A Lesson to Learn

Chapter 2

Rey texted back a quick, sounds perfect, before checking the time. It was only 5:00 pm. She had spent most of her afternoon after her 7:00 am - 2:00 pm shift ended walking to, around, and in the thrift store. She had time for a nice bath and some further relaxation before starting on dinner. It wasn't like Finn and Poe expected anything fancy for dinner anyway. They usually had dinner together on at least one weekday, and being that it was Friday and they were hoping to get a little wine drunk before heading into the weekend, Rey knew that her frozen ravioli dinner wouldn't raise any complaints. She also had pizza as a back-up plan if their late night wine drinking became a little rowdy. Poe could definitely get a little messy when wine was involved, and honestly, so could she. Smiling as she admired her new ring again, Rey peeled herself off the couch, fed Chewie, and went to her bedroom to get ready for her relaxing bath.

***

Kylo Ren didn't know what to think of this Rey Dameron and he certainly didn't know what to think of where he had ended up. As someone who had been stuck in a dusty old thrift store for the better part of several decades now, he had seen little of the outside world for some time. He knew only what came into the shop - those old ladies and those wannabe hipsters. Rey was definitely neither.

Her apartment was small but intimate, covered in plants and smelling of cinnamon, pumpkin, and nutmeg. It was almost... comfortable? When was the last time Kylo Ren had felt comforted? He sighed softly as he looked over at the creature that was now eating from the floor, thankful that his concealment charm worked against all of God's creatures. Chewie was a dog, no doubt. He wasn't that out of touch with reality from his forced isolation (though certain things such as the personal communication device Rey had used earlier were still foreign to him). But, this was a dog that was clearly cared for by a crazy dog person. Kylo Ren had had to use every ounce of restraint in his body not to laugh as Rey talked to her dog (Chewie?) about her new purchase today. While he felt what could only be thought of as second hand embarrassment at the interaction, he was pleased that the bad day Rey had spoken of to the thrift store clerk seemed to be wearing off and had begun to be replaced by a more joyful one. As he thought this Kylo Ren found himself shaking his head. What are you doing? Why do you care?

As he had followed Rey to her apartment and stepped inside, he had felt more of that curiosity bubbling towards her. He wanted to know all about her and he didn't know why. This new feeling was unprecedented. He knew it was probably because anyone who had owned his ring before had been truly awful people who didn't deserve, in his opinion, a second thought or a second glance, and here was Rey and she deserved more than just a passing thought. Kylo was excited about the prospect of using his magic to actually help Rey. Hell, he might even actually listen to whatever requests she makes of him instead of just twisting her words for his wicked fun. Maybe if he did that then Rey wouldn't want to toss the ring once she figured out what it was.

Kylo shook his head again as if to rid himself of these weird emotions he had begun to wrestle with as soon as Rey had chosen him (or rather, the ring... but a guy - or demon - could dream right?), and took a deep breath. He inhaled the warm scent from the candle and looked around again when he heard a door open.

Rey had disappeared into a room a few minutes ago and was now emerging, covered only in a soft looking robe. Kylo felt his heartbeat quicken and his face warm. She looked so comfortable. Just like her home. He wondered if her skin was soft. He wondered what she smelled like.

His eyes followed Rey as she stepped into the bathroom and he bridged the gap between them in a few strides. She had started to run the water and threw in some salts and what looked like an orange ball. The ball fell into the water and began to instantly fizzle and cover the surface with bubbles. He wondered what kind of human magic had been used to make such a weird object. Kylo could smell that the fizzy ball had a scent similar to the candle Rey had lit outside in the living room by the couch. He smiled pleasantly. It really was a nice and comforting smell. He could get used to this.

Kylo's eyes then widened as he saw that Rey had begun to take off her robe. He quickly looked at the ceiling and swallowed thickly. For someone who didn't give a damn about many things, he all of a sudden felt the need to respect Rey's space. He wasn't just some creeper. Sure, he was the devil but he also had manners. Leia had at least instilled as much in him, even though he was the king of temptation. And contrary to popular belief in the human world, as the devil Kylo was mostly a keeper of misbehaving souls and a general source of wicked fun and trickery (or at least when he had had freedom he had allowed himself to have his fun). He wasn't a truly terrible person or the evil dark thing that humans made him out to be. I mean sure, he was generally rooted in the dark but he was also (maybe?) a decent guy sometimes. Key word being sometimes.

With that train of thought, Kylo turned around, eyes still glued to the ceiling, and walked out of the bathroom, holding on to as much restraint as his gentlemanly self could grab. He heard Rey begin to hum to some music she had begun to play as he sprawled out on the couch. One day he would take her in, all of her. He would be able to breathe in her scent, caress her soft skin, and look upon her body without a care. Until that day came, he would be respectful (or as much as the devil could be expected to be) because when he looked at her, all of her, he wanted her to know. And he wanted her to know who it was that the devil wanted to serve, please, and worship.