~ 𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 ~ A Ben Solo/Kylo Ren Story

8.

~~~~~

Celeste couldn't sleep. The dreams plagued her tirelessly. She wasn't sleepy anyway. She rose from her bed silently, wrapping herself in a throw blanket that was draped over her chair. She pulled on some socks to dampen the sound of her footsteps and walked outside her room. 

She wandered aimlessly for some time, she didn't know how long, until she found herself at a small, inconspicuous looking door. She curiously pushed it inside. It was oddly familiar. It was completely bare, just a semi-circular room. But the room was not what her gaze was fixed upon. It was the view beyond the windows. 

~~~~~

Kylo sensed she was awake. He didn't know why he knew, he just did. He felt the urge to be awake as well, as he often was at these hours. His mask was off, for once, and he considered, for a split second, not putting it on to go outside, but he changed his mind. What if he ran into someone?

He stepped outside and found himself, after some minutes, at the door to the viewing room. He knew that Celeste stood just beyond the closed door, admiring the stars as she had been before their very first meeting. 

For some reason, there was something, deep inside him, aching to step inside. To join her, to stand by her side and watch the galaxy move around them. To feel the warmth of the stars and the cold of space, alongside the girl. That small part of him longed to take her hand, to hold her face in his hand as Hux had, to feel her lips against his, to feel her. 

It had been so long since anyone had been close to him. He's been starved of physical contact since he left his family. Even that split second where she clung to his arm to prevent herself from falling, it was enough to send his mind reeling, his heart racing. It was a foreign experience. 

Ren stood there, watching the door for who knows how long, silent. Just thinking. He thought about Celeste's tired, anxious, green eyes. Her wavy, messy, blonde hair. The way her face lit up when she managed to make contact when fighting. The way she smiled bashfully when he (rarely) praised her during training. She wasn't as afraid of him as everyone else was, he could feel it. 

He was so lost in thought, he didn't hear her opening the door. She must have been lost in her own mind as well because she collided directly into him. She scrambled back, eyes wide.

"Oh! I apologize, Master Ren, I wasn't looking," She bowed ever so slightly, face flushed. 

"It-it's fine," He said.

"I couldn't sleep," She rambled, smiling dreamily, "So I came down here. It's familiar for some reason. It's a really beautiful view. It really makes you think about how small we are..." She trailed off, then realized what she had said. 

"Well, you're not small! I mean me, like, who will remember me when I'm gone," She laughed nervously, "You'll have a legacy that far outlasts anything you've built, I suppose."

"I wonder," He replied stiffly, flustered. Celeste smiled. 

"Well, I'll let you have a turn in the room," She laughed, "I'll see you in training, yeah?" Kylo nodded. 

He turned to watch her leave.

~~~~~

He stood in the doorway of the room for a moment. Yes, of course, the stars were beautiful...but they couldn't compare to the sparkle she got in her eyes when she smiled. He shook his head, walking back to his room. No attachments, no pain. Ideally, he'd have the strength to cut her off from him emotionally, completely, but she was addictive. 

You'll have a legacy that far outlasts anything you've built, I suppose.

Would he? Was that even what he wanted, really? 

A/N: Hello! If you're enjoying this story so far, please consider leaving comments, votes, add it to your reading lists, or even follow me for more stories in the future. It really means the world to me, and I love seeing everyone's comments and thoughts! This story is currently under editing, and your support keeps me motivated to continue. If you like my writing style, be sure to be on the lookout for more, similar stories in the future! Thank you! :)

EDITED