A Lesson to Learn

Chapter 7

Kylo let out a quick bark of laughter, bringing one of his hands to her chin to force her to look up at him once more. He could only pray that she couldn't tell how taken he was with her, trying to steady his heartbeat and rising temperature - unwelcome reactions to their bodies pressed together before answering as cooly and playfully as he could, "Uh, thank you?"

"You're welcome, big guy." Rey replied with a quick wink and smile, uncurling her hands and lightly slapping his chest as she spoke. With her face now tilted up to him again, she all of a sudden realized how close she was to Kylo, and quickly panicked at the proximity and her somewhat flirty response. She noticed his warmth against her body and his scent - bergamot, pepper, and cedar - in the air around them. As she relaxed and came down from her initial state of shock and her abrupt breakdown, she began to feel spooked and timid, feeling like she was suffocating. How much do you really know about him? And you're already leaning to him for support...

Rey's heart quickened before she hesitantly pushed Kylo away from her body gingerly, moving to take a small step back, crossing her arms, and standing to look at him from her new imposed distance. Woah there, Rey. This is way too fast. I know he just saved your ass and everything but you don't actually know him and you're still feeling vulnerable. Get your shit together, she thought. But... also he just beat some guy up for you and he's totally dreamy and...

***

Kylo took in Rey's swift departure from his hold with surprise, feeling the absence of her warmth as he stood immobile with his arms still stretched out. He watched her step back and shrink into herself, wrapping her arms around her body in a protective and closed off stance.

"Oh, gosh. I'm sorry. I'm, like, draped all over you and your shirt is covered in my tears and my snot. God, this is all a big fucking mess. I just wanted to have some fun and I'm sure that beating someone up wasn't on your to-do list today." Rey spit out anxiously, moving her hand from being tucked into her arm to pinch the bridge of her nose.

Ahh, too fast. She's scared, Kylo reasoned as he relaxed his own posture and went on to answer out loud, "It's okay, Rey. Really. I can... I can take you home if you want? I don't want you to be uncomfortable. We can start over, meet another day?"

"No. No, I shouldn't let him ruin my night. This is my night. I look forward to this day all fuckin' year." Rey quickly shook her head, speaking quickly and jumping from place to place with her thoughts, seeming to attempt to convince herself more than anything. "No, I'm gonna go back out there and I'm going to get properly fucking scared on my own terms because I fucking want to be and it's almost Halloween, not because some asshole decided to get shitfaced."

"Uh. Okay, yeah, yeah. That sounds good." Kylo said, sounding a bit confused. Honestly, he didn't quite understand the attraction of forcing yourself to be frightened, especially after what Rey had just been through. He assumed she'd want to go home and lay in bed. Maybe the adrenaline rush was worth it? Kylo couldn't think of a single time he'd actually been afraid, except for when his mother first punished him by binding him to the ring that was now on Rey's finger. Or when I saw Anakin attack Rey. And neither experience was particularly joyful.

He silently mourned the chance to comfort Rey further, but was secretly proud that his Little One was so strong - not allowing herself to be phased in the moment by some creep. Kylo was jostled from his musings when he felt Rey's small hand on his arm as she muttered to him, "Okay, yes. Let's go, Kylo. I told you I'd teach you and take you under my wing, and we're gonna start right the fuck now. We're gonna meet Rose, and Finn, and Poe and we're gonna have fun and I'm gonna forget this shit ever happened."