Chapter Text
As Rey sped back from The Falcon she reflected on her purpose.
Save the galaxy.
That was her mission, right? Why did it matter the way she accomplished that? Perhaps better to dismantle the First Order from the inside out rather than a scrappy rebellion. This plan of hers could possibly save millions of lives, and her friends would never have to put themselves at risk at all.
Rey hoped she wasn’t in too deep with her justifications. She hoped at the end of the day her friends would understand and accept what she has done. What she has let be done to her… she hoped that he-
As Rey turned the hallway’s corner she ran into something full speed, causing her to stumble. As she began to trip she felt a large hand grab her waist and pull her up, preventing her from falling. Her breath hitched when she looked up at him as he pulled her in close with two firm hands on her waist. She grabbed his strong arm to steady herself and breathed deeply.
“Be careful, Rey.” Kylo Ren said in a low tone still holding her tightly.
“Um… I will.” She muttered not moving away from him.
They gazed at each other, not speaking for a moment and not moving. Kylo’s deep brown eyes analyzed her with intensity which frightened Rey, finally causing her to break the silence. “Where are you going?” She asked in a hushed tone.
“To the lab, where are you going?” He questioned. She absentmindedly squeezed his arm feeling anxious, “I was looking for you.” She admitted. His brown eyes still pierced through her “well, you found me. What can I do for you, Rey?” He asked sincerely.
“I just wanted to know what training for the rest of the day is going to look like?” Was all she said, she didn’t mention the other reasons she’d like to be in his presence. Not the new comfort and understanding she’d found within him. Certainly not any other reason besides their physical training…
“My priority is checking on the Medi-flowers. Since I was supposed to last night but didn’t due to us… being busy.” Is all he said, she swore she saw a blush peak through his pale skin. “You are welcome to come with me to the lab.” Kylo offered.
“Sure, what will we be doing there?” She asked. Kylo released her waist to Rey’s disappointment and began leading her to the lab. “Today- just checking on the condition of the flowers. Removing them from their environment seems to be taking a toll on them. I need them to be in perfect condition before testing them.” Kylo insisted.
It was a short walk to the laboratory and Rey shivered as she entered the temperature controlled room. She was wearing only a tank top and shorts, and given she’d never really spent time in the cold before, so this was enough to bother her. Kylo noticed, absentmindedly placing a warm hand on her back. She shivered more- he was a furnace.
Rey walked away from his touch exploring the strange artificially blue lit room. There were rows of flowers protected by clear plastic curtains. Occasionally above the flowers mist would fall like rain onto the petals. But, as Rey gazed down to the flowers she saw a struggling wilting thing that gave off a potent vibration of uncomfortability. It was strange, the flowers were strong and she could feel their discomfort as if it was her own.
“Are they dying?” She asked nervously. What was the point of finding these flowers just to accidentally kill them?
“No- they are strong.” Kylo said, pushing back a curtain and examining them himself. “However, I believe they are picking up the vibration of this planet and rejecting it.” He gazed around the lab for a moment with a confused look on his face. “Alor- Lee-” He called out. Suddenly, out of a side door Rey had not noticed three lab technicians popped out.
“Supreme Leader?” Said one of the lab workers. “We weren’t expecting you today-” said the other one. Then the final lab tech snarked “especially since you grew so busy last night.”
Kylo made a sniffling sound and pinched his nose, a tell of uncomfortability, and began introducing them to each other before explaining himself. “Rey, these are my top scientists- Lee-” He directed his hand towards the short blonde woman who spoke to him first, she stuck her hand out for Rey to shake. She took it hesitantly remembering she was in the company of The First Order. “Alor-” The other woman was taller and brunette and also offered to shake Rey's hand, which Rey took. “And Kauszo.” This woman had a stern look on her face and did not offer Rey her hand.
“Nice to meet you,” Rey said awkwardly. Kylo moved on quickly “what is the status update on the flowers?” He questioned.
“Their energetic signature is still gradually decreasing.” Declared Lee handing him some paperwork. Kylo took it and walked over to a lab desk and sat looking through the data. Rey stood back watching him talk with the scientist following after him.
“However, they still continue to put out energy at an enormous rate even in their weakened state.” Explained Kauszo leaning in closer than necessary to point out some data on the paper.
Something in Rey stirred. It was a sort of protectiveness and deep feeling of jealousy. She watched as the lab tech continued to use any excuse to touch Kylo- to which he was completely absorbed in the data rendering him oblivious. Which was a blessing and a curse as Rey stood back watching it continue.
Dark realizations crept into Rey’s mind about her feelings towards Kylo. Rey realized she wanted Kylo all to herself, and even if he was The Supreme Leader his attention and time was to be hers. Since the moment they had met he had kept this unspoken promise of fixation, which she now was coming to understand she deeply enjoyed.
Rey had gone from a non-existent nobody on Jakku that no one would even notice if she died, to an obsession of a man with ultimate power. A man who would literally tear the galaxy apart to find her- even if it meant finding her to kill her. But, she wasn’t so sure he would still go through with that now. The contrast in being perceived was overwhelming. But, it made her feel special and important and she now saw she was unwilling to let it go. Maybe she was selfish and self-absorbed, but right now she couldn’t care less.
All she could care about was getting this frumpy lab tech away from Kylo Ren as fast a possible. Rey wondered what she could possibly do to pull his attention. Her emotions ran high. It blocked her from thinking clearly, it made her want to do dark, irrational things to this woman she’d just met. Rey was The Last kirffing Jedi, how could this prudish lab tech ever think she stood a chance? How could she have the audacity to think she could capture the attention of Kylo Ren? He’s The Supreme Leader, he’s the only man who had ever given Rey the-
An alarm began going off right next to Rey causing her to jump. She looked over to see the flowers she stood next to growing black and wilting. All three lab techs ran over along with Kylo.
“What happened?” Alor asked, inspecting the flowers. They all began inspecting the flower box to find the source of the problem. Kylo stood next to Rey grabbing her arm gently “did you see anything, Rey?” He asked continuing to hold onto her. “Nothing, I was just observing what you were doing.”
“What did you do?” Grunted Kauszo. Rey turned, glaring at this eyesore of a person “I didn’t do anything-” jabbed Rey.
Kauszo rolled her eyes “clearly you did. Our monitors are picking up a negative force signature and now the flowers are wilting!” She turned back to the flowers frustrated and Rey judged the way her asymmetrical bob swayed.
Lee stepped in attempting to be a voice of reason. “We’ve found these flowers are extremely force sensitive so even the slightest thing can trigger a change in them.” She began flipping through the data to show Kylo something. “We find, Supreme Leader, they actually perk up after you spend time in the lab. Whatever your force signature radiates it’s very receptive-” the technician turned looking at Rey “perhaps they are less receptive to hers.”
“What were you thinking about, Rey?” Kylo asked, grabbing both of her shoulders. Rey’s stomach dropped. Those nosy kirffing flowers ratted her out on her jealousy tangent. “Nothing- uhh, I don’t know.”
“Rey-” he grunted at her. “Kylo what are you implying?” She fought back. He looked around the lab and let go of her shoulders and with a sigh. Then in a moment of frustration demanded “all of you out of the lab now!”
Alor and Lee began making their way to the door without question while Kauszo stayed behind to try and argue. “But, Supreme Leader, who will take care of the flowers? When can we return? Will you be here-”
Kylo cut her off shouting “leave!” Typically Rey would lecture him about being nicer but she enjoyed watching the girl sulk out the room. It was silent for a moment until Kylo turned to Rey and sternly asked “do you have any negative intentions for these flowers?”
Rey scoffed “be serious, Kylo. I’m just as curious about them as you are.” He continued to glare at her until she said firmly “no, I don’t intend to sabotage them.” Kylo’s shoulders slumped and he went back to attending the flowers. “Then you must be more attuned to the dark side than you realize.” He jested annoyed, his back was to hers but she swore she could see him grinning.
“It is not that.” Rey grumbled irritatedly, placing a hand on her hip.
Kylo fell back into their argumentative routine easily. “Well what unspoken anger are you holding against me that is so potent you’re killing all the flowers by just existing near them?” He jabbed at her. Kylo was well aware of his recent shortcomings in their relationship but it felt better to fight than own up to them.
“Hmm… could it be you running out of training?” she asked rhetorically. He ignored her, continuing to inspect the flowers. “Like a child-” she added watching his back tense up. He ignored her still. She tapped her foot impatiently waiting for him to respond. He did not.
Kylo grew more frustrated as the flowers began to wilt increasingly faster. He quickly turned to her “Rey! Stop it! You’re hurting the flowers.”
But, she couldn’t stop. These feelings were building inside of her and she couldn’t contain them any longer. She was finally at a place of peace and permission to move forward in the way she’d truly been desiring for so long that she had no choice but to continue.
“Or could it be because you’re pretending like last night didn’t happen?” She felt the room turn ice cold. The tension could be cut with a knife as she watched Kylo saunter over to her.
He grabbed her waist pulling her in, then grabbed the side of her face looking deeply into her hazel eyes. “Do you regret it, Rey?” He asked in a gruff voice. She gazed back at him matching his intensity and said “no.”
Before either one of them took a chance to think their bodies were slamming into each other. Kylo pulled her in close, viciously kissing her. “Good-“ he breathed into her mouth, “because I need you.”
Rey pulled at his hair to bring him in closer to her and then whispered “then take me.” They kissed with a haste and desire neither had ever experienced before. It was animalistic and greedy and they both needed more.
Suddenly, Kylo threw her over his shoulder and began exiting the lab. Rey was so enthralled that she didn’t even notice the flowers which had healed and began glowing.