A Lesson to Learn

Chapter 14

After all, Leia was more light than dark in nature, so she had to show some pity on her only son and him falling in love, right? Except that she hadn't talked to him in his time of solitude and she wouldn't be starting to anytime soon. They surely hadn't left off on the right foot. Kylo wondered how long he could hide from Leia if it came down to it, or how he could prevent having to go back to his duties if he was freed somehow.

He had time to think about it, though. Kylo's only real pressing issue was his own guilt weighing on him, and his need to make Rey as happy as possible. Except that Kylo had started to sense that Rey thought he was holding himself back from telling her certain things. He could tell that Rey knew him well enough now from all the time they've spent together that she wasn't as satisfied with Kylo's answers about his life before her or about his family - but Rey was kind and patient and was giving him time. Kylo was thankful that he was naturally more shy, as it helped him with his cover when it came to hiding facts about his life.

It's just that when Kylo finally sat her down and talked about this, she would be more than just surprised by the answer and he wasn't ready for her to reject him yet. He needed to know that if she ran away from him that she would ultimately return to him. Love him enough to come back. Need him as much as he needed her. Kylo needed it more than anything he had ever wanted - even more than the freedom he had so longer for before.

He pondered on these things as he watched happily from the couch, unable to keep a soft smile from playing permanently on his lips at the thought of a forever with Rey. As he admired his princess commanding the kitchen, she met his eye and shot him a quick wink and a smile, pausing to blow him a kiss. Kylo pretended to catch it and only vaguely took the time to think about how soft he'd become in just a little over a month. If his lesser demons saw him now he would never have heard the end of it, but he would barely have minded the teasing if it meant staying with his Little One.

***

By the time dinner rolled around, Kylo was ready to rejoin the fold. A few more people had arrived and he wasn't too proud to admit that he was missing Rey's touch. He was also curious about Rose and this Vicrul Jones person. Vicrul seemed equally as uncomfortable in the crowd as Kylo, but didn't hide it as well as Kylo did. His big eyes looked almost fearful as he scanned the room and tried to remember everyone's names.

Kylo took comfort in Rey as he moved towards the kitchen island, her palm drawing soothing circles onto the small of his back. He melted into her touch, playing with her intricate braid as he tried to keep up with the conversations around him. Most of the people who had come over tonight had been present at the Halloween party, so Kylo at least recognized some faces.

Rey leaned into Kylo's side and looked up at him with a grin as she moved her hand to his hip and gave him a loving squeeze. "Remember that tonight is a marathon, not a race. We have to get through Thanksgiving dinner, dessert, games and movies, maybe a nap and finally shopping tonight. Are you ready, babe?"

"Barely," Kylo laughed, grabbing her hand in his and intertwining their fingers where they rested on his side.

The group gathered around the counter and loaded their plates up, the conversation and drinks flowing easily as they took their places around the couch. Rey's smaller dining table couldn't accommodate everyone so they settled into the plush furniture and crowded the coffee table with their plates and cups.

Kylo enjoyed watching Rey interact with her friends as he chowed down silently beside her, avoiding making too much eye contact with Poe lest he try to rope him into a long winded conversation. The food was delicious and the company was good, everyone smiling and laughing, Rey's happiness more than evident through the bond, her finger sparkling with Kylo's ring.

Kylo once more felt that warm soothing sensation in his body, a comforting feeling that accompanied Rey's presence. He loved this woman and felt truly wholly satisfied with her. Kylo couldn't stop marveling at the fact that he had lived so long without knowing this true joy, never really missing it because he had never known it existed in the first place.

As they finished up their dinner and took a break from eating before dessert came around, the group played some board and card games. Kylo couldn't help but cheat his way through a couple, taking a sick kind of pride in irritating and teasing Rey and her competitive nature.

After his third round of winning a game, this time Sorry, Rey slapped him playfully on the thigh. "You're a monster!"

"Yes, I am," he answered with a wink and a smirk, always finding delight in Rey's playful nature.

"Too bad you're stuck with me, sweetheart," Kylo added before giving her a quick peck on the lips. Rose pretended to gag in their direction and then at Poe and Finn who were once more unable to keep their hands to themselves, but Kylo noticed she held tighter to Vicrul's hand and winked at him before setting up the game again.

***

Kylo woke up to Rey bent over him and shaking him awake. They had fallen asleep on the couch after more food, dessert, and some movies, everyone feeling the effects of their feast combined with the heavy wine consumption.

"It's time to go Black Friday shopping, big guy!" she said excitedly as he scowled at her with narrowed eyes.

Kylo grumbled as he stood up, rising to his full height and letting out a groan as he stretched. Kylo had asked for this after all, and who was he to deny Rey when she looked so damn cute and giddy. He looked over to the side where everyone else was rousing from their places or getting ready, Rose crumpled up on the floor surrounded by blankets and Poe and Finn already up and getting their coats.

Kylo saw that Rey had changed out of her dress and was instead in a warmer set of clothes consisting of a sweater and jeans. He stalked over to the bedroom to change as well, though he was really changing his clothes by doing magic, feeling too lazy to physically change in and out of clothes if he didn't need to. Rey had asked him to bring a duffle bag of clothes and supplies for his long weekend with her, though of course she didn't know that all of Kylo's things were already at her house - just concealed and hidden away.

Once everyone was ready, the group crawled into Rose's car. Kylo ended up sitting, and only slightly pouting, in shotgun because he didn't fit comfortably in the back and Rey had pushed him out when he tried to sit beside her.

They made their way to the mall, and Kylo felt a little excited at experiencing his first Black Friday at what Rey had dubbed one of the largest malls in the United States. Considering that Hux had created the holiday, he couldn't wait to see it in action. Kylo was a creator of chaos after all, and it was in his nature to crave it. A little part of him wondered if he'd be able to stir up some trouble tonight while he spent time with his girl. Hopefully she wouldn't mind if he had a little fun.

He did finally have full access to most of his powers back after being bonded to someone again. Maybe just a little disorder and mayhem would wrap the night up nicely. It had been so long , after all.