~ 𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 ~ A Ben Solo/Kylo Ren Story

25.

To nearly no one's surprise, Ren was awkward around Celeste after their strange night together. Training was silent except for the crashing of sabers, for days, until one day he spoke up.

"I believe I have an idea of how to regain some of your memory. It...it will be dangerous, I've never done it before, and I would have to get a direct order from Snoke to be able to, but..." He said as Celeste started to the door to leave for the day. She froze. 

"Oh?" She remained silent, raising one eyebrow, "Talking to me again, are you? Still not going to explain what that was about, or why you basically ignored me for 2 weeks after?" Ren flinched under his helmet at her hurtful tone. 

"Will you agree to try? I won't go to Snoke until I get your authorization," She sighed loudly and he flinched again. 

"Fine. Probe my memories all you want," Celeste agreed, exasperated. Ren nodded. 

"I'll be careful," He promised, voice soft, even through the helmet, as she walked away.

~~~~~

Ren walked through the cold hallways of the ship, stomach in a knot. It had been a strangely long time since he'd seen Snoke, he was almost concerned. He rehearsed what he would say under his breath on the elevator ride up, fiddling anxiously with his gloves. 

"Master Ren," The deep voice said the moment Kylo had stepped into the long throne room. 

"Master Snoke," He bowed his head and removed his helmet as he knelt before the strange-looking man. 

"What business do you have with me today?" Snoke asked. A slight hint of humor could be found in his voice, of course, he already knew, he had read Ren's mind the moment he entered the room. 

"I would like your authorization to probe Celes-the girl's mind. I believe she has some memories that could be important in defeating the rebels. She had a vision, and she saw the girl. This could be important," 

"Yes, yes, the scavenger girl. You're not suggesting she's not really dead, are you? Did you not feel that great force of light flicker, then vanish in an instant?" A cruel smile played along Snoke's pale face. 

"Of course I felt it Master, but it could still be importa-" 

"Silence," Snoke waved away his comments, sounding annoyed, "Do what you must, the girl is your disciple and yours alone." Kylo's face flushed, he'd never thought of it that way. He bowed again. 

"Yes, Master. I will alert you if anything urgent is found," Snoke nodded silently and waved away Ren's presence. As Ren walked back to his quarters, he felt his face heat up again. Was she really his and his alone? That was a rather comforting thought, especially after the ordeal with Hux. 

Ren had meant to go back to his quarters, but when he arrived in front of a door, it wasn't his own, it was hers. Well, if he was already here he might as well tell her that he had gotten permission to try to find the memories she was missing. What business could she possibly have had with Rey? And who was that man in the vision? Thinking of the fond way she had described the man had made Ren feel a strange emotion he'd only felt when Hux kissed her. 

Almost instantly after he knocked, the door opened. Ren always forgot how much shorter she was when compared to him. 

"What?" Celeste asked, blocking the door slightly. 

"I have received approval from Snoke. Instead of training tomorrow, meet me in my quarters and I will attempt to retrieve your memories," He intentionally made his voice colder than it had been in the past with her. He needed to stop being so vulnerable with her, it was dangerous. He still hadn't accepted that he was attached to her. Perhaps attached was an understatement. 

"If I do meet you in your quarters will you just ignore me for another 2 weeks after?" She replied, equally cold. He chose to ignore that comment. 

"Same time as training would have been. Be well-rested," He turned on his heel and walked away, feeling her eyes staring daggers into the back of his helmet. He heard her groan softly, then the door closed. He dropped his posture, slumping slightly, feeling worthless. He hated the look on her face when she was angry with him. 

She just didn't understand. It was dangerous to be so attached to her. But stars, she was addictive. He couldn't stop thinking about how he had kissed her. It seemed so long ago since he had pressed the emergency stop in that elevator. His heart ached to feel her lips again, but this time he was 100% resigned to cut off his emotions and detach from her mentally. 

He needed to find her memories, maybe she was the key to finally destroying the resistance for good. He hoped against hope that he wouldn't mess it up and hurt her.

A/N: Hello! If you're enjoying this story so far, please consider leaving comments, votes, add it to your reading lists, or even follow me for more stories in the future. It really means the world to me, and I love seeing everyone's comments and thoughts! This story is currently under editing, and your support keeps me motivated to continue. If you like my writing style, be sure to be on the lookout for more, similar stories in the future! Thank you! :)

EDITED