A Lesson to Learn

Chapter 21

Rey smiled back, feeling in her heart and her soul that this was right. Maybe the way they came together may have been fabricated, but she had picked that ring out for a reason that day - maybe they were meant to have found each other.

She reminded herself in this moment, as she was held in the strong arms of her supposed demon boyfriend, that even though their relationship was built partially on lies, Kylo had never been anything but good to her and had never invaded her private thoughts, even though they could have aided him greatly in getting to know her. At the very least he had put genuine effort in cultivating their relationship, despite its false beginnings.

Rey pressed her nose to Kylo's, wrapping her arms around his neck, determined to hear him out, to give him another chance, and hopefully, truly believe him after so much deception - no matter how well intentioned.

***

Kylo breathed in and out slowly, hands holding Rey close, unable to believe that she had considered giving him another chance. He leaned down further to catch her lips in a chaste kiss, further trying to convince himself that this wasn't a fantasy, that he actually had Rey back - well, almost.

"What do you want to know? Should we leave to go talk somewhere private?" Kylo urged, pulling away from the kiss, eager to finally be honest with Rey - to get rid of the guilt that still wracked his body, to lay himself bare at her feet.

Rey looked up at him, slightly dazed by the kiss and being back in his arms. "Oh. Hah. I guess I didn't actually consider leaving the party now, but that seems appropriate doesn't it?" she laughed, the sound a welcome noise to Kylo's ears after such a long separation from her.

"Or... you could stay and I'll wait for you. I don't want to rush this or take you away from your party," Kylo raced to add, wanting Rey to do this at her own time, just glad to know she had decided to hear him out, to give him a chance.

"No- um, I think this is a bit more important, isn't it? We should go back to my apartment," Rey answered, nodding her head slightly. "I guess we can always watch the ball drop at home."

The word "home" sent tingles of apprehension down his spine that mixed with a confusing familiar, comforting warmth through Kylo's body. He wondered whether after a full confession he would still be able to consider Rey's apartment his home, if she would kick him out of his life and choose to forget him, but Kylo pushed the intrusive idea away, not wanting to spoil the moment with bad thoughts.

Instead of ruminating on that possibility he chose to ask, "Ball drop?"

That earned another giggle from Rey, an accomplishment in Kylo's eyes, even though he was confused as to why she had found that question particularly funny. "Now all of your questions make a lot more sense," Rey explained. "It was starting to get suspicious how little you knew about all of these holidays and traditions. I was beginning to wonder whether you were a part of some secret cult or something."

"Or something," Kylo repeated, giving Rey a wink, the familiar flush spreading to her cheeks and the wave of affection that came through the bond making Kylo feel a touch of pride at being able to make Rey feel that way again.

Rey bit her lip and brought Kylo's head down lower so she could stand on her tiptoes and whisper in his ear. "So... how does this work, big guy? Can you... teleport us home?"

It was Kylo's turn to laugh now, excited to show Rey all there was to be had with his powers. "Is that what my Little One wants? Don't you want to say bye to all of your nice friends?" he whispered back, feeling Rey nod shyly and then shake her head 'no', her baby hairs tickling his chin and neck.