Keep Him There

Talk

Yawning, Ben stumbled into the cockpit to relieve Chewbacca. He and Rey had barely gotten any sleep last night. Instead, they had talked and sipped hot drinks. After they had left Coruscant, he wanted to make his feelings absolutely clear with her. It was long past due.

"I meant what I said," he told her.

Rey raised an eyebrow at him inquisitively, stirring her drink with a finger.

"On Exegol, when I said I loved you."

"I know that you mean it Ben," she replied, "I knew then too."

"But you didn't actually believe me."

She didn't respond, just continued to look down at her cup.

"Why didn't you? I've never lied to you before."

"It's hard for me to believe things like that Ben. I haven't depended on anyone but myself my whole life. Not my parents, not my owner, nobody on Jakku, not Luke, not-" Rey choked, "Not even Poe."

Ben took her hand, looking into her eyes with unshakeable conviction, "Don't doubt me. I'll prove it one day, I promise."

Rey nodded appreciatively, but again kept silent. While they were still on the subject, Ben decided to take a risk.

"Do you.." he ran a hand through his hair, "Do you feel something too?"

Rey didn't answer at first, she just looked struck. Her cheeks flamed and her hand went limp in his grasp.

It took a tedious amount of effort for Ben to remain patient with her. He had never felt so exposed before, even with her in his mind. Kylo Ren had hated the way she cracked his semblance, it's why he swore to destroy her.

More seconds went by in a tense silence. Just before Ben's resolve broke, Rey's hand gripped his again.

"Yes. I think I'm in love with you too."

"You love me?" he asked again in a daze. He must have heard her wrong. She couldn't love him. He was lucky that his parents still had after what he'd done.

"Yes."

Emotions consumed Ben whole, he kissed her before he had actually processed her words.

A growl ripped him back into real life.

"I know Chewie, I'm a little later than I meant to be," Ben took the pilot's seat, "I'm sorry pal, you can go rest now."

At once the Wookie agreed, ruffling the man's hair on his way out.

Ben hastily threw his hands up to defend himself, "Alright, Chewie! Alright!"

He was silent for a moment, trying to tame the dark mess on his head.

A laugh came from the doorway, "I think I like it that way."

Rey.

Ben stood up irritatedly and shoved the last of his hair back into place. Rey stood at the door, two mugs in her hand.

"I hate to disappoint then." he said, moving aside for her to sit. She took his invitation gladly and handed him a mug as she passed by.

The man took a sip. It surprised him that his caff was black, just as he liked it. Rey tried to conceal a smile behind her drink.

"We share memories remember?" she teased, "And I don't know how you can drink that stuff. It's disgusting."

"Have you tried it? Or do you just stick to cocoa?" This time, Ben smirked. She hadn't been the only one paying attention in her dreams.