All the Things That I've Done: Pt. 1

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by Nummyxx

by Nummyxx

AU where Ben survives the end of 'The Rise of Skywalker'.

Rey's perspective

My skin recoils from the cold glass of the vast window as I place my hand upon it. No one else is awake, so it's just me and the stars. Looking out the window is almost surreal as if I'm looking at a painting. I don't think I'll ever get used to it, and in some ways, I don't want to. The whole ship is asleep, filling the halls with only the sound of my silk nightgown slightly dragging on the floor. Without warning, the communicator in my hand starts buzzing.

"Rey?"

My breath hitches in my throat, choking me.

"Ben!" I try to stifle the excitement in my voice as I respond through my com. Ben's been in the infirmary every since we arrived on this ship, coming directly from Exogol, with a small stopover on Tattoine. My heart beats so loudly in my chest that he can probably hear it on the other side of the com. How are we supposed to act when we see each other? The last memory I have of us is him smiling softly against my lips before falling limp in my arms, after saving my life.

"Where are you?" Through the static of the com, his voice is just as enchanting as it was when we first met. Not just that, but his connection is stronger than ever before like he's reaching out to me through the Force.

"Sector G-5,"

"Hold on, I'll come to you," at first I go thank him but it suddenly hits me. Ben suffered two broken ribs and a twisted ankle. What does he mean, I'll come to you. Surely he doesn't mean he's going to walk all the way here. "I'm fine," his voice buzzes in, almost as if I were speaking out loud. His intercom cracks up before static rings through.

Seconds seem to stretch out into minutes, time slowing down as my body light up.There are about a thousand different emotions fighting in my brain right now that I almost feel sick, but a good kind of sick. Sick like I have butterflies in my stomach. Through the silence of the ship rings out unmistakable footsteps from beyond the corridor, near one of the lookouts. My fingertips curl the silk of the dress as I pick it up off the floor, running towards the footsteps.

Ben stands there, bandages wound around his broad chest and shoulders, down to his abdomen where it meets a pair of black trousers that cling to his toned thighs and calves, the ends tucked into a bandage that wraps around his left ankle. His dark eyes rest on mine and fill me up inside with a feeling that almost suffocates me. My words grow thick, choking me and leaving me spluttering. I want more than anything to crash into his arms, into his embrace. But I don't want to hurt him. The distance between us slowly closes until I'm right up in front of him, almost breathing the same air. His plump lips part as he breathes deeply, his cheeks stretching into a small smile.

"Rey..." his large hands reach up to the skin of my cheek, grazing it softly. His hands look sore and bruised, his knuckles stained red from years of pain and agony. I don't dare open my mouth to talk as I fear I may just throw up all over him, that and his dark eyes staring into mine leave me quite breathless. My delicate fingers trace up to his hair, which seems to be a little messier than usual. It's growing, too. I swallow deeply, drowning out the butterflies.

"Ben!" I gasp. The small flash that beams across his eyes as I say his name is a look I wish I could capture forever. His eyebrows arch and even though his face is bruised and beaten, he looks like the angel I always knew was inside of him. I run my fingers through his hair, stopping often to detangle several knots. I take a deep breath, before resting my palm on his jaw. "Come with me,"