Interlaced - Reylo one-shots/drabbles/etc

chilled

An extra force-bond scene after Ben and Rey touch hands but before she goes to see him. Lots of angst ensues!! 😭 not a happy time

. . . .

Ben was freezing.

Sleeping in space was always cold, but tonight was unusually so.

So when he felt that familiar tug at the end of his soul, the one that beckoned him to the light, he followed after it.

Rey was nearby, he could sense it with his whole being. His heart was beginning to hammer in his chest, pinpricks of sweat starting to break out on the back of his neck. He hadn't seen her through the bond since last night but it felt like an eternity.

Especially when all he wanted to do was feel the warmth of her hand in his. Skin against skin, strengthening their bond even more.

Her brown eyes flashed in his mind, quickening the pounding of his heart until he felt like he might pass out and die. It might be better anyway, to do that then embarrass himself in front of the girl that actually made him feel something.

Droids scuttled by and stormtroopers saluted as he stormed past, even without the mask, but they were just a haze in the chill of the Finalizer. His only thoughts, only intentions, were on finding her.

When he came upon her, the bond projecting her into a bland supply closet, Ben swallowed hard. She was wrapped in a thin blanket, her nimble fingers scrunched hard into the material. Her mousy brown locks were down again, cascading in easy waves over her shoulders. He had to admit that he liked her hair better when it was down. The night they had touched hands she had looked so distraught he had wanted to run his fingers through her hair, ease her swelling emotions, anything to just-

"Ben?"

His mind scurried to a halt, and he refocused on her. Her face had a soft orange glow, like she was sitting in front of a fire. It created easy shadows on her face that only made Ben's heart pump a little faster.

Seeing her crouched on the ground, exhaustion wearing down her features, made a little spark of empathy wriggle into his chest.

Was she as confused and lonely as he had been tonight? Craving something more than the daily rituals that were thrust into their own lives?

Swallowing again, and flexing his hands, he gingerly sat across from her, wrapping his arms around his knees.

They sat in silence for a long moment before Rey spoke up first.

"Luke told me what happened."

Ben's brows raised, just slightly. Did she look at him differently now? Was it better or worse?

"And?"

Rey rubbed at her nose. She was crying. How had he not noticed she had been crying? That same swell of empathy rose inside of him again.

"He tried to kill you," Rey said softly, and Ben swore he caught a hint of pain in her voice. "He saw who you would become, and he was frightened."

Her eyes met his then, and he had to stop himself from leaning over and taking her hand again. When she looked at him, he saw his own soul.

"I'm not frightened, because I know who you are," Rey continued. "I saw your future. You'll turn."

"You seem so sure about that," Ben said, not being able to help the sudden anger in his veins. "Yet... I think you're forgetting that I saw your future, too. You'll join me."

He watched as Rey gritted her teeth and turned away, digging her chin into her forearms.

"But Luke didn't kill you. Did he?" Rey challenged. "He regretted ever drawing his saber."