Affinity

Chapter Eleven

Kylo

Kylo looked down at her tear-stained and blood-splattered face, his black heart pinched at sight. She had done amazing, better than he honestly expected; she tore through the Resistance so quickly, he was fully prepared to have to help her. He had stayed hidden in the shadows of the first building and watched as she all but slaughtered the Resistance, not hesitating for a moment. When they entered the base command center, he knew it was a trap, but he wanted to test her and test her connection with the Force. He was not disappointed.

The power that flowed through her was impressive but what he didn't expect was the power he felt with her at his side. He wasn't sure why, but as they fought through the Resistance, he could feel his connection to the Dark Side deepen. They fueled one another, making them both stronger and more powerful than ever before. We could be unstoppable. She must accept the Dark Side fully, let it consume her, and I'll be more than happy to show her the way.

Kylo moved his hand to her face to gently brush off a stray tear, her eyes pleading with him to help her, to comfort her. He was in over his head. He hadn't felt emotions similar to what she was experiencing since he was young, if ever. Snoke had been in his mind for as long as Kylo could remember, just whispers at first, but over time those whispers became louder and louder. Darkness was all he knew now, but he also knew he had to guide her to the Dark Side.

"Shh, it's okay, Princess. You did so well today." Kylo kept his voice low to be sure the pilot couldn't overhear their conversation.

"Kylo, I murdered dozens of people. Oh gods, I...I'm a murderer. I can't be this Kylo. Please, I can't do this." her voice was panicked, tears free-flowing down her face now.

"You can, Princess, you already have. You did what you had to do to survive, this is war; it's either you or them." Kylo responded while tightening his grip on her waist as his shuttle came to a halt in the hanger.

The ramp slowly lowered to let them out, and Kylo felt her wiggle to be let out of his hold. Kylo simply lifted her again as he stood, cradling her to his chest while her tears finally started to dry up. "I cannot let anyone see me weak. Pull yourself together, at least until you get to your room." Her thoughts invaded Kylo's, and while it was a welcomed change from her replaying images from earlier, he didn't want her to have to try to walk.

Stepping off the shuttle and making his way down the long hallways, he felt a pang of gratefulness that the ship wasn't as busy as usual. Kylo felt her finally relax in his arms, exhaustion, both physically and mentally, wearing on her. Her head rests gently on his chest, eyes drifting closed as he enters the elevator to their rooms.

He took his time walking down the long hall towards their perspective rooms. He hesitated briefly at her door. The thought crossed his mind of taking her to his room. To his surprise, the idea didn't repulse him. What are you doing to me, Princess?

Using the Force, he opened the hatch to her quarters, the sound stirring her eyes open. Kylo feels her stare under his mark, and he glances down at her. Blood is still splattered across her face, and her tears have thankfully dried. He squeezes her softly with the hand he has wrapped around her thighs, and a hint of a smile crosses her face.

Kylo moves towards the bedroom, his heavy boots, and her breathing the only sound in the room. Confusion is swirling in Kylo's head at the pang of guilt that he feels when he looks at her grief-stricken face and the overwhelming pride he felt watching her rip through the Resistance fighters.

Kylo had done unspeakable things in his life while training with Snoke. Very early on, he learned to bury any emotion he may have felt and let the Dark Side fill the void. With her in his arms, that facade started to crack ever so slightly, and Kylo was left trying to make sense of it all.