All of the Stars - Reylo

Chapter Six

Chapter Six:
Millennium

Rey

Nothing in the galaxy was brighter than Ben Solo's smile. Nothing also made me smile the way Ben Solo's smile did. I watched as he dragged his fingers across every button panel along the walls, looking around in awe at everything in his line of sight. It was like he was a child again. I watched as he darted over to the chess board, sitting in the booth as his hands moved across the board. It's like he had no recollection that I was there with him. Before I knew it, he had made his way to the cockpit. I heard him laugh as I leaned in the doorway, watching him. I wished I could protect this.

"It hasn't changed. Not a single thing has changed. It's just like I remembered." He looked around the room some more before looking back at me. "I can't believe it." I thought it was still a bit of garbage, but didn't have the heart to tell him what I thought. "I used to fly in this ship all the time growing up." He walked up behind the seat behind the pilot's seat. "I used to sit right here. Chewie over there, and in front of me... my father."

   The cabin fell silent. Regret came over Ben, I could feel it. He sat himself down in the pilot's seat, placing his head in his hands. I came up behind him, rubbing his back gently. "Ben..."

   He picked his head up, looking up at me. The smile he wore was very forced. He didn't want to talk about it, I could tell. I decided not to push. "Where are we off to?"

Ben

   Being back in the Falcon brought back almost too many memories to process all at once. At first, I didn't even think of the actions against my father. I soaked in every good second of my childhood, trying to relieve the innocence of it all. I practically forgot Rey was there with me.

   As we flew, the cockpit was quiet, but it was comfortable. I had planned on flying, but couldn't bring myself to actually do so. So, I sat in Chewie's chair, watching Rey do her thing. She stunned me. She could do everything so effortlessly. The trip wasn't long. There were many jumps to hyperspace. I was anxiously awaiting to see this planet. There was so much history behind it, especially with my family blood. I wished that I could reconnect with that now. It was too late.

   The planet came into view, but I couldn't break away from Rey's expression. She looked at the world like I like to think I looked at her. "It's beautiful." She said quietly, sighing happily before gazing over at me. The air was clear, so we landed quickly. "Are you sure you want to do this? It was just an idea."

   "Yes." I held the crossbody satchel in my hand, replying confidently. "This is the right thing to do." The door to the falcon went down, leaving Rey room to run out to the ground.

   She spun around, taking in the view. "Can you believe this planet? Naboo is more beautiful than I've ever read." It had been so long since I had been here. Everything looked so alive. I had never seen greener trees or cleaner water in my life. Although the architecture wasn't what I would have gone with, it could be appreciated. Rey's eyes finally fell upon me again. My breath escaped me in that moment. I don't think that she'll ever stop taking my breath away. "Are you sure you want to do this? We can go back." She asked me again, even though she had just asked me.

I shook my head. I knew what had to be done. "This is the right thing." I reassured her. For the first time in a long time, I wanted to do the right thing, the right things. We walked together into the city. It didn't seem to be super populated, but none of the citizens there paid us any attention. I didn't mind. Attention was something I was looking to avoid recently.

The capitol building was the biggest of them all. Rey marveled at everything around her. This must've been such a big change for her from Jakku. "Can I help the two of you?" A creature interrupted, appearing in one of the large doorways.

Rey spoke before I could even open my mouth. "We'd like to return some objects that belong here." She took the satchel from my hand, meeting the creature halfway and opening the bag.

"Lightsabers? Who do they belong to?" They peered over to me, causing me to take a few steps closer to the two of them.

I cleared my throat, speaking in a low voice. "Anakin Skywalker and... General Leia Organa." Mother.

"I think we could find a place for them here. After all, they both have strong ties to our planet here." Rey handed both sabers to the creature, slinging the empty bag over her shoulder. We walked behind them to a large room with the walls covered in displays. My stomach began to knot as I watched the creature walk around the room with my mother's saber in its grasp. "Thank you for your contributions."

Rey nodded, walking over to me and slipping her hand into my own, giving it a tight squeeze. I knew that she could tell something was up with me. "Actually." I turned to face the creature as he began to put the sabers up on display. "I'd like to keep one... the rose golden colored one. Hand it to me." Rey looked up at me, narrowing her gaze. "Please."

   The creature handed the saber off to me. The cold metal touched my palm. I grasped it, spinning it around in my hand. I didn't look up from the saber. The same design over and over again. I couldn't bring myself to part with it. My mother had given her life for me, despite everything I've done. All of the pain, all of the betrayal. It didn't matter any to her.

   Once we arrived back to the falcon, Rey stood beside me before boarding. "What caused you to change your mind?"

   What did cause me to change my mind? I know, I couldn't part with it, but why? Maybe it was the Jedi way. Maybe Rey had changed me, or brought me back. "I needed my mother." I said, my voice trembling ever so slightly. "And my father." The two of us looked up in unison at the ship that defied all odds. I slipped my arm around her waist, pulling her in closer to my side. "And you."

   "And you."