silhouetted by the fading sunset in the sky. The other end of the hall billows with fog that spills through the open air balcony, onto the marble tiles. My bare feet stick to the smooth marble as I walk. The sleeping gown I was given flows like the sheer fabric of the curtains on the windows, so light and airy that I feel naked.

The entire fortress on this island is a striking combination of old and new. Old pillars and crumbling white stone walls, new marble floors and potted plants in various places. I walk around the large plants, keeping away from them. Their earthy smell of the dirt and roots reminds me too much of being in the forest on Yavin_4 with Kylo. My heart aches whenever I think of him.

I turn my attention to the sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the rocks far down below. The salty moisture in the air leaves a sweet taste in my mouth and mattes my free flowing hair to my face. I refused food when we arrived, but now that everyone is finally gone to their rooms and no one is looking at me, and asking me questions, I sure wouldn't mind something to eat. Some fast rising bread from home, or a spoonful of that sweet bread pudding Kylo made for me during our days together would be nice.

I shake my head to dispel the memories.

"BB-8, can you take me to the dining hall? I don't remember the way. Maybe there's some food left over on the tables."

BB-8 zooms ahead and I follow after her, my feet slapping the marble tiles. Now that we've made some distance between us and the sleeping area I'm no longer worried about tiptoeing around.

The dining hall faces away from the never ending sunset, towards the cloudy side of the island, sitting in dark shadows. I see the outline of bowls left on the long dining table, filled with fruit. I grab for a promising looking piece of fruit that I don't recognize.