Understanding || Ben Solo

Episode III: Tall

"Being tall has a major impact, it takes some courage to be as big as you are, to live up to it and not be intimidated by the graceful tiny people." - Sigourney Weaver

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He was tall.

The rays of the Naboo sunset outlined the edges of their silhouettes.

She watched them from the doorway of their home. Ben's voice was a low timbre but gentle as he pointed out towards the mountains from the balcony and named them. Kyra was sitting around his shoulders repeated the names curiously and then would ask for another, to which Ben complied. She didn't have to see their faces to know that they were both enjoying this. And well, it warmed her heart more than anything to see them – the most important people in her life, here, with her.

She let them have a few more moments, simply admiring the sight of them talking before deciding to join them. She walked over, her long flowing dress trailing behind her and locks of her hair drifting in the wind. When she reached them, she ran her hand gently down his arm that held onto Kyra's legs. He turned, surprise and joy lighting his face even more at the sight of her. His eyes never leaving hers as he took her in, now bathed in the glorious light from the sunset.

"Hey," he said breathlessly.

She blushed at his stunned expression. "Hey."

"Hi mama!" Kyra greeted with a toothy grin. Her tied up dark hair blowing in the wind, her hazel eyes sparking with excitement.

She looked so much like Ben, acted like him too. Unfortunately clumsy, eyes full of wonder and whenever Rey was upset she could sense it – just like Ben. She would always wrap her small arms around her leg and just hold her until the tears faded into a smile. He would disagree saying that her smile and distinct laughter reminded him of her, and that despite her dark locks she was irrevocably her mother's daughter. Her quick wit, playfulness and ability to pick things up was beyond anything he did when he was younger. But they agreed on one thing. She was more unique than either of them, unburdened with expectations and free to be whomever she wanted to be.

She was loved.

Rey spotted the oil on her face – she had no doubt been playing around inside the Falcon again. Though she was proud that her daughter was learning, she did worry. The Falcon was... Well it was garbage but sentimental, nonetheless.

"Kyra were you tinkering around in the Falcon?" Rey asked sternly.

She gave Rey an exasperated look before looking down at Ben's head. "Dad let me!"

Rey blinked several times and looked back to Ben, who seemed to suddenly snapped out his entranced state. His expression suddenly nervous and guilty as he smiled her. In the few seconds he had to debate the many options to solve the situation, he decided to go for flattery.

Ben took her hand and gently rubbed it, giving her helpless look. "I can't help that the kid takes after her beautiful, intelligent mother."

Rey huffed, rolling her eyes at his words. "You Solos..."

She reached up a hand, slightly struggling from how high up she was from being on Ben's shoulders, rubbing the oil from Kyra's face. Kyra scrunched her face in response and pulled away to do it herself. When the oil was left in her fingers she reached down and cheekily swiped at her father's face. He reached up and slowly wiped it away and stared at his fingers, his eyes locking onto Rey.

"Don't you dare."

He swiped, getting the end of her nose. She stood there, eyes closed and mind blank as the air hit the cold grease on her nose. She had to marry a damn Solo. Of all people.

"Now you look like Grandpa Chewie," Kyra giggled.

When Rey opened her eyes, she could see Ben holding back a snort and Kyra covering her giggles with a hand. Despite how silly she felt, she grinned. They were all painted with a smear of black. She melted into loud laughter as Kyra continued to giggle and Ben was shaking from holding it all back.

And then when it died down, Ben spoke.

"You're beautiful, Rey."

"So are you," she said through a wide smile.

"What about me?" Kyra pouted.

Ben grinned, reaching up and moving Kyra so that she was in his arms and tickled her. Squeals of laughter burst through her soured expression.

"You are the most beautiful girl in the galaxy," Rey said after the tickle fight ended, brushing her hair back from her small face.

"All of them?"

Ben nodded. "All of them."

Kyra grinned at them.

Ben moved Kyra back up onto one shoulder. And before Rey could stop him, he dipped and lifted her up to sit onto his other shoulder. She felt herself squeal and laugh when her daughter did the same as Ben stood back up. They could see every inch of the ocean deep down below and even the furthest mountain in the distance.

She held her arm around Kyra, who grinned and started naming all the mountains for Rey. To which Rey nodded enthusiastically and repeated after her. Ben looked up at her, intoxicated with love and she felt warmth shine through their bond.

This was her family.

Ben Solo was tall.