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puddlejumpingwriter · 1 year ago

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"The Nine Lives of Kylo"

~ A Reylo Holiday Textfic ~

Author's Note: Here's the first of the new chapters. I hope you enjoy, and, as always, thank you for reading!

~~~

PART VI

~~~

Rey sleeps well Tuesday night, feeling warm and safe in Ben’s guest room and occasionally having a cat curl up beside her. She doesn’t have to be at work until the late afternoon, so she decides to indulge and sleep in—at least until her phone vibrates.

~~~

It’s the only solution that seems plausible to Rey. She’ll give the excuse that Finn can’t meet her fake boyfriend because Ben’s working, and Finn will be too busy with his own boyfriend’s coming out to care Rey’s alone for the night.

~~~

Ben’s at the station, covering the morning shift. It was a quiet night, so he managed to catch up on a few hours of sleep in a bunk. Amazingly, he’s not tired, and he knows it’s because of what’s waiting for him at home.

~~~

Ben notices the clock on his phone. It’s still early, and he’s running out of ways to say no to her.

But he has one idea she may be willing to accept.

~~~

Ben has a number of things in mind he’d like to do with Rey, but he chooses the one he’s confident will be of interest to her.

~~~

Ben counts down the minutes until he can see Rey again, but a message from a friend distracts him from thoughts about his new roommate.

~~~

Ben suddenly realizes what his friend’s talking about—a secret Poe keeps from practically everyone.

~~~

One downed power line, and Ben’s home later than planned.

He doesn’t see Rey when he opens the front door, but the light fixture he planned to install is now lit up above the foyer.

“Perfect place to hang mistletoe,” Ben’s depraved mind thinks, as his hand finds the small plant in his pocket.

“You’re home!” Rey says from the top of the stairs.

Ben watches her bright red sweater and skinny black jeans cling to her body as Rey hurries down the steps. There’s a smile on her face that warms Ben’s heart, and apparently Rey likes to hug when she’s happy.

It’s surprisingly natural for his arms to curl around her. Perhaps he squeezes just a little too tightly for just a little too long, but Rey doesn’t seem to mind. She waits a minute before pulling away, and Ben reluctantly lets her go.

Rey takes a step back, her cheeks a bit rosier than expected given the temperature inside.

“If you’d been here sooner, I would’ve made you lunch,” she comments.

“I already ate,” Ben replies. “Besides we have limited cooking options around here with the stove not connected.”

“Oh—about that,” Rey says, “I hooked up the stove today.”

Ben’s eyebrow lifts. “You did?”

“I told you, Kylo doesn’t need much,” she says, pointing to the orange cat sleeping on the sofa in the living room. “And I guess I can’t stop myself from keeping busy.”

“Hence the working light above us.”

Rey beams at him. “You noticed!”

“Of course, I noticed,” he says. “That wiring has been giving me a heck of time.”

“Your fingers were probably too big for it,” she replies. Rey reaches for his hand and places her palm against his, illustrating the size difference. “See?”

His eyes linger on their joined hands before returning to her eyes. Once her gaze meets his, her cheeks turn a shade redder, and she pulls away from him.

Ben instantly regrets the separation, but he doesn’t reach for her. She isn’t his…yet.

“Any other repairs I should know about?” he asks, trying to end the awkward silence.

“The lights are working in the laundry room now, but there was nothing I could do about the pipes in the back.”

Ben knows what she’s talking about. There’s exposed wall near his bedroom where he’s trying to replace some older plumbing.

“That’s an ongoing project,” he admits. “I have it rigged so my shower works, but I have to be careful until I can get a plumber in here.”

“So that’s why you have wrenches all over the place back there?”

“Yeah. It’s functional but temporary.”

“That’s fair. I’ll leave that project for you then,” she says with another grin.

“Do you want to go grab coffee or something?” Ben asks.

Rey’s smile falters. “Sorry, but I can’t. I have to be at work soon.”

“Right,” he replies, as his eyes turn toward the window. The sky’s already turning dark, and he can’t hold back a question. “How late are you working tonight?”

“I’m covering the full evening shift,” she says. “I’ll close up the shop at ten.”

“You’re going to be on your own?”

“People are taking time off for the holidays, but I don’t mind. I’ve handled the shop on my own dozens of times.”

There’s a weight in his stomach that Ben can’t ignore. “Do you mind if I go with you?”

“Why?” Rey asks, a crease appearing on her forehead.

Thinking quickly, Ben offers the first excuse that comes to mind. “I littered the town with signs about Kylo the other night. I should probably take them down, and it might be easier to start near the store and work backwards.”

“Oh right,” Rey replies. “That makes sense.”

Ben doesn’t add that he plans to be at the store at 10:00 to make sure she gets to her car safely.

~~~

By Thursday, Ben’s friends want an update on his living arrangement.

~~~

The frigid air can’t drive the smile from Rey’s lips. She’s too amused by the overwhelmed look on Ben’s face.

“You’ve never picked out a tree before, have you?” she asks him.

“I’ve set them up before,” he answers. “Usually with my dad or uncles while mom or nonna supervised, but I’ve never chosen a tree before.”

The seriousness in his eyes strikes Rey, and she realizes Ben may need help with this.

“There’s no pressure here,” she tells him, placing a gloved hand on his arm. “You can’t pick the wrong tree.”

“Then how do you find the right one?”

“It probably varies from person to person, but I follow a very scientific approach.”

“Which is?” Ben asks.

Rey pulls him toward a tree. “First, I check to make sure the tree is Christmasy enough.”

He chuckles, and some of the stress leaves his face. “Is Christmasy an actual word?”

“Of course,” she answers. “It means filled with Christmas spirit.”

“Right,” he replies, before gesturing to the tree. “So is this one ‘Christmasy’ enough?”

“What do you think?”

“I guess so,” Ben says. “It looks tall enough, and I think the branches could hold lights and ornaments. But is that enough?”

“There are other tests.”

“As important as the Christmasy test?”

Rey laughs, before removing a glove. “There’s also the freshness test.”

Her fingers feel the needles of the tree, and Ben’s fingers follow her example.

“They don’t feel dry,” he comments. “Seems like there’s still some life to them. And the color—they’re a nice Christmasy green.”

“That’s my favorite part,” Rey says, her gaze fixed on Ben.

“What?” he asks, still focused on the tree.

“The green,” Rey replies. “I spent part of my childhood in a house out in the desert. Nothing grew. I remember being transferred to another house and finally seeing plants….I thought they were beautiful.”

Ben’s eyes turn toward her, and Rey can see something there. Worry, maybe? Need? Interest?

She’s seen the same look in his eyes before, but she isn’t sure how to read it.

He’s a handsome, sweet firefighter who dates models. He can’t want her.

And even if he does, Ben doesn’t want commitment. Maybe he wants a quick fling with Rey, but he said he wasn’t interested in marriage or anything like that.

Ben wouldn’t want to build a home with her.

Rey quickly looks back to the tree, unable to bear the intensity in his eyes any longer.

“We should plant it,” Ben says, and Rey feels her brow furrow.

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“After Christmas—when we’re ready to take the tree down—we should plant it in the backyard,” he explains.

“But you’re going to sell the house, aren’t you? Is there really a point in keeping the tree?”

“I don’t know,” Ben replies. “I’ve been thinking about keeping the house lately.”

“Really?”

“Kylo seems to like the place,” he says, and Rey turns back to look at him in time to see those devastating dimples. “So what other tree tests are there?” Ben asks.

“Just the last one—the lean test.”

“Which is?”

“You look directly at the tree, then lean to the left, then to the right, and then come back to the middle,” Rey says. “If the tree still feels right from all angles, you’ve found the one.”

“Okay,” Ben replies, a hint of doubt in his voice.

“Don’t discount it until you’ve tried it,” Rey says, before they both turn toward the tree.

Ben seems willing to try it, but he starts by leaning to the right first, while Rey leans toward the left.

Their bodies collide, and Rey tries to overcorrect.

Ben’s hands are suddenly on her waist, catching her before she can stumble.

“I think I’ve found the one,” he whispers, looking at her rather than the tree.

Rey’s breath catches. It would be so easy to kiss him. She already knows how good his lips feel.

But she also knows she’d fall for this man…and it would hurt too much if he asked to keep their relationship casual.

Rey pulls back from him, and Ben lets go. “We should have them ring the tree up for us—if this tree’s your choice,” she says.

“Yeah, it is,” he replies. “I plan to take good care of it.”

Rey can only nod as they make their way back to Ben’s truck.

~~~

Ben needs to figure out how to do this right.

It feels so good to be near Rey and to touch her, but he doesn’t want to push her too far—not when it seems like she may bolt at any second.

He can take his time with this. She’s worth it, and Ben’s going to make her see how much he cares for her.

He’ll plant her a garden in the backyard if that would make her happy.

Ben just needs to find out what she wants, and he’ll give it to her.

And he’s going to start by making her feel like she’s part of his life.

“So what do you do for Christmas Eve?” Ben asks when they’re back in his truck.

“My brother and I usually hang out together,” she replies.

“Any interest in Nonna Padme’s annual Christmas Eve party?”

“I imagine that’s just for your family, isn’t it?”

“No,” he replies. “Nonna’s invited fifty people before.”

“Oh,” Rey says, not sounding sold.

“Your brother would be welcome to join us too,” Ben adds, before remembering the reason for their first kiss. “It may help with the whole fake dating story.”

“But then you’d have to pretend I’m your girlfriend that night.”

“I think I could manage,” he says.

“I’m not sure my brother will be happy to meet you by Christmas Eve.”

“What?” Ben says, not understanding. “Oh no, did you tell him what happened earlier this week? Does he think I’m an asshole?”

Ben’s worried. He doesn’t want Rey’s only family member hating him already.

“No,” Rey says. “He doesn’t know about that. All he knows about this week is that I’m living with you now.”

“Oh,” he replies. “Is that what your brother’s upset about?”

Ben feels a sudden need to track this guy down and tell him that his intentions toward Rey are honorable—for the most part.

“No, he’s not upset with you yet, but I’m not sure how he’ll be after Saturday.”

“What’s Saturday?”

“My brother’s big pre-Christmas party,” Rey answers. “The one I told him I’d bring my fake boyfriend to. He may not be happy with you after you don’t show.”

“What? Why won’t I be there?”

“Do you actually want to be there? Pretending like we’re dating, and you acting like you’re happy I moved in with you.”

“I am happy you moved in with me.”

“To watch Kylo,” she corrects. “It’s not like we’re living and sleeping together.”

Ben wants to pull over and tell Rey he’d sleep with her whenever she wants him to.

But Ben keeps driving. He’s not sure how she’d respond to that—and he can’t screw this up. Rey means too much to him.

“I could go with you, though,” he offers. “I wouldn’t do anything to make you feel uncomfortable. Maybe I could just hold your hand all night?”

“And that wouldn’t bother you?”

“Not at all,” Ben answers honestly.

“But are you even free that night?” Rey asks.

“I’m not working Saturday,” he replies, thinking of who else could help cover any emergencies so he can make sure he has the entire night off.

But then he remembers Poe and the dinner he’s supposed to attend.

“Crap,” he says. “I promised Poe I’d help him that night.”

“That’s fine,” she says. “It may be a bit of a chaotic party this year anyway.”

“You could still come to Nonna Padme’s for Christmas Eve. It could be my way of apologizing to your brother.”

“We’ll see,” Rey replies. “But first we have to make it through today.”

“I thought we already did the hard part,” he says. “We picked out the tree.”

“Yes, but now we have to decorate it. How are your decorating skills?”

Christmas decorating was usually orchestrated by his mother in the Solo house, but Ben’s looking forward to sharing this activity just with Rey.

“I’ve been told I make a decent staircase,” he replies. “I think I can handle anything you want to put on the tree.”

“Is that a challenge?” she asks mischievously.

“Name it, and we’ll make it happen.”

~~~

Rey recommended shatterproof ornaments at the store, and her suggestion turns out to be for the best after the first ornament goes on the tree.

Kylo jumps up to swat the red bulb, and it’s bouncing on the floor the next second.

“Told you,” she says to Ben, as he returns to the living room with a bowl of popcorn in his hand.

“You were right about the ornaments, but do we really need this much popcorn to decorate the tree?” he asks.

“You have another bag in the microwave, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good—that should cover both our decorating and snacking needs.”

“Right,” he says, a dubious look in his eye.

“I know how to make garland. Now do you trust me or not?”

The microwave beeps in the kitchen behind them, and Ben doesn’t bother answering. He merely turns around.

Rey takes a moment to inspect their supplies. Looking at the bags strewn across the living room, her eyes land on something green on the floor.

It’s a sprig of some kind of plant, and Rey picks it up, unable to help her curiosity.

With a closer look, she realizes it’s mistletoe.

Her mind jumps to the possibilities. This could give her an excuse to kiss him again without all the complications of a relationship.

He doesn’t want a real girlfriend, but maybe he’d at least be willing to kiss her like he did in the cafe under this plant.

While she hears Ben still working in the kitchen she moves to the front hall and grabs the step-stool she used yesterday.

In a matter of moments, the mistletoe hangs from the new light fixture.

Before Rey can second guess her decision, she hears Ben returning to the living room. She does the same, leaving the plant in place in case an opportunity arises.

~~~

They work on the tree until Rey decides it’s time for Christmas cookies.

She wants Ben to have the full holiday experience—the kind she and her brother have always tried for since leaving the last foster home.

And Ben doesn’t stop smiling.

Even when she drapes lights over his arms to keep them from tangling as she wraps the strand around the tree…

Even when she coats his nose in flour while they bake…

Even when he pulls Kylo out of the tree for the third time that night…

Ben’s always grinning, and Rey’s stomach is doing flips.

Why does this man have to be so perfect, but completely uninterested in a committed relationship?

And how long can she stay here knowing she’ll never have him?

“So the tree is decorated,” Ben says before reaching into the oven. “And the cookies are baked,” he adds putting the pan on the stovetop. “I think we managed to survive today.”

“We did,” Rey agrees.

“And you said you’d think about Nonna Padme’s Christmas Eve party if we survived today, so…?”

Rey takes a step closer, her eyes focused on the little trees and candy canes on the baking sheet. “Do you still want me to go?”

“Yes, Rey. I—”

Ben’s phone pings three times in a row, stopping whatever he was going to say. Rey looks at him, trying to decipher from his features what the messages say.

“There’s an accident on the interstate ramp, and a Christmas tree caught on fire on the other side of town,” Ben says. “They need backup.”

“Of course, you should—”

Ben’s hand grips hers, and Rey goes silent.

“I want to finish our conversation,” he says.

“We can talk when you get back.”

“It may be late,” Ben replies. “Do you want to grab breakfast?”

“I’m working the morning shift,” she says. “Lunch?”

He shakes his head. “I’m at the station most of the day tomorrow. Dinner?”

“It’s a date,” she says before taking a step back. “Not an actual date,” she corrects. “Just…”

“Two people who live together having dinner together?” Ben offers.

“Something like that,” Rey says before following him to the front door.

He puts on his coat and then his eyes turn back to her. “Would you mind watering the tree—making sure it’s okay? I don’t want anything happening to you or Kylo while I’m gone.”

It catches her off guard, how protective he is. Kylo’s his cat, but the way Ben shows concern about her too—Rey’s not used to that from anyone but her brother and Rose.

“I’ll make sure we’re okay,” she says, before realizing where Ben’s standing.

Her eyes go to the light fixture above him, and Ben’s eyes follow.

“It’s mistletoe,” she explains, before standing on her toes and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. It’s tentative, but he doesn’t pull away, so she brushes her lips against his a second time—asking him through the contact if he wants more.

She would’ve stepped back and let that kiss be enough if he didn’t respond, but one strong hand finds her waist and another goes to the back of her neck.

Suddenly, Rey’s body is flush against Ben’s, and the kiss deepens. His tongue is in her mouth, and Rey can’t hold back soft, needy moans. Her fingers are in his hair, and he’s pulling her closer until there’s no space between them.

Is that a flashlight in his pocket? Rey can’t help but wonder as her belly rubs against something hard.

But then Ben’s cell phone pings again.

“Fuck,” he mutters, as he breaks the kiss, sounding breathless. “I have to go.”

“Right,” Rey replies, untangling herself from his grasp, just as Kylo curls around her ankles. She scoops up the cat to ensure she doesn’t reach for Ben again.

With the way he kisses, she’d probably beg Ben to stay when he needs to be elsewhere.

“Be safe,” she tells him.

Ben takes a moment to turn back one last time, nuzzling against Kylo’s forehead and then leaving a brief kiss on Rey’s lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow night,” he whispers.

Rey nods, before watching him go. She carries Kylo into the living room and sits down on the sofa.

She’s not going to recover from that kiss anytime soon, and she doesn’t know if she wants to.

~~~

Hours later, Ben texts his best friend on the other side of town.

~~~

Ben doesn’t say he was the one close to begging. He spent the night aroused—by the sight of Rey in her holiday sweater, by her gentle caresses as they decorated, by the way she licked icing off her finger.

He would’ve done anything she asked—if they weren’t interrupted.

~~~

Ben’s determined to show Rey how good things can be between them.

What could possibly go wrong?

#reylo #reylo au #reylo fanfic #ben x rey #ben solo #rey nobody #reylo modern au #hallmark Christmas movies

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puddlejumpingwriter · 1 year ago

Text

"The Nine Lives of Kylo"

~ A Reylo Holiday Textfic ~

Author's Note: I'm posting these chapters in time for Christmas in July. Chapters 1-5 are also available on AO3. New chapters will post to both Tumblr and AO3 starting this week and wrapping up before the holidays.

Thank you for reading!

~~~

PART V

~~~

Rey goes directly from campus to the shelter.

She shivers despite her coat. The wind stings her exposed face as she walks from her car to the shelter, and the dreary sky seems to match her mood.

Rey sniffles when she enters the building, hoping it seems like she’s just dealing with the cold—not battling a whirlwind of emotions.

The man at the counter doesn’t look at her, his head buried in a pile of paperwork.

“Excuse me,” Rey says, approaching him. “I’m looking for a cat.”

“And I’m looking for two of my employees who called out sick today and left all their files from last week for me to handle,” the man replies without glancing up from his desk.

“I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m hoping I’ll only need a moment of your time.”

The man looks at her now. “You said a cat, right?”

“Yes, I think a cat may have been dropped off here by mistake.”

“And when was that?”

“Either yesterday or today,” Rey replies, knowing she’d seen Kylo at Ben’s house late Saturday night.

She shoves all thoughts of Ben out of her mind. She can’t think about him right now.

The man flips through his files. “We haven’t processed any of the recent drop-offs. Would you know the cat if you saw it?”

“Yes,” Rey answers. “I’d know him anywhere.”

“Okay. Come with me,” the man says, before leading her through a doorway.

There are cages and crates in the hall, and the sad cries of dogs and cats shatter Rey’s already broken heart.

But she knows she can’t adopt them all. Plutt will evict her if brings home a pet. Rey doesn’t even know what she’ll do if Kylo’s here.

Maybe it was all a mistake. Maybe Ben didn’t mean any of it. Maybe it was all some bizarre, twisted joke…

But then her eyes fall on an orange tabby, pawing at his cage, trying to catch her attention.

“That’s him,” she says, pointing to Kylo.

“So he’s yours?” the man questions. “You’re taking responsibility for him?”

Rey considers her options. She hasn’t found a home for Kylo before, and neither Finn nor Rose can take on a cat with their living arrangements.

And she can’t take him back to Ben—not if the man’s just going to abandon Kylo.

She doesn’t have a choice. She’ll just have to make sure Plutt doesn’t see him—at least until she can find Kylo a forever home.

“Yes,” she says. “He’s mine.”

“Right,” the man replies. “Usually I give people instructions, have them fill out paperwork, and carry out a whole process…but as you can see, I have my hands full. I’m willing to accept your word that you’ll take care of this cat rather than go through that mess. So…do I have your word?”

“Yes, I promise,” Rey answers. “I’ll look after him.”

Her eyes meet Kylo’s, and the cat gives her a hopeful look—the most hope she’s felt in hours.

~~~

Ben is frantic when he goes to his living room Monday afternoon and doesn’t find Kylo. He searches the whole house and the yard, but there’s no sign of him. He grabs his phone to text Rey for advice, but their messages are gone and so is her contact info.

~~~

Chewie reaches out to Maz, the smartest person he knows…and the most beautiful.

~~~

A few hours later...

~~~

Rey spends the afternoon gathering supplies and sneaking them into her apartment. She tucks Kylo under her coat to make sure Plutt and her neighbors can’t see him. Then she tries to figure out a long-term plan.

~~~

The income from Finn’s roommate is the only way her brother can afford his apartment, so she can’t ask him to take on Kylo—not when it would mean losing his tenant.

Rey turns to her next option.

~~~

Rey doesn’t have the stomach to tell Rose the truth about Ben. It’s easier to not think about him.

~~~

Ben spends the day searching his neighborhood and checking his phone until well after the sun sets. When it pings, he hopes it’s either good news or Rey.

Unfortunately, it’s neither.

~~~

Ben doesn’t have the patience for this.

~~~

Ben hadn’t told her. Baz never liked his cat—why would Ben let her know Kylo was missing?

And if he didn’t tell her, how does she know?

~~~

Ben ends the text and blocks Baz’s number. He doesn’t want to hear from that crazy woman again. He needs to find his cat and Rey, but he also needs to vent.

~~~

Rey doesn’t sleep well Monday night. She wakes up the next day with her arms curled around Kylo and a heavy blanket covering both of them.

She knows she can’t keep the cat for the long term. Plutt will notice him at some point, and then she’ll be evicted and Kylo will be no better off.

“We’ll find you a new home,” she whispers in the cat’s ear, only to receive a sad yowl in reply.

Rey scoots out of the bed and wraps the blankets more tightly around Kylo.

“Stay quiet today. We don’t want Plutt to find you,” Rey tells him, as she dresses for the cold. “Hopefully I’ll find a solution before I get back. In the meantime, be good.”

She plans to track down some of pet store’s best customers to see if they may be interested in Kylo.

If that doesn’t work, Rey plans to start posting ads online. Her only concern there is that she wants to make sure Kylo goes to a good home, and how can she tell that through email and chat?

Rey thought Ben was a good guy based on their texting, but look how wrong she’d been there.

After making sure the food and water bowls are full and giving Kylo one last affectionate scratch, Rey heads out the door. Once she’s on the sidewalk, she realizes how tired she is.

“Coffee first,” she thinks. “Then find Kylo a home.”

Her feet carry her to Maz’s, but Rey almost turns around as memories of Ben come back to her.

A yell from across the room stops her from leaving.

“Rey Johnson!” Maz calls. “Come up here. I have something for you to try.”

The entire cafe stares at her, so Rey does the only thing she can. She walks to where Maz stands at the far end of the counter.

“Hi Maz,” she says, with the little enthusiasm she can manage.

“Are you okay, dear?” Maz asks.

“Just tired,” Rey lies.

“I have a cure for tired,” Maz replies, handing Rey a warm mug.

The aroma is heavenly. Hints of coffee and cinnamon blend together in a way that gives Rey no choice. She has to taste the beverage.

“So?” Maz asks. “How is it?”

“Delicious,” Rey admits.

“Good. Now sit down and enjoy it.”

“I really should be going.”

“You’re done with your exams, aren’t you?”

Rey nods.

“And do you need to be at work in the next hour?”

“Well no, but—”

“But nothing,” Maz says. “Sit down, savor my latest brilliant concoction, and let me make you a fresh batch of my holiday cakes.”

Maz’s holiday cakes are sinful, and Rey’s stomach growls thinking about the delectable treats.

“When was the last time you ate, Miss Johnson?”

Rey can’t remember dinner last night. She must’ve eaten some snack for lunch yesterday, but her appetite was gone. She was too upset.

“I can’t recall. It was a hectic day yesterday.”

“Now I’m insisting. Sit down and I’ll make you a few cakes.”

Rey doesn’t argue this time. Her body’s too exhausted to put up a fight.

She climbs onto the barstool and doesn’t watch Maz walk into the kitchen.

~~~

Maz pulls out her phone the moment she’s alone and reaches out to Chewie.

~~~

Ben finishes buttoning his uniform. He considered calling out given his lack of sleep, but he needs something to focus on other than his lost cat and Rey. He’s put up posters and checked online, and the lack of news is destroying his hope.

But then his phone pings.

~~~

Ben doesn’t ask any more questions. Instead, he hops in his truck and drives across town.

Several pairs of eyes glare at him as he slams the cafe door open, but Ben doesn’t care. He’s only concerned about one pair of eyes.

Those hazel eyes look at him now from a seat at the counter, and Ben’s across the room in a few quick strides.

“Rey,” he says, not bothering to hide the desperation from his tone.

But Rey doesn’t seem to hear him. She turns in the opposite direction, pulling her coat on and trying to move away from him.

“Rey, please,” he says. “Can we talk?”

“I think you’ve already told me everything I need to know,” she replies, sounding hurt.

Ben’s stomach drops. “Did I say something to you in a text? Something that upset you?”

Rey turns around to look at him, anger and disbelief in her eyes.

“You know what you said…what you did,” she says.

“If I told you I don’t know, would you believe me?”

“Why should I? I don’t know you.”

“Please, Rey,” he begs.

Her expression softens somewhat but not by much. She still looks ready to bolt the moment he makes a wrong move.

Ben wants to tell her everything he’s gone through in the last 24 hours and ask if she has any ideas about Kylo.

But before he can say the first word, her phone starts ringing.

Rey chooses the phone over him.

“Hello,” she says, and Ben can hear a muffled, angry voice on the other end. Only one word is clear.

“Johnson.”

“Johnson,” Ben repeats. “Is that your last name?”

Rey gives him another harsh look as she listens to the voice rant.

“I’m sure it’s not what you think,” she says into her phone.

Ben’s brow creases with concern, hearing the worry in her tone. “What’s wrong?” he whispers.

Rey ignores him. “There’s no need for that,” she says. “I’m on my way.”

The call ends, and Ben wants to hug her or do something to erase the sad look on her face.

“I have to go,” Rey says, not looking at him. “I think it would be best if we don’t see each other again.”

“Rey,” Ben starts to protest, but Rey turns and hurries out the door.

He considers letting her go. It’s obvious she doesn’t want to see him.

But Ben already lost Rey once. He doesn’t intend to go through that again.

~~~

Rey doesn’t bother to look back as she hustles to her apartment.

Ben can follow her for all she cares. There’s nothing he can say to explain why he abandoned Kylo the way he did…or why he asked that horrible woman to marry him.

Those were his foolish choices, not hers.

And Rey has her own problems to deal with—like her apartment door being open and her landlord standing inside, looking heated.

“Johnson!” Plutt yells, once he sees her. “What the hell have you brought into my building?”

“I’m not sure what you mean,” she lies.

“Yes, you do,” he insists. “I know you have an animal in here. My repair guy saw it when he stopped by earlier. You know the rules—immediate eviction.”

“You can’t do that,” Rey replies, knowing she has nowhere to go.

“Oh yes I can,” Plutt says. “I can do whatever I want, including fumigating this whole place to get rid of that pest.”

“You can’t!” Rey protests.

“Is there a problem here?” a calm, deep voice asks from behind her.

Rey should hate that voice now, but it sounds strangely comforting to her.

She’s always stood up to Plutt on her own. It would be nice to have someone on her side against that vile man for a change.

But why would Ben be on her side after his last text?

“No problem, sir,” Plutt says, and Rey turns to see what she didn’t notice at the cafe—that Ben is in his uniform. And now he’s standing right beside her.

“It sounded like you were threatening this tenant."

“She broke the bylaws of this complex. I’m within my rights to kick her out.”

Ben doesn’t back down. “And how did you determine she was in violation?”

“What?” Plutt asks, clearly not used to being questioned, and Ben just glares at him. “Um, I had my repairman visiting each apartment. He saw—”

But Ben interrupts. “And did you give this tenant 24 hours’ notice before entering the premises?”

Her overbearing brute of a landlord shrinks under Ben’s scrutiny. “I…I must’ve,” Plutt mutters.

“And what about fire codes?” Ben asks. “Are you up to date on the town’s 452 ordinances regarding fire safety and prevention?”

“I…I must be,” Plutt says, struggling to keep his composure.

“I’ll be back next week to make sure you’re in compliance with each of them,” Ben says, taking a look around her apartment. “If you’re not, I’ll have to write you up. May even have to shut this building down.”

“You wouldn’t,” Plutt replies, his voice shaky as he slinks around them to the door. “It…it won’t change anything. She’s still out of here.”

Ben’s glare remains in place until Plutt leaves her apartment. Then his features soften, and he looks more like the Ben she first met.

“Sorry I couldn't stop him from kicking you out,” Ben says. “But at least I can make his life hell for a little while.”

Rey doesn’t understand how his tone is so different from his last text, so she blurts out the only word that needs to be said, “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why?” she repeats. “Why are you sorry? Why did you follow me here?”

“You don't understand,” he begins.

“And I'm sure your fiancée wouldn’t understand why you’re here.”

“My what?”

“Your fiancée—the woman you gave your grandmother’s ring to.”

“What?” Ben replies worriedly. “Oh no—did she take nonna’s ring too?” His gaze shifts away from her, and his fingers comb nervously through his hair.

He’s not making any sense to Rey. “Didn’t you give her the ring—when you asked her to marry you?”

“I didn’t,” he says firmly, eyes on her again. “I didn’t give her that ring. I didn’t ask her to marry me. Why would you think I did?”

“Because of your text yesterday,” Rey answers, retrieving her phone from her back pocket. She unlocks the device and opens her texts.

The only reason she didn’t delete Ben’s messages was because she wanted to go back and save the pictures of Kylo.

But that last picture she received from Ben is still painful to see. She hands her phone over to him and waits for his explanation.

“That psychopath,” he utters.

“What?”

“I left my phone out yesterday while the kitchen floor was installed, and somehow Baz got into it,” Ben says. “She deleted our messages and then deleted your contact info.”

“Why would she do that?” Rey asks.

“I don’t know. Maybe because I like talking to you and spending time with you more than with her.”

Tears prick at the corner of her eyes, but she has to know the truth. “So this,” Rey begins pointing at the last messages, “it’s not real?”

“No,” Ben answers firmly. “I’m never speaking to that woman again.”

Rey feels an urge to wrap her arms around Ben, but she needs to know everything. “And Kylo?”

He swallows, and Rey can see sorrow in his dark eyes. “I told her I wanted to keep him, and then she did this,” Ben replies, gesturing to the phone as he hands it back to Rey. “She did something with him, but I don’t know what.”

“You want to keep him?” Rey asks, wanting to make sure she heard him correctly.

“Yes, but I can’t find him. I’ve looked all over town, put up signs—everything I could think of,” he replies. “And I couldn’t even reach out to the one person I wanted to ask for help.”

His eyes focus on her at his last words, and Rey feels her cheeks redden. “I think I may be able to help you actually.”

“You can?” Ben says, but before he can ask anything further a meow sounds from on top of her refrigerator.

Ben turns, and he’s across the room in an instant, reaching up to retrieve Kylo and pull the cat into an embrace.

“I’ve missed you, buddy,” Ben says, nuzzling his nose against Kylo’s head.

“So I take it you didn’t drop him off at the shelter?”

“Is that where she took him? I checked there. They didn’t have a record of him.”

“I claimed him before they did the paperwork.”

“Wait,” Ben begins, a crease appearing on his forehead. “You brought Kylo back here—a place where pets aren’t allowed. Is he the reason you were evicted?”

“Well, yes—I suppose,” she answers, blaming Plutt and his stupid policies more than Kylo.

“Do you have somewhere to go?”

“I guess. I was thinking about finding a hotel that allows for cats, but now that Kylo’s taken care of, I may have more options.”

“You aren’t going to a hotel, are you?” Ben asks, concern in his tone.

“Possibly—just until I find a new place. Or I could camp out on my brother’s couch.”

“No,” he says firmly.

“No what?”

“There’s an apartment above the garage at my place. You can access it from the house but there’s also a separate entrance.”

“I can’t move in with you,” Rey says.

“Why not?” Ben asks. “You don’t want to stay at a hotel over the holidays. The rates would be insane right now. Besides, I’m the reason you lost your apartment. This is the least I can do.”

“This wasn’t your fault,” she insists. “Your girlfriend is the one to blame.”

“My ex-girlfriend,” he corrects.

“Right,” she says, trying to ignore the fluttering in her heart when Ben emphasizes he’s single. “But you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll figure things out, and I feel better already knowing Kylo will be looked after.”

“And I’d feel better knowing there was someone at my house, making sure I don’t do anything stupid with Kylo—like trying to feed him milk or letting him get kidnapped.”

Rey laughs for what feels like the first time in days, but Ben doesn’t stop giving her reasons.

“Besides,” he says. “How are you going to explain to your brother that you need to sleep on his couch when you’re supposed to be seeing someone?”

In all the recent chaos, Rey had forgotten her lie to Finn and Rose.

Finn’s party is in a few days. She wouldn’t be able to keep up the illusion of a fake boyfriend around her brother if she were staying with Finn.

But she doesn’t take charity.

“This would be temporary, though,” she says. “Only until I find a new place.”

“Of course,” Ben replies, a smile appearing on his lips and the hint of a dimple emerging on his cheek.

Kylo lets out an approving meow, but Rey’s not done yet.

“And I only live in places where I can decorate for the holidays.”

Ben glances around her apartment, no doubt taking in the snowmen, garland, and candy canes she has strewn everywhere. “We’re BYOD at my house,” he says.

“BYOD?”

“Bring Your Own Decorations,” he replies. “I think you should be fine.”

~~~

Ben doesn’t need to report to work until six o’clock. Chewie covered for him during the rest of the day.

It gave Ben time to help Rey pack and move to his house that afternoon—and to make sure his nonna’s ring was still on his bookcase.

The move went smoothly. Rey has plenty of decorations, but she didn’t have many other things to move. They only needed two trips in his truck to bring over her belongings.

At 5:30, Ben knows he has to head out the door, but he can’t stop looking in his living room. Rey’s hanging garland along the mantle, and Kylo’s watching her from his chair.

The sight is what he wants to see every day. Ben wanted to ask Rey out days ago, and now here she is, living in house.

But that’s his latest dilemma.

Yes, he has his cat back, and he has Rey’s name and phone number written down on post-its throughout his house, but he realizes he has a new problem.

He pulls out his phone to text his friends.

~~~

Ben scoops up Kylo and hugs the cat as he heads out. Rey follows, taking Kylo from him at the door. Ben wants to hug her too but he holds back.

“I’ll see you soon,” he says, and Rey nods, standing so close to him.

Ben needs to get mistletoe in this doorway ASAP.

#reylo #reylo au #reylo fanfic #ben x rey #ben solo #rey nobody #reylo modern au #hallmark Christmas movies

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puddlejumpingwriter · 1 year ago

Text

"The Nine Lives of Kylo"

~ A Reylo Holiday Textfic ~

Author's Note: I'm posting these chapters in time for Christmas in July (with my cat supervising from his perch on top of my arm). Chapters 1-5 are also available on AO3. New chapters will post to both Tumblr and AO3 starting this week and wrapping up before the holidays.

Please note--the characters face a few hardships, but this story will have an HEA.

I hope you enjoy!

~~~

PART IV

~~~

The dinner is…tolerable, but the minute he feels his phone vibrate, Ben turns his attention away from the table.

~~~

Ben laughs and receives a stare from his mother, a smile from his nonna, and an eye roll from his father. His granddad starts talking again, and Ben returns to his phone.

~~~

Suddenly Ben’s tie feels too tight. He swore to his family he would never be the type to settle down, and any mention of a lifelong commitment should make him want to run.

But that subject coming from Rey’s fingertips is more interesting to him than it should be.

~~~

Worry hits Ben—as much for Rey as it is for Kylo.

~~~

Dots appear and then disappear, and Ben wonders what message Rey is typing.

~~~

Rey can joke, but Ben’s worry is back. She’s on her own at the house, and porch robbers are prevalent this time of year.

~~~

His phone vibrates just when he’s ready to bolt from the table, but the message isn't from the person he expected.

~~~

Another buzz draws Ben back to Rey.

~~~

Before he can agree to Rey’s suggestion, Ben hears from Baz again. And thinking about it, he’s more willing to believe Rey’s account of events than Baz’s.

~~~

Ben knows he’s already thinking clearly.

He tucks his phone away because more than one family member is giving him mean looks after his minutes of texting. But he doesn’t stop thinking about the changes he needs to make.

On Monday night, he’s going to end things with Baz. Breaking up isn’t something he wants to do over text, so he’ll tell her at dinner that night.

Baz has been saying lately it’s either her or the cat, and it’s painfully obvious to Ben his best choice is the cat.

Then Ben’s going to meet with Rey after that. It wouldn’t be right to talk to her before he breaks up with Baz.

Not when he wants to ask Rey out.

Ben knows Rey may not say yes. She may be done with winter exams on Monday, but she still has the spring semester ahead of her.

But Ben still has to try.

“So Benjamin,” his grandfather says, drawing him out of his thoughts and back to the dinner. “Tell us how you’re doing.”

“Great, actually,” Ben replies, feeling a smile spread on his face. Several people at the table turn to look at him, making him wonder if he’s ever said something positive during one of these dinners.

His nonna smiles back at him. “Tell us more,” she requests.

“Well, I’ve decided to keep the cat I found.”

“Really?” his father questions.

Chewie clears his throat. “I thought your girlfriend hates cats.”

“I’m thinking about making a change there too.”

“Finally,” his mother mutters, still loud enough for everyone to hear her.

Padme’s smile remains bright. “I think it’s wonderful you’ve already found a vet to help you with Kylo,” she says.

“You must’ve gone to Amilyn,” Leia says. “She didn’t tell me you stopped by her clinic. You know she’s retiring next year. We’ll need a new vet for the dogs—and your cat now too, Ben.”

“Dr. Holdo hasn’t been helping me with Kylo.”

“Really?” Leia asks. “So who is this vet you’ve found?”

“I’ve met her,” Padme replies. “Delightful young woman. We’ll probably take Vader to her after Amilyn retires.”

“That’s assuming she stays in the area,” Ben comments, not knowing where Rey wants to go when she graduates.

“Well, hopefully,” Padme begins, “someone will give her a reason to stay.”

There’s a knowing look in his grandmother’s eyes. Ben tries to ignore her gaze and focus on a conversation between Lando and his father, but Ben still feels the stare on him.

~~~

Ben arrives back at home a few hours later with a large bag of leftovers. His mother insisted on giving him a sample of everything, and his nonna wrapped up a full plate for Rey.

He didn’t watch the women while they packed up the food, but Ben can tell from the weight of the bag there has to be a few pounds inside.

Ben debates knocking, but he doesn’t want Rey to think Baz has returned. He balances the bag in one hand and unlocks the door with the other. There’s no Rey bustling down the hallway to ask about the dinner, so Ben turns to the room where he can see a light on.

Asleep on his couch is Rey, with an open textbook and a napping orange cat sprawled out on top of her.

The sight is everything he never knew he wanted.

Ben considers letting her sleep, but Kylo wakes up and walks across her. A moment later, Rey’s eyes are blinking awake.

“Ben, you’re home,” she says, fighting to hold back a yawn.

“Yeah,” he replies. “Sorry to wake you. I know it’s late. Would you like to stay here tonight—either on the couch or in the guest bedroom?”

“I should get going. I need to start early if I’m going to be ready for this test.”

“Of course. Well Nonna Padme put together a plate for you,” he says, setting the bag down on a table and reaching in for the container of Rey’s food.

“That was too kind of her,” Rey says. “Did you tell her she didn’t have to do that? That I still owe her grandson a debt I can’t repay for making him kiss me in public?”

“That wasn’t exactly a hardship for me,” Ben replies. Rey turns away from him, a slight pink tinge appearing on her cheeks.

His focus returns to the bag, not wanting to make Rey feel uncomfortable. He finds a small box with a note attached from his nonna, then underneath he finds the food for Rey.

She takes the container from him and offers him a sweet smile.

Ben does everything he can to keep from kissing her.

He walks her to the door, and Kylo follows them, rubbing against her legs.

“Goodnight, Kylo,” Rey says, before her gaze turns upward to meet Ben's.

“Thank you, Rey—for everything,” he says, holding back what he’s thankful for. Her help with his cat goes without saying, but the way she’s opened his eyes to what he wants—he can’t tell her about his gratitude for that yet.

“Anytime you need help with Kylo, just let me know,” Rey offers.

“I will.”

“Goodnight, Ben,” she adds, before standing on her toes to kiss his cheek.

Ben has to clench his fist to keep from touching her, from pulling her toward him.

“Goodnight, Rey,” he utters, before she’s out the door.

Ben watches her drive away and then shuts the front door. He turns around to see Kylo staring up at him.

The cat lets out an annoyed sound.

“What do you want me to do? I asked her if she wanted to stay.”

Kylo quirks his head at Ben.

“She was the one who left. I didn’t tell her she had to go.”

A tiny orange paw swats in his direction, before Ben scoops the cat up.

“Okay, maybe I could’ve done more, but I just need some time. By Monday, things will be better,” Ben says, trying to convince himself.

He walks back into the living room and retrieves the leftovers before going to the kitchen. On the cabinets, he finds paper snowflakes Rey must’ve made for him, and Ben can’t hold back his smile.

He starts putting the leftovers in his fridge and again finds the small box from his nonna. This time he reads the note.

“It’s time you have this. If you find someone who makes you happy, give this to them.”

Inside the box is his grandmother’s ring.

~~~

Monday morning...

Baz doesn’t have much time. Ben will be working with the contractors in the kitchen for the next hour or so, and she knows they’ll use the back door. Ben wouldn’t want a mess tracked through the rest of his house.

If it’s anything like the last time he had workers in the house, he’ll keep the cat in the living room with the door closed—and hopefully he’ll have his phone in there too.

Ben’s broken a few phones at work or during his little projects, so Baz knows he prefers to leave it out of the way.

She leaves her car a block away and goes to the front door. Baz can hear people in the kitchen, so she carefully enters the living room.

There she finds the phone, the tablet, and that annoying cat. The creature glares at her, but Baz is on a mission. She does a quick once-over to see if there’s anything else she needs to take care of.

That’s when she spots an unfamiliar box on the bookcase. She gasps as she opens it. Baz wants to pocket the beauty, but Ben would definitely notice that. Still, the ring may help her drive her point home.

Baz unlocks Ben’s phone—the man needs to do a better job hiding his passcode—and she snaps a picture of the ring on her finger before putting it back in the box.

She finds the text message she was looking for and starts typing. A few well chosen words, that picture, and then hitting delete several times, and Baz knows one of her problems is solved.

The cat growls the whole time, but she ignores him.

Baz opens the tablet and makes sure the messages and contact are deleted there as well.

Then she opens up the large bag she brought with her. Baz knows the scratches are worth it, as she carries the little monster out of Ben’s house. One stop at the shelter, and her life will go back to just the way she wants it.

~~~

Rey breathes a sigh of relief as she leaves her final exam.

She turns her phone back on, and her joy disappears as she reads a new string of messages.

~~~

Rey feels broken.

She can’t believe Ben would act so differently than he had on Saturday, but how well does she even know him? These texts came from him—maybe he's more of a jerk than she thought.

Only one way to find out. She drives to the shelter to see if Kylo is there.

#reylo #reylo au #reylo fanfic #ben x rey #ben solo #rey nobody #reylo modern au #hallmark Christmas movies

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puddlejumpingwriter · 1 year ago

Text

"The Nine Lives of Kylo"

~ A Reylo Holiday Textfic ~

~~~

PART III

~~~

Ben always expects stress from his family over the holidays, but he can’t prepare for it this year. He’s too distracted by Kylo…and the woman who’s been helping him.

He shouldn’t have enjoyed kissing her so much…

But a text pulls him back to the family stress.

~~~

Ben needs help with Kylo, so he goes to the text that always seems to be near the top of his messages.

~~~

Ben’s as ready as he can be when Rey arrives at his house at 5:30.

His mother will have appetizers on the counter by 6:00, and dinner will be served exactly an hour after that. He needs to be on the road soon to avoid a lecture on tardiness.

He takes a deep breath, trying not to think of the litany of criticisms he’ll hear tonight and wondering if Lando and Chewie might be willing to sneak off for a bit and partake in some Chandrilan ale.

That might help things.

It would also help if Kylo behaves for his sitter tonight. As Ben opens his front door, Rey gives him a bright grin that goes well with her happy holiday sweater.

Ben knows he needs to stop thinking about this woman and her smiles.

But Ben can’t deny what he feels.

If Rey wanted the same things as him, Ben would dump Baz in a heartbeat and ask Rey to be with him.

But Rey doesn’t date now—and when she is finally willing to date, she wants love and probably marriage.

If they were together, Rey would have expectations of him. And Ben would fail miserably at them—the same way he seems to let everyone down in his life.

It’s better to ignore the yearning he feels whenever he sees Rey. They should just be friends.

“This is your house?” Rey asks.

“It’s more of a project I’m going to sell at some point, but yes, I live here.”

“It’s so…”

“Boring? Old-fashioned? Run-down?”

Rey’s brow furrows in shock. “I was going to say charming. Who would say such ugly things about this place?”

“No one,” Ben replies, omitting the fact he was quoting Baz verbatim.

“You’d have to be blind not to see how inviting this house is,” Rey adds, as she walks around the foyer, taking in the space. “Sure, it’s traditional, but it’s also cozy and just lovely.”

“If you say so.”

Her hand slides along the rail of the staircase. “Look at these stairs. Whoever built these cared about what they were doing.”

Ben’s no longer looking at Rey. Instead, he’s focused on his feet. He can feel heat rising in his cheeks, and he can’t keep his fingers from fiddling with his ear.

He’s never handled praise well.

“Ben?” Rey says, curiosity clear in her voice. “Did you build this?”

“Yeah,” he admits, his gaze returning to her. “The old stairs rotted out.”

“These look amazing!”

“They’re just stairs.”

“Just stairs? If I were allowed to make changes to my apartment, I’d hire you to make that place feel like a home.”

“If your landlord ever loosens up on his rules, let me know,” Ben says. “Now let me show you a few of the essential spots around here.”

A meow sounds from the top of the stairs, and they both look up to see Kylo’s descent. The cat flies down the steps, slowing only when he reaches Rey.

Kylo rubs against her legs, before looking at her expectantly. Rey picks him up and nestles Kylo against her chest.

“Lucky cat,” Ben thinks, before shoving that thought aside. He shows Rey a few rooms in the house—all the while trying not to envy Kylo.

“This is the kitchen,” he says. “It’s a bit of a mess because we’re putting new flooring down on Monday.”

“How does Kylo handle the construction?”

“He seems okay, but do you think that might be what’s bothering him?”

“He seems fine now,” Rey says, scratching between the purring cat’s ears. “But loud noises can be disturbing to cats. I remember one cat growing up who used to run whenever my brother or I had to vacuum.”

Ben chuckles. “Was it your cat or a relative’s?”

Her grin falters, and Ben can see something sad in her usually cheerful eyes.

“The cat belonged to the owner of a foster home where I lived,” she answers.

“I’m sorry,” he says, not knowing if he’s apologizing for making her reveal part of her past, or for complaining about his troublesome family to her.

“Don’t be,” she says, her smile slowly returning as Kylo licks her hand. “Besides, there were benefits to growing up in different houses. I learned about different kinds of pets—and that helped me decide to become a vet. So how about you—why did you become a fireman?”

Ben sighs. “Let me show you.”

He leads her into the living room, where he has a bookcase covered in pictures.

“Is this your family?” Rey asks, taking in the images.

“Yes,” Ben answers. “Some biological. Some not related but just as close.” His hand moves toward a more recent addition, but Rey’s already pointing at the picture.

“Are these your parents?”

“That’s them.”

“You take after your father.”

“In more ways than one,” he comments, which earns him a quirk of Rey’s eyebrow. “He’s the fire chief,” Ben adds.

“Oh, so he’s the reason you became a fireman?”

“In part—do you happen to know the name Organa?”

“I saw that name on a sign during the last election,” Rey replies. “Are you related to Organa too?”

Ben’s finger moves to the woman in the frame.

“Wait,” she says. “So your father’s the fire chief and your mother’s the mayor?”

“Yep. A whole family of public servants,” he replies.

“Well, your parents are, but surely you must have relatives in other professions.”

“Of the adopted family members,” Ben begins, “Uncle Chewie is a firefighter, and Uncle Lando’s a detective. My mom’s brother Luke is the closest to being an outsider.”

“What does he do?”

“He audits taxes—but at a federal level, not local.”

“What a scandal,” Rey says, jokingly. “I’m surprised he wasn’t disowned.”

“It was pretty touch and go there—especially when he talked about moving to some tropical island away from all of us.”

“What stopped him?”

“He met Aunt Mara,” Ben answers. “She works in the town’s tourism department.”

“Of course she does,” Rey says. “What about your grandparents? Someone in your family must’ve taken another path.”

Ben’s eyes move to two pictures on the middle shelf—one black-and-white, taken decades ago, and the other from just two years ago.

In the older picture, his grandmother Padme wears an intricate white gown and stands in front of his grandfather Anakin. The young man’s nearly a foot taller than the woman, but that doesn’t hinder them. They exchange nuptials and smiles with the lake glimmering behind them.

“My grandmother was the first female mayor of the town,” Ben says. “And my grandfather was the cop assigned to protect her when someone starting making threats against her.”

His eyes move to the newer picture, where the couple is posed for the picture. Padme’s hand is on Anakin’s chest, as they lean into each other, and her diamond and sapphire ring is prominent in the foreground.

“Beautiful,” Rey comments.

Baz said something similar when she saw this picture, admiring the ring, and Ben can only assume Rey is doing the same.

“Everyone loves that ring,” he says.

“I wasn’t talking about the ring,” Rey replies. “Sure, it’s lovely, but look at the couple. They love each other. It’s clear in both photos. They’re so happy and, well, adorable.”

“Thank you,” a female voice says from behind them.

Ben turns to see his grandmother in the doorway to the room. “Nonna,” he says. “ I swear I’m leaving now. You didn’t need to check up on me.”

“I’m not checking up on you, Benjamin,” Padme replies. “Your mother told me you had a kitten, and I just had to see for myself. Is this him?”

His grandmother gestures toward Rey’s arms, and his new friend answers, “Yes, this is Kylo.”

“What a handsome cat,” Padme says before petting Kylo.

The cat purrs at the attention.

“Are you sure you can’t keep him?” Padme asks.

“You know me,” he answers. “I’m not looking for commitments.”

“But perhaps you can make an exception for such a charming creature.”

Rey smiles. “You wouldn’t be interested in a cat, would you?” she asks Padme.

“I used to love having a cat when I was a child, but I’m not sure how Kylo or any other cat could handle Vader.”

“Vader?” Rey asks.

“Granddad’s Rottweiler,” Ben replies. “I think Kylo could go toe-to-toe with Vader.”

“I wouldn’t be worried about that, dear,” Padme says. “I’d be more worried they’d be bad influences on each other. Who knows what sort of mischief the two of them would cause together?”

“Does Vader have a sitter for the night?” Rey asks.

“The dogs usually hang out together while we eat dinner,” Ben answers. “And they tend to get along.”

“For the most part,” Padme adds. “But I’d love to have a cat join us. Would you like to come to dinner with us?”

The question is posed to Rey—not to Kylo.

“No, I couldn’t,” Rey says. “I’m just here to watch the cat.”

Padme’s brow creases. “Benjamin, this isn’t your girlfriend?”

“No, Nonna,” he answers firmly. “This is Rey. She’s a friend of mine, and she’s good with cats.”

“I can see that,” Palme says, looking at Kylo, who’s still tucked happily against Rey’s chest. “But still, the offer stands if you’d like to come to dinner.”

“I couldn’t,” Rey insists. “I have an exam to study for while Kylo keeps me company.”

“An exam?” Padme questions.

“Rey’s studying to become a vet,” Ben answers. “Couldn’t ask for a better cat sitter.”

“I’m glad Kylo will be well taken care of,” Padme says. “But if you change your mind, Rey, and you’d like to join us, just let Benjamin know. I’ll send him to pick you up at any time tonight.”

“Thank you,” Rey replies with a smile. “That’s really too kind of you, but I couldn’t possibly intrude on your family dinner—especially not when there’s a test I have to prepare for.”

“Suit yourself,” Padme says. “But the option is there if you want it. Now come along, Benjamin, or else we’ll hear an earful from your mother.” His grandmother turns back to Rey, “It was nice meeting you, dear, and you too, Kylo.”

Padme gives the cat a few more affectionate pets before letting Ben escort her to the door.

Ben turns back to Rey. “If there’s anything you need, text me.”

Rey just smiles at him, and then lifts Kylo’s paw to wave at him. “I think we’ll have everything we need here at your house. Now Kylo, say goodbye to daddy.”

Ben’s heart starts to melt, and it has nothing to do with the small noise his cat makes.

He likes the thought of this place as his house—rather than just some property he’s going to fix up and sell.

And he likes thinking about his house with Rey and his cat in it.

And oddly enough, Ben likes Rey calling him daddy.

#reylo #reylo au #reylo fanfic #ben x rey #ben solo #rey nobody #reylo modern au #hallmark Christmas movies

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puddlejumpingwriter · 1 year ago

Text

"The Nine Lives of Kylo"

~ A Reylo Holiday Textfic ~

CW // Villain Alert (more scheming than in the original)

CW // Fake Dating (more than in the original)

I hope you enjoy!!

PART II:

Ben feels confident leaving the cafe. Sure, he was wrong about the milk, but now that he knows his mistake, everything will be fine from here, right?

~~~

After the shopping trip...

~~~

Not everyone is happy to hear about Kylo.

~~~

Rey’s facing her own complicated problems with her foster brother.

~~~

Rey doesn’t want to date until after graduation. She wants a decent job before any relationship.

But Finn never listens to her on this. She needs a different reply or she’ll spend the whole party with a stranger.

If only she had a boyfriend.

A horrible idea enters her mind.

~~~

Rey racks her brain for something that doesn’t sound made-up.

Charlie? Clyde? Flip?

What name would Finn believe?

And why does the man from the cafe keep entering her head? It’s not like he can help her now. She doesn’t even know his name, but maybe…

~~~

Another text notification gives Rey an escape. She doesn’t even look to see who sent it. She just tells Finn she has to go.

~~~

It’s sad to think about Brown Eyes giving up Kylo, but Rey knows a person can’t be forced into being a pet owner if they don’t want to be—or at least she can’t expect things to go well in those situations.

~~~

Rey fights back tears at his sweetness. She tries to keep herself together on her reply.

~~~

The next day...

~~~

Rey doesn’t want this. She just wanted an excuse for Finn’s party, where she plans to say Brown Eyes is a fireman and couldn’t attend because he had to cover a shift.

Maybe she’s borrowing too much from the real Brown Eyes, but it’s believable.

But what can she tell Rose now?

~~~

Finn and Rose don’t know any firefighters so what’s the harm? Rey can’t mention his name, and there has to be more than one brown-eyed fireman in town.

And she’ll see the real Brown Eyes this morning. She can warn him about Finn and Rose and beg for his help with this lie.

~~~

When Rey arrives at Maz’s, Rose is sitting at one of the tables outside.

Worry fills her, and her tone becomes a bit more accusing than she intends. “What are you doing here?”

Rose smirks at her. “I’m just getting coffee, but what are you doing here?”

Through the cafe window, Rey can see Brown Eyes sitting inside, looking at his phone.

“It looks like you have your coffee,” Rey comments. “Do you want to walk to class early?”

Rey can send an apology text to Brown Eyes later. She doesn’t want to deal with Rose and this dating lie right now.

But her friend must notice her discomfort. “I figured this would be the place you’d meet Brown Eyes. Maz’s is your favorite. But don’t worry—I don’t expect you to introduce me to him right now. I just want to see you happy. Please?”

Rey releases a frustrated sigh, as she realizes Rose intends to stay and watch her interaction with Brown Eyes. “Fine, but you’ll stay out here, right?”

“Will do!” Rose replies happily.

Rey walks into the cafe, her stomach in knots as she approaches the fireman. A glance back at the window reveals Rose is watching her.

“Hey,” Brown Eyes says with a smile, rising from his seat.

“Hey,” she answers, and she can hear the lack of enthusiasm in her voice.

The brightness in those brown eyes fades, replaced with worry. “What’s wrong?” he asks.

“This is going to sound stupid,” she says, drawing nearer to him as she tries to find the courage to explain the situation. “But would you kiss me? There’s someone outside—”

She doesn’t have a chance to describe her lie—how she’s made her brother and her best friend believe she’s dating this man.

Instead, there’s a hand on her cheek and another around her waist before she can say anything. Then warm, soft lips are on hers.

The kiss is better than any she’s felt before, and Rey melts into it. She loses herself in the sensation until his lips pull away, but he keeps his forehead pressed against hers.

“If someone’s following you, I can deal with them,” Brown Eyes whispers.

“What?” Rey asks in confusion.

“I can go outside and talk to them or I know people at the police station—”

“No,” Rey interrupts, realizing the mistake. “It isn’t a stalker outside—it’s a friend of mine.”

His brows furrow. “I don’t understand.”

“And I’m doing a poor job of explaining,” Rey says, speaking quickly. “I told my brother and my friend I was seeing someone so they’d stop trying to set me up with people.”

“And you told them you were dating me?” he asks.

“I know it was stupid, but you have no idea how tenacious they can be,” she says, still unable to slow her words. “I had no intention of actually pulling you into this. I was just trying to come up with something to call my made-up boyfriend and I thought of you—and Kylo—so I just told them Brown Eyes.”

His grin returns. “It’s okay,” he interrupts, his voice soothing.

“How is it okay? I’ve never done anything this foolish in my life and now I’m making an innocent bystander kiss me in public.”

“Well, I do owe you for helping me with Kylo. One kiss in public doesn’t seem like a bad way to repay you—if that works for you?”

The tension in her body slowly eases, and Rey takes a deep breath. “You have to be one of the nicest men I know.” She turns slightly and sees Rose is gone from the window. “My friend’s gone. I think we’re safe now.”

“Right,” he says, pulling his hands away from her.

Rey tells herself she doesn’t miss the contact, as they walk to the line in front of the counter.

And then her guilt returns as she remembers his girlfriend.

“I’m a terrible person,” she says, loud enough for him to hear.

“What?”

“You have a girlfriend, and I just kissed you.”

“Technically I think I kissed you, and it was just to help you out of a tough situation,” he replies. “It’s not like you were trying to seduce me.”

An awkward chuckle escapes her lips. “Of course I wasn’t.”

“Do you mind me asking a question though?”

“No—ask away.”

“Why the fake boyfriend? Are the set-ups that bad?”

“Some of them are, but really it’s just because I don’t want to date.”

“Oh,” he replies in a way that makes Rey feel a need to explain.

“I’m trying to finish school and become an actual vet. I want all that settled before I bother dating again.”

“I can understand. I’m not really a romance or true-love kind of guy myself.”

“It’s not like that,” Rey clarifies. “I believe in love—if you can find the right person. I just need to focus on my career right now. I’ll have time for love later.”

“And what happens if you find ‘the one’ before you’re ready?”

“You can’t find what you’re not looking for.”

“If you’d grown up with my mother or my grandmother, you would’ve heard you should never stop looking,” he replies. “You should be looking while you’re trying for all A’s, while you’re trying to do well in your job, while you’re trying to have some kind of life.”

“Sounds like a lot of pressure.”

“And it never stops—or at least the love part didn’t until I told them I was never getting married.”

“How did they take that?”

“Poorly.”

“Did you mean it? That you’re never getting married?”

“I was the only child in my family for my generation. My parents only had me, and my uncle never had kids. Everyone had expectations, and I knew I couldn’t live up to all of them, so something had to give.”

His words sound sad until Rey realizes she’s told her loved ones nearly the exact same thing.

“Does your girlfriend know your stance on marriage?” she asks.

“Yeah, and she feels the same way. No need for strings tying us down.”

“Oh,” Rey replies. “I guess that explains why you don’t want Kylo.”

“It’s funny. At first I thought he’d be trouble, causing messes and interrupting my life, but it hasn’t been like that,” he says. “Now there’s a part of me that’s tempted to keep him.”

“But you said your girlfriend hates cats.”

“And that’s why I’m still looking for a new place for him—but I’m going to take my time with that. I may not keep him, but I want him to have a good home.”

“I’m sure we’ll find someone,” she adds before they arrive at the counter.

Once they have their coffees, Brown Eyes asks, “Do you have a minute? I can understand if you have to go, but if you have a second—”

“I do,” she answers. “I haven’t even given you that present to help with a sneaky cat.”

They settle at a table, and Rey rifles through her bag. Finally, her hand closes around the thin box.

“The store where I work is having a sale on these for the holidays.”

The box is green and covered in red paw prints, and it looks strangely small as Rey passes it to Brown Eyes’ hand. A telling jingle sounds as he shakes it, and another grin appears on his face.

“It’s a bell?” he asks.

“Not just any bell,” she corrects. “It’s our special sleigh bell collar.”

He opens the box to reveal the holiday-themed collar. “You think Kylo will agree to wear this?”

“Of course! The bells will give you warning so you won’t step on his tail—that’s to his advantage.”

“I was thinking he might complain more about the giant bow than the bells.”

Now it’s Rey’s turn to grin. “If he does, I’ll have no choice but to get him the matching reindeer antlers.”

“Okay,” he says, raising a hand in defeat. “I’ll let him know your threat and maybe he’ll cooperate. Now you’re sure you don’t mind more questions?”

“It’s the least I can do after…well, earlier, but do you mind if I ask you one first?”

“Go right ahead.”

“I can’t keep calling you Brown Eyes.”

“My name’s Ben Solo,” he answers. “And should I call you something other than Rey the Vet on my phone? Is Rey short for something?”

“No, it’s just Rey—but Rey the Vet is acceptable. So what are your latest questions?”

Ben pulls out his phone, and opens up a list. “There’s a range of them from disgusting to probably dumb and in no particular order. My friends even contributed a few.”

“So long as they aren’t from your friend Poe, we should be fine,” Rey asks before taking a sip of her coffee.

“He only had one,” Ben replies. “Is it normal for Ben to find cat videos funnier now?”

Rey nearly spits out her coffee from laughter.

~~~

No one answers the door, so Baz borrows the spare key from under a planter on the front porch.

She likes to borrow things, and if Ben’s just going to leave them lying around, why shouldn’t she take them?

Baz enjoys Ben. He’s easy on the eyes, but he also never notices when things go missing. He always has too many projects going on in the house he’s renovating or he’s too busy with work.

It’s made her visits here quite rewarding.

A hiss from behind her makes Baz freeze. She turns to see the annoying vermin in the hallway.

“Shoo,” she says waving her hand dismissively.

But the cat ignores her command, and the hiss turns into a growl.

Baz sidesteps into the living room, which fortunately has a door she can slam in the cat’s face.

Sadly, this is one of the rooms she knows Ben uses. He might miss something from here, but that doesn’t mean she can’t have a look.

There are cans of boring white paint along one wall and obvious signs of cat hair in Ben’s chair. The man needs to get rid of that pest—or else she’ll have to get rid of it.

A ping from a tablet distracts her. She looks down to the device and sees a “Thank you!!” from ‘Rey the Vet.’

Ben never locks his tablet, so Baz opens the message. She sees a series of texts between Ben and this woman—mostly about the cat—and Ben’s latest texts include pictures of the animal. Scrolling back further, there’s texts that suggest Ben likes talking to Rey.

Perhaps Baz needs to get rid of more than just the cat.

#reylo #reylo fanfic #reylo au #ben x rey #ben solo #rey nobody #reylo modern au #hallmark Christmas movies

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