Loving the Enemy: A Reylo WWII Story

The Secret

Rey and Ren continued like this for days; only pausing when Ren needed to go to work each day. Every time he would leave the house, Rey saw him put on a different mask, one of a hard and cruel commander, and she saw it fall away to reveal a gentle, young, and kind boy when he returned home. Rey understood it in a way; she let her guard down around him more than she ever had. Yet, when she was in public, she was polished and stern, sharing a smile with only the closest of friends. Rey spent a total of 13 days on bedrest. She counted every second, both anxious to get out into the world, but also sad to leave the cocoon away from the war her room had become. Rey was curious as to how Ren would act around her in public; she had only seen his interactions in public for a few minutes that day in the square; would he turn cruel for the sake of the show? It became something that Rey deeply pondering over her days in bedrest. Something that she was entrenched in when as Ren returned home from work one day. 

"Rey, ma chere. How are you doing... You feeling better?" asked Ren, that mask had dropped, revealing his softer self.

"Much. I feel ready to run a marathon... or at least walk to le boulangerie  (the bakery) tomorrow" Rey chuckled nervously. Trying to keep her mind and face clear of her previous thoughts and emotions

"...What are you thinking ma chere? You are hiding something from me... What is it." Damn, thought Rey. Ren knew how to read her like an open book; nothing was left uninterpreted by Ren. 

"Oh, Ren.... I was just thinking about how we will treat each other in public. Do we pretend to hate each other, are we neutral towards another, or do we not hide our affection for one-another?". The words came tumbling out and Rey was unable to stop them. "If we act as friends, I will be labeled a collaborator by everyone in town, but if the Germans occupy forever I could be labeled resistance or a spy even... it's even harder since we live in the same house, I mean how friendly can we even be to one another without everyone thinking we are sleeping together?"

Ren paused. Thinking about what Rey had just said. It was a difficult dilemma, yet as Rey was quickly healing, it was a needed discussion; they had put reality out of their minds for too long. "I think it would be best to keep it minimal contact. Nod to one another in public, yet avoid staring. Show recognition, as not to be ice cold, but don't show any hint of emotion." . 

"Will do Captain" responded Rey jokingly, secretly relieved that he had taken charge to make the decision for them, "Oh, by the way, I think I might go visit Rose next week, when I am back on my feet".

One week later:

Rey walked down the path through the woods, basket full of pears in hand. She was cautious, staying on the path as not to run into any more German soldiers. The birds chirped in the trees and the sun trickled through the thick canopy. She brought Finn's letter in her hand, knowing it would mean more to Rose than it did to her. She hadn't seen Rose in months. The last time she had saw her was at her wedding to Finn, Rose being Finn's best friend and all. That morning, Rey had picked the pears in the garden and said goodbye to Ren, eager to give Rose's children the ripe pears. Rey had always wondered why Finn and Rose never married. Of course, Rose had married her husband, Poe, nearly two years before Finn and Rey tied the knot, but it still seemed strange to Rey. They seemed like best friends, and there always seemed to be something underneath the surface with them. Like badly concealed tension. Rey continued on the path to Rose's house for nearly another half an hour, hence why she hadn't made the arduous journey until she was fully healed and rested. As Rey approached the farm, she saw her mother in law's car parked next to Rose's flowerbed. That was strange, Finn's mother was supposed to be visiting her elderly friend Mathilde in a neighboring village; a village in the opposite direction of Rose's house. Rey walked quietly to the back door of Rose's farmhouse only to find the door open. From the outside, Rey could hear her mother in law and Rose loudly discussing. It was only until Rey got closer to the door did she realize they were discussing her. 

"She's been growing significantly closer to that german soldier staying with us. They have been spending the night together lately. What am I supposed to do... ban her from speaking to and seeing him? She's going to disgrace the family, especially my son"

"Well it's not like I am a model for abstinence until marriage, I mean look what happened with me and Finn; he had to marry Rey to keep my husband, Poe, from telling the town, and even then we continued the affair. He literally came here after marrying her to kiss me before he got on the train to go to war. I'm still convinced he's Marisol's father!" giggled Rose. 

"Shh! Rey must never know that. If she did, she would feel more than betrayed. The girl is not an idiot; I think she knows it was a marriage of convenience, but it would wreck her to find out that she was being used as a cover. Promise me, Rose, you will never tell her or hint anything of this nature to her. Swear it Rose. She's a gentle girl, she's been through enough in life" said Finn's mother urgently.

"I swear. I want what's best for Finn and what is best for Finn is to keep using Rey to cover his and my tracks." responded Rose calmly. 

 Rey went cold. The pieces connected. Now it made sense why Finn married her, a girl of no wealth and station, so quickly. Finn never loved her. It all was a coverup. Rey dropped her basket of pears, and took off running down the path to the house as her world came crashing down.