--REY--

I wake from a dreamless sleep to the sound of someone calling my name. The sudden influx of bright light has me reeling, the pain in my head throbbing in time with my heartbeat. "What?" I groan, struggling to keep my eyes open. Luke stands in the doorway of the small on-board infirmary, watching me intently.

"We're landing soon. Just wanted to give you a heads up." When I don't reply, Luke clears his throat. "Excuse me, your royal highness. Get up."

A grunt is the only response I can manage, and I hear Luke's exasperated sigh as he leaves the room. My eyes are heavy and I fight the fatigue that pulls me back into the sweet embrace of sleep.

"I guess I'm invisible then," a gruff voice says from behind me. I turn to look at the cot beside mine, noticing first the thick black blanket in a pile on the bed, and then the nearly imperceptible hazel eye and sliver of skin peeking from below.

"Ben?" A relieved laugh escapes me. "Why are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding, I'm cold." He pokes his head out, releasing his hair in a haphazard explosion of raven curls. I start to smile, but I notice the blood matting his hair, the shallow cuts scattered across his face, and dark bruises encircling his tired eyes and my face falls.

"How do you feel?" I finally ask.

"Sore."

I snort. "Well that's a given. Care to elaborate?"

Ben curls tighter into himself and closes his eyes. "Ask me again tomorrow. My brain isn't working at the moment. Too tired."

The ship shudders and groans as we drop out of hyperspace, and Ben opens his eyes again with an irritated sigh. Once we've steadied, he stands and offers me his hand. I consider it for a moment, pondering over the weight of that simple gesture. So much has happened that my mind is still reeling, still struggling to comprehend one simple truth: Kylo Ren is dead.

"Rey?"

"Sorry, I was lost in thought." I smile at him and place my hand in his. The bond flares to life at the contact, and the air around us seems to come to life. My mind and body are caught in this strange empty space, like I'm caught midair and can't figure out how to get back down to the ground. I don't know who I am anymore. It's an unusual sensation, feeling like nothing has changed, yet nothing is as it once was. "Everything is going to be different now," I muse as we limp down the transport's halls.

"Yes."

"Are you scared?"

"No," he replies, voice steady and sure. "Remember what I said in the cave?"

Heat creeps across my face and neck as my mind wanders back to the cave. I try to remember the words, but I can't see past that moment, the kiss that upended my entire galaxy.

"We need to talk about that," Ben interrupts my thoughts.

"About what?" I ask innocently, having forgotten he can all but read my mind now. I hobble down the boarding ramp after Ben, attempting to distract myself by watching the X-Wing pilots congratulate one another.

He smirks. "Funny, the things your mind chooses to remember." I stare blankly at him, so he continues. "You remember the kiss, but not our bond."

"The what now?"

My heart stops beating. Icy dread stops me in my tracks.

Poe stands just to my right, helping BB-8 out of his orange and black T-70. The droid is quiet as he swivels his head between his wide-eyed master and me.

"Really, Rey? After everything he's done, you still chose him?" Poe laughs incredulously, anger written across his face. He opens and closes his fists several times and storms away, then turns back. His eyes are sad, and guilt sits heavy in my chest. "I deserved better," he says sternly, "than to be a damn placeholder. Tell me one thing, though: did you picture him when you kissed me?"

"Poe, I—"

He holds a hand up to silence me. "Don't answer that." He's gone before I can say anything, BB-8 hesitating a moment before spinning after Poe.

Oh no. It was foolish to believe this wouldn't happen eventually. I'd just hoped it would be later, rather than sooner. Confusion seeps into me through my bond with Ben, followed closely by the sting of betrayal. I look at him and he turns away, wrapping his blanket tighter around his body.

"Ben, look at me. Ben." I reach for the hand holding his blanket together but he recoils from me as if I'd slapped him. "Please, just listen! I never meant for that to happen, honest. I knew all along my feelings for you were deeper. I didn't want to admit it then but I am now."

"So you admit you have feelings for him." It's a statement, not a question.

My heart sinks, and despair washes over me - his emotions and mine, overtaking me like a tidal wave. "Ben," I whisper, my lips trembling.

Finally he looks at me, and I see in his eyes all the emotions I feel through the dyad. "Just...leave me alone. Please."

I hold his gaze for a moment and feel him, let his energy flow into me. His eyes close, letting me in, and I sense his need for silence. He doesn't hate me. I can fix this; just not right now. "Okay."

Ben limps from the hangar and disappears inside the base, leaving me alone in a sea of people. All eyes are on me. Panic wells up in my chest, threatening to suffocate me, and it takes all the strength I have left to keep the tears from falling.

Then Finn is beside me and the pain eases ever so slightly. But his eyes aren't kind or understanding.

"I didn't expect this from you, Rey. I thought you were better than this."

My heart shatters into a million pieces. Death by lightsaber would be less painful, and would be welcome at this point. Ignoring the screaming pain in my body, I run away from it all, weaving through the base and dodging everyone I see until I collapse in my quarters, finally letting the tears come. I've never felt so alone. My soul aches for Ben, clawing desperately from inside, urging me to find him to fill the void that his absence has created in my heart.

I can't stand up, the last of my strength ripped out by the body-racking sobs that won't stop. So I curl up there, in the middle of the floor, hoping and praying for the pain to ease so I can sleep.

This is all your fault, says a voice in my head. By denying your true nature you have hurt everyone close to you. You will bring nothing but misery and death to those you love. You have such potential, but it is wasted there.

I'm not sure how long I stay like that, but eventually sleep comes and I drift off, dreaming of lightning on my fingertips, a planet of deep, velvety darkness, and a throne that calls to me like a distant, familiar voice luring me home.

—BEN—

I can't sleep. Between the discomfort from not being with Rey and the image of her and Poe that my mind conjured up, I find myself on the roof, staring up at the stars above. The night is silent but for the sound of my breathing.

I sense his presence before he appears beside me, not speaking as he sits to my left. "Do you mind if I sit with you?" Luke asks after a while.

"No."

He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, and I find myself imitating him without thought. "How can I help you?" My uncle asks, turning to face me.

"With what?" I ask, noticing for the first time how much older he looks now. Sadness and guilt overtake me as I think about all the time I've lost.

Luke chuckles. "You forget how well I know you, kid. I'm a Skywalker too, remember? We tend to be emotional people, and nothing good comes from keeping those emotions pent up."

"I'm fine," I lie. "Just tired." I flinch when Luke puts his hand on my shoulder, but I don't pull away. "I was foolish to think she would feel the same way," I finally say. "She is everything to me. When I look at her I don't see anyone else."

"What makes you think she doesn't feel the same?"

"Because the second she took her eyes off me, she saw him. She went straight to that damn pilot without a second thought." I can't keep the bitterness from my voice, and I have to close my eyes to keep my anger from overwhelming me.

Luke sighs thoughtfully. "What you and Rey have, while beyond my comprehension, is something truly remarkable. She knows it, too. I like Poe, but they would never be happy together." When I don't say anything, he continues. "I feel it in the Force when you two are near one another. It's as if the galaxy is in perfect harmony. To call that destiny is an understatement."

"It's a dyad," I explain. "Before I found Rey on Jakku I searched the galaxy for answers. I found them in one of the old Jedi temples, written on the walls. They were images depicting two individuals who are separate beings, but their souls are connected so deeply that they are one."

Luke's eyes are wide. "Are you certain this is a dyad? Master Yoda told stories, but I never believed I would see one in my lifetime. Ben, this kind of connection is extremely rare. If it's true..." he laughs in delight. "Well, if it's true, the war is already won."

"I wasn't sure until I found Rey and showed her how to open herself to the bond. Uncle Luke, it was unlike anything I've ever experienced." I find myself smiling as I remember the sensation of the bond coming together, like the planets had aligned for that one moment and everything was right in the galaxy.

"Ben, go to her. I know you're upset, but ignoring the pull you feel is only going to cause you both more pain." Luke pats my shoulder and stands, stretching his limbs with a grunt. "Let go of your anger and let her explain herself. You two are bound for life. You'll have to get past these arguments if you want to keep your sanity."

I nod, taking his outstretched hand. He pulls me to my feet and smiles at me, eyes shining. "Ben, I'm so glad you're home. And I can't tell you how sorry I am for what I did. I'll never forgive myself for pushing you to the Dark Side."

His words pierce my heart and I find myself thinking of all the times Kylo Ren had longed to hear them. "You can't take all the blame, Uncle. I would have turned eventually on my own. I was weak and wanted nothing more than for my name to be known across the galaxy. I got exactly what I wanted, but the consequences were beyond what I'd imagined."

"Stop dwelling on the past, kid. The future is full of promises and hope. Focus on that and forget the rest."

"Thank you for believing in me. You never lost faith that I would come home."

Luke shakes his head. "I nearly lost hope, but Rey restored it. She's a special girl, Ben. There's no one more worthy of my nephew." He smiles again, then turns toward the hatch in the roof leading back inside. "Go find her. Get some sleep. You look like shit."

"Thanks," I mutter, rolling my eyes at him. But that's exactly what I do. My aching, tired feet carry me down the halls to Rey's door. I felt the moment she'd fallen asleep some time ago, when her sadness faded into nothingness. The door slides open with a quiet hiss. In the sliver of light from the corridor I see her, curled up on the floor, brows furrowed even in sleep.

As carefully as I can, I lift her off the ground and carry her to bed. Her scowl softens slightly and I smile, tucking the blanket in around her. Already the chaos in my mind has died down and I feel the tension in my body release. I look down at her mattress and realize there isn't much space for me to lay down while also respecting her personal space. I consider sleeping on the floor, but my aching back begs for a real bed. So I lay down beside her, using an extra pillow as a barrier between us. Her warmth radiates into my bones and I feel at peace. Sleep comes easily after that.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sunlight spills in through the window, waking me gently with the golden warmth of late afternoon. I look down and find Rey asleep in my arms, snoring softly, face burrowed into my chest. I'm not sure how we ended up here, but I'm not complaining. Instead I bask in the glow of the sunlight and the pure, unadulterated joy that has my heart singing. I wish we could stay like this forever.

I've never been the sentimental type. I've also never experienced a moment that I wished would carry on forever. The darkness that consumed my life drained every ounce of happiness from my memories, my present, and my future. Each day was as gray and bleak as the last, and I found myself just going through the motions, giving in to what I believed the truth to be because it was easier than facing the real truth: I had made a grave mistake. I was never meant to be Kylo Ren. The things I've done will haunt me for the rest of my life. I'm a monster, and no amount of repentance can clean the blood from my hands.

"I hope you don't truly believe that," a hoarse voice whispers. I look down to find Rey watching me, tired eyes full of more wisdom than anyone I've known. "What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep without you," I say quietly, looking away. "I'm sorry for the way I reacted yesterday. It was unfair of me to treat you like that."

"It's okay. I would have probably done the same if I were in your shoes. Thank you for bringing me to bed." My breath catches when she stretches and rolls over, the sunlight bathing her in an ethereal golden glow.

"Thank you for not kicking me out," I say, stretching my back out as I sit up. "I'm going to grab breakfast. Do you want me to bring you anything?"

"No, but thank you," she answers. "I'm going to bathe and find some clean clothes to put on. I'll meet you there in a bit."

I nod and head for the door, feeling uncomfortable with the raw emotion swirling around us.

"Ben?" She calls softly.

"Hmm?"

"Let's talk later, okay? I need to explain myself." I meet her gaze and she smiles shyly.

I nod. "Okay."

Her door has just closed behind me when the pilot comes around the corner, eyes widening in surprise then narrowing when he sees it's me. I look the other way and keep walking, refusing to give into the urge to punch the stupid look off his face.

"You may have everyone here fooled, but I don't buy it," he hisses as I pass him.

I chuckle, fighting to hold back the anger rising within me. "No one likes a sore loser, pilot."

Poe grabs my arm and yanks me around to face him. "You'll never make her happy," he spits. "You're nothing but a novelty. Eventually she'll get bored of you and come back to me. She belongs with me. What can you offer her? A life in the shadows? Will she be the one to pay for your mistakes?"

"I don't have to listen to this," I mutter, turning on my heel to leave.

"Ignore me all you want," the pilot calls out. "You know I'm right."

I try to shake his words off, but they still echo in my head an hour later when Rey  runs into the mess hall, damp hair hanging in loose waves around her face. She smiles when she sees me, and I know he's right. She deserves more of a life than I can offer her. That doesn't mean I can't try to be more for her, though.

Rey grabs my hand and drags me down the hall, not stopping until we reach the command center. Luke and my mother look up in surprise as we enter the room. "I heard him last night. In my dreams," Rey says excitedly.

"Heard who?" Luke asks, taking a seat at the large conference table.

"My grandfather. Palpatine. He spoke to me last night and I just remembered it. I thought it was a nightmare but the more I think about it, the more I remember. It was a vision like the ones I used to see when Snoke was alive."

I drop into an open chair across from my mother, already disliking this conversation. Knowing Rey's bloodline, I fear what might happen if she wanders too close to the dark abyss.

"And...this is a good thing?" Mom asks, clearly puzzled by Rey's enthusiasm.

"I think I can find him," she says, grinning. "I saw flashes of a planet. It was dark, and there was lightning everywhere, like an endless storm. The air felt electric and alive. There was this overwhelming power coming from the planet itself. Dark, seductive power. It was calling to me."

I look to my uncle, wondering if he's thinking the same thing I am. "That sounds like a Sith world," Luke muses, brows furrowed. "But I've never heard of one quite like that. Did you learn anything else from this vision?"

"No," Rey says, face falling slightly. "But I have this feeling I know where the answers are."

"Ahch-To?" Luke asks.

Rey nods. "I think the old Jedi texts can help us find him."

"I'll go with you," I offer, standing up. Rey grins at me.

"Hold on a second, let's not be hasty," Luke speaks up. "We don't know what we're walking into here. For all we know it's a trap."

"Well, there's only one way to find out," Rey says, glancing at me. "What would you do, Ben?"

I smile, remembering the trouble I used to get in as a padawan. "Spring the trap."

My mother sighs and covers her face with her hands. "You are your father's son," she mutters. "I won't try to talk you out of this. You have his stubbornness."

"And yours," Luke chimes in, laughing. "Skywalker blood and Solo blood. That's one hell of a bull-headed, reckless combination."

"Don't remind me," Mom snaps, fighting a smile. "You two keep each other safe. And don't let him talk you into anything excessively stupid," she says to Rey.

"I'll keep an eye on him," Rey replies, bouncing on her heels.

I take her outstretched hand and let her pull me from the room, toward the hangar and our destiny. I have a good feeling about this.