Hope Remains - A Reylo Story

⭐Eight⭐

The stars blurred together in the perpetual vacuum of space. Rey set the Falcon onto autopilot and listened to the low mumbling of conversation between Lira and Ben. The Falcon was old and held many memories of perils and joy. She had managed to go over repairs with bonding tape, semi-permanently fixing the propulsion tank and repairing the compressor. A new hyper drive engine had to be fitted and it took quite a search for the parts needed to restore the Falcon to her somewhat state of former glory. 

Rey walked into the communal area and crept slowly out again. Ben and Lira needed some time to themselves to get to know each other. "Mama, I know you're there." Lira called out. Rey, having been discovered, entered the communal area.

"I just sent out a transmission to Poe, Lira." At this information, Lira's face lit up.

"What did you say to him?" Lira asked. Rey avoided direct eye contact with Ben for the time being. She still felt incredibly guilty. Yet, she was glad he was here, it would give him the chance to get to know Lira and stir him further away from the dark side so that they could bring down the First Order together. A child's dream, Rey thought to herself. That was her folly the first time round, using a childlike wonder at the possibilities. But now he was here and not there it almost seemed unreal.

"I asked him for more shipments. Those people need to help the Resistance like us." Rey knelt down to her daughter's level. 

"What about the bad people?" Lira probed inquisitively. 

Rey lifted her eyes to Ben who was twisting his lightsaber around his hand. Rey noticed the wince every time he used his arm. "I told him they were there like I was told to." 

"Are we going to see Uncle Poe now?" 

"Not yet. There's some things I have to do first." Lira's eyes grew as the light adjusted, she yawned and Rey saw the tiredness in them. "Besides, I think it's time you went to bed."

Lira crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. "I'm not tired." Her sluggish expression made Rey laugh. A common display Lira put on for Rey each night; her stubbornness. A soft snigger chortled from behind Lira and Rey caught a glimpse of Ben. At this, Rey lifted Lira into her arms and manhandled her to the bunks. "Mama, Mama, put me down!" 

"As you wish." Rey laid Lira onto the bunk where the Wookie and pilot dolls were resting. Rey pulled off Lira's boots and set them on the floor next to her. "Do you want me to take your hair out?" Lira nodded and Rey set about untying the braid in Lira's raven hair. 

"Can you tell me a story?" Lira asked. 

"Sure." Rey said and tucked in Lira before settling herself on the bunk beside Lira and stroking her hair. 

Ben watched Rey carry Lira in her arms to the sleeping quarters savouring the sound of Lira's impudent screaming and Rey's quiet laughter. He didn't think it had ever been at all possible to fall deeper in love with Rey when he had but as he stood in the doorway to the room watching her tell the story of how a simple droid turned her whole mundane existence upside down. He wondered if Lira even knew the story of how he and Rey met or how she scarred him. He surmised that in time he would find out. He continued to look on even after Lira had fallen asleep and Rey kissed her forehead. 

Ben stepped back quietly retreating to the communal area. He winced at the white hot pain in his shoulder that he had all but forgotten existed with the heat of battle. Oh well, another scar to match the myriad he had forever marking his masculine physique. The true price of being a warrior. "You should let me look at that." A soft but insistent voice cut through his thoughts. Ben turned around to see Rey placing a med pack on the holotable.