Steady On.

Chapter 59.

Rey's heart seemed to freeze momentarily, her breath catching in her throat as she felt the wave of anticipation roll into her from Kylo.

She'd be lying if she were to say she didn't, though in the end, she never would have because of her friends. Rey knew this for a fact, and so did he.

"What happened to letting the past die?" she asked, only half teasing.

Rey moved to face him, though as she turned half way, Kylo quickly caught her wrist and forced her back, his grip on her waist hardened as he kept her there.

The amusement and brief sorrow she previously felt fell away.

"Do you know why I wanted you to join me? Because you're destined for greatness. Your strength is never ending, your drive is relentless, and the force calls to you so easily because it itself knows."

Kylo peered down into her, meeting her eyes in the reflection of the window as he continued.

"I'm not meant to rule the galaxy, Ben." Rey whispered, her eyes wide. She hated that they needed to have the conversation again, but she understood. They were both fighting for what they believed was right.

"No... You aren't, I suppose. But you are meant to be a leader. You're a fighter, a warrior. I saw it the first time we met on Takodana, and I relived it again when we defeated Snoke and his guards. The amount of training you combed yourself with to fight Viccar and his guards next was... It's unthinkable."

Kylo gently released Rey's hip, his fingers lightly skimming the flesh there before his other hand released her, taking a step back so that Rey only saw her reflection in the window, Naboo shining bright in the background.

He continued, "You don't need anyone to rule with, Rey. You alone are capable of so much more."

With that, Kylo turned on his heel and left the room, already sensing someone at the door before they knocked, leaving Rey to herself as she let out a shaky breath.

Rey recognized the very few times that Kylo had allowed himself to open up, and she knew that this moment would be one of those times as she replayed his soft-spoken words over and over again in her mind.

Her eyes sought out the strength he saw in her, as if her reflection would reveal the answers she wanted. She never considered herself to be the things he described of her, the acts she made had all been by pure instinct; to protect, fiercely at that.

Is that what made a good leader? She wondered as Kylo let in a couple guests.

Giving her reflection one last stern look, she raised her chin and squared her shoulders, something she had witnessed Kylo do so many times, and turned around to see who he let in.

Once she saw, she immediately froze, her chin in the air as she focused blanking her expression, her eyes casting a fixed look on their guests and back to Kylo.

In the dining area of the suite stood Hidiya, one of Caleo's servants that Rey had previously encountered when she was administered the contraceptive, though this was not who caught Rey off guard.

To Hidiya's left stood DJ, dressed in the normal Naboo servant garb as he held a black garment out to Kylo. His eyes flashed to Rey with a knowing look before returning to Kylo as Hidiya spoke.

"Master Ren, Lady Rey." she acknowledged with a quick bow of her head. "Caleo has sent us with your outfits for the wedding, any alterations will be handled by me personally. This here is... Oh, um... I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name?" Hidiya blinked furiously as she blushed, glancing from the ground back to DJ's face.