Let the Light In

Chapter 71: Ultimatum

Chapter 71: Ultimatum

"I can't decide whether to be angry or impressed," Ben finally said after a long time spent in silence; the two of them wrapped in each other's arms.

During the course of the last hour they had somehow ended up lying down on the bunk. How they both fit, Rey would never be able to work out. If that was not enough, Ben had managed to curl himself around her in such a way that her back was against the wall, his faced the door, and there was still room for one more person at the foot of the bed. It was perplexing to say the least, but Rey had never felt more secure than she did when Ben held her like that.

"Both," she mumbled, not bothering or caring enough to move her face from where it was properly flattened against his chest, "Be angry at how impressed you are with me."

Ben gave a deep chuckle, and Rey felt his chest hum with the vibration. With a smile, Rey lifted her head and planted a soft kiss on his chin before letting her lips just rest there. She felt Ben place a feather pecks against the tip of her nose, drawing her closer with a flinch and bated breath, hinting at the discomfort he still suffered. Since she had been with him, she had only really healed the worst of his injuries. It was clear that he still felt terrible pain. Reluctantly, Rey disentangled herself and sat back on her legs, giggling slightly at the indignant expression on Ben's face.

"You get back here right this instant, sweetheart," he growled, pointing at his chest.

Rey shook her head, a large grin plastered on her face and her hand raised flat before her to stop him when he tried to grab, "Nu-uh. Not till you tell me exactly where you're hurting, and I heal you up properly."

He huffed at her, turning to lie on his back, propping himself on his elbows, and looking vaguely amused. Seated back on her legs as she was, with Ben stretched out next to her, it was the first time that Rey noticed he had been stripped down to only his shirt and trousers. A quick glance around the tiny cell confirmed that whoever had...talked...to him first had removed his boots, jacket, and overshirt, as those items were piled in a corner and had no blood on them. The sight of crimson spatter everywhere else, however, made Rey grimace heavily.

The feeling of Ben pressing the palm of his hand against hers that was still outstretched brought her back to facing him. He quirked his lips in a tiny, slightly pained smile, and wove his fingers in between hers with a deep breath.

"You don't need to think about that-"

"But I do," Rey interrupted his low murmur, clutching his hand tightly, "They tortured you-"

"I'd say it was fair."

"-They're supposed to represent the benevolent side of this war-"

"Representation and action are two different things."

Rey shook her head violently in response, but it was not in refute of his statement. Rather, it was out of frustration at herself. Ben pulled her hand towards him, and Rey looked up in time to see him press her knuckles to his lips, eyes sliding shut. Then he flicked his gaze back to her and moved her hand to his cheek to speak.

"Rey-" He started slowly, but a cacophonous barrage against something outside silenced him.

Both of them leapt from the small bed in alarm and faced the door with tense expressions. The gate Rey knew to be down the hall was being violently shaken, and a melee of voices echoed through the passageways, swelling and forceful. Then the noise of the gate stopped when the sound of shrieking metal replaced it, and the voices hit a triumphant note.