Ordered

Chapter 31: In Which Ren and Rey Play Dejarik

(Rated: PG-13?)

The next day, regardless of the never-ending storm, Ren woke contented.

He was back in the bedroom.

Or at least the bedroom floor.

But small victories were victories.

The previous evening, she had allowed him to kiss her goodnight.

On the forehead.

But he was winning the war. He was certain of it.

They had spent the entire night and morning together.

Even though she was too sore to get out of bed and leave his side.

He felt he was truly proving what a magnificent husband he could be. He woke early to check on her. Thankful she was still finding comfort and rest. He watched her for several hours, wishing he could hold her. Dreaming he could do more. But there would be time for that when she felt better. Seeking another way to please her, he decided he would do her chores. The household chores at least, he wasn't going to the Temple. He swept the entire house, save for Luke's room that couldn't be opened. He gathered the soiled laundry and packed it into the machine, adding extra soap for good measure. The sink in the kitchen was broke again. It would not automatically clean the dishes. After checking on her soundly sleeping, and having no idea how to fix the contraption, he decided there was little to do but wash each dish by hand. He scrubbed them until they shined.

High noon rolled around, and Ren realized he knew very little of cooking. He'd never needed the skill before. After hearing Rey stir and offering her a glass of water, he set about testing his ability to pan-fry her favorite vegetables. Which failed rather miserably. He felt grateful she muttered she wasn't hungry and rolled over to block out the light from the doorway. Personally, he tried to eat the parts that weren't overly burnt. Which meant he ate very little.

He stared out the window for a time. As he watched the storm, he meditated in his own way, thanking his grandfather for his guidance and Rey's health and healing. He felt a great sense of gratitude and the same lack of darkness. Once she felt better, all would be serene.

Afterwards, he became overly bored, and the temptation to plunder became too great. Yet, there was still little of interest in the old hovel, and Skywalker's locked door became more of an annoying mystery to him. What was the old man hiding in there? Why couldn't he break the seal?

However, mid-afternoon his dearest woke and wanted to work on her droid. So, he dutifully moved the pieces of her unfinished machine onto the bed, allowing her to both work and relax in comfort. For a time, he enjoyed observing as she bent and connected wires to a circuit board. It was beautiful, seeing the way her mind naturally flowed. Genius.

But, as the rain continued Ren felt listless. There was only so much nothing two people could do.

By the third day, he had absolute cabin fever.

"I have an idea!" Ren rose from the foot of her bed. Rey silently glanced up at him from the metal parts scattered across her sheets.

In the doorway, he bowed his head ceremoniously to her, "I'm going out. I'll be back. Don't concern yourself."

"But the storm!" Rey sat one of her parts down. But it was too late. With a sharp creak, the door pulled closed, leaving her alone. Granted, she felt stir-crazy, too. However, it wasn't enough to provoke a need to face a monsoon. Ben Solo was a strange one.

After a few moments of silent reflection, Rey returned to her work. The droid wasn't going to build itself. So far, she was pleased with the outcome. Time passed. She guessed, perhaps, he had really felt the urge to leave the house, walk in the rain. Ridiculous. It was the whole reason her body was still tender.