Find You Again (PAUSED)

Chapter Two

Ben's point of view

I knew the moment I held her lifeless body in my arms what I needed to do.

I lived most of my life being haunted by ghosts and demons to only be set free just as I'm needed most. But for her it was different. For her I would do anything.

I just hope she remembers me this way. I hope she remembers me as a man who loves her, who would do anything for her.

Even give up his life for her.

With my hand over her abdomen, I pull as much energy I can from the force. It feels like my body is lined with explosives and as the force travels through me, each one explodes causing a chain reaction through me. The pain is excruciating but for her I will bear it.
I feel the life force flow from my hand to her body, and with each deep breath, I feel whatever remaining strength I have slowly disappear into my scavenger. I need her alive, I need to see her... I can't live without her.

With my last deep breath, I push the remaining bit of life force out of me, and with a sigh I wait for a reaction. My eyes closed to hide the inevitable fate that I am not strong enough, that I am not as pure as she is to give life to others. It isn't until I feel her cold yet comforting hand take mine that I open my eyes.

Her eyes... they meet mine as she quickly sits up, facing me. I scan every feature of her face, how some of her deep brown locks frame her face, some of her small strands have fallen out upon her forehead, I want to brush them out of the way for her but I know I need to save my energy to keep this moment alive.

She scans my eyes, curiosity and shock are intensely prominent on her face until I notice her eyes come to the realization of who is here before her.

"Ben.." she says with a smile.

That smile... the smile that saved the galaxy, the smile that I've been desperately wanting to see for all this time, and to know she is smiling because of me?

It makes this all worth it.

My everlasting joy quickly makes itself known, and I allow myself to be seen, a small smile breaks through as I memorize every inch of her skin. Until I catch her eyes meet my lips... and a wave of anxiety crashes through me.

Her hands cup my now healed face as she brings my lips to hers, the remaining energy within me gives me enough strength to pull her closer, I want to feel her with every part of me,
my lips,

my face,

my hands,

my body.

I just want to be this man, in this spot, here and forever.

She slowly pulls away, and I can feel my body begin to shut down, but the pure radiant happiness I feel, I am content in going out this way. I let out a small chuckle, and I let her see more into the man she believed in for so long. I want her to know how grateful I am for her, how lucky I am to have met her, and in love I am with her.

With that last breath, my body finally gives up on my soul, and I feel myself fall out of her grasp. But what I remember most is the feeling of her hand in mine as I slowly slip away into the force.

———-

I wake up with a jolt in a place darker than night, as I look around, all I can see is stars and constellations all around me. This place, it's like something I've seen in my dreams, in the dreams where I would see a woman clothed like the river, with flowers in her hair.

"Ben Solo... rise my child." I hear a soothing voice say.

I quickly rise to my feet, and turn to face this visitor in the unknown. But upon making eye contact, I realize it's her, the angel from my dreams, the one who would always hold me through the night, she would never speak, but her presence was always comforting.