Ignite the Stars | Reader x Ben Solo / Kylo Ren

Ch. 3 | War of Hearts

Stay with me a little longer
I'll wait for you
Shadows creep and want grows stronger
Deeper than the truth
I can't help but be wrong in the dark
Cause I'm overcome in this war of hearts
I can't help but want oceans to part
Cause I'm overcome in this war of hearts

Ruelle- War of Hearts

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Once on Jakku you quickly determine that what Ben said about the planet is accurate, it is a 'mudball'. All you can see upon entering the planet's atmosphere is miles of sand dunes, not a soul in sight.

Even though the sun is setting, it's uncomfortably hot. You can't imagine actually living here. You fly somewhat close to the ground, unsure where exactly you're going but knowing how to get there.

Ben has been silent ever since you told him who you're looking for which gives you the impression he's heard of, or has at least met, Lor San Tekka. If that's the case the two didn't have a great relationship otherwise wouldn't he be excited to see him? Even though you know Ben isn't going to be forthcoming, you still have to ask.

"Are you okay? Once I mentioned who I was looking for you kinda clammed up and stopped talking which makes me thing you know him or have at least heard of him."

"No. I don't know who he is," Ben says. His voice is laced with either irritation or wariness, you're not sure which. Once a small village appears in the distance, you start to steer the ship straight to it but Ben stops you.

"You shouldn't land close to the village. I think it would be safer to land further away and either take your speeder or walk. It will draw less attention should there be any confrontation," Ben says while looking in the direction of the village.

"Good idea." 

******

By the time you find a good spot to land the ship, the sun has set and the moon is now in it's place. The abnormally bright light radiating from the moon is the only thing illuminating the desert around you. Off in the distance you can see a faint glow coming from the village where you will hopefully find Lor San Tekka.

As you lower the ramp to your ship, you glance over to Ben. He doesn't look like he plans to accompany you which is fine but it only raises your suspicion regarding his relationship with Lor.

Ben is conflicted. For obvious reasons he can't go with you to the village. Lor San Tekka helped the New Republic after the battle of Endor. When he was younger, Tekka helped him and Luke track down Jedi lore that the Empire had been seeking to destroy. Although it's been many years since they last saw one another, Ben knows he will be recognized.

He can tell you're already suspicious due to his inability to properly conceal his emotions. That's one reason why he wore his mask. Even if you can't feel his emotions like he can feel yours, his face gives away what he's feeling, it always does. Telling you he'll stay behind will only raise your suspicions but that will be easier to workaround than Lor blowing his cover. You start to roll your speeder down the ramp of your ship but pause when Ben emerges from the cockpit.

"Are you coming with me?"

"Halfway. I think...I think it's best if I stay with the speeder. I can keep an eye on the ship while you're in the village. We don't know what lurks around here at night. If something happens to the speeder it will suck but we can manage. If something happens to the ship we're screwed," he says. He gently brushes you aside and starts rolling the speeder down the ramp for you.