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readingreylo · 2 years ago

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The best Reylo Fanfics I read in 2022

(Not necessarily written in 2022)

My 2021 wrap up was such a hit I thought I would do another one! While I didn't read nearly as many fanfics this year, I did discover a few new authors whose bodies of work are just *chef kiss*.

(Don't forget to check out my All Time Favourite Fic list and my pinned post with all my rec lists!)

And in no particular order...

Similar Creatures by quamquam20 | @quamquam20 | Explicit | 36k | Complete | Historical AU | 1700s | Venice | Pretty Woman retelling | Sex worker!Rey | Mafioso/enforcer!Ben | "no kissing on the mouth" | Angst | HEA | Multi POV | "As the Hammer of the Medici, Benjamin Solatti has a lot of practice crushing dreams and wringing every coin from nearly empty pockets. Sent to Venice to collect on a debt, he doesn’t have time for pleasure. Nobody knows the winding alleys and canals of Venice quite like someone who works them. So when street-smart Rey notices a lost Florentine noble, she’s more than happy to offer her services. Worlds apart, they lead very different lives. Brought together by chance and an irresistible proposition, those same differences might be what tear them apart when their time runs out."

Happenchance by PurpleSugarQuills | @purplesugarquills | Explicit | 5k | Oneshot | Modern AU | Office Party | Mistaken Indentity | Mention of sex work | Rey POV | "When Rose hires an escort to be Rey’s date for their company’s fundraising event, Rey’s livid. Until… Well, until she spots him in the hotel’s lobby. Tall and gorgeous, with dark hair nearly brushing the collar of the suit he fills out sinfully well. Maybe Rey doesn’t hate Rose. Maybe she should write Rose a thank you note. Or, Rey thinks Ben is an escort. Ben is not an escort."

Here's to more amazing fics in 2023!🥂

#reylo #reylo fanfiction #reylo au #reylo fic rec #jess made something

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eldritchmochi · 1 year ago

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Word prompt for the letters! SWORD TIME

mina pls that is so many letters lmao

S - Show us an example of your personal headcanon (prompts optional but encouraged)

okay, if it is not obvious, i have thought SO MUCH about disability in exandria, so heres a general worldbuilding headcannon vs character based hc but it's shown that disability isn't overly impactful in exandria. basically everything we've seen ranging from pcs like shakaste to big npcs like dancer and also smaller one off pcs like the moorbounder dealer in the city of beasts, whatever the name is, they're fully functional within society despite major physical disabilities and theres functionally not a whole lot of ableism at a surface level when it comes to worldbuilding (thanks matt).

however..... its not hard (for me) to extrapolate how the dynasty in particular would have a not great view on disability (thank u cherry for putting it into words as i was charlie day-ing over coping skills early on). it's not something that i talk about explicitly in coping skills (and may not since it would be really info dumpy and not vibe with the way i write or characterize the wizards lmao) but it's something ive spent a great deal of time thinking thru for the dang fic and my in-head notes are basically a) in a modern setting like coping skills, the healthcare situation moves at a glacial pace partly because elves live forever so what is a several year wait for a non emergent specialist issue and b) major disabilities, things that impact daily living to a significant degree that cannot be "fixed" with magic, are at best really only tolerated until anamnesis or consecution so the body can be reset into a more perfect form

i could wax poetic about the nitty gritty as it relates to coping skills specifically, but that is like, the base premise of 90% of the fic lmao

W - A trope which you are virtually certain to hate in any fandom.

okay so, heres the thing: with the exception of a few squicks, if something is well written with some fukken *heart* i will eat up just about anything. theres some tropes i don't really get myself and haven't found anything with it that's interested me, like hanahaki, but i have fav fics involving things i notoriously avoid, like kid fic and hs aus. like legitimately, my absolute fav fic is a non explicit hs au, which considering i basically dont read non explicit fics OR hs aus is fucking wild

O - Choose a song at random. Which ship or character does it remind you of?

lets see, i did one here for an ashrym fic, and one here for general shadowgast so lets go with a single character, and a delightfully weird song for her

obviously imogen, again, because its funny. do not ask me why spotify recommended this german edm country album to me a bit ago but i listened to the whole thing and it fucking slapped, and this song immediately went on my hells playlist

R - Which friendship/platonic relationship is your favorite in fandom?

I AM ONLY DOING ONE BECAUSE I DONT TRUST YOU MINA (ilu but also damn many letters lmao)

but callowmoore is just chefs kiss. i don't see anything necessarily romantic between them but i love the idea of the two of them bonding over being absolute gremlins. ashton definitely needs a charismatic wingman and fearne definitely needs someone who has (some level of) smarts re Doing Crimes, so the two of them playing off each other is just delightful and i love how soft they are with each other in cannon and in turn all the fanart (especially the forehead kiss???? im still not normal about that)

D - A pairing you wish you liked but just can’t.

hmmmmmmmmmmm okay i guess maybe reylo? the rots kiss was absolute garbage rey deserves better BUT i am in theory into her domming the shit out of him but reylo shippers as a whole soured me on the ship and now i just hhhh no thank you, even from authors i trust to write it in a way i'd enjoy :C

T - Do you have any hard and fast headcanons that you will die defending?

T answered here! (basically no lmao)

I - Has Tumblr caused you to stop liking any fandoms, if so, which and why?

homestuck :I like part of it was definitely the Fandom Cycle of falling out if interest with something, especially once there stopped being new cannon i could access but a bigger part of it was seeing all my fav artists and writers in the fandoms, particularly the ones 30+, PARTICULARLY Black artist, being absolutely shat on by kids for the crime of... being adults in fandom spaces basically, or otherwise creating fanworks that featured non-white, non-thin depictions of the characters. i live vicariously thru @/roundandtalented when they spam share hs art because i still love those characters but yeesh ye olde tumblr hs fandom got VERY toxic

M - Name a character that you’d like to have for a friend.

answered once here with ashton and here with astarion so i guess i gotta keep the train going with "a" name characters

hmmmmmmmmmm

okay lets say abby from ncis (i have watched Many crime procedurals lmao). i imagine she and i would be GREAT fashion buddies, especially when i'm bubblegum pop kawaii to her scary goth. we could swap tips on breaking in big stompy boots and all the best places for cute clothes, and i think we're fairly close in size too so could even SWAP gasp The Dream

E - Have you added anything cracky/hilarious to your fandom? If so, what?

god i do not know if fandom as a whole has picked up on any of the various things i've built in my fics but tbh i think its absolutely hilarious how i inevitably write a porn/camming au for like every fandom i write multiple fics for. it happens, every single time. EVERY TIME. in fact, mine and cherry's sg camming au started with me lampshading this trend i have, laughing about how FINALLY here was a fandom where i couldn't write camming and make it work, except whoops i thought too hard on it and made it work. this occurred over the course of like..... a single evening. i had the basic outline sketched out within twenty minutes of me being like "theres no way i could write camming into critical role, NO WAY" i am not even exaggerating

so i guess maybe my hilarious contribution to critical role is the contemporary magical setting proof-of-concept???? cherry did say there werent really that many at the time i asked because i lov me some modern aus

there are maybe some letters left idk at this point lmao but here is the meme for those of u who made it thru all that

#mochi rambles #mochi asks #haveievermentioned

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starsscarmyceiling · 1 year ago

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the only thing i have ever known about merrical is what i've seen you reblog over the years, and i was always fine with that like go off...but now idk, i have seen so much of this pairing on my dash and i find myself being a little more curious? i feel kind of insane going to your askbox about this, but it seems to have certainly intrigued me ngl. and since you are the og merrical i've been following forever (reylo 4 life!), is there any sort of way you could give me a crash course on it? 🥺🙏

Holy gee WOW did I smile so very hard at this nonnie, I can't even tell you omfg. I was kind of wondering if Merrical would reach others in the SW fandom. I just know it's a smaller ship, especially in comparison to Reylo...and let me just tell you, Reylo Merricals, I think are mighty cool people.

Alright, well, I had another ask where I just gave all my fic recs and stuff like that, so you can find all of that here!

Okay okay okay, damn...where to start? I mean coming from Reylo you're still getting that enemies to lovers the grumpy one is soft for the sunshine goodness. Just imagine like...a Dark Rey/Jedi Ben AU? Yeah that seems like the right vibes to me.

Alright, so like the absolute 🤌thing🤌 for Merrical imo is all of the unspoken understanding between them. When I first played Jedi Fallen Order, what truly got me to start shipping is the moment Cal looked into Merrin's eyeballs and dropped the "I know what it's like to lose everything" line, like damn. That fucking--that ruined my life. He looked at her and validated her and then told her that how she'd been treated was wrong, and I just like fainted the old Katie can't come to the phone right now because she's dead. Here are two people, who both have been through so much, all of the same traumas of losing their entire people at such a young age and they found each other...like...do you know how special that is??

I think that is just another thing that I love about these two. There really is so much unsaid understanding between them that it seems like no matter the universe, they just seem to just naturally want to be around each other, and maybe they don't always understand why, but what it has is the potential to turn into is like *chef's kiss* of building something together that may have a foundation of joint trauma, but can then turn into everything they have been seeking and not even knowing they were. About two broken people, finally feeling like it's okay that they are, like they don't need to be fixed, like they don't need to explain, and they can just be.

It's about what they can build together.

They are so very healthy, have such amazing communication, and ISTG Star War if you don't give us this one pairing that won't end in tragedy I am setting everything on fire.

Alright, so obviously I would suggest playing JFO and then Jedi Survivor to get like the full story, but if you're not a gamer and want to commit to watching the "movie" version JFO, I thought this one was the best of the ones that weren't like 5+ hours but still providing enough context with cut scenes and some game play. I know it's still long but I tried to pick the best one under 3 hours!

For the JS movie. I thought this one was also a good balance of game play and cut scenes to get context. Let me just, like wow Respawn really made this game for the Merricals. Oh shit, these two are going to fuck your life up...in like the best way.

Also...HEH you're still gonna get all the freckle and hair appreciation in the world. Yes, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Fellow Merricals, if there was like anything that I left out that you think is important, just comment on here! I hope that was as succinct, you know, for me, and efficient of a Merrical crash course that I could give you anon.

This was fun, thinking this all out, and I truly hope you enjoy just another lovable set of space idiots over here. Also don't be shy! If I've successfully converted you, please show some love to the amazing authors and artists that this fandom has to offer.

AW YEAH guys we could have another convert to the house of Merrical I am kicking my feet in the air and screaming love all of us always 💖💖💖

Also, yes, our home base is Applebee's. Come join me for a drink sometime 😏

#i loved this anon so much it made me smile so hard #i hope to see you soon anon!#merricals are amazing people #it is like SUCH an incredible and supportive fandom space #YAY!#merrical #ask

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sushigirlali · 1 year ago

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No Body, No Crime - Part II (Reylo Fanfic)

Summary: Assassin!Rey Palpatine is on her first mission for the evil Darth Sidious. The goal is simple: kill Prince!Ben Solo by any means necessary.

Pairing: Rey + Ben Solo

Rating: E

Continuity: Canonverse AU

A/N: I’m back after a long hiatus!! Couldn’t stand leaving an unfinished fic up, but I’ve also been battling writer's block ugh. Residual tros trauma I guess (sigh). Anyway, get ready for some dramaaaaa! Enjoy!

Master list –> AO3 | ff.net | Tumblr

——————

No Body, No Crime - Part II

By: sushigirlali

——————

Hanna City, Chandrila Noon

——————

Rey sat on a long bench in the atrium, anxiously twisting calloused hands in lacy skirts. “What the hell am I doing? Who’s game am I playing? Not my own, that’s for sure.”

Given all she knew about her grandfather, and what she now knew about Ben Solo, it seemed more than likely that her first mission was also supposed to be her last.

There had been a moment once, a brief second, when she thought she’d gained her master’s approval: the day she forged her lightsaber. After meditating for hours, for days, she was sure she would produce a weapon worthy of her house, but when she ignited the kyber crystal for the first time, it’s heart was amethyst, not crimson.

And Sidious had never let her forget it.

“There’s too much of your father’s heart in you, young Palpatine,” he liked to taunt...

Pushing down those chilling memories, she tried to parse out his intentions. If the old Sith had never meant for her to kill the Skywalker heir, then what was his aim? Distract the Resistance long enough to do—what? Invade the heart of the galactic government? “No, that’s too bold,” she thought. “Darth Sidious always strikes from a distance, he never puts himself or his advantage at risk.” But, then… what was his plan?

Feeling Ben’s approach before his long shadow loomed over her, Rey jumped up to meet a pair of fine eyes. “Ready?” she asked before Ben—the prince, she quickly corrected herself—could.

“Yes. Would you like some lunch? I have time before I’m needed at the Senate building.”

Rey’s stomach rumbled as if on cue. “Yes, your highness.”

He rolled his eyes at the title, but didn’t correct her. “Shall we then?” he said, presenting his arm for her to grasp.

Uneasy about the way his name was suddenly at the forefront of her mind, she ignored his courtly gesture and breezed past him. “Sure, I’m never one to turn down free food.”

——————

Wiping his mouth with a crisp linen napkin, Ben hid a smile as Rey tucked into the stew his prized chef Maz had prepared. Despite the childish way she was pushing her vegetables around the bowl, it was clear that she was enjoying the rich dish.

“Would you like some bread?” he queried, motioning toward a covered basket.

“There’s bread?” she asked, eyes wide. “Real bread? Not portions?”

Ben’s smile slipped at her innocent question. “Do you… not have bread? At home, I mean.”

“The citadel isn’t my home, not really,” she replied, reaching under the napkin for a thick roll. “But… no.” Tearing it into little pieces, she dropped them into her bowl and resumed eating.

Staring down at his own lunch, Ben tried to conceal his anger. Not at Rey, but at the neglectful monster who was supposed to be responsible for her. Here he’d been in the lap of luxury for nearly thirty years and his intended had lived off scraps.

“Can I get you anything else?” he asked, realizing the only sound in the room was Rey’s hurried chewing. She must be famished after skipping breakfast... and who knew how many other meals in her young life. He would have to take better care of her from now on. “More stew?”

Rey held out her nearly empty bowl in response, but avoided his gaze. “Thank you.”

He filled it to the top and handed her another piece of bread for good measure. “Rey?” he said after a moment.

“Mmm?”

“I just want you to know that if there’s ever anything you need, you can come to me. You can take whatever you want.”

She froze mid-chew and looked up at him. “W—what?”

Ben felt his face heat. “Sorry, uh, that was probably inappropriate.”

“Probably,” she echoed before going back to her food. “But, um…” she murmured after a few more bites, “thanks.”

Regaining his smile, Ben pushed what remained of the breadbasket toward her. “You’re welcome.”

——————

Watching with rapt attention as the senator from Chandrila gave an address to a room packed with politicians, Rey wondered what it would feel like to command such respect. Her grandfather certainly never had; ruling with fear was not the same thing as having the trust of your people. She understood that now.

His full lips quirked up at the corners as he glanced in her direction and she was struck with a sudden remembrance of the kiss they had shared upon first meeting. Rey touched her mouth, recalling the sweet pressure of the prince’s lips on hers…

“It was more of a distraction than anything,” she thought unconvincingly. She purposefully didn’t dwell on who was distracting whom.

Although, if a distraction could be defined as something she wanted to do again for purely practical reasons, maybe kissing the prince would make him trust her enough to relinquish her lightsaber.

“Well, that’s one way to rationalize making out with the enemy,” she chided. “Get it together.”

“...And on behalf of my mother, General Organa, I would like to reassure you all that the Sith threat will soon be extinguished.”

Rey tilted her head at Ben’s bold proclamation. “Oh, will it?” she silently challenged, willing the prince to look at her.

As if picking up her thoughts from thin air, Ben met her gaze from across the hall. “Yes,” he mouthed over multiple heads of state.

Shocked more by the fact that he had responded to her unspoken question than his answer, Rey kept her eyes on him throughout the rest of the meeting. He would look at her from time to time, smile mysteriously, and then resume talking. It was mildly infuriating, sure, but Rey was determined to puzzle him out.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to clear her mind, to focus solely on the man at the podium. “There must be a pathway,” she thought, recalling the feeling that he was trying to impart something nonverbally to her earlier in the day. “With force abilities, there’s always a path...”

And if he’d figured out a way to get into her head, maybe there was a way to get into his too.

Relaxing further into her seat, she reached for him, parsing out the energy flowing around her until only Ben’s signature remained. It almost hurt to perceive him, his light was so blinding. But somehow, it was easy too. Familiar and sort of… warm? He felt so warm...

“Rey, what are you doing?”

She barely managed to stifle a gasp as he slipped into her mind. “What am I doing? What are you doing? And how are you doing it?”

“This isn’t the time or place,” he replied sternly.

“You can’t keep using that excuse,” she huffed. “You promised to give me answers, remember?”

“And I will.”

“When?!”

“Tonight.”

——————

Dusk

——————

The sun was setting by the time Ben ushered Rey out of the Senate House. He felt nervous, Force knew why. She had become considerably less hostile and more trusting throughout the day, so he hoped telling her the truth about them wouldn’t scare her off.

“Or send her into a homicidal rage,” he worried. It had been necessary to disarm her the night before, in case she realized how much power she had over him. “If only she knew how long I’ve been waiting for her, then maybe she would understand why I could never lift a hand against her.”

He supposed now was the time to enlighten her, but having never handled rejection well, the prospect terrified him. “All these years, I thought it was the same for her as it was for me; I thought she was dreaming of me too...”

Spending an entire day in her presence had made his visions of her and their future together more clear, provided context, but there was still a lot he didn’t understand about their connection. His uncle had helped him research this rare phenomena, a dyad Luke called it, but Ben’s thirst for knowledge had yet to be sated.

“Old books can only teach me so much,” he reflected. The practical experience of being in his dyad’s presence was proving to be much more educational.

“Prince,” Rey murmured as they passed a few younglings playing with a ball.

“Yes?”

“What are they doing?”

“Who?”

“Those children.”

“Oh,” he paused, “they’re playing.” Catching the eye of a small Twi'lek, Ben motioned toward Rey.

“Oh!” she jumped when the grinning child kicked the ball toward her.

“It’s okay,” he assured her, placing a placating hand on her back. “It’s a game.”

“A fun game?” she asked.

“Why don’t you give it a try and let me know.”

She looked up at him with big eyes. “But what about you? We were going to talk...”

“And we will,” he promised. “Play for a while and then come find me. I’ll be in my quarters.”

She gave him a searching look, as if to say, “You really trust me not to run?”

Departing with a playful push forward and a contented smile, he knew she understood the answer to be, “Irrevocably.”

——————

An hour later, Rey was practically skipping back to the Old Guard House when a commotion stopped her short of the building. “What--stormtroopers?!” There was a cloister of them standing in a small circle around a beleaguered sounding gold droid. “Ben!” she thought, fearing the worst.

Rushing forward, she forgot all her training in her panic, taking exactly zero care to remain hidden. “What’s going on here?” she demanded of the closest soldier.

A handsome young man looked up at her in surprise. He wasn’t wearing his helmet, a strange sight for a stormtrooper, but instead holding it under his arm. The white mask was splashed red, forming the shape of a handprint.

Looking around, Rey realized all the helmets were similarly marked.

“I’m Finn,” the soldier said. “Who are you?”

“What are you doing here?” Rey pressed on, ignoring the question. “Where’s Ben? What have you done with him? I want to speak with my grandfather.”

“Uh—what?” Finn blinked. “Who’s your grandfather? Who are you?”

“She’s my guest.”

Rey flipped around and nearly ran into the prince’s muscular chest. “What's going on?” she glared up at him. “Where have you been? I thought you might be—what are you laughing about, idiot?!”

Ben chuckled as she fumed, “I’m sorry to have worried you, sweetheart, but Finn and his crew are friends.”

“But they’re stormtroopers.”

“Former stormtroopers,” Finn corrected her. “Hi,” he said with a charming smile, “let’s try this again. I’m Finn. And you are?”

“Rey,” she replied uncertainly, looking between the two men.

“Rey what?”

She could feel the prince staring a hole into the side of her head, but she didn’t falter. “Just Rey.”

“Well, Just Rey, it looks like you’re right on time for the party,” Finn grinned.

“Party?”

“Rey, I don’t know how to tell you this,” Ben started gently, “but the war is nearly over. Finn and his stormtroopers rebelled and turned the tide. The Republic is on the brink of winning.”

“And… and him?”

“He was losing well before he sent you here,” Ben said honestly.

“Then why send me?”

“Why indeed?” a regal voice sounded.

Ben stepped in front of her, obscuring the newcomer from view. Belatedly, Rey realized he was being protective and it made her feel… weird. Jittery. Safe. And… something she’d never felt before…

“Mother, I can explain,” he said lamely.

“Glad to hear it, son,” General Organa murmured sardonically. “Because this looks like a royal fuck up to me.”

——————

Evening

——————

Ben tried not to preen as Rey stuck like glue to his side at dinner. It was clear she was uncomfortable meeting so many new people at once, but her body language was also protective, as if a battle could break out in the dining hall at any moment.

“To be fair,” he thought, “mother is a force to be reckoned with under the best of circumstances...”

“Rey, was it?” Leia queried.

“Shit.”

His intended froze while reaching for another soft roll. “Yes.”

“How did you come to our cozy, yet rebellious little planet? I don’t believe I’ve met you before.”

“Mother.”

Leia ignored him, eyes intent on Rey’s visage. “You seem to know my son well, somehow, and you’re wearing clothing of my house, my mother’s I believe, so I think it’s perfectly rational we should get to know one another.”

“Mother, please.”

“No, it’s fine,” Rey said with false confidence. “Your mother is just being careful. And I am practically a stranger in your home.”

“You’re not!” he refuted, reflexively reaching for her hand under the table; he was a little stunned when she didn’t pull away.

“It’s okay,” she reiterated, squeezing his fingers. Turning to Leia, she said, “I was sent here.”

“Rey, don’t!”

“I was sent here by my grandfather.”

Leia’s back straightened, as if seeing the younger woman properly for the first time. “Stop,” she commanded, standing from the table. “You two, come with me. Finn, you as well.”

Rey shot to her feet before Ben could react, dragging him up the strong grip she had on his hand.

Leia noted their bond, but just said, “Follow me.”

——————

General Organa led them to a chamber Rey had never seen before, with comfortably staged couches and reading chairs enticingly lit by warm fire. The walls surrounding the hearth were lined with high bookshelves and dazzling art pieces and ancient weapons of eras gone by.

Rey was awed by the collection, by the overwhelming sense of rightness she felt standing in this very place at this very moment, with…

“Please, sit,” the General said, indicating a plush couch covered in green velvet directly in front of the flickering fire.

Ben let Rey guide him to the sofa, while his mother took a seat to the right and the stormtrooper sat across from her on a second, identical wingback chair. Normally, Rey wouldn’t have felt intimidated, but Ben’s unease was making her nervous. The library was a sanctuary from all life’s ills, yet she could feel the prince’s urge to run.

“Calm down,” she thought.

“I am calm,” he returned.

“Now then,”—they turned to the General in unison, waiting for her to continue—“why don’t we start over.”

“What happens if I tell the truth?” Rey wondered.

“I don’t know,” Ben answered honestly. “But if anyone besides me is willing to hear you out, it’s her.”

“Okay.”

“But still—”

“I’m Rey,” she blurted before she changed her mind. Ben’s hand tightened almost painfully around hers, but she pressed on. “Rey Palpatine.”

Finn gasped, but Leia didn’t visibly react. “Yes, I thought so. My brother mentioned your arrival was likely during the climax of the war and here we are.”

“What?” Ben said, bewildered. “You knew about her? About us?”

“Us?”

“Darling,” his mother said softly, “you don’t honestly believe your uncle would have kept the possibility of a dyad from me, do you? You know the consequences of such a bond, and the toll it can take if not properly nurtured.”

“It was my choice.”

“Yes, but you haven’t given her a choice yet.”

“There hasn’t been time,” he said stubbornly.

The General gave her son a look only a mother could. “Then make time.”

He nodded solemnly, but didn’t look at Rey.

“Excellent,” Leia smiled. “Now, onto the pressing matter of Palpatine’s last defenses…”

Ignoring the fact that her supposed enemies were discussing tactical plans in front of her, Rey focused on the word now at the forefront of her mind. “What the fuck is a dyad?” she asked.

Ben’s thumb traced the inside of her wrist, feeling for her pulse as she had done to him earlier in the day. But this time, something was different. Something had shifted. She could hear her own heartbeat and the echoing of his just as strongly; as if their hearts beat as one.

“Ben, what have you done?” she demanded, pulling back from him.

——————

Ben half paid attention as his mother and Finn prattled on about strategy and war games, his mind preoccupied by the live wire sitting next to him. Rey’s fingers slipped from his as she turned to face him and the loss was like a punch in the gut.

It was all too fast, too soon, but Rey deserved to know the truth about their bond all the same. And besides, it wasn’t something they could realistically fight. Telling her everything was a gamble, but the arrival of the Resistance fleet made his personal timetable irrelevant.

He’d promised they’d talk tonight, but he thought there’d be more time to warm her up to the idea of—

“What do you think, Ben? Ben. Ben!”

“Huh?” Ben belatedly realized Finn was asking him a question.

“Did you hear what I said?” His friend asked.

“No,” Ben said honestly.

“Palpatine knows about the stormtrooper plot, but it’s too late to stop it. I’m worried a lot of good people are going to die. What should we do?”

Ben contemplated their next move, knowing the original plan was too costly to continue. “Do you remember when we first met?”

“Yeah,” Finn grinned, “you were trying to kill me.”

“I aimed wide,” he scoffed, “but more importantly, do you remember how I convinced you and your team to turn?”

“You hacked our comms!” Finn exclaimed. “And gave us the sappiest motivational speech on record.”

“Shut up. But, yeah, exactly. What if we get Rose to hack all the helmets at the same time and broadcast a call for surrender? The rebel troopers will have cover to escape in the confusion and it should give us enough time to cripple Palpatine’s operations while his attention is focused here.”

“A diversion,” Finn nodded. “Once the command structure is gone, I doubt many of the remaining stormtroopers will continue fighting.”

“Why would his attention be focused here?” Rey piped up.

“Because he sent you here to kill my son, dear,” Leia said calmly.

“A move that big is guaranteed to split his attention and forces,” Finn agreed.

“But I haven’t, I mean, I…” Rey trailed off awkwardly.

“No, you haven’t,” Leia said pointedly, “and he knows it.”

Rey fell silent and Ben ached to reach out to her again, physically, telepathically, anything to bridge the sudden gulf between them. But her posture said she needed space and he wouldn’t deprive her of that.

“What about the praetorian guards?” Finn asked, clearly trying to keep things on track. “They’re loyal to a fault.”

“All enemy combatants will be given the chance to surrender,” Leia said.

“And if they don’t?” Rey pressed.

“Then they’ll be dealt with,” his mother said dispassionately.

“And my grandfather?”

No one said anything for a long moment and the silence was uncomfortable. The truth of matter was Palpatine had to die and they all knew it; he could not be allowed to regain power ever again.

But Ben felt disquieted about the actions of his side for the first time since the war started. For a person who believed themselves to be extraordinarily empathetic, it had never occurred to him that the Resistance wasn’t the only group to suffer losses.

“Rey, I don’t know what to say,” he admitted, suddenly feeling inadequate. He didn’t know how to comfort her. He didn’t know if he should.

She shook her head. “I didn’t expect you to.”

“Rey, wait!” he called as she stood and stiffly walked to the door.

But she left without another word.

——————

Rey retreated to the prince’s room, peeling off the costume he had given her this morning and tossing it on the end of the bed. Lifting up the soft sheets, she dove into the center and pulled them over her head.

The shock of the last few hours was only undercut by how much she still didn’t know. There was a lot of talk about war and plans and death, but there was still a missing piece to this puzzle.

She understood now why Palpatine had sent her. She was as a last ditch effort, a contingency plan, to stop the Resistance if he failed to fool the stormtrooper rebellion. Without his brainwashed child soldiers, he would certainly lose.

“A means to an end,” she thought. But what if her next move was so impressive that her grandfather had to take her back?

Despite the General’s relative lack of hostility, Rey knew that Ben’s mother wouldn’t hesitate to “deal with” her if given the slightest provocation. But Palpatine was the devil she knew. And sometimes it was just easier to go with the original plan when every alternative went bust.

Even if he was trying to end them all.

“Rey?” Ben called out quietly.

“Sneaky bastard.” She hadn’t even heard him enter the room.

The bed dipped as he sat to her right. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t how I wanted you to meet my mother.”

Rey didn’t respond, waiting to see what else he’d say.

“I want you to be comfortable here,” he went on. “I was born here. My mother and father made this planet home after Palpatine destroyed Alderaan.”

“What happened?” she mumbled, interest peaked.

“It was a planet much like this one, beautiful and peaceful. My mother was part of the royal family, a princess, but about 30 years ago, during the last war, she was captured and punished with the death of her family and friends and everything she knew. The planet was destroyed with the use of a massive weapon. It was called the Death Star. Your grandfather and… mine built it.”

Rey snatched the sheets away from her face in shock. “Your grandfather was… he worked with mine?”

Ben nodded. “Darth Vader was Palpatine’s greatest pupil.”

Just when she thought the night couldn’t get more shocking, Rey suddenly understood why her grandfather hated the Skywalker’s so very much. “I need to think.”

“Alright,” he said gently. “l need to meditate, anyway. Today has been… a lot.”

“Wait,” Rey said, grabbing his arm.

“What is it?”

“I’d feel safer if you slept here,” she invented.

“Here?”

“On the bed.”

“Oh,” he gulped.

“I’m just going to use the fresher first,” she said in what she hoped was a nonchalant tone. Slipping past Ben in nothing but her underwear, Rey was starkly aware of his eyes on her. Ignoring the shiver that ran up her spine, Rey finally knew what she had to do.

She had to kill him. Tonight.

——————

A/N: Dun dun dun!! Dipping into a little more angst than I usually do, but never fear, smut is always just around the corner in my fics :D

#reylo #reylo fanfic #reylo fic #ben solo #kylo ren #rey #my fanfiction #sushigirlali

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oh-great-authoress · 2 years ago

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Fic Recs Asks # 2 (A fic you've re-read multiple times!)

Okay, I know this is so late, but it got buried in my asks, and I just saw this again; I’m very sorry, Anna!

2. A fic you’ve re-read several times

Okay, this is a supremely loaded question—but I’ll try to keep this as short as possible.

Okay, so here goes.

All the fics in the first question you asked me here apply to this question, but I’ll give different answers for this question.

Ahem—

Basically everything that @musewrangler has written, but most especially:

The Empire Reimagined Series and its accompanying Oneshot Series

This marvelous Original Trilogy Canonverse AU has EVERYTHING, Skywalker Family FEELS, badassery, action, humor, *chef’s kiss* banter, and it’s AMAZING.

This series is pure serotonin and it’s absolutely precious.

I wish I could hug this AU and everyone in it, frankly.

A Star to Steer By

This Georgian/Age of Sail AU is the perfect combination of Star Wars with Patrick O’Brien’s Aubrey-Maturin series/C. S. Forester’s Hornblower series vibes, and the perfect balance of action, humor, FEELS, and ride-or-die bestieism.

The Limpet AU by Frodogenic

This is Original Trilogy Canonverse AU comedy/family feels goodness, and this series made me look crazy with how much I was cackling while reading it; I mean, you have Skywalker Family Feels, Darth (Grand)Dadakin, and Admiral Piett is DONE With Life.

You will have emotions in some parts, and want to bust a gut laughing in others; I know I did.

One of my jams is Leia makes up with Dad fics, so these are a few:

Father and Daughter by Morwen Tindomerel

This references some events from Legends but it’s still quite in canon up to now.

gunpowder and shades of grey by irnan

This fic uses the Legends names of Leia’s children, just so you know.

Restless Warrior by Aria Saralyn

This is a oneshot longform masterwork.

This must be read.

Darkness by Firefly Alchemist

After Ben Solo turns to the Dark Side, Anakin comforts his daughter.

The Skywalker Family Feels Series by salanaland

This series focuses on Anakin trying to Dad after he dies, and while there are a couple of stories about Luke and Anakin, one about Anakin annoying Obi-Wan in the Force, and one or two following/focusing on other characters, this story mainly focuses on Anakin and Leia, and I just love Anakin’s characterization here—it honestly tracks that he’d be like he is in this series.

Wastelands by Mistress_Siana

Leia crash lands on a planet, and with danger imminent, she must rely on a certain Force Ghost to help her make her shuttle spaceworthy once more.

Her reconciliation with Anakin is ambiguous here, but they come to an understanding of sorts.

Wish I Could Be by @melanoradrood

This actually should also be in the category of fics that made me cry, because the first time I read this, it honestly made me cry.

This is one of the best Dramione fics I have EVER read, and every moment just hits RIGHT.

It’s a Fourth Year canon compliant fic, and it’s just… Lord, I cannot recommend this enough.

Steel Flowers; Paper Hearts by @girl-among-mts

This Canonverse AU Gingerrose fic had me grinning like a maniac when I read it, and each time I reread it, my heart just melts into a puddle.

It’s part character study, part developing love story, and 100% fluffy goodness.

Chapter One of Secret Garden by @girl-among-mts

This is part of a seven chapter anthology my friend @girl-among-mts wrote for Gingerrose Week 2021, and… oof…

How do I describe this fic?

Well, let’s just say my competency kink… well, it was very happy.

First Order IT, Can I Get Your User ID? by krossartist

This was the modern IT Guy!Ben/Mechanic!Rey AU I did not know that I needed.

It is a ride of emotions and humor, and I love this story.

Christmas in the Clink by dawninthemtn

This is a Meet Not-So-Cute Reylo story where Lawyer!Ben Solo ends up bailing his parents and uncle out of jail on Christmas Eve, but there’s already someone there for his uncle—his uncle’s beautiful neighbor, Rey.

Tell Your Parents to Subscribe! by dawninthemtn

This is a Reylo AU where Ben is a Mr. Rogers-esque figure, and Rey is the journalist for a BuzzFeed-esque website, who interviews him.

queen of my heart (body and soul) by hi_raeth

This is a Reylo Princess Diaries 2 AU which had me smiling like a madwoman when I read it.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown by CatelynTsukino

This is a Jaime Lannister/Lyanna Stark GoT AU (they’d have been perfect for each other if she’d lived), where Jaime ends up as King after killing Aerys, and ends up marrying Lyanna.

They fall in love somewhere along the way.

#ask nadia #ask #asks #ask game #ask games #fic rec #fanfiction #fanfic

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omegaling · 6 years ago

Text

Allez Cuisine! ~Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen: Biscuits and Double Doubles

The chicken in the hot skillet popped, and the only thing that saved Rey’s cashmere sweater from being ruined by flying globs of molton butter were reflexes earned from working with spitting meats, roiling hot broths and sauces for a living. She glared at the offending pieces of poultry, still plump and pink and unassuming as they sizzled away. She already knew that wearing nice clothing while cooking came with considerable risk; she didn’t need to be reminded of it by her own dinner.

It wasn’t as though she didn’t have other clothes to wear. However, it just so happened that all her casual day-to-day clothes were in desperate need of a wash (she hadn’t planned on doing her laundry until Monday, because who washes clothes while on vacation?). So that left her to choose between faded sweatpants and over-stretched sweatshirts or the outfits she saved for more formal occasions. Since she had sworn long ago that the former was saved only for the comforts of home and in the presence of close friends, she had no choice but to wear one of her nicer sweaters and pair of jeans tonight. It certainly had nothing to do with the fact that Kylo was coming over for dinner.

The same went for the hours she put into vacuuming and dusting the apartment and scrubbing the kitchen counters and cabinets until they gleamed. It was just one of those things she kept putting off that needed to get done.

It was a little harder to make excuses to why she decided to shave her legs in late November, when it would be at least another five months before she wore anything resembling shorts again.

She didn’t even attempt to justify her choice to wear makeup, or in why she was wearing her sexiest bra and panties.

The watch on Rey’s wrist chirped the hour, and her grip on the tongs in her hand instantaneously tightened; Kylo was due to arrive at any moment. If she was going to be completely honest with herself, she still wasn’t entirely certain if inviting him to dinner was the smartest thing to do. True, he apologized about being an ass about her humble upbringing, but there was still that small, unsavory detail about their last face-to-face when she hurled his real name at him before she left. The memory of the look he gave her before she walked out his door haunted her for days afterward. She had expected rage and shock and indignation, but what she hadn’t expected was… She couldn’t quite put it into words, but the closest emotion she could compare it to was fear. As though that by saying his name had consequences she didn’t understand.

Against her better judgement, Rey did a Google search for Ben Solo and was surprised to see that it yielded very few relevant results. The top results were only a handful of articles from culture and entertainment publications, all of which were at least ten years old. When they did refer to Ben, it was only as a passing mention as the only son of Leia Organa and Han Solo, as though he was nothing more than an afterthought, or maybe a footnote. There were even fewer pictures of him; just a few shots of a tall, gangly teenager with his eyes cast to the ground, trailing behind a smartly dressed woman who held herself with all the grace and confidence of royalty. In the captions, he was simply referred to as “Leia Organa’s son, Ben,” as though he were a mere accessory.

Rey did come across some old interviews done with Han Solo when Going Solo was still being filmed, but those were even more disheartening. While Han always told the journalist yes, he would love to take his family with him on his travels and that he believed the bonds formed on the open road were priceless, Rey wondered how much of an effort was really made in getting Ben on the show… or what discouraged him from ever bothering to try.

What Rey didn’t find was anything touching on the fact that Ben Solo and Kylo Ren were the same person: no gossip, no fansite conspiracies, no comment from some random bloke saying Kylo looked like someone they went to high school with. Even sites like Twitter and Reddit were strangely mum for once. It was almost as if Ben Solo was phased out of existence, fading further into obscurity with each passing year, and for whatever reason, being reminded of who he once was scared Kylo something awful.

Rey’s grip tightened around her tongs as a wave of indignant anger welled up in her. Though she had no evidence to back it up and no reason to believe it, she knew deep in her gut that Snoke was behind it. How could he not? She did not know how Snoke managed to turn the son of his greatest rival to his side, but if half of what Rey heard about that horrible man was true, she could not imagine how deep he had his claws in Kylo to ensure remained loyal to him, no matter what. The fear in his eyes was testament enough to that.

A knock on the front door nearly sent the tongs flying from Rey’s hand, her mind rapidly flashing “he’s here he’s here he’s here” like an over-excited teenager going on her first date before she reigned it in. She had to make herself not sprint to the door, but instead to calmly turn the chicken over, confirm she was satisfied with the golden-brown hue it had taken on, then calmly walk to the entryway. Her hands had a small tremor in them, but that was quickly done away with by rubbing them against her jeans. By the time she opened the door, she was confident that she was composed enough so at least the night wouldn’t start on an awkward note.

Kylo stood in the building’s hallway, once again immaculate in a finely woven sweater, smartly creased pants and hair falling to his shoulders in soft waves. In one hand he held a bottle of white wine, and in the other…

… a bouquet of sunflowers and yellow roses.

Rey felt her heart seize and stutter, regaining its normal rhythm just before it stopped completely.

Shit.

So much for keeping the night casual.

It’s finally happened. I’m turning into my father.

To say that Kylo had few fond moments of his father was an understatement. Long before Going Solo was ever pitched to a network, Han had been a fleeting presence in Ben Solo’s life; at home only when he wasn’t off gallivanting around with Lando Calrissian or Tobias Beckett on whatever new scheme they cooked up. Things would be good for a few weeks - Ben could almost fool himself into thinking they felt like a real family, and maybe this time it would stay that way.

Then the arguments would start. At first they would be small, over things that should have been inconsequential, but soon they’d grow in frequency and intensity until his mother and father’s voices filled the house. Something would break, a door would slam shut, his mother would cry in whatever chair was closest for her to sink into, all the while Ben huddled in his closet with his hands over his ears, waiting for it to be over. The next day his mother would try to reassure him that she and his father really did love each other, and that sometimes adults had issues they needed to figure out by themselves. Then she would throw herself into her work, leaving him largely in the care of nannies as she visited the trendiest new restaurants, made appearances at press events and gave interviews. Or, she would simply shut herself up in her office for what seemed like days on end, working on her articles.

Then, after a month or two of hearing nothing from him, Han would reappear on the doorstep of their brownstone with a bouquet of flowers for Leia and a treat for Ben from wherever he’d been: Moon Pies from Tennessee, Garett popcorn from Chicago, maple sugar candies from New Hampshire. And, like a couple of idiots, he and Leia welcomed him back every time and the cycle would start all over again, when what they should have done was slam it in his face.

Rey didn’t slam the door on him, but the bewildered look on her face made the palms of his hands slick with sweat and his heart do a weird little stutter behind his ribs. Had he somehow misread her texts? There wasn’t a lot of ways to misinterpret “come over for dinner” and “be here at six,” yet in that moment, as they stared at each other from either side of the threshold of her apartment, he was convinced there was something he got wrong.

“Flowers.”

Kylo blinked, the one word stopping his spiraling thoughts before they descended into full-blown panic. “I’m sorry?”

“You brought flowers.” Rey’s words had no tone or infliction in them, which meant Kylo had no way to gauge her reaction. Was she surprised? Annoyed? Offended? Her eyes were so wide he could see the reflection of the bright yellow petals in them. Kylo was known around the culinary world for his cuisine that awoke desire and lust in even the most prudent of diners, so people naturally assumed that being a Casanova in the kitchen meant being one in all aspects of his life. If any of his peers found out that he was really as suave as an acne-ridden teenager out on his first date they’d laugh until they pissed themselves.

Suddenly Rey jerked as if something had jabbed her which - embarrassingly - made Kylo jump in turn. “Oh, shit!” she exclaimed before dashing back into her apartment, leaving him to stand alone and confused in her building’s hallway. He was just about to leave when he heard her shout “You can come in!” from somewhere inside her home. Sighing in relief, Kylo stepped into her apartment.

Rey’s apartment that she shared with a roommate was exactly as Kylo pictured it (not that he dwelled on how she spent her time when she wasn’t cooking, thank you very much). The modest space was filled with an array of furniture that looked to have come from second-hand stores: the cushions of overstuffed couch were frayed and the arms threadbare in some places; the surface of the coffee table had a map of old scars from coaster neglect that not even a fresh coat of polish could hide; a bookshelf filled with an array of Blu Rays, video games, and books, with framed photos and an assortment of trinkets and brick-a-brac took up what free space was left. A candle burned in the center of the coffee table, giving off a subtle scent of pumpkin pie spice and cloves, and a lighted fall garland draped over the entertainment center gave off a warm, cozy feeling that embodied the holiday season. It was all so wholesome: relaxed and lived-in, where friendships were cultivated and fond memories created.

It was a stark reminder of how much Kylo did not belong here. In Rey’s world: in her life.

There were personal touches and details throughout the apartment that hinted that its occupants were not typical 20-something college students. All art hanging on the walls related to food in some form or fashion: vintage prints of French pastries, art nouveau green fairies, watercolor paintings of herbs, charts showcasing all the different varieties of sushi and pasta, and stylized baking utensils with short, motivational quotes such as “life is short, lick the bowl!” A smaller bookshelf situated between the dining table and the kitchen counter held not only an array of cookbooks ranging from horderves to Chinese cuisine by region, but also a number of chef autobiographies, books on culinary history, and stacks of magazines stuffed in the bottommost two shelves. The pots and pans that hung neatly from hooks on the kitchen walls definitely did not come from Target, and he knew for a fact that most people wouldn’t be able to identify half of the utensils and knives he saw at a cursory glance, much less know how to properly use them.

Rey was in the apartment’s small kitchenette, transferring golden-brown chicken breasts from a frying pan to a glass baking dish. There was something different about her tonight; Kylo had noticed the moment she opened the door. It was only as she busied herself with dinner that Kylo risked a glance to determine what it was. It did not take him long to figure it out: it was evident in the dusky pink sheen of her lips and the hint of smoky shadow on her eyelids and the tan cashmere sweater outlining the gentle swell of her breasts and hips, not obscuring them as most of her clothing did.

She looked nice. Not just pretty as she always did in her casual, au natural way, but done-up nice. Date nice.

Suddenly there wasn’t anything Kylo wanted to do more than throw the flowers into the nearest garbage can. He could only imagine what Rey must have thought when she saw them. He had only grabbed them on a whim as an apology for being such an ass, hence their color (never mind the fact that the sunflowers made him think of her the instant he saw them). Then again, she had obviously put time into her appearance before he arrived, not knowing he’d be bringing flowers. Had she just been nervous about being the host for once and wanted to make a good impression? Or what if - like his flowers - there was a subconscious reason for doing what she did, and did not realize it until they were standing face-to-face?

When he was about five or so, Han nearly drove Ben insane with the age-old “chicken or the egg” debate. Now, thirty-something years later, he was feeling much as he did then.

“Sorry about running off like that,” Rey said as she set the pan down on a cool burner. “Nearly forgot I had chicken on the stove. Then again,” she added with a small laugh with just a touch of nervousness in it, “it wouldn’t be Maz’s golden mushroom casserole if the chicken wasn’t slightly overcooked.”

“No, it’s fine,” Kylo said absently, mostly because he wasn’t sure what else to say. He did, however, notice the rest of the ingredients neatly lined along the countertop: several cans of Cambell’s golden mushroom soup, a bottle of inexpensive sauvignon blanc, and a bowl piled high with a mix of shredded yellow and white cheese. An automatic rice cooker ticked away by the sink, occasionally emitting up puffs of steam. “So I get to try this infamous dinner tonight?”

“If you knew that’s what I was making, would you still have come over?” Rey was rummaging through one of her cabinets so her voice was muffled, making it nearly impossible for Kylo to determine her tone of voice.

“Of course I would have,” he answered, and he meant it. Rey could have told him she was heating up TV dinners in her microwave and he still would have accepted her invitation without hesitation.

Rey emerged at last from the cabinet, a glass pitcher in hand. “I thought I had a vase lying around somewhere, but I guess not,” she said, more to herself than to him. She filled the pitcher with water, then motioned for Kylo to pass the flowers to her. He obliged, their fingers brushing as the bouquet passed from his hand to hers. He immediately dropped his hand to his side as she arranged the flowers in the pitcher, flexing it and unable to ignore how his skin tingled where it had touched hers, even for that brief instant.

He was so screwed.

At a loss for what else to do or say at the moment, Rey offered Kylo to have a seat and returned to finish their dinner. It wasn’t easy, not with Kylo sitting at her counter, looking almost too big for her modest-sized apartment. It was even harder to not show how nervous she felt. The same hands that could de-bone a duck or french a rack of lamb in less than five minutes now shook so bad as she measured the amount of wine she needed to mix into the soup that some of it sloshed over the side of the cup she was holding.

(She was suddenly very glad she didn’t choose to make anything more complex, otherwise tonight might have ended with a trip to the ER).

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

Thankfully, Rey didn’t jump; if she had, then she would have showered the whole kitchen with a giant handful of cheese. “Oh...um…” she stammered, thinking fast. “This is practically done, it just needs to go in the oven. However,” she added quickly, “there’s a tube of biscuits in the refrigerator, if you want to get those ready. The baking sheets are to the right of the oven. Unless you think that’s too many carbs with the rice.”

“I don’t mind,” Kylo said as he joined her in the kitchen. “The war on carbs was a dark time in culinary history. I knew quite a few Italian chefs and bakers who almost had to close their businesses because their food was seen as ‘bad’ thanks to a few choice buzz words from companies pushing their low-carb products on people who didn’t know better.”

“And how can anyone possible refuse a basket of hot bread with real butter when it’s right there on the table? That’s just not right. If there was such thing as a perfect food in the world, that’d be it.”

“I think I have to contest that,” Kylo said with what could have been a chuckle, but Rey couldn’t sure since his head was currently in her fridge.

“While you’re in there, can you grab me a Yuengling? You can help yourself to one too if you’d like. I know you brought wine, but I figured we can save that for dinner.”

Kylo emerged from the refrigerator, a tube of Pillsbury biscuits in one hand and two green bottles dangling by their necks in the other. He pushed the door closed with his elbow, then paused. Rey looked up from the oven as she pushed the casserole in, then froze when she realized what he was looking at. It was a photograph of three Ghostbusters, one Stay Puft Marshmallow girl and a Sumerian demigod, inebriated and excited from having just placed in a costume contest. Rey loved that picture, even though she looked positively unflattering with her disheveled blonde wig and suggestively licking the blaster of her Proton pack. She could only imagine what it must look like to Kylo, or what he was thinking seeing her with Finn and Poe. She did, however, hope that knowing she was friends with them outside of work didn’t sour the evening, but she braced herself for an abrupt end all the same.

To her surprise, Kylo only said, “That’s a good look for you.”

A laugh escaped her. “Glad you think so. I was pretty hammered at that point,” she said, closing the oven door and standing up. “I don’t even remember that picture being taken.”

“I could never get Phasma or Hux to do anything like that. Well, maybe Phas if the conditions were right. Hux is about as much fun as an intestinal parasite, and he’d probably try to contract one just to get out of it.” Kylo handed the beers over the Rey. She quickly popped off their tops with a bottle opener and passed one back to him, telling herself that she was not disappointed when their hands didn’t touch again. “Do you spend a lot of time with Dameron and Trooper outside of work?”

“Considering Finn’s my roommate and Poe’s his boyfriend, just a bit,” she answered, hoping to keep her tone light. Then, feeling a little bolder, she continued: “I’d like there to be a time when I don’t have to keep meeting you in secret. That there’s some kind of neutral ground all of us can find. Not any time soon. Just… some day.”

Rey knew she was poking a hornet’s nest; Kylo’s shoulders instantly tensed, and a very long moment passed before he spoke.

“Someday. Maybe. I wish I could give you a better answer Rey, but right now I can’t. It’s...complicated.”

It’s Snoke and the leash he’s keeping on you, you mean, Rey wanted to challenge, but she was done testing her luck for the night. She only nodded and said, “Someday is a good enough answer for me right now if it’s good for you.”

Before they could lapse back into silence, Rey quickly changed the subject to more familiar territory. “So,” she said, hoisting herself onto the counter on the opposite side of the sink. “You said you didn’t agree with my claim that bread and butter is one of the most perfect foods. What then, in your infinite gastronomy wisdom, is?”

“An In ‘n Out Double Double animal style, of course,” Kylo said, opening the can of biscuits with a wet, airy pop.

Rey couldn’t help the astonished noise she made. “Doth my ears deceive me? The great Kylo Ren’s favorite food is a fast food burger?”

“You’ve obviously never had an In ‘n Out burger,” he chided. “To be honest, if you had asked me that same question a few weeks ago, I would have given you a completely different and horribly clique answer like I would for a magazine interview; just some fabrication of what people want to hear, and not what I really think or feel.” He stopped placing the biscuits on the baking sheet and looked at her, his eyes so intensely focused that it took her breath away. “You changed that.”

Rey swallowed thickly, taking a sip of her beer to hide what that gaze did to her, inside and out. “Oh? How did I manage to do that?”

Was it her imagination, or did his eyes wander down the length of her body, taking in the way her neck arched when she drank from her bottle to how her jeans conformed to the curve of her thighs and calves? Rey never was very good at picking up on cues when people genuinely flirted with her, and she was even worse when trying to flirt with someone herself. Was she reading too much into that look, or not enough? She barely managed to hold her shit together when he showed up on her doorstep with flowers, and now he was damn near looking at her like he had when he spoke of Hades and Persephone on Iron Chef America. If he made any kind of real move…

Luckily (or unluckily; Rey wasn’t quite sure which) she wouldn’t be finding out, because he returned to the task at hand. “Because you were right,” he continued. “People shouldn’t disown their pasts. Especially chefs. For most of us, our passions were born from the kitchens of our mothers and grandmothers, learning what was passed down to them from their grandmothers and back through generations. Other chefs always return to that one defining moment when they discovered food was special. Important. That sharing the right meal with the right person can make it feel like all’s well in the world.”

Kylo’s voice grew so soft that Rey wondered if he was only talking to himself. She wanted nothing more than to slide from her perch and wrap her arms around him, but she didn’t want to risk him withdrawing back into himself because of her unwanted advances. When he didn’t say anything else, Rey gently prompted, “So which one are you? The pupil of generations past, or a single moment of epiphany?”

“It was a boy and his father sitting on a pier in Southern California, eating fast food burgers and watching the sun set over the ocean and seagulls fighting over dropped fries. And the boy thought, maybe if he learned to make food just like that hot, greasy, wonderful sandwich, maybe the father would stick around for a change.”

Rey’s body moved on its own accord, sliding off the counter and crossing the kitchen to lay her hand on his: their first true intimate touch.

He wouldn’t look at her.

“Is that what happened to Ben Solo? Is he still on that pier, waiting for his father to come back?”

She waited for him to answer, but the oven timer went off instead.

“I’ll go set the table,” he said softly, his hand sliding out from under hers as he moved toward the cabinets where she and Finn kept the dishes. Rey’s heart ached for him, but at the same time she could not deny that she also felt a little happy, as selfish as that was.

Kylo was opening up to her. More importantly, he wasn’t running away.

For now, that was enough.

“How did you find out?” Kylo asked, passing Rey a dinner plate freshly rinsed of suds.

“It turns out that my foster mother knew your father from way back,” Rey said, accepting the plate and attacking it with her dish towel. “Do you happen to remember Maz Kanata?”

Kylo made a noise that was somewhere between a laugh and a groan. “Oh yes, I remember old Maz. And I can already hear what she’ll say when you tell her you proved me wrong about her cooking.” Rey giggled, recalling how Kylo unabashedly accepted seconds of the steamy, cheesy concoction that he once deemed sounded “revolting.” “Did she say anything specific about me, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Rey shrugged with one shoulder. “Not really. Only that you were a scrawny kid and you need to call your mother,” she said, taking another dinner plate from him. “But I’m assuming that’s another complicated issue?”

“Very,” Kylo agreed solemnly, and Rey took that as a cue that that particular part of the conversation was over.

“It’s funny, though, how things like that come full circle,” Rey mused. “Your dad and my mom were once friends, and now here we are, cooking for each other and washing the dinner dishes afterwards.”

Like friends. Maybe even almost like a couple.

Kylo grunted in affirmation, scrubbing at the crusty cheese that ringed the baking dish. The sleeves of his sweater were rolled up to his elbows, and fluffy soap suds covered his forearms. Maybe it was the earlier beer and half a bottle of white bordeaux in her system, but Rey suddenly felt devilishly mischievous. Reaching across the sink, she caught of blob of bubbles on her finger and then dabbed it on the very end of Kylo’s nose.

Kylo jerked back as if he’d been shocked, and the look he gave her was so incredulous that Rey couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“What was that for?” he demanded, hastily scrubbing the bubbles off.

“You’re just so serious all the time,” Rey said through her mirth.

Kylo turned away, but before Rey could wonder if she’d gone too far he scooped up a handful of bubbles and smeared it in her hair.

Rey practically shrieked and threw herself at him, armed with a softball-sized ball of bubbles. Before she could reach her intended target - Kylo’s aggravatingly handsome face - he effortlessly caught her wrists and pinned her arms behind her back, her forward momentum causing her to crash against him.

Rey’s breath hitched in her chest, which only made her more acutely aware of the way her body was pressed flush to his. It was impossible to believe there was a time he was made up of anything other than knees and elbows, not when he felt like a living mountain against her own softer curves, his thick arms on either side of her efficiently trapping her. How many times had she imagined herself in a situation just like this with him, with the fingers of one hand curled inside her and the other on her breast as a cheap mockery of his sensual mouth? How would this night end if she rolled her hips into his, or if she pushed herself up on her toes and closed the space between their lips? If the dark light in his eyes was anything to go by, he was thinking the exact same thing.

That was until he cleared his throat and released her hands, taking a step back. “Truce?”

“Sure… Truce,” Rey agreed reluctantly. “I can finish the dishes later. Do you maybe want to watch a movie or something…?”

“Actually, I should get going. Vader is hosting its first major executive Christmas party this week and there are a few kinks in the menu I still need to work out.”

Rey hoped her disappointment wasn’t too evident as she walked him to the door. He shrugged into his coat and put on his shoes, but as he reached for the doorknob he paused, looking back at her.

“Maybe after the new year and our schedules clear up we can do something together. Something non-food related, I mean.”

Rey’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean like a date?”

The tips of Kylo’s ears turned red. “Yeah, I guess I do mean like a date.”

Rey smiled, causing Kylo’s ears to go even more read than before. “I’d love to.��

Kylo took Rey’s hand and raised it to his mouth, brushing a kiss over her knuckles. He thanked her again for dinner and left.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Rey raised her hand to her mouth and gently pressed her knuckles to her lips, breathing in the lingering scent of Kylo’s aftershave hanging in the entryway and wondering if, some day, the same scent would be left on her pillow too.

#reylo #reylo fan fiction #reylo au #reylo chef au #allez cuisine!#omegaling writes

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waldeckeration · 4 years ago

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"Michelin-Star-rated Brooklyn restaurant 'Hell's Kitchen' has gained a new head chef with the tragic passing of world-renowned culinary artist Leia Organa-Solo. Culinary protoge and son Benjamin C. Solo assumes what appears to be reluctant control over the family legacy; sending out amateur-at-best dishes, making questionable decor choices... even letting homeless scavengers on as part of the staff. Critic and guest reviews alike agree; the fate of this once great restaurant empire seems very grim indeed."

A RestaurantReyloAU

#reylo au #reylo moodboard #ben solo #reylo fantasy au #reylo #reyloedit #adam driver #daisy ridley #reylo alternate #restaurant #restaurantAU #hellskitchen #rivals #chef ben solo #wip #reylo fanfic #fanfic #fanfic moodboard

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morethanonepage · 4 years ago

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hey not to make your night worse, but have you seen the reylo ratatouille au?

ok that doesn’t make my night worse that makes my night INFINITELY better i want to see this IMMEDIATELY

#bonkers au reylo fic is #*chef's kiss*#pun intended #eatmystardustloser

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reylosource · 3 years ago

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oh la la, the draw of the rich and powerful kylo pampering our fierce little rey proves too much for me time and time again - so here is my list of sugar daddy AU fics! If I've missed one, add to reblog, comment, or send an ask!

the taste of your lips is my idea of luxury (say you fancy me) by dankobah (WIP)

this one is a double whammy as it involves a royal ben spoiling his lovely assistant rey. complete with utterly gratuitous fashion kink and hot smut. dankobah is known for their immersive tension fics.

with sugar, pretty please by vuas

This work has been taken down/hidden by Vuas unfortunately, but it was on my original list and therefore I'm including it. This one is a gorgeous ABO sugar daddy fic - there's more formality to this one as there's a contract, plus D/S vibes. Really the whole package and I hope she unlocks it again one day!

need a big god (big enough to fill you up) by jedihbic, sapphiresunset, thumosren (incomplete)

this one was spawned from a twitter thread - Kylo only wants to service Rey whenever he wants, on demand. with his lips only. and of course she lets him, because w o w. it's incomplete but as it's mostly an excuse for some a+ cunnilingus smut, you won't be too bereft...

Hello, Stranger by kylosbrickhousebody (WIP)

this one is a classic set up - rey creates a profile and finds kylo. this is one that I really really hope does finish, because it's almost a slow burn and I ache for it to continue - SO GOOD.

Quail and dumplings by Ever-so-reylo (Ever_So_Reylo) (one shot)

one shot with a bit of a non linear feel, everything you want in a bite sized package!

provocateur by dankobah (complete)

another dankobah one and so good - this one has everything you could want from a sugar daddy fic, I have nothing else to say except yummmm

Dark Nights by Polkadotdotdot (complete)

oh my god. ABO and mafia Kylo AND sugar daddy? how delicious can one fic get

Say It by velvetnecessity (complete)

rey is serving at a cocktail party and runs into rich bitch kylo and the rest is history

A Shot at the Night by CaptainCabinets (WIP)

VAMPIE SUGAR DADDY LAS VEGAS THE END

sweet girl, do you dream of me? by nightsofreylo

a bit of a different one, this one deals with a consensual somnophilia sugar daddy deal. excellent if you're into that

love you goodbye by blessedreylo

oh god this one is so soft, it deals with the after bits and is deliciously angsty

lover, be good to me by akosmia (one shot)

oh god this one has a heavy 20 year age gap and I'm drowning in love for it

Sorry I Hit Your Car by mottsforthots (complete)

rey dings his car and pretends to write a note, but they work in the same building - her as a barista, him as a billionaire jerk. enter, the arrangement.

Breakable Heaven by sirphillipcrane (complete)

she ends the arrangement but can't stop texting him. chef's kiss.

heart-shaped sunglasses by SecretReyloTrash (BadOldWest) (complete)

they are not on the same page and its glorious

Hold Me Down by KyloTrashForever (one shot) Spoiled by stellarnightmage (one shot)

#reylo #reylofic #reyloficarchives #readingreylo #reylo fic #reylo fanfiction #ff rec #fanfiction #sugar daddy fic

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renembers · 7 years ago

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AU where Rey is homeless, living on the streets of Brooklyn. One night when Rey is scavenging for food, she is overcome with dehydration and hunger, and Ben Solo finds her just in time. Ben happens to be a chef at a restaurant and cooks for her and all that good shit I’m still working on this fic but it’s gonna be great (this was partly inspired by this post)

“This is disgusting,” Rey mutters to no one but the lonesome alleyway itself. “Even for me. This is fucking gross.”

Rey was knee deep in trash — scraping through some dumpster behind some hipster restaurant in Bushwick. Her fingers were caked in grime and the filthy odor of decay was almost enough to make Rey hurl herself over the side of the dumpster and vomit. But the girl kept on digging and ripping through the black bags, trying to find any amount of food that could be salvaged. The pangs in her stomach were becoming unbearable, and at this point there was nothing stopping her from eating straight trash. She has been out on the streets for almost seven months now, jumping from homeless shelter to homeless shelter but never staying in one place for too long. The New York Boroughs are unforgiving — and Rey was quick to learn of what it means to be completely on your own in a world that wants nothing to do with you.

#reylo #kylo ren x rey #ben solo #ben x rey #sw #reylo fic #reylo au #modern au #rey is homeless in brooklyn living that street life yall #and ben is the rich son of senator organa who just wants to be a damn chef #he takes her in eventually #and cooks for her all the damn time #it is emotional and angsty and fucking rEal #i've always been the type of person to just read fan fiction and was never really active online in any fandom until now #this is my first fic and i kinda wanna be a writer so i mean i'm trying real hard #let me know what you think and please don't be afraid to send me any prompts #also since this is a side blog i have like five followers since its new so if someone could help me get the word out that would be lt #*lit #a writer i said lmfao bitch i can't spell

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readingreylo · 4 years ago

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Christmas Fics

Moodboard by the incredibly talented @cruelerintentions

Here are some holiday themed Reylo Fic's to help us through the end of 2020.

Oh hey, these are all Modern AU ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Enjoy!

Moodboard by @cruelerintentions (her moodboards are gorgeous-- check them out!)

Tis the season...

Not necessarily Christmas themed, but some lovely fics set in the Winter.

Happy Reading!

#reylo #reylo fanfiction #reylo fic rec #reylo fandom #reylo fanfic #reylo fic #ben x rey #christmas #God now i want to re-read all of these!

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mermaidsirennikita · 2 years ago

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I hated Reylo but I really don't understand this grudge. Who gives a flying fuck if Hazelwood is a Reylo shipper who got a book deal? Who cares if it's bad and that somehow is connected to what she's shipping?

I'm pretty ambivalent on Reylo--I think it was hot but I don't think I saw it as like, the STRAIGHT UP ROMANCE other people saw it as. I super don't care that they did, it just wasn't what I saw. I loved his whole "be my dark empress" thing because I love a dark empress invitation, I think she was about as compelling as a twig for every movie except TLJ, I think Adam Driver smashing things and wiping rain/metaphorical vaginal secretions from his face is sexy, but I never wanted to watch them ride off into the sunset together. I do think that due to the massiveness of the Reylo fandom and the dynamics of the ship, there are some very good fanfic writers in the fandom, and I believe that it's natural for fanfic writers to make a transition into romance if they can hack it. I guarantee you that Ali is not the only Reylo shipper publishing right now. She's just the one with the biggest story.

Ali did a thing that many fanfic writers do, which I think is totally valid, in that she took her AU fic (which already bore little to no resemblance to the original source material) switched the names and some details, and published it. She's traditionally published. It being marketed as published Reylo fanfic is not up to Ali. If her publisher thought that was a bad move for whatever reason, it wouldn't have been marketed that way. They wanted to lean in, and so they did, and so she did, and wow don'tcha know it worked.

The publisher saw Ali as a safe bet for many reasons, imo--her book is contemporary and right now contemporary romance is the dominant romance subgenre, it's romcomy and romcoms are big in romance at the moment (.... sigh), she had a sizable built in readership and an extended fanbase that would read the book having never heard of her before simply because it was Reylo-oriented, and it has a topical, marketable addition that comes with it being centered on women in STEM, which... Ali is as well. Wanna point that out. I don't know much about Ali beyond her books, but I do find it hilarious that people are dunking on her like she's just schlepping about reliant on fanfic, when I'm pretty sure she's a neuroscientist who, last I checked, is still a professor. That in itself makes her more marketable because it's a good angle to sell people on when those people wouldn't normally read romance. And like? The Reylo fanbase is a HUGE untapped market for romance. Lots of people who read tons of fanfic don't read romance novels, even though those books would probably appeal to them, simply because they don't realize it. These books are gateway drugs for them, ideally, and then they'll read more and buy more and realize that there are a LOT of romance novels that would appeal to them perfectly. If I could get Reylos to read my historical romance? YOU FUCKING BET I WOULD. Cracking those existing fanbases is huge, monetarily.

(Also, FYI to any Reylos reading this: historical romance is probably your ideal jam, the hulking big bad man and the woman he loves is... big.... there.)

Doubtless, more poc need to be published across the board. But the reality is that Ali collaborating with her agent and using tropes to market her book isn't unusual--it's the norm. And genre in general is more trope-based, so while I do think some authors are overly reliant on tropes and there is a slippery slope you tiptoe near with that marketing... It's fine to say "what if I did enemies to lovers with older woman/younger man and they're chefs and there's only one bed BUT IN REGENCY ENGLAND" or whatever, and crank out your book. That's fine. I, as a writer, will give you a different interpretation of a trope than Ali would, or Beverly Jenkins would, or Cat Sebastian would, and so on and so forth.

And the reality is, too--use what you've got, man. It's nice to get precious about changing the world with your project that is So Unlike Anything Ever Seen Before, but you've also gotta pay the bills. Publishing is a business, and there's nothing wrong with producing something with the goal of selling it because you want to make money doing something that's fun for you. It's still art, even if it's not what some would call "high art".

I honestly wish that the people complaining about Ali would spend some time reading and promoting books by people they'd like to see more of us, versus complaining about her.

#romance novel blogging

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spacehispanic · 3 years ago

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Tagged by @galaxycunt

1. Favorite piece of clothing you own: a wool blue shirt jack I got from costco that has a generic indiginous blanket pattern on it

2. Favorite song: hard to pick one so going with You Are the Blood by Castanets

3. Favourite time of the year: fall, I hate heat and its cold enough to not be a problem

4. Comfort food: Carne con chili (not to be confused with chili con carne)

5. Do you collect something? | Right now I collect vinyls and CDs trying to move away from spotify

6. Favorite drink:

any tea really

7. Favorite fanfiction: the only one I really read was this one my friend sent me of reylo iron chef au which was awful but specific

8. Place you'd love to be right now? any place new really

9. Your fav film... of all time? Also really hard to pick one so going with Annihilation

Tagging @ostrichrevolution @streetworms2019 and any of my cool mutuals I dont talk to (you know who you are 😎)

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sushigirlali · 1 year ago

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No Body, No Crime - Part I (Reylo Fanfic)

Summary: Assassin!Rey Palpatine is on her first mission for the evil Darth Sidious. The goal is simple: kill Prince!Ben Solo by any means necessary.

Pairing: Rey + Ben Solo

Rating: E

Continuity: Canonverse AU

A/N: I love writing canonverse, but I decided to do an AU spin this time where Ben grew up with his parents and never went to Luke’s temple and Rey grew up on Exegol with old pickle Palps.

Master list –> AO3 | ff.net | Tumblr

——————

No Body, No Crime - Part I

By: sushigirlali

——————

Hanna City, Chandrila

Midnight

——————

It was a quiet night at the Old Gather-House, almost too quiet, but Rey knew it was time to strike. Since arriving on the lush planet a few days ago, she’d been steadfastly surveilling the palatial structure in the heart of Hanna City from the shadows, noting every guard rotation and the comings and goings of household staff.

Stationed near Eleutherian Plaza, which contained the Chandrila Senate house, seat of the New Republic's galactic government, it was a tricky proposition to get close to the Old Gather-House during the day. In the dead of night, however, the movements of its occupants were exceptionally easy to track.

“There goes the last worker. His majesty's personal chef, from the looks of her,” she observed. “And any minute now, the head of security will walk out the side door and… GO!”

Dropping down from the fruit tree she’d been perched in for several hours, Rey silently sprinted toward the slowly closing door. Catching it with her booted foot a moment before it shut, she slipped inside without raising alarm.

“Grandfather will be proud,” she congratulated herself, peering left and right to make sure no one was in the long hallway. It was late, so the only people between her and the prince of Alderaan should be his escorts. “Better safe than sorry, though,” she thought, carefully creeping forward.

She had considered coming in through the roof, but security always appeared tight up there. Instead, she’d discovered the existence of a spiral staircase near the kitchens that led to the penthouse on the top floor. Her research had revealed it was as direct a route as she could hope for and lightly guarded to boot.

Having snagged a lucky lead while eavesdropping the day prior, she’d been able to infiltrate a local repair shop and download schematics and shift change data from a broken serving droid with ease.

“Not too smart, your majesty, leaving sensitive information lying around like that,” Rey smirked, advancing until she reached the archway leading upstairs.

Sticking close to the wall, she took two stairs at a time until she reached a landing about halfway up. She paused to listen, continuing when only silence met her ear.

It was a rush, being out on her own for the first time, on her first solo mission. All of the hard work and training she’d put in over the last 15 years would finally be worth it; her grandfather would finally see her as something more than a burden.

Heart pounding as she neared the final landing, Rey braced herself for a fight, but none came to her. “That’s strange…”

The back entrance to the prince’s rooms was completely unguarded, an oddity which she was both grateful for and concerned about. Lightly touching the jade hairpin pressed into the top of three identical buns, she breathed deeply to calm her sudden nerves. Her guardian rarely gave gifts, so she hoped the versatile ornament was a symbol of his trust in her. Or at the very least, an extra layer of protection should she find herself without her laser sword...

Knowing she was only delaying the inevitable, Rey gathered her courage and entered what she could only assume was her target’s closet. Expensive looking robes and tailored evening wear billowed from every corner, reminding her exactly who Darth Sidious had sent her to eliminate.

“Skywalker scum,” she hissed internally. “It’s time to put an end to that family’s oppressive bloodline.”

Her resolve renewed, Rey put an ear to the door leading into the next room. Once again, her senses failed to pick up any sounds or movements. Placing one hand on the handle of the pocket door and one on her lightsaber, she slid it open.

“No one,” she mused, dumbfounded. Closing the door behind her, she stayed low, crossing the pristine white marble bathroom to the open entryway. “Finally,” she thought, spying a large four-poster bed surrounded by heavy cobalt curtains.

Listening hard, the only discernible noise she could pick up in the dim bedroom was a man’s light breathing. Unable to believe her luck, Rey opened her senses to the dark side, allowing the Force to flow around her. “One person. Humanoid. Male. Big. And… something else… he’s…”

Gasping as electricity coursed through her veins, she slapped a hand over her mouth. “Shit… what was that?!”

When the man didn’t stir at her slight outburst, Rey resumed infiltrating his chamber. Reaching her destination after a few heart-pounding moments, she took another second to steady herself before gently lifting the hangings on the left side of the bed. Drawing her lightsaber, she peered inside, the warm purple light of her weapon revealing a stunning sight.

“What—but I thought he was an old sage? Who is this young man?” Her heart stuttered, caught off guard by the man’s handsome face and wide expanse of bare chest. “This can’t possibly be the cruel prince my grandfather warned me about… oh… oh, no… he’s... a Jedi.”

——————

Holding out a commanding hand, Ben bade the fetching maiden—assassin?—to switch off her saber and sleep. Catching her before she fell, he pulled her into his arms, ignoring her weapon as it clattered to the floor with a metallic clash. Placing a hand under her knees, he lifted her slight form to lie next to him on the mattress.

“At last, my love,” he murmured, pushing a few loose strands of sable hair behind the shell of her ear, “I’ve been waiting for you.”

She was dressed simply in matching black trousers, pleated vest, and ankle boots. Inconspicuous, functional; nothing at all like the outrageous fashions the members of his house were known for.

Reaching for the zipper on her shoes, he removed them and slid off the bed. Stowing her belongings in the cubby beneath the nightstand, he studied the woman’s lightly freckled face in the darkness, a face he’d seen in countless dreams and visions...

Ben pulled the covers over her and sighed, realizing it would be a battle to earn her trust, let alone her love. Attempted murder was a complication he hadn’t seen coming, but when had the Force ever played fair?

——————

Morning

——————

Turning her face away from a persistent sliver of light, Rey moaned into her plush pillow. She was so comfortable, the thought of moving was unbearable. Still, she knew the punishment that would await her if she failed to get up and perform her daily duties in the citadel.

“Mmm…” she groaned, stretching widely. “That was the best sleep I’ve had in a long time, maybe ever.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” a deep voice rumbled to her left.

Scrambling up on all fours, Rey’s hazel eyes snapped open, zeroing in on the source of the comment. “You!” she gasped, frantically looking around for her lightsaber. Spying it resting under the bedside table, she made a grab for it.

But the prince was faster.

“Now, now, sweetheart, I don’t have time to play this morning,” he said calmly, grasping her arm before she could reach her black quarterstaff.

Curling her free hand into a fist, Rey attempted to punch him in the face. “No? Well, why don’t you make—oh!”

Stunned as he pulled her into an intimate embrace, she scarcely knew what to do before his soft lips were on hers. His spicy scent invading her nostrils, Rey struggled to remember to struggle. But he was on her and around her and kissing her so hotly she couldn’t catch her breath.

“Mmm…” he said several minutes later, lifting his dark head with a smug smile. “Very nice.”

“Am I?” she replied, nonplused.

His brows drew together, considering her. “You’re a little rough around the edges, but considering your upbringing…”

“Don’t pity me,” she gritted out, assuming he was referring to her obvious lack of experience. He couldn’t possibly know about her mission, her family.

“Never,” he promised, tracing her cheek. “Let’s begin again, shall we?”

Rey belatedly realized he was pinning her to the bedspread. “Let me up,” she said briskly.

“Do you promise not to attack me again?”

She narrowed her eyes, but nodded.

“Yes?” he persisted.

“Yes.”

He smiled at her, pulling back. “My name is Ben Solo.”

“I know who you are,” she responded impatiently. “I’m—”

“Rey,” he supplied, saying her name like a caress.

Sitting up straighter, she surveyed the room for an escape route. Despite his ardor a moment ago, he was clearly playing some sort of sick game. It was morning, there must be guards covering every exit by now…

“We’re quite alone,” the prince broke in. “You needn’t be worried that you’ll be caught. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Snapping back to face him, Rey was astounded by the earnest look on his face. “But… if you know my name, you must know why I’m here, what I am...”

“All I know is a beautiful woman crawled into my bed last night,” he said cheekily.

Blushing at the compliment as much as the innuendo, she demanded, “What did you do to me?”

“Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you!” she charged. “You… you used some kind of Jedi mind trick on me!”

“Just a small one,” he said irreverently. “Just to help you sleep.”

“Help me—what did you do once I was unconscious?!”

“Nothing,” he reiterated. “I graciously gave you the bed and sought rest elsewhere.”

“You—what? Then where did you sleep?” she said suspiciously.

“I didn’t. Sleep, that is. I meditated,” he said, pointing to a pile of cushions by the window, “so that I could watch over you.”

“But why?”

His lips thinned a little. There was obviously something he wanted to say, but all he did was shrug. “Another time.”

“Why not now?”

“You’ll just have to trust me when I say now is not the right time.”

“But you’re a Jedi!” she blustered, sliding off the bed. Annoyingly, he still towered over her from his spot on the edge of the mattress. Rey hated feeling small, but she needed to be on her feet, to be ready for battle. “How am I supposed to trust you?”

“I’m a Grey Jedi,” he corrected, as if that explained everything.

“Is there a difference?” she demanded.

“Several,” he chuckled.

“Well?” she stamped her bare foot. “Care to elaborate?”

“Not really,” he said plainly. “Not right now, at least.”

“And why not?”

“I have work to do,” he informed her. Then, more seriously, “And so do you.”

“What?” she snorted derisively. “How did you come to that conclusion?”

“I spared your life, so it belongs to me now,” he replied simply, standing far more gracefully than she had. Rey backed up, trying to ignore their height difference, but the prince’s presence seemed to fill up the room. “There’s a change of clothes for you in the bathroom. Put them on and we’ll go.”

“Go where?” she glared, glancing past him at her saber once again. It was just out of reach and the prince was as solid as a fresher; if she tried to summon it, he would likely block her the same as before. “Damn.”

“You’ll see,” he said enigmatically. Then, lightly, “You might even like it.”

——————

Ben tried not to show his appreciation for the way Rey moved in his grandmother’s flowy, hand embroidered yellow dress, but it was hard going. Everything about her was magic, even when she was glaring daggers at him for making a simple request.

“I won’t!”

“And why not?”

“I’m not one of your servants!” she huffed. “You can’t just order me around and expect me to do your bidding!”

“I’m not ordering,” he sighed, “I’m asking. As a favor.”

“A favor?” she repeated, scrunching her nose. “What’s that?”

“I—ah… it’s like a promise. If you do something for me now, I’ll reciprocate in kind later,” he explained, careful to keep his sympathy hidden.

He’d seen into her mind when they touched last night and then again when they kissed this morning. “Poor girl, it must have been difficult growing up on Exogal with a spirit like hers.”

“Oh,” she said, looking puzzled. “And going to this healing temple with you is a favor? How could I possibly be of use there?”

“You’d be surprised.”

Rey narrowed her eyes at him again. “I don’t like secrets.”

“On that we can agree,” he replied. “You’re not the only one with relatives who keep secrets,” he said internally.

“Really?”

When he offered nothing more than an expectant look, she made an annoyed sound and said, “Lead the way, then, Prince Solo.”

——————

“You can just call me Ben, or Senator, if you’d prefer,” he chuckled, adjusting the silver lightsaber clipped to his leather belt. The crossguard shape was a design she’d only seen in ancient scrolls, but it seemed to suit him.

“How many titles does this guy have?” she wondered. “Prince, Senator, Jedi… I mean… Grey Jedi.” Pondering on the last, she tried to recall ever reading about one, but came up empty. “Grey implies some kind of impurity and those sanctimonious light users would never.” She peaked up at the prince’s striking side profile. “Or would they? He looks...”

“Is there something you’d like to ask?” he said nonchalantly, but she could tell he’d caught her staring.

“No!” she snapped, embarrassed. Picking up her long gold skirt in frustration, Rey stomped ahead of him. Why the hell had she even put the cumbersome garment on? Sure, she had never seen anything so beautiful before, but the corseted top and billowing skirts were a pain to walk in. “Not to mention fight in…”

“Are you sure?” he insisted, speeding up to catch her.

“Yes!”

“You don’t sound sure,” he said lightly.

Rey rounded on him, dropping her skirts and placing her hands on her hips. “I don’t know why I’m even listening to you. I’m here to—”

“Sightsee?” he supplied, tensing up.

“No, I—”

“Rey, please,” the prince said meaningfully, eyeing a couple Senate Guards who were drawing near.

“Fine,” she relented, dropping her combative posture. “Let’s just get this over with.”

He gazed at her for an extended moment, his dark eyes sinking into hers, like he was trying to say something without speaking… but then he was hastily moving forward again and the spell was broken.

“What was that?” she thought dazedly.

Shaking off the feeling that he was trying to pass her an important message, Rey tried to focus on her surroundings. She hadn’t sensed the guards before the prince pointed them out, which wouldn’t do if she wanted to complete her task and live to tell the tale.

Falling into step behind him, she followed until he paused outside an imposing white brick building a few minutes later. A large sign over the doorway indicated that the structure was a hospital, its cracked and faded facade revealing the building’s age. “I wonder how long this city has been here? I’ve seen so little of the galaxy and grandfather never answers my questions...”

“This way,” her jailer said, pushing the door open and holding it for her.

Slipping inside, she was startled when an excited voice cried, “Oh! Senator Solo!” as soon as they entered the large, sunlit atrium. Sizing up the slim blonde running toward them, Rey instantly dismissed her as a threat.

“Good morning, lieutenant,” the prince said warmly when the woman drew near.

Perturbed by his tone without understanding why, Rey decided it best to keep her tongue and just watch the scene unfold. “Maybe she’s a weakness I can exploit...” Somehow the thought didn’t sit well with her, though.

“Did General Organa send you?” he asked.

“Yes,” the lieutenant responded. She looked curiously at Rey, but continued with a nod from the prince. “Leia is expecting more injured soldiers to arrive tomorrow and she wanted to make sure you had everything you needed to heal them.”

“She wanted you to check up on me is what you’re actually saying,” he ribbed. The prince placed a hand on Rey’s shoulder, making her jump slightly. “Nevertheless, please let her know that we have everything we need.”

“We do?” she said slowly. Then, more brightly, “We do! Oh, how wonderful!” The woman smiled at Rey. “I thought I recognized that dress, you must be—”

“On duty,” he cut her off with a meaningful look. “And we really must be going now, Kaydel.”

“Sure,” she responded with a conspiratorial nod, “see you!”

Shaking his head, the prince’s hand slipped from Rey’s shoulder to the small of her back. “No doubt she’s off to report to my mother. Shall we?”

Reaching behind her, Rey captured his wandering hand, placing her index and forefinger over the inside of his wrist. “What was that? Who’s dress am I wearing?”

His pulse lept. “Caught that did you?”

“I’m not an idiot, your highness. Despite what happened last night, I’m actually quite capable!”

“I know,” he said, but this time his heartbeat remained steady.

“You don’t know me,” she denied, confused by his apparent honesty, “no one does.”

“Rey, I can’t explain how right now, but… I do,” he said with conviction.

“You’ll have to tell me later, then. As a return on your favor.” She wasn’t quite sure why she was letting him string her along, but her gut told her he didn’t mean her harm. “I suddenly have the strangest feeling… like we’ve met before… like I know him too.”

“You want words and not your weapon?” He seemed surprised, but pleased.

“I don’t need my lightsaber to kill you, your majesty,” she responded recklessly, thinking of the hairpin he’d neglected to take from her.

The prince looked around, making sure no one overheard the threat. “Not so loud, we don’t need any trouble.” His free hand slid over hers, capturing it. “Come along now, there’s a lot to do before the next group arrives.”

Allowing him to tug her toward a large red door embossed with the symbol of a snake coiling around a lightsaber, Rey ignored the jump of her own heart.

——————

Smiling slightly as Rey juggled a few containers of bacta, Ben carefully took one from her and added it to the second of five medical stations in the infirmary. “Once we replenish the supplies here, I’ll need to check up on a few patients.”

“You’re a doctor too?” she said in amazement.

“Force healer,” he shrugged, pulling out clean gauze and medical tape before moving on.

“That’s a thing?”

“Yeah,” he laughed. “It’s really rare, though.”

“Oh.”

Ben finished lining up equipment on the third station while he decided how much to tell her. “Have you ever… healed a creature before? Even something as small as an insect?”

“No, I—um…” she paused. “Actually… there was a mynock I found once. Do you know what that is?”

“I do.”

“It was clinging to a ship and when the dock workers scraped it off, one of its wings was crushed...” she trailed off, looking confused.

“And?”

“And I put my hands on it and then it flew away,” she finished, looking up at him intently. “Do you think I healed it?”

“Yeah, I think you did,” he confirmed. “You’re special, Rey.”

“What?” she said in disbelief.

Feeling her mental walls rising in defense, Ben backed off. “Can you hand me another bottle of bacta?”

“Oh, yeah, sure.”

Ben smiled as their fingers touched in passing.

——————

“You’re special, Rey.”

The words kept ringing in her head, that deep voice praising her, encouraging her… Rey felt warm all over. Fanning her face, she tried to concentrate on what the prince was doing to no avail.

Last night, her mission seemed so clear. But now... she wasn’t sure she wanted to complete it. It seemed unlikely that her grandfather didn’t know Ben Solo was a Jedi. Which begged the question… why hadn’t the old man told her?

Was her master setting her up? And if he was, why not just kill her himself? It was a rather bleak question to ask, but Rey knew Darth Sidious was capable of anything...

“How’s this?” the prince asked a middle-aged Mon Calamari who appeared to be blind in one eye.

“Better! I can see tiny wisps of light!” he said excitedly.

“Progress!” The prince motioned for her to join him. “Rey, would you help me—”

“No!” she said loudly, roused from her dark thoughts. “Um… no. I’m not…”

“Hey,” he said softly, “it’s okay, sweetheart. Why don’t you wait for me in the lobby. I’m almost done here, I’ll come find you in a bit.”

Rey turned tail and practically ran from the room, more confused than ever. Regardless of her master’s intentions, how was she supposed to kill someone so kind?

——————

Ben finished repairing his patient’s eye, but it was hard to keep his mind off Rey. Her outburst had startled him because he hadn’t felt it coming. He was used to sensing emotional reactions before they happened, it was one of his gifts, but Rey was… surprising, in more ways than one.

“She’s more powerful than she knows,” he thought. “And if I can sense it, I’m sure Palpatine did as well. Is that why he sent her after me? Because he was afraid to face her himself and wanted me to do his dirty work?”

It was an uncomfortable thought, but Ben knew from experience how corrupting the dark side could be. The only comfort he had was that the old Sith Lord would never have sent Rey in his direction if he was aware of their connection.

“Better luck next time, old man. You’ve made your last mistake.”

——————

A/N: Things are gonna get a little dramatic next chapter, stay tuned! In the meantime, check out my many other fics :3

#reylo #reylo fanfic #reylo fic #ben solo #kylo ren #rey #my fanfiction #sushigirlali

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omegaling · 6 years ago

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Allez Cuisine! ~Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen: Deviled Eggs and Leftovers

“Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“For the last time, Finn, she said she doesn’t want to, so let’s go! If I miss out on Mami Trooper’s deviled eggs I swear to God I won’t give you a moment’s peace all weekend!”

“But…” Finn started to protest, but Rey lay a hand on his arm before another argument could break out.

“Really, Finn, I’ll be fine. I always appreciate your family including me in their holiday celebrations, but this year I just want to be alone. Besides, you need to spend some quality time with Poe instead of always worrying about me for a change. I’m a grown woman; I can look after myself.”

Finn looked crestfallen, and Rey had half a mind to throw him over her shoulders and carry him fireman-style to Poe’s car herself. Luckily Poe rescued her by placing his hand gently yet firmly on his boyfriend’s shoulder.

“I think we should respect Rey’s decision, Finn.”

“Really Finn, I’ll be fine,” Rey insisted, picking up his duffel bag and handing it off to Poe. Finn pouted, but finally allowed Poe to steer him to their apartment’s front door.

Every year, Finn’s grandmother, whom was affectionately known to everyone as Mami Trooper, prepared a Thanksgiving feast of unprecedented magnificence. By the time all her family and guests started to arrive at her brownstone in Brooklyn, her table was already laden with all of her favorite holiday dishes from her childhood in Louisiana: Cajun-spiced turkey, cornbread dressing with andouille sausage and pecans, collard greens slow-cooked with ham hocks, crispy fried okra and oysters, candied yams, ham baked with brown sugar and pineapple, made-from-scratch macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pie and, most importantly, her legendary deviled eggs (the spunky old woman loved to proudly boast how she turned down Emeril Lagasse and Paula Dean both offered to by her recipe from her and she shot them both down after pretending to consider it for a week).

What was even more impressive than the food itself was the sheer quantity of it, as Mami Trooper strongly believed that no one should eat alone on Thanksgiving. Not only had Rey been a fixture in the Trooper family since the first Thanksgiving after she moved in with Finn, but his grandmother also opened up her home to the entire block, inviting every overworked single mother, young man trying to get back on his feet after coming out of a rough patch, and lonely senior citizens whose families were scattered around the country and no one could make the trip to New York that year. Everyone who came always brought something of their own to contribute, and by the time dinner was in full swing Rey was amazed that the dining room floor didn’t simply collapse under the combined weight of the people and the food.

The next day, while the rest of the city was caught up in the throes of Black Friday, the Trooper family (complete with Rey in tow) would drive up to Finn’s uncle’s farm upstate for traditions and activities to ring in the start of the Christmas season. Just a few weeks ago Rey had been adamantly looking forward to the Thanksgiving holidays: then everything with Kylo happened, and she worried that her sullenness would only drag everyone down. Making excuses to Finn, Poe and Rose was exhausting enough; she did not want to have to do the same with people she barely knew all weekend.

Poe’s Fiat was full to capacity, making it look like he and Finn were going on an extended vacation instead of a holiday weekend. Even if Rey suddenly did change her mind she doubted there would even be any room for her. Mami Trooper ran a very tight ship during Thanksgiving and only allowed those she trusted the most into the kitchen while dinner was being made, but she had no objection to letting others take over the cooking duties afterward. From the look of it, Poe was planning on taking full advantage of having farm fresh ingredients to play with all weekend.

As Poe tried to stuff Finn’s duffle bag into the last available slot of space in the car, Finn cursed and made a dash back to the apartment building, shouting that he forgot something over his shoulder.

“You owe me five bucks,” Rey said with a roguish grin when Poe joined her on the sidewalk.

“Yeah, yeah,” Poe grumbled, jerking his wallet out of his back pocket. “I made him a checklist and everything. How is it possible for him to still forget something?”

Rey gave him a half-shrug. “He’s your boyfriend. You own that mystery now.”

They waited for Finn to emerge in companionable silence for the next few minutes. People trickled in and out of the other buildings on the street as they went about their own Thanksgiving festivities. The peacefulness was momentarily broken by a chorus of cheers from an apartment somewhere over their heads, no doubt in response to one of the ongoing football games. The breeze picked up gently, bringing the scent of someone’s cooking with it. Saliva exploded in Rey’s mouth; she was going to miss Mami Trooper’s food something fierce this year.

Finn reappeared a moment later, empty-handed and grinning sheepishly. “Turns out I had my phone charger packed after all.”

Poe cocked an eyebrow at Rey. “Does this mean I get my money back?”

“Nope. The bet was he went back to the apartment to get something, not that he already packed it and forgot.”

“Hardy-har-har,” Finn said with a dramatic eye roll. “Come on, let’s get going. The Saints play in an hour.”

“You’re a traitor to all native New Yorkers, Trooper,” Poe said as he moved to the Fiat’s driver’s side.

“Hey, my family’s roots run deep. I have to represent where I can. Besides, you’re one to talk, Mr. Green Card,” Finn shot back.

“Guys, guys!” Rey interrupted them, laughing. “If you don’t get on the road now I’ll call Mami myself and tell her to ban you from her deviled eggs all weekend!”

“You’re a stone cold bitch, Jakken. Maybe that’s why you do so well in the business.” Poe grinned, his eye sparkling with good humor as he at last ducked into the car.

“You only have yourself to blame for that one!” Rey shouted after him.

Finn climbed into the passenger seat, but before he shut the door he looked imploringly at Rey one last time. “If you do change your mind, we’re only a phone call away. That’s for anytime this weekend.”

“But it’s a three hour drive to you uncle’s farm. You’ll be wasting a whole day if you come back for me.”

Finn shrugged. “Maybe. But you’re kind of worth it.”

Rey felt her heart swell with affection for her friend. The backs of her eyes prickled hotly as she gave him one more long hug and thought, in spirit of the season, how thankful she was to have such wonderful friends.

I don’t deserve them, Rey thought as she waved Finn and Poe off until the Fiat turned a corner and disappeared. She knew she had been mopey and distant over the past few weeks, but instead of pushing the issue they respected her need for space and never attempted to coax the information from her. Even when she told Finn she wouldn’t be going to Mami Trooper’s for Thanksgiving he didn’t so much as ask for a reason, even though he looked heartbroken when she broke the news to him.

It’s time to let go of this Iron Chef ordeal and everything tied to it, Rey vowed as she returned to their apartment. Poe and Kylo Ren could claim that she had all the makings of being a great chef in her own right until the cows came home, but after everything that happened following the their now infamous episode Rey firmly decided that the celebrity chefs could go right ahead and keep their fame and glory for themselves. She was perfectly happy where she was in her life and grateful for it. Very few people ever had the privilege to say the same thing.

A sudden epiphany hit Rey, like a soccer ball getting kicked into the side of her head. She might not have felt up to a big family gathering this year, but that didn’t mean she had to confine herself staying home and feel sorry for herself all weekend. A quick Google search provided Rey with the information she needed, and ten minutes later she was headed out of her apartment donned in a fleece coat, scarf and knitted beanie, making her way to the Bowery neighborhood in the crisp November morning.

When Rey arrived at the Bowery Mission homeless shelter her heart sank. The building’s main dining hall was already packed with both people in need and volunteers; she hadn’t even thought about calling ahead to see if they even had any openings for additional help in her off the cuff decision to volunteer for the afternoon. To her relief the smiling receptionist assured her that more help was always welcome. There was a waiting list to work in the kitchen and serve the meals, so until a spot opened for her Rey opted to spend some time with the shelter’s youngest patrons.

Rey was directed to another room off the main dining area, which was filled with about twenty toddlers and younger children being looked after by half a dozen or so volunteers while their parents had the opportunity to shower and rest. Looking out at them, Rey felt her heart clench painfully in her chest, accompanied by a surge of guilt that squeezed the air from her lungs as her mind became awash with memories of spending much of her young childhood in similar places. While unwelcome memories of Unkar Plutt still resurfaced from time to time, she hadn’t given any thought to her earliest years in the system since before she started working for Poe. The last time she had seen Kylo Ren she had railed on him about forgetting where he came from, but hadn’t done the same as well?

A tug on her hand brought Rey back to the here and now. She looked down to see a small boy of about six or seven staring up at her with wide, limpid eyes. Rey smiled at him. “Well, hello there, sweetie. What’s your name?”

The little boy didn’t answer her question, but instead proffered to her an extremely battered copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone . Rey understood immediately.

“Do you want me to read this to you?”

He nodded eagerly.

Rey walked over to one of the furthest corners of the room, away from the louder cartoons and video games, and settled on one end of a small futon sofa. The little boy perched at the other end, like a cat that still didn’t fully trust her. Rey opened the book, mindful of the first few pages that wanted to come loose from their binding, and started to read.

“ Mr and Mrs Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were very proud of say that they were very normal, thank you very much…”

By the time the wizards all raised their glasses to toast The Boy Who Lived, the little boy had moved across the couch to snuggle into Rey’s side. Another four children came over to listen to Harry talk to the boa constrictor, and when Harry’s Hogwarts letters started pelting out of the Dursley’s fireplace her audience swelled to ten. She had to take a break when someone started pounding on the door of the shack on the rock out at sea, her throat dry and scratchy from reading for almost two hours. The children started to protest as she got up, but she promised to be back to tell who was on the other side of the door after she got herself some water. When she reached the volunteer’s break room, one of the Bowery Mission staff members informed her that there was an opening in meal service, but Rey politely declined. She didn’t want to disappoint her audience.

“Um… Excuse me?”

A soft, timid voice made Rey stop in her tracks on the way back to the play area, a bottle of cold water in her hand. Standing behind her was a full-figured teenager of about fifteen or so, wringing her hands together in a nervous gesture. Rey smiled kindly at her. “Can I help you? Are you okay?”

“Oh… Yes, I’m okay… I was just wondering… I mean, I’m sure I’m completely wrong, but…” The girl clasped her hands so tightly together than her knuckles started to turn white. Rey waited patiently until the girl visibly gathered her courage and blurted out almost faster than Rey could follow, “Were you just on an episode of Iron Chef America ?”

The question caught Rey off guard, and she answered that yes, she was, without really thinking. She kicked herself mentally for doing so - the whole point of this weekend was to try to get over Kylo Ren - but the girl suddenly lit up so brightly that Rey forgot her own grievance.

“Oh… Oh, wow ,” the girl said breathlessly. “I thought that maybe it was you because of how you hear your hair, but lots of girls started wearing their hair like that after that episode and…” She trailed off, looking deeply embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I know I’m rambling and you’re busy. I just always loved Iron Chef America but the episode you were in was just so...so good . I mean, Kylo Ren is always fun to watch and Chef Dameron is really hot, but you were my favorite part.”

Now it was Rey’s turn to blush. While her coworkers and the other chefs of the Village complimented her fairly often on her work, she didn’t consider herself particularly exceptional. True, she could imitate any dish down to the exact amount of salt used, but it wasn’t the same as coming up with the recipes on her own. Getting compliments from someone she didn’t know humbled her to the core.

“Thank you. So much,” Rey said, her throat tight with emotion. “Do you like to cook, too?”

“I do!” the girl said enthusiastically, only to deflate a bit immediately after. “When I can, that is. A lot of the homes I stayed in don’t let the kids in the kitchen, so I don’t get to practice a lot. I mostly only watch shows like Top Chef, Chopped and Iron Chef. I don’t think I’ll ever be as good as someone like you.”

“I’ll let you in on a secret,” Rey said with a mischievous smile. “The first time I tried cooking for myself I ended up exploding eggs all over my new roommate’s kitchen. The whole front of the apartment smelled like a fart for a week.”

The girl tried to capture her laughter by clapping a hand over her mouth, but her giggles still managed to slip through her fingers. Her reaction prompted Rey’s smile to widen even more.

“And I’ll tell you another secret. I didn’t learn to cook until I was nineteen. That wasn’t even three years ago.”

Now the girl was openly gaping at her, all signs of mirth wiped clean from her face. “But… But what you did on Iron Chef was incredible… It was like art…”

“How about this? How about you come with me and hear how Harry learns he’s a wizard, and afterwards we can talk about cooking.”

For a second Rey was worried that the girl was going to faint on the spot. Thankfully, she only ended up nodding. “My name is Lucy, by the way.”

“I’m very pleased to meet you, Lucy. Now let’s go see a man about an owl, shall we?”

Two chapters and a trip to Diagon Alley later, Rey and Lucy sat at an unoccupied table near the back of the Bower Mission’s dining area with a mug of tea and a glass of soda, respectively. Lucy peppered Rey with every imaginable question pertaining to cooking, jumping from what it’s like working in the kitchen of an upscale restaurant to how certain kinds of meals are prepared to what was it like being on TV (and is the Chairman like that all the time or is it just for the show?). Finally she calmed down enough to ask - at least in Rey’s opinion - the most crucial question of all.

“Where do I even begin? Like, what is the first thing I need to know?”

It took Rey a few minutes to wrack her brains to remember the first lessons she had, way back when Poe gave his cooking seminar at NYU. Everything she did as his prep cook was now so ingrained into her that it was difficult to remember that there was a time when she could hardly tell the difference between one end of a knife and the other. She ran through all the basics that not only aspiring chefs should know, but everyone as they came into adulthood. Lucy didn’t look particularly impressed when Rey told her the importance of learning how to properly prepare eggs and pasta and vegetables, but Rey quickly set the record straight.

“It’s all about the foundation,” she told Lucy, bobbing a tea bag into a fresh mug of hot water. “DaVinci didn’t paint the Mona Lisa the first time he picked up a paintbrush any more than Beethoven composed the Fifth the first time he sat down at a piano. If you don’t have a proper foundation lay down, anything you try to build on top of it will just collapse sooner or later.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Lucy said. “But how do I even start?”

“Like anything else that requires practice: at the beginning. Offer to help your foster parents prepare meals, even if it’s as simple as something as cutting up vegetables or making side dishes. Take a cooking class if you school offers it, or see if there are any programs for high school students you can enroll in. Start looking into culinary schools for after you graduate; there are a ton of them in New York, not just the CIA, and a lot of the city colleges have basic cooking courses you can take while you work on your general education courses. And when you apply to work at a restaurant, don’t turn your nose up at the grunt work, like dish washing or the messier, more time-consuming prep work. It will prove to the head chef that you want to be there because it’s something you’re passionate about and not because of romanticized assumptions.”

Lucy nodded slowly, and Rey could tell by the set of her mouth that she was worrying the inside of her cheek. Rey knew exactly what she was feeling, as clearly as if it was projected into her own mind: a fear and self-doubt born from living a life in the system, that no matter how well Lucy behaved or how hard she studied or worked, she would always be inadequate in the eyes of “normal” society; that being a foster child was a sigma that marked her for failure for life. The ghosts of Unkar Plutt’s hurtful words started to crawl into Rey’s own mind, a cruel taunting slur that dogged her throughout high school. Without thinking Rey’s hand shot forward to grasp Lucy’s. Lucy jumped at the unexpected contact, but she didn’t yank her hand away.

“Hey,” Rey said, looking Lucy straight in the eye. “I was just like you when I was your age. I was in the system since I was five, and it was thirteen years of being bounced between homes of sub-par care, falling behind in school every time I got transferred and living with the certainty that it was never going to get better. And it did, not only because I worked for it, but also because I got help. So I want you to do this: if you need to put down a reference for a college application or a work resume, you give them my name and the number to BB8. I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“But you don’t even know me!” Lucy blurted out, looking very much like she wanted to cry.

“And Poe Dameron didn’t know me, but he took that leap of faith anyway. And someday I’ll take that same leap for you. You just have to promise me one thing.”

It took Lucy a moment to calm down, wiping the tears off her face with the sleeve of her sweatshirt to ask Rey what she wanted her to do. Rey felt her heart go out to her. She wondered how long it was since the poor girl was given even the smallest sliver of encouragement by an adult.

“No matter where you end up, never forget where you came from.”

It wasn’t until later that Rey realized Poe Dameron’s cooking lessons were not the only ones she tapped into while she was talking to Lucy.

Rey might have missed out on Mami Trooper’s Thanksgiving feast, but that didn’t mean that she had to give up a traditional meal altogether. And while she could just as easily make herself an upscale dinner of cranberry-glazed roast turkey and French aligot potatoes, she chose a much more non-hassle option. She could not put her finger on an exact reason why, but there was something deeply satisfying about eating a sandwich made of pre-cooked turkey breast, instant mashed potatoes and stuffing, canned gravy and cranberry sauce on plain white bread. She had picked up all the items on a whim on her way home from work on Tuesday, and now she was glad she did. Preparing Michelin quality food day in and day out made her appreciate the simpler, nostalgic foods and the comfort they brought. No matter how good their food was, that was something that chefs like Poe and Kylo could never replicate in their restaurants.

Rey paused, her sandwich halfway to her mouth. Her last conversation with Kylo rose from the recesses of her mind she banished it to, but now she made no effort to stop it. She had told him that she would rather keep her sentimental memories than trade them for a lucrative career, but wasn’t she already kind of guilty of that? When she came to New York she suddenly had the entire culinary world at her fingertips to explore. Before that she had no idea that so many different types of food existed; she could eat at a different restaurant every night and never go to the same place twice. Hell, there were still places in the Village she’d never been to. And yet there was nothing else she’d rather be eating at that time than her Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich.

A new idea materialized, which was quickly followed up by a plan. She was still of the opinion that Kylo was a pretentious asshole and she doubted now that that would ever change, but she didn’t want to leave things as they were.

Maybe, like her, he just needed a reminder.

Rey finished her lunch, changed into warmer clothing (it was decidedly colder today) and set off for the nearest grocery outlet.

The store was virtually empty when she arrived. The one cashier on duty gave her a smile just large enough to acknowledge her presence before returning to fiddling with their phone.

Rey moved up and down the aisles, tapping into her memories of when she was a college student living on a very limited income. She grabbed pasta, ramen packages and rice that only cost a few dollars for several boxes and two jars of generic tomato sauce; Kraft macaroni and cheese and a few cans of soup; peanut butter, jelly and bread; half a gallon of mind and half a dozen of eggs; a couple of frozen dinners on sale for a dollar each; and finally a small package of ground beef that was marked down two dollars because it was going out of code tomorrow. By the time Rey checked out she had spent just under thirty dollars and had enough food to make meals for the next two weeks, three if she really stretched it.

With her purchases made, Rey called for a Lyft car (she wasn’t even going to attempt the subways, even with the hub of Black Friday shopping on the other side of the city) and went straight to Walker Tower.

Roger was off-duty when Rey arrived, but the doorman who was there knew her well enough to not give her any issues as she walked in. The Tower’s lobby was already adorned with beautiful Christmas decorations, but Rey did not give them so much as a second glance and she went to the elevators. On the ride up to Kylo’s floor, she re-adjusted the note she prepared in the Lyft car so it sat in plain view on top of the bag. When she arrived at Kylo’s apartment, she dropped the bag outside his door, then immediately turned around and went back the way she came.

About twenty minutes later Kylo’s neighbor, fresh back from a refreshing jog, took notice of the lumpy plastic bag sitting outside his reclusive neighbor’s door. Curiosity prompted the man to go over to investigate. He couldn’t see what was inside because a note that read “This is where I came from” lay over the top.

The man’s interest immediately vanished, his mind back on the shower he was looking forward to. He didn’t know his neighbor other than what he heard from the other Tower’s residents, and that the unanimous decision was he was a grade-A jerk.

Rey was reading on Saturday morning when her phone pinged with a new text message. She was sure it was going to be another text from Finn telling her how much he missed her (complete with a crying emoji face) so her heart skipped a beat when she saw it was from a number she was sure she would never see again. The whole apartment felt to tilt under the weight of the two words on her phone’s screen.

“I’m sorry.”

Rey stared at her screen for a full five minutes as she deliberated on the best way to respond, because she knew no matter what, it would send her down a road of no return.

Finally, she made up her mind.

“ Come over to dinner. My roommate it out of town. I’ll cook.”

She held her breath as she waiting for an answer.

Ping.

“I’ll bring the wine this time.”

#reylo #reylo fan fiction #reylo au #reylo chef au #allez cuisine!#omegaling writes

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