~ 𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 ~ A Ben Solo/Kylo Ren Story

20.

~~~~~

Early the next day, Celeste found herself in front of the elevator bay. She didn't have anywhere to go or be, just wanted to feel as if she was doing something. She spent who-knows-how-many minutes riding the elevator up and down, feeling the force of the artificial gravity on the ship pulling her. She stared blankly at the doors as they occasionally opened, letting a general or stormtrooper or two in. They looked at her with confusion, then got off quickly, without a word. 

She was trying to take her mind off both what had happened with Ren and with the invisible woman the night before. She still hadn't seen Ren since he had walked out of the training room, and she didn't know if she wanted to. But damn she wanted to see the man under the mask again. 

She was completely lost in thought when the doors opened again. For a split second, she paid no mind, just another stormtrooper, she assumed, but her heart stopped for a moment when she realized who it was. 

"M-master Ren," She nodded respectfully, avoiding his gaze and looking at her feet. 

"Vega," He said, his stupid mask making his voice sound far scarier than it really was. He seemed to pause for a second, pondering, as he reached for a button, then pressed the emergency stop. Celeste's eyes widened, expecting an alarm, or for him to slice her in half unceremoniously. But he did neither. 

Ren took a small step towards her. She inhaled deeply.

 "Um, about yesterday. What you saw, it wasn't what you think, it's kind of funny, really," She began, desperately rambling, trying to recall what excuses she had come up with the night before, "I was really tired, and I-"

She trailed off abruptly when she noticed him taking off his helmet. It thudded on the metal floor as he dropped it, startling her. 

"I know what I saw," He said, in his low voice that made her heart race. "Don't try to make up excuses, you know it won't work." Her knees shook violently as she mumbled an apology, looking determinedly at the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. 

~~~~~

Ren didn't even know what he was doing. It was pure instinct that caused him to press the stop button, to step closer to her, to take off his helmet. It wasn't a thought that made him do it, just a feeling. Celeste's face was a shade off of bright red, her gaze on the ground. A shame, really, since her eyes were so beautiful. 

He didn't even feel his arm moving, but suddenly, he was gently holding her chin, forcing her to look at him. She trembled. Everything else around them seemed to fade away, leaving just them looking into the other's eyes, both equally frightened. She seemed to snap out of her haze and continued to babble an explanation for what he had seen, apologizing. Suuureee she was just tired. Of course. 

 Ren knew what he should do, but he knew, for once, what he truly wanted to do. And this time, emotion overrode logic, and he leaned in unexpectedly. She froze, even her breathing seemed to stop momentarily. 

He wasted no time pulling her in. She was so much shorter than her, and to compensate, she rose slowly on to her toes as he ran his fingers through her long hair, landing on the back of her neck comfortingly. His other hand snaked around her waist and landed in the middle of her back. 

To his surprise, she kissed him back. Both of her hands wrapped around his neck, and she was almost aggressive in the way she pulled him in. He had never noticed how nice she smelled before, but now, all of his senses were being smothered by her, in the best way. Her fingers on the bare skin of his neck sent shivers down his spine. 

She reluctantly pulled away, panting slightly. She smiled shyly and started to murmur an apology. Oh hell no. He wasn't going to hear that. He took the side of her face in his hand and kissed her deeply for a moment. 

"Don't..." He mumbled, pulling away again. Celeste looked up at him slightly, before he pressed his forehead against hers, just listening to her heavy breathing.

Ren took a step back and picked up his helmet. He smiled briefly and leaned forward, pressing the softest kiss on her nose, before the elevator doors opened and he stepped out. 

~~~~~~

Celeste nearly fell over as she stumbled forward, pressing the button for her floor. She walked to her room in a haze, and when she arrived, couldn't help herself screaming into a pillow a few times. She didn't know what this meant for her and Kylo "professionally," but she didn't care. 

All she cared about was the way he had looked at her as he pulled away, with nothing but wanting and certainty in his eyes. 

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