A Lesson to Learn

Chapter 11

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By the time they got back to the apartment, Rey had spent more than she had all year just on decorations, food, and snacks. The party wasn't until Halloween, which was this coming Saturday, and it was only Sunday now, but he knew that decorating her apartment was a full week long ordeal. Luckily this time she had help. When she mentioned needing assistance hanging things up and organizing everything, Kylo had jumped at the chance to spend more time with her. He claimed it was because it would only expand his education on the holiday, but Rey could see in his excited kid-like expression how much he wanted to be around her. Rey had never felt so loved and appreciated. No, not loved. Not yet. It's too early for that, she chided herself. But as she looked over at Kylo's eager face, she couldn't help but feel that's exactly the way they felt towards each other.

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They spent the evenings leading up to Halloween stringing lights, hanging flying witches and ghosts, and adorning all available surfaces with decorations. There were moving and interactive animatronics hidden in different corners, with one behind the door in the bathroom that lit up a pirate skeleton looking ghost and wailed when you moved the door. That was one of Rey's favorites. She said it always gave everyone a good scare, and it had given Kylo just that. Rey had hung it up one evening while Kylo was off picking up last minute snacks at Trader Joe's, one of the few places he could go by himself without Rey (not that she knew the limits of the ring's bond). When he had closed the door to relieve himself after too much wine, he had jumped at the sudden noise. Kylo was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't easy to scare a demon, but his Little One had managed to do so twice now. Luckily, this scare was much more enjoyable than the ordeal with Anakin had been.

Kylo was more than happy to be directed by Rey, taking pleasure from her words of approval as he reached a specific spot that was too high for her or arranged something just right. As the week progressed, he tentatively began to give some input. Kylo's best idea had been a makeshift photobooth, which was now set up in the corner of the house with black blankets and props in a box, next to a stool where Rey's computer would sit so that anyone could go and take silly pictures whenever they wanted. He had come up with it late one night as he thought about Rey before drifting off to sleep. Kylo wanted to have something for himself that reminded him of her, even though he could pop in unnoticed whenever he wanted and see the real thing for himself. It was a sweet sentiment, and that was when his sleepy brain caught up and reminded him that photographs were a thing now. Rey had loved the idea when he brought it up the next day and had rewarded him with more than a few kisses. It made Kylo blush just to think of it.

They had spent every evening putting together the house, setting up the projector, and organizing the Halloween village. Kylo had enjoyed creating stories for the different figurines in the village with Rey, laughing as they came up with silly adventures for their characters and convoluted plot points. By the end of it they had ended up in each other's arms, whispering about their own future plans.

Kylo had never felt so tempted to come clean about the ring and their bond, wanting more than anything to make every hushed murmur of a desire a reality. He didn't feel as if Rey was ready yet, though, and it was still too early in the relationship. As much as his Little One may love Halloween, Kylo wasn't so sure she would like the real monsters that lurked so close. Not that Kylo was truly a monster or dangerous (at least to Rey), but he knew from all the movies and reading that a life with a demon was not the fairytale ending Rey was dreaming about, even if it was the reality of what she was wishing for as they held each other that night.

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When Halloween finally arrived on Saturday, Kylo was buzzing with nervousness. This was the first time he would meet all of Rey's friends and the first time they would hang out together as an official couple. He knew he had nothing to worry about when it came to monogamy, but he couldn't help feeling possessive and anxious. Kylo knew he had a jealous streak when it came to Rey and he also knew Rey was very comfortable with physical affection when it came to her friends. Kylo was also well aware that Rey was not about to change her playful and loving nature towards others just because he was in the picture. She was more than committed to him (or as committed as one could be so early on), and had assured him of that herself. Kylo didn't have any reason not to trust her but a nervous pit in his stomach still told him to make sure there was no misunderstanding. He would have to convince her to let him claim her, even if she didn't realize she was doing it.