A Song Of Light and Darkness - Book One: Dawn Of New Force

Chapter 29: Two That Are One

A/N: just a little warning that some people may consider this part mature.

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   Rey lifted up on her toes. Her ankle throbbed, but she hardly felt it as she framed Ben's face in her hands, as she rose herself up to him. For once, he did not move. For once, he let the guard down, unable to speak or think, taken completely by surprise.

   She kissed him softly at first, a brush of butterfly wings against his lips. And she could feel him hesitate, for a sparse moment unable to react. She breathed in the scent of his skin, and kissed him again, this time deeper.

    Still, he seemed unable to respond. But then he caught her fire, and his arms went about her as he returned her kiss, giving an answer to her waiting. His palms pressed to her back, bringing her against him, the last of the distance melting.
  
   Her fingers lost themselves in his hair as she learned the secrets of his mouth, and he learned hers. Tentatively at first, then eagerly. 

   His hand went up to her face to caress her cheek, and Rey could feel it trembling, cold from the fear of something new, yet warm on the inside.

   But there was still a doubt within him, she could feel it. But she wanted to assure him, to let him know...

   Not yet, that voice in her mind of the rational whispered in her head again. Not yet, not yet.

   But her heart was already swallowing the warning whole. She already knew it was too late to deny it, that thing she felt and was trying so hard to decipher.

   "Ben..." She whispered through the kiss.

   At first he didn't seem to have heard. But then he began to draw back, slowly, as if afraid to let go. And when their lips were a breath away from each other's, he leaned away, all of a sudden realizing her intent, his eyes big with wonder.

   "I want to know how it is... Before I die..." She wanted, indeed. Yet it was something new, something that scared her. As much as it scared him.

   "But Rey, the vows." he whispered back. As if the mere sound of his voice would stir the forest from its sleep. As if the interruption she had brought had caused him to realize the mistake.

   "I want you, Ben. Only this time. Please." She squeezed his hand.

   But his eyes went down to the ground. She had never expected him to be so shy, and she wondered; did she do anything wrong?

   "I don't deserve this." he kept whispering and slightly shaking his head.

   "You do." She insisted, staring into his eyes, as she clutched his hand. And then she knew it. "Finn loved me, but I couldn't love him back. Not the way he wanted. Not the way I love you." and her nose nudged his face up too meet his gaze.

   She could see clearly the wonder etched on his features in the dark as his shimmering eyes bore into hers. "Love comes in from the eye." she whispered to him. "From the place one can see right through the other's soul. From the place one can see the other's thoughts, intentions..."

   He had still not forgiven himself. But she did it, for him. He was but a child, she realized. Someone who clung to her as if she were a propel to his life. And she knew that he loved her, she knew he would never betray her. She trusted him blindly. Because they were each other's pride and support.

   This time, it was her that was waiting for his permission. And she knew it when his knuckles began to caress her face before he leaned down, and their lips met once again.
   Her arms wound up around his neck, and his hand supported her head, cupping her three buns.