The Pull to the Light

Chapter XXI

After a stormtrooper delivered her meal, Chiara sat on her bed, trying to force herself to eat. But even after all that she had been through in her life, she couldn't prevent herself from breaking. Kylo would never love her and, consequently, she would never get her Ben back.

Chiara put the practically untouched food aside and sighed as she got up and changed for bed. She figured that she should probably get herself to sleep before her thoughts made her do something that she would regret later.

Her head hit her pillow and she was soon pulled into a restless sleep. She still blamed herself for the incident with Kylo and was trying to accept the fact that no matter what, he was not going to return the deep feelings that she held for him.

She was woken from her tossing and turning by a scream from the room next to hers. Recognizing the voice as Kylo's, she didn't think twice before jumping up and running into his room to see what was wrong. He was covered with a thin layer of sweat and was thrashing around in his bed, muttering incoherently.

Chiara immediately began to shake him softly, not wanting to hurt him but also wanting to relieve him of the pain that filled his nightmare. He didn't respond, remaining in the dream that tortured him so.

Then he suddenly cried out, "Chiara!" For a second Chiara was relieved that he had finally woken and had seen her above him, but then realized that he was still sleeping. Her blood ran cold, knowing that this nightmare was about her.

She started to shake him harder, tears in her eyes as she watched the man she loved suffer though this torture, especially since it seemed to be her fault. The thrashing came to a stop and Kylo opened his eyes, only to see a panicked Chiara standing before him.

"Chiara, what are you doing here?" His voice was less accusing than she had been expecting, sounding almost as though he was afraid that he was going to hurt her.

"I-I heard a scream from your room and I was afraid something terrible had happened. When I found you in a nightmare I knew I had to save you, especially since you once did the same to me," Chiara replied, gaining confidence as she continued speaking. She didn't care if he chose to punish her for coming into his room, she simply enjoyed being in his company.

"Thank you, Chiara," he spoke truthfully, seeming to move a little closer to her for support.

"May I ask what the dream was about?" She decided to inquire, placing her hand on his shoulder.

He looked away, unable to meet her eyes and she was met with the fear that she had done the wrong thing. But then Kylo began to answer, "I was dueling with someone who was very skilled in the Jedi arts, I thought perhaps it could have been Skywalker. By pure luck, I gained the upper hand and slashed my blade through their body. They fell and then I could properly see their face. Chiara, it was you! I-I promise never to hurt you again, Chiara, how could I hurt a precious angel like you?"

Chiara was still trying to recover from the fact that he had killed her in his dream, making her believe that she had misheard what Kylo had said last. But as she looked up to meet his eyes, she knew that she was wrong; he did truly love her.

Their lips met again, this time not as much of a surprise to either of them. It deepened slowly, the two of them enjoying the perfect feeling of each other's lips on their own.

Chiara slowly broke away, "I am sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"Don't be," Kylo interrupted, resuming the kiss she had broken. Her lips twitched upwards into a smile as he continued kissing her, having been assured that he did indeed reciprocate her feelings.

When she found herself needing air she pulled away, "You should get some sleep, Kylo Ren."

He pulled her a little closer to him, "You may call me Ben, I know that you are always tempted to do so when I am around you. Besides it will be just like those times when we were innocent young children, not having to worry about this war or being on opposing sides, even if you do say that you have succumbed to the darkness."

"Very well, Ben," She smiled, kissing his forehead tenderly, almost in a motherly fashion. "But you still need your sleep. I will leave you so I don't distract you any longer."

"Wait," he called out before she could leave the room. "I don't want you roaming the corridors of the ship this late at night, even with your room being so close. I do not trust the stormtroopers below me to respect you properly."

"Are you asking me to sleep here?" Chiara asked, her heart fluttering at the thought of being so close to Kylo as they slept.

"Purely to protect you, of course. If you are uncomfortable, I can move down to the floor-"

Chiara interrupted with a smile, "No, Ben, it is fine. Besides, it isn't like we have not shared a bed before. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness."

She slipped into bed next to him, unsure how close she should be. Finally settling on a spot that was not too far away that it made her appear uncomfortable but also not close enough to potentially make him uncomfortable, Chiara settled down and closed her eyes, breathing in Ben's manly scent that had been left on his pillows.

Ben wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer so that her back was pressed against his chest. His heat radiated off of his body, enveloping Chiara in warmth and causing her to fall into a deep sleep.

It seemed that her mere presence soothed Ben's mind, protecting him from his nightmares used to taunt his deviation towards the light and pull him back into the darkness. It was as though Chiara's light formed a barrier that could not be penetrated by any dark thought and allowed Ben to sleep peacefully, holding his love in his arms.

...

A little fluff for you all! I'm so exhausted right now so I apologize for the cheesiness and if there are any mistakes because I can barely function properly 😂 But now I am watching the Oscars and hoping that Star Wars wins all it was nominated for!