Ordered

Chapter 29: In Which Rey Realizes Ren Loves Her

(Rated: PG? kissing?)

[(Sorry this bit is short, written 2016, before I knew people like really long chapters...^-^')]

Rey blinked rapidly when Ren's mouth moved over hers. 

His lips were cold and mixed with the taste of water. He was gentle. He had always been gentle, savoring their kiss. But now she could feel an increased air of kindness and compassion. A hope he had lacked before.

She broke their lip lock to breath and considered. Deep aches were spreading across her body. Particularly across her lower back. She kept very still, less the pain increase. Ren held her. His face remained close, eager, waiting for an invitation to return to her mouth.

Seeing the thankfulness, the hunger that simmered in his gaze, Rey's heart barely contained a mournful pang. 

He loved her. 

She knew it. He didn't have to say it. It was radiating through him.

She only had to ask, and he'd be whatever she wanted. Servant. Master. Protector. Champion. Lover. It seemed cruel that he'd developed an impossible aspiration. Long ago, he'd been brainwashed into following orders, and now, he would follow her. He was replacing one leader for another; distraught for her to issue him a single command.

Internally, Rey grieved for him. 

Why couldn't he return to the light of his own free will? 

She would have spoken, pleaded for him to deny the feeling if she hadn't liked his touch so genuinely. Honestly, she knew, this close, the energy to deny the connection, for both their sakes, would be painstakingly difficult.

Luke, she absentmindedly tried again. Why won't you return home and guide us? Ben Solo's madly in love with me.

Nothing.

Not a word.

Rey knew she could be strong, for both her and Ren, for a little while longer. But as he gingerly carried her home, she felt a new trial awaited her.