Chapter Text
The first time it happens, it’s nothing more than a voice in her head, a whisper from invisible lips hovering over the shell of her ear. It could have been a passing thought, really.
Kylo Ren is pretty good looking for someone on the enemy’s side.
While she had been meditating under Master Luke’s orders, that idea catapulted her from the inner peace she had established and then she was lying with her back flat on green grass, eyes wide. She was thankful to be alone as she regained control of herself.
She was meditating once more, almost a week later, when the voice returned. Again, it was nothing more than a sigh into the short, sensitive hairs that grew at the back of her neck, but it managed to make them stand on end.
I think I might be attracted to him.
Unfortunately, unlike last time, she was sitting cross-legged a few feet from Master Luke, and so when she made an indignant squeak, he glanced over at her, concerned. Her gaze was tumultuous when it met his, but she managed to keep from saying something inappropriate.
“Forgive me, Master,” she stuttered. “I became distracted.”
He nodded his head, too understanding. “I know it can be difficult at first, Rey. Try to concentrate again.”
His eyes shut once more, and she tried to follow his example. She sensed him emptying his mind beside her, but she was too busy sorting out her brain to clear it.
It took her a few minutes, before she realized she knew that voice. It had been settling itself in the rear of her head since she battled with Kylo Ren, and she had never put too much thought into it. She had assumed, perhaps in a moment of naivety, that it had been the force awakening within her. It had sat there quietly in its nest, and she had been given no reason to worry.
Now, a much more disturbing notion burdened her mind. It wasn’t the force, camping out in her head, but Kylo Ren instead.
At this realization, she only had to question: why the hell would her enemy be trying to plant thoughts of attraction for him in her head?
He waited a few weeks this time before returning, and in the time since she had heard his voice, she had presumed he would give up his ploy--whatever it was--since she already knew it was him.
She was wrong.
Scavenger. Listen to the sound of my voice...
Rey physically shook her head, a frown forming on her face. It was late into the night, and she was sitting up on her sleep mat, spending the last few moments of her day in deep thought.
Go away, she snarled back, before adding resentfully, and you should know my name by now.
He chuckled softly in her head, seemingly amused.
Do you want me to say your name, Rey? I can, over and over again, as many times as you need me to, as I--
Stop that!
Embarrassing as it was, Rey felt herself flush red. Confusion overwhelmed her, and she decided that all she needed from him was to get out of her head. She did all she could to shut him out, but his voice only crooned at her from behind a poorly formed barrier.
I can see what you really feel, Rey. I know you don’t want me to stop. There’s no need to be ashamed--
Knock it off!
A feeling of mirth drenched her entire being, a tangible weight on her shoulders, and it occurred to her that wherever Kylo Ren was, he was laughing. Out loud.
Her displeasure at this suspicion gave her the concentration she required to slam the connection shut, and silence replaced the image of Kylo Ren, cloaked in black, doubling over with cackles at her expense.
She was at a humble dinner of self-grown vegetables and earthy bread, courtesy of Master Luke, when Kylo Ren decided to test the waters once more. He must have spent time mentally preparing himself to interrupt her meal, because this time, her vision is suddenly flooded by an image he projected.
She was on what Rey could only assume was Kylo Ren’s bed, wearing no more than her undergarments. His unmasked face was at her ankles, his generous lips pressed to her skin and only traveling upward over smooth calves. She was so stunned, she could only watch as he opened his mouth the lave the skin behind her knee. As he reached the silken flesh of her thigh, she mentally froze, wondering why she was letting him subject her to such a lascivious vision.
She interrupted him before he could get any further. My legs don’t look like that. I’ve been training to be a Jedi on a planet that lacks basic amenities, stupid.
It was clear that he hadn’t anticipated her butting in, because he replied with a clueless, flustered tone.
What?
In an impulsive moment, she took advantage of his lowered guard, manipulating his image so that instead of smooth, tanned skin, he was kissing Wookie legs.
Repulsed, he was out of her head so quickly that Rey barked a laugh.
Master Luke cleared his throat beside her in what might have been a snicker. She had the good sense to be mortified that he must have seen Kylo Ren’s invasive vision as well, but he patted her shoulder.
“I apologize, it seems no one was able to teach my nephew tact,” he said.
Master Luke’s expression was transparent, but she saw unfamiliar humor dancing in his light eyes. It only lasted a few seconds, before he returned to his own dinner, looking as severe and enlightened as ever.
She sighed, a little guilty. She should ignore Kylo Ren, Rey knew. She would attempt to act more like an upstanding Jedi, she decided.