Chapter Text
The rain was still a foreign thing to her. She had learned to keep her awe to herself after the pitying glances she received from the members of the resistance. If there was one single thing that was true in this world, it was that Rey didn’t need anyone’s damned pity. Even still, every time she heard the drops of water pitter pattering away on the roof, she would find some excuse to make her way outside. The wet cold that enveloped her always had a calming effect, almost as though it were washing away everything that was holding her back. It was those moments that it was easiest for her to connect with the force. The water grounded her, and she could feel all of the life that she was surrounded by. Rey loved these moments because the peace that she felt was so strong that she could slip into her meditations without a second thought.
It had been days since Rey had been able to center herself. Master Luke had been off planet for a while, and she was starting to worry that she would never be able to truly meditate without her Master there to guide her. She had briefly contemplated asking the General to meditate with her but had second thoughts when she considered the voice in the back of her head. The fact that Rey was connected to Kylo Ren while living in a Resistance camp was bad enough. She didn’t want to add in a round of him pestering her about his mother as well. Rey knew that she should tell someone about their connection. She was pretty confident that Master Luke knew already anyway. But a deep, dark part of her liked having this secret. And a deeper, darker part of her liked the connection. What had started as threats and coercion had somehow morphed into a strange kinship. He didn’t try to sway her to his side anymore, and she had stopped listing all of the things he could shove up his ass. He had been in her mind the first time that she had seen the rain pour down like it tended to do on D'Qar. He had laughed along with her as she danced around. He always made his way into her mind when the rain came after that. He must have been able to sense her elation. Sometimes he would meditate with her if they both had the time. She preferred those days.
Rey had been helping Poe get his ship ready for his next mission when she sensed the storm coming. She was pretty sure that it was a big one, and she felt excitement shoot through her at the thought. The dormant Kylo perked up a bit in her mind but didn’t do anything else. Rey jumped up from her crouch instantly, hitting her head on the way up. A crack of thunder sounded in the distance, and Poe laughed at her, shaking his head.
“Go on then, I can finish this up. Don’t drown out there,” he said with a smirk. He and Finn were the only ones that she had bothered explaining her obsession. It would have been difficult to think of excuses every time she wanted to escape outside. She spent almost all of her mostly nonexistent free time with the boys. “Just make sure you are back before dinner. Finn wanted to go over the plan again before we leave, and he’ll listen to you more than he will me.”
Rey stuck her tongue out at Poe and darted out with a thumbs up, hearing his laugh echo through the hangar as she escaped. She darted through trees and pushed past vines until she made her way to her favorite place. It was a small clearing surrounded by green and life. Rey made her way to the large rock that she had claimed as her own, and climbed atop. The second she closed her eyes, she felt the clouds above her begin to weep. She had to reopen them instantly, just for a second. She took in the sight in front of her and sighed a peaceful sigh. As her eyes were closing again, she felt the tickle in the back of her head that reminded her that she was not alone. Rey took a breath and tried to ignore it.
It faded away, or she faded away. She wasn’t really sure which made the most sense, and she didn’t care. The birds were singing, the grass was growing, the wind blowing, and of course, the rain was pouring. Rey was no longer sitting on her rock, but flying in the sky, floating through the water. She was part of the ground, surrounded by life. Finally, she found her way to her peaceful place. It was in her head. She was well aware of that, but she still felt most at home there than she had ever felt in her life. It was the green planet that she had always pictured. Her salvation. It was only when she arrived that she opened her eyes. She wasn’t surprised to see that she was not alone. After all, he had been in her head just as much as she had been in his. They knew each other’s hiding spots.
He was sitting in front of her, eyes closed and shoulders relaxed. He was dressed simply, but that was one of her rules. If he was going to come into her places, she didn’t want him projecting that horrible mask and all of those layers of black. He didn’t seem to mind the costume change. She thought, in a place that she was sure he couldn’t hear, that he liked coming here with her. They never spoke of the resistance or the First Order there. It was a place of peace, and Rey was almost certain that he was more thankful for that than she was.
She didn’t bother him in his meditation, happy to have some time to herself. She took in a deep breath, relaxing back into the soft grass. She wished briefly that she could feel this at peace on the planet she was currently on but pushed the thought aside before it could blossom into sorrow. Time passed strangely in her head. She wasn’t sure if she lay there for five minutes or five hours, but when she opened her eyes, they immediately met those of the man in front of her. The question he asked surprised her.
“Do you want to spar? I know it’s been a couple weeks since you have had a decent partner.” Rey couldn’t help the thrill of excitement that rushed through her. He smirked and stood before she could even get an answer out. “I’ll take that as a yes then.”
Rey reached for the saber dangling from her hip without a word. She pulled it into her hand and ignited it in a single move. He did the same, his saber no less chaotic in their minds than in life. He twirled it in his hand a couple times, warming his wrist up.
They circled each other like animals, beginning their violent dance. Rey was about to strike when he lunged forward so suddenly that she had to twist her body sharply to block the hissing blade from slicing into her leg. He struck again, and Rey was astounded by his speed. She could barely sense how he was going to move, and struggled to get the upper hand. He didn’t give her a chance to attack. He kept her moving, constantly on defense. She was losing. She lunged forward trying to take him by surprise when he parried out of nowhere and knocked her lightsaber from her hands. She stood stunned as his saber sparked at her neck erratically.
“You held back on Starkiller,” were the only words that she could think to say. He actually laughed at that and turned his blade off.
“Of course I did Scavenger. I didn’t want you dead.” He left it at that, but she could feel the rest of the sentence. I wanted you to join me. Rey bit her lip and looked down, disappointed in herself. She hadn’t really expected to beat him, but she thought that she would have at least been able to put up a fight. He stepped towards her and reached across the space between them, lifting her chin so their eyes could meet. The contact set the bond on fire. They had never touched skin to skin before. It was electric. He dropped his hand instantly, but still held her gaze. “My offer still stands you know.” He paused, running his hand through his hair. “I can show you the ways of the force.”
Before Rey could even think of a response she was jolted out of her trance. A large rumble of thunder was still sounding in the sky. The rain was coming down so hard that Rey could barely see her hands in front of her. She sighed and started her way back to the base, thankful she was so familiar with the route.
I mean it. Promise me you will consider it.
Rey didn’t let herself think before answering.
I will.