A Lesson to Learn

Chapter 10

Kylo dressed himself in the concealed clothes he had placed around her house, summoning them instead of retrieving them so that Rey wouldn't see her blanket basket being jostled around or things moving around her house without explanation. He settled on a simple black turtleneck with black pants - he was going to freshen up before the date and make sure he tidied himself up with a good charm or two. Kylo Ren needed to make an impression tonight and he wasn't going to miss his mark.

He went off to the First Order, keeping himself concealed so that whoever was working didn't see him spending his whole day there. It would seem odd, especially since if he were human he would be at home getting ready or be literally anywhere else. Kylo summoned his copy of Rumo and His Miraculous Adventures after concealing it as well - he was almost done, having all but finished it before helping Rey on Thursday, once more back to his dilemma as to what literature to settle on next. Kylo pushed the thought aside, choosing to deal with it when he actually finished his book, and set off in search of a secluded corner where he would most likely be undisturbed until it came time to go back home. Home. He hadn't thought of anywhere else as home since leaving Hell, and he couldn't bite back the grin that surfaced when he realized wherever Rey was was his new home, and not just a place he dwelled in.

***

Rey came back to her apartment around 4:30 p.m. with a centerpiece bouquet of white roses, olive branches, eucalyptus and fall leaves that Finn had specifically gotten together for her after her long nervous rant. She was thankful that Finn was a great listener and always made her feel more calm when she vented to him.

Finn had assured her that the date would go smoothly, though he was initially surprised at her mini freak out session considering that she had only been talking to Kylo for about a week. In all the years Finn had known Rey, he had never seen her so flustered over a date and he was excited that Rey seemed to be eagerly diving back into the dating pool after a long lull. She deserved the best, and Kylo seemed like a decent person from what Poe had told him, even if Finn was half convinced that Poe was in love with Kylo himself by the way he told such stories. If he wasn't so secure in his relationship and so aware of his partner's flirty nature, Finn would even find it in himself to be jealous.

Once he realized what a special date it was for Rey and how excited she was, he handpicked a dinner centerpiece for her, making sure it was both beautiful and fragrant. He then sent her off with it and some calming parting words, hoping that her nerves were assuaged from their interaction.

Rey was now back home and ready to cook dinner and snacks. She planned on having some crackers with olive tapenade and hummus to dip, brie and jam spread on crostini, bacon wrapped asparagus, and some caprese skewers. For dinner she was putting together pan seared teriyaki salmon over brown and wild rice with mixed vegetables. Rey knew she was slightly over doing it with all of her cooking and appetizers, but dammit if she wasn't going to find her way into Kylo's heart through his stomach. If it was a popular enough saying then there was probably a shred of truth to it. She was more than sure she was a good cook, and she wasn't afraid to pull out all the stops to impress him tonight. Plus, it gave them plenty to snack on before, during, and after the movie.

Rey busied herself with getting all her ingredients together and preheating the oven, as she hummed along to some Various Cruelties and The Temper Trap playlist she had put on. As she cooked and set everything out, she made sure to light a nice fall-scented candle on the table next to the floral arrangement and another one over by the couch. She had also set up a projector screen and her projector, an extra indulgence she had allowed herself when Poe and Finn had moved in together close enough that they were over frequently for movie nights. Rey didn't always go through the effort of setting it up, but when she did it added an extra oomph-factor that she was sure would give her an extra edge tonight. After some internal debate, she went on to add some good old-fashioned mood lighting with the addition of string lights, calling Rey back to her college days and decorating her dorm room in a similar manner. She couldn't help it if a string of lights or two really enhanced a room - who cared if it was tacky and overdone at this point. Rey was already trying too hard, might as well go overboard.