Salvation To My Stars • Kylo Ren [2]

XLVIII

Jude's Pov

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I sat beside Nalani, my head resting against her shoulder. She didn't force me to say anything or push me to let it all out, she just let me listen to our occasional deep breaths. As usual, she looked stunning, a real masterpiece. She never dressed in the same outfit twice. This one was lace and baby blue, clashing with her tanned skin.

"You know I haven't told Corinthia yet right?"

"I know."

"I hate myself for it, but I can't bring myself to tell her. She's done nothing wrong and everything right."

"You are fighting a war Jude, your sister has returned to you and your mind is wandering," She states. "Take as much time as you need."

"I don't want to fight anymore," I smile slightly. "One day, we'll be able to go back to Naboo and be together."

"I'd like that."

I press a kiss to her hand before standing up. "You have a speech to practice and I have a walk to take, I'll see you later."

I walk down the concrete corridor, nodding at the few people who pass by. Sometimes I wonder what they are thinking about, if they fear this war, if they are afraid to die. It's easy to get into their head but sometimes I'm scared that I'll see something I shouldn't. A person's thoughts are their own and I shouldn't invade them.

I look up from my feet and run into Corinthia, my body colliding with hers. I quickly grab her wrist so she doesn't fall and she laughs. "Sorry, I should really pay attention."

"It's okay," I smile lazily. "How is everything?"

"I've been in and out of practices and training all week, occasionally visiting General Organa and eating dinner with my parents. It's been busy but I'm better than ever...how are you?"

Noticing how happy she is, I just shrug. "I'm alright."

"You don't have to lie to me Jude."

I cringe, shaking my head. "I saw Bellamy yesterday."

"I heard, how'd that go?"

"I hugged her," I shove my hands into my pockets. "I talked about a few old memories, I assume it went well."

"I'm glad," She places her pale hand on my shoulder. "You deserve a little happiness."

I bite my lip, hating myself from keeping my relationship with Nalani from her. I open my mouth to speak but she suddenly wraps her arms around me. She pulls me in and hugs me tightly, nuzzling her face into my neck.

"Corinthia-"

"I've been here before– remember when I dated Kes Jnido when I was eleven and he broke up with me? Before we were together for all those years? I know the feeling, and knowing it makes it less scary. You can say it, I am all the stronger because of my battle scars and I can take this. I'm not going to let it take me down," She whispers and my heart drops. "I see the way you look at her, I know because you used to look at me that way. I tell myself everything will be alright. I remind myself that I am a good person, I do good things, I have a heart full of love and there is galaxy is full of good people out there. I'm okay Jude, all I want is for you to have a little more happiness in your life."

I open my mouth to speak once more but she kisses my cheek, which silences me again. "I'm breaking up with you Jude, but you'll always be my first love. I don't hate you and I don't hate her, you're my family. We've been together since the start and it's okay to let you go."

"I'll always love you, bits and pieces of you will always be in my heart."

"I know," She nods. "I've always feared losing you but fear can only hold me back, stop me from reaching my dreams. I can't say it never comes again, but each victory gets a little easier."

A single tear goes down my cheek as she walks away, a complete mess. Her pink cheeks are stained but she struts away with a powerful jolt. I thank her silently, wondering how the hell the galaxy could of made Corinthia W. Arlo.

I take a few seconds to put myself together before I enter the meeting hall. Admiral Ackbar is waiting patiently for me as I arrive, late. Rey, Poe and Finn meet my eye and I sent them a small nod, which they all return. Uncle Luke is sitting beside a few of the other pilots and behind them is Bellamy.

She notices and sort of ducks her head, but I shake it off. There are at least a thousand of us crammed into this fairly small room, all feeling the same way.

Unsure.

"We are at war," Nalani enters the room, her voice calm and collected. "And our biggest war will be not be with the First Order, but with ourselves. We are pushing ourselves closer and closer to death, and you have pledged your allegiance to the beginning of a new era."

An applause broke out as Nalani made it to the centre of the room. Everyone was clapping, everyone saw her as their leader even though she was just doing her job.

"Tonight, we fight for what we have fought for from generation to generation, justice!" She looks around the room. "Our X-Wing fighters will take out as many TIE fighters as they can, in that moment, our ground troops will aboard the Finalizer and take down the First Order. Master Skywalker, Bellamy Solo and General Solo will locate the whereabouts of Snoke, later destroying his treachery once and for all."

"Don't just fight for your family, your planet, your home...fight for yourself, fight for your future." Nalani almost smiled, putting a hand through her hair. "Go on, let's win this war."

A/N: Hey guys! So I posted a Marvel fanfic today! It's set in 1940, during Captain America: The First Avenger. It has a whole lot of Bucky Barnes so it'd be neat if you could check it out and give it some feedback! Also, there's only five more chapters left in STMS!!!

Thanks for reading
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