Keep Him There

Supposed to Be

Ben began another lap around the ship. He had been pacing for more than an hour now having heard no word from the others since he had flown the Falcon around to the other side of the planet.

Yes, he knew Rey needed to go down to the surface. That didn't mean he liked it.

Being away from her was bad enough, but his passengers were certainly not helping.

"Ah, his fear makes him powerful. I can sense it deepening his anger and hate." the son told his sister, eyes following after the man.

He was right, even now Ben's fear turned into anger, boiling in his blood.

"I agree. He is too emotional to be of my kin, brother." she replied simply.

"Now only if the young girl can hurry up and die, then he'll be all mine."

"She won't die! She's stronger than she knows!" Ben shouted, rage finally spilling over.

"Perhaps you're right," the son conceded with a malicious grin, "You are the only one who can defeat her."

"I would never."

The son beamed, "Wouldn't or couldn't, young Solo? You've let her corrupt you into a weakling! Where once there was power that she learned to fear, there is now a lovesick little boy!"

"Very unbecoming." the daughter nodded.

"I've done what I needed to do. I'm not that man anymore." Ben's rage dissolved.

"But will she see it that way?" the son continued taunting, "When she wakes up in the night, terrorized from a nightmare, will she see Ben Solo or the man who starred in her dreams? Will she ever be able to live a life with her pathetic friends and you, when they all know what you've done? You'll always be a monster, you cannot overcome your past."

Ben said nothing, Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. He closed his eyes, fighting the waves of emotions crashing over him. Even if he couldn't admit it, the son had just spoken his worst fear.

The daughter glided up to him, resting a hand on his shoulder and giving him a comforting smile,

"Of course, by cutting ties with her, you would be able to set her free. Free of her emotions, she could achieve her potential and you, yours."

"I can't cut ties with her, can't just wish away my feelings. We're bonded by something beyond ourselves."

"Not at this moment and now is your only chance to let her go. If you bind yourselves again, there will be no escape from the life my brother predicts."

Ben sighed, brushing her hand off and taking a seat.

"I can't let her go, even if it's selfish. I love her. Even if she doesn't look at me the same way I look at her, that won't change."

"Then you will not fulfill the destiny of your forefathers." the daughter said harshly.

"Will you be quiet? I haven't heard that much nonsense since Poe told me he couldn't be a leader!"

The three spun around to see a blinding blue light.

Ben instantly recognized the voice that spoke so it was no surprise when his eyes met a set identical to his own.

"Mom?" his lip quivered.

Radiant in white and blue light, Leia Solo stood before him with a brilliant smile. She held one hand out, beckoning her son to come closer. No gesture was needed, Ben would have come regardless.

"Ben, why are you listening to this garbage?" she chastised him kindly.

"It's not garbage, Mom, they're right. How can I change what I've done?"