Redemption: A Reylo Story

Alphabet Soup

  REY

I quietly slip out of bed so as not to wake Ben.  Neither peace nor sleep is something he  experiences often.  In the refresher, I scrub my face and mouth before putting up my hair, and changing into new garments for the day. 

When I come out, Ben sits on the side of the bed with his head down, finger-combing his own hair.  The lustrous locks have a mind of their own today. The dark purple circles he usually has under his eyes have faded, and his cheeks have remained sun-kissed through the night.  When he looks up at me, I notice that his mouth slightly crooks up on one side.  Did he want to smile? Is he trying? Has he forgotten how after so many years of the oppressive dark?

"I have an extra toothbrush. I left it on the counter in the private room.  You are welcome to use it."

"Are you trying to tell me something?" he asks sarcastically.

I chuckle. "No, just being thoughtful."

The glint returns to his eyes as well as that crook in the corner of his mouth.

"What do you want to learn today?" Ben asks after morning sustenance.  His gentle tone and smooth voice produce a tingle in my belly.

I look down embarrassed by the tingle, but also by what I want to learn.

"I want you to teach me to read and write," I say in almost a whisper.

"Pardon me, I didn't hear you."

"I want to learn to read and write," I exclaim loudly.

Ben's eyebrows go up and his mouth drops open.

"Don't look at me like that.  Not everyone is raised with tutors," I say a little too harshly.  I feel guilty for what I have said, but I am also too stubborn to take it back. 

Instead of retaliating with anger or a sarcastic remark, Ben's face relaxes and his eyes become gentle.

"I am honored to teach you, Rey.  It has never occurred to me that you didn't know how.  You are one of the smartest people I've ever met, but raising yourself on Jakku didn't afford you an education.  I'm sorry for taking you for granted."

Now it's my turn for my mouth fall agape.  Ben Solo has just apologized to me for something that is absolutely not his fault.

"Thank you, Ben, and I am sorry for snapping at you.  Learning how to read star charts and coordinates on Jakku, I also picked up how to speak and understand several different languages, but I have never learned to read or write more than a few words in the Galactic Basic language.  A little girl on Jakku taught me how to write my name in the sand when I was fifteen, but that is all."

Ben stares at me with his dark eyes so intently, I begin to fidget. "Let's get started," he states.

For the rest of the morning, Ben patiently teaches me the first ten symbols of the Galactic Basic language.  I learn the sound each makes and practice over and over writing the symbols in the soil.  By the time of midday sustenance, I have learned to write five different words in Basic.

"Let's take a break for the day.  With language, it's best to digest it in small portions so you can retain it. We can start again when I return in a few days."

My stomach drops.  He means when he gets back from the secret First Order meeting on Marjan 5.  I turn my head to hide the expression on my face, and close my mind off completely.

"Let's go get something to eat," I say, changing the subject.

"Let me go to my ship.  I have something I want you to try."

Ben meets me back at the dwelling with a large bowl of liquid.  When he opens the lid, steam escapes and so does one of the most wonderful smells.

"What is that?" I ask, taking in a deep breath. I catch Ben with his lips pressed together tightly.  Is he actually suppressing a laugh?

"It's Alrocia soup.  It reconstitutes well and tastes much better than any of those nutrition squares. It's a native recipe of Chandrilla."

Ben is no longer able to meet my eyes as he continues, "It was one of my favorite foods when I was little. My mother learned to make it just for me."

I am surprised to learn Kylo Ren allowed Ben to hold on to anything from his childhood.

He lets me have the first spoonful and studies my face closely for my reaction.

"Ummmmm, this is the best thing I've ever tasted."

Ben's eyes crinkle in the corners and an awkward, very small smile appears on his face.  Its a start.

We continue eating with Ben allowing me to have the largest share.  He talks slowly between mouthfuls, telling me about other foods from other planets. "In the Stess system, they have a dish made from native plants that tastes delicious. I will bring you there someday to try it."

I hear only part of what he says.  I am too busy noticing he is making plans for our future—plans that don't consist of war, killing, or the First Order.

AN: Can you feel them bonding? And I'm not talking about the Dyad or force bond.   I mean for real natural bonding.
Let me know what you think.  Don't forget to vote if you like this chapter.  Thanks for reading.