Ignite the Stars | Reader x Ben Solo / Kylo Ren

Ch. 7 | The Promise

It's haunting
This hold that you have over me
I grow so weak
I see you
And everything around you fades
And I can't speak
But you can never know what it is you do to me

In This Moment - The Promise

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D'Qar's terrain is green and verdant, with flourishing trees that put the greenery on other planets to shame in. Careful not to damage a single one of the immense and unique growths, the Resistance chose this planet for their base. Grassy hills and tall trees provide a natural camouflage for their hangars and other structures. The base appears to be bustling with activity upon your arrival, and nearly all of which is hidden from above. Their base of operation isn't as big as you expected. At first it seems to be overflowing with people but the further you get from the makeshift hangar, the less people you see. For some reason, when thinking about the Resistance, you pictured this massive regime that rivals even the First Order in size. That is definitely not the case and how vastly outnumbered they are is concerning.

Poe leads you through the base with the intention of taking you straight to General Organa. However, the walk takes a lot longer than you anticipated due to Poe's apparent popularity. Every few feet someone approaches him to shake his hand or pat him on the back. Every female that passes him either winks, which of course he has to return, or hugs him. The dirty looks you're receiving for being so close to Poe do not go unnoticed. Especially once Poe places his hand on your lower back to guide you through the base.

"I would have never guessed someone so annoying could be so popular," you say. You're not positive but you think you hear Han chuckle from behind you. He tried to make an excuse to avoid the General, something about needing to work on the Falcon, but Chewie would have none of it. They were following close behind you and Poe as he led you to Leia.

"What can I say, us Resistant members have good taste," Poe smirks.

"You say they have good taste, I say they're delusional. This further cements my decision not to join the Resistance," you say with a smile.

After brushing off his growing fan base, the four of you finally reach the base's command center which is staffed by guards at multiple levels. There's no issues entering the building because they recognize Poe at once. They cautiously glance at you but because of who you're accompanying, they say nothing. When you arrive at the conference room Leia is conversing with a number of, who you assume, are senior Resistance officers. Poe moves directly to Leia's side with a serious look on his face you had yet to see for yourself. It's immediately obvious how much he respects her and looks up to her by his demeanor alone.

"General Organa, sorry to interrupt but-"

Leia waves off the officers she is speaking with, gently pushes Poe out of the way, and walks directly towards you. You've heard so much about the Princess of Alderaan, she's practically a living legend which is why you're a little nervous as she makes her way to you. You aren't expecting the regal and commanding presence the older woman emanates. It's clear she's an authoritative figure and royalty just by how she carries herself. It's hard not to be intimidated. Unsure of what proper protocol is when meeting someone of Leia's status, you stand still and watch as she approaches you. Once directly in front of you she gives you the warmest smile you've ever seen and pulls you into a tight hug. Your eyes dart to Han and Poe, silently asking them for help. Much to your chagrin, the two men merely shrug and smirk. You're so so tired of men smirking at you.

"(Y/N), I'm so happy we found you," Leia says softly.

"I don't mean any disrespect when I say this but the feeling isn't exactly mutual Leia," you say sarcastically while bringing your arms up to return her hug. She has a calming effect on you that's hard to ignore. Once again, that familiar sense of 'home' and 'family' washes over you.