Reflection of Fire

Conclusion, in Which the Other Characters React

  A/N: Thanks so much for the votes! I really enjoyed writing this and hope you all enjoyed reading it! (there is a longer, NSFW conclusion on AO3, but I've never posted that kind of thing on here, so let me know if you'd like me to).  

Getting married was... complicated. Getting married to someone above your station more so. And getting married to someone by whom everyone you know felt betrayed was possibly the greatest of complications. It was an uphill battle, but Rey was prepared. The most important thing to do was bring many of the family secrets to light.

The first of these were somewhat clumsy, accomplished on the day Ben proposed. Whether they would have ever left the library without prompting, Rey didn't know, but eventually they were interrupted by a knock. It was hardly a surprise to find Finn, Master Dameron, and B.B. waiting. With some awkwardness, the five of them settled in the morning room, Ben sitting in the empty chair nearest Rey.

"Perhaps you want to tell us about your stay at Luke's," Master Dameron said levelly.

Flushing, she briefly regaled them with the truth of her experiences there and reasons for leaving. Ben was silent, though he held her hand tightly throughout.

When she finished, Ben rose and stood before Master Dameron. "I cannot express the depth of my regret for what happened seven years ago," he said formally.

"What were you doing?" Master Dameron asked quietly, assessing him.

"I... Snoke told me of a plot to reveal my mother's true parentage and destroy her reputation. He claimed that, with my help, we could prevent it. But my assistance came at a higher price than Luke was willing to accept and we fought. I didn't... I didn't know anyone else was in the building," he added quietly, looking away.

"And you still chose to serve Snoke after that?" Finn wanted to know.

Ben glanced at him sharply. "He... He claimed to have proof of my innocence. And... it wasn't as though I was welcome anywhere else." The last sentence hinted at bitterness but he squared his shoulders and continued. "I may have been wrong," he conceded. "In any case, I have done what I can to make amends, small though I know they are compared to your loss."

Master Dameron gave a short nod, all the concession he was willing to give at the moment. Though he didn't forgive Ben right away, he did allow the man into his home every day to visit his fiancée and slowly accepted that the friend he had known so many years ago might still be there.

It was fortunate that Finn and B.B. were easier to win over. B.B. easiest of all, as she knew little about him, and was terribly fond of Rey. And therefore willing to be accept whatever made Rey happy. Finn had, as he said, apparently turned from one side to the other when he had saved Master Dameron's life upon their meeting. Rey couldn't get the exact story from him, but he was sympathetic to Ben's circumstances. Not that he quite so easily forgave the slight upon him caused when they had fought at the inn, but he came around.

On that first day, Rey accompanied Ben to the door when it was time for him to leave. In what was perhaps not strictly acceptable propriety, he kissed her gently. "When are we getting married?" he murmured, dark eyes boring into hers with the promise of future kisses and much more.

"Soon," she breathed, afraid she might not be able to wait that long if he was going to look at her like that. With a slight smile and a nod, he turned away. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she headed down to the stables to see Rose.

Mr. Bacca was standing outside in the drive, likely having watched Ben go. When he noticed her, he smiled broadly. "You did it, lass," he told her as he patted her on the shoulder then headed back to work. She thought he might have wiped away a tear but couldn't be certain.