~ 𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 ~ A Ben Solo/Kylo Ren Story

11.

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"Hux is rather a jerk, isn't he?" Celeste asked Kylo one day at training. The pair had grown closer recently and had started to have conversations during training. Both of them enjoyed these moments together. Their sense of humor didn't seem to match perfectly at first glance, but Celeste could tell that some of her stupid jokes were making him internally laugh, even if he was outwardly rolling his eyes. She still hadn't seen him without his mask. 

"You know my feelings towards the general..." Ren trailed off. "I do not like that way he thinks of  you." The girl's face flushed.

"Why do you care what he thinks of me?" 

"I don't like to think of what he'd do if he acted on his...urges..." Celeste's intricately carved knife soared through the air and landed dead center of a target. She pumped her fist excitedly. 

"Third time in a row!" She exclaimed. Ren, despite himself, smiled under his mask. She was irritatingly charismatic, honestly. He didn't think the Supreme Leader would approve of how much she made him smile. 

Kylo had found himself often awake at night, thinking about both his future plans and her. She was his inferior, he shouldn't be thinking such positive things about her until she was strong enough to survive on her own...But there was something in the way she spoke to him. Her optimism and warmth drew him in, but his own pessimism and attachment issues prevented a real relationship from forming. 

He had started to notice her little habits. She picked at her nails when she was nervous. When she was determined or ready to get to work, she'd tie her hair back in a tight ponytail, then would have to loosen it or she'd get a headache and be in a bad mood for the rest of the day. He had reminded her on multiple occasions to loosen it, or they both knew that she'd be miserable that evening. 

Celeste had become slightly more receptive to him reading her mind. She hadn't tried to read his since the incident and seemed to have no intention of trying again in the future. She didn't know how badly he longed to tell her everything, to explain. He hated the way her eyes widened nervously when he expressed anger now. He didn't hate her for her reaction, he hated himself for causing her fear of him.

Why he craved her affection, her praise, her admiration, he didn't know. 

"Master Ren?" Vega asked cautiously, snapping her fingers a bit in front of his face. "Anyone home?" She joked.

"Yes?" He asked, snapped out of his thoughts.

"I was just asking if I might be able to leave now? It's only five minutes until training is over...?" She trailed off.

"Yes. I'll see you tomorrow," He said. 

"Thanks!" Celeste smiled, handing him her knife. Kylo froze as he felt her hand brush his. Even though the glove, it made his heart race. He didn't know why exactly her touch made his face flush, his neck hot, his mind blank. He took the knife, dazed, and watched her leave. It took a few minutes for his heart to return to its usual pace, and when it did, he looked down in surprise. 

It really wasn't his knife, it was hers now. He walked quickly out the door and down the hallway, then grabbed Celeste's arm silently. She whipped around, her face whitening. 

"Yes?" She squeaked slightly.

"This is yours," Kylo said, softer than usual, holding the knife out. 

"O-oh! Really?" She took it, and her hand lingered on his for a split second longer than he expected. 

His heart was in his throat. The way she smiled at him...

It made him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time. 

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