What would you do for the person you loved? Would you denounce everything you stood for? Would you stand against the most powerful darkness in the galaxy? This is the story of Ben and Rey, sworn enemies brought together by the Force, but united b...
After midday sustenance, Ben and I take a walk in the forest. Subconsciously steering clear of the large rock clearing, we walk to the crystal pool, then keep going. Another old overgrown path on the other side of the pool invites us with the tinkling sounds of water. It seems the pool is the fountainhead for this little stream. I wonder where it leads.
As we follow the path, we see more and more of the birds with the strange beaks. Singing in harmony, they flit from branch to branch. The tune at present is happy and carefree. I attempt to reach out to some of them with the Force, but none are my little bird and I'm unable to make a connection.
Ben takes my hand while we are walking and our fingers instinctively settle in an interlaced pattern. Suddenly, a brown, furry blob darts in the path directly in front of my feet, and disappears into the brush on the other side. Startled, I give out a pathetic girly squeak, then fall back into a fighting stance.
I hear a chuckle and turn to see Ben looking at me with a dazzling smile on his normally serious face. My heart stops. The smile is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, just like in Leia's photo. His face, glowing with a warm light, coupled with his sparkling eyes beckon me closer. He seems to realize what he has done and tilts his head down timidly looking up at me through his eyelashes. I can imagine him doing this as a boy as well.
I smile back and reach out my hand to his. Just then, another furry creature pokes it's head out of the underbrush and looks at me wearily. He appears to be trying to decide if it is worth the risk to try to cross the trail. He decides it is, and makes a break for the other side of the path, but trips and rolls to a stop upside down in the middle, instead.
The poor little creature is round and very fat with short legs and long pointed ears. Unable to turn himself back over, he begins making a high-pitched wailing. Stepping forward with the intention of helping the pitiful thing, Ben beats me there. As he gently picks the animal up in his big hands, turns him over, and lets him go, the creature rewards him by nipping viciously at his fingers.
"Why you little ...!"
I begin to laugh at the sight of the giant Ben Solo scolding this little creature; the feeling coming from down in my spirit. It feels so good to laugh and watching me for a moment, Ben begins to laugh too. The sound is deep and rich and sends tingles all the way down to my toes.
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BEN
One second, I'm laughing for the first time in many years. The next I'm gripping my chest. The sting of the string shortening happens deep inside of me like it's rooted in my soul. It can't happen many more times, once or twice before we are complete.
The thought of leaving tonight to go to the meeting about the First Order's new weapon is much more painful than the bond tightening. What if leaving for only a few days stops our progress or even takes away some of the bond we have already made? Do I even want to go back to the First Order?
Moving toward Rey, I reach out my hand and run my thumb along her jawline. She shivers at my touch while her hazel eyes widen and flash. The sudden flush in her cheeks and parting of her lips invite me in. Leaning down, I place a soft kiss to the tip of her nose instead. She rewards me with a sweet smile. Is she everything I ever wanted?
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