A Goodbye
Two days passed far too quickly, and soon, General Hux, Captain Phasma, Kylo Ren, and Rey were standing in the Mos Eisley spaceport, accompanied by who everyone else called a prisoner, a traitor.
Kylo’s hood was pulled up as an attempt to shield his face from the outside world, a makeshift replacement for the helmet he had lost with the destruction of Starkiller base. His face was blank as he stared dead ahead, standing slightly closely to Hux. A bit too much in one other’s personal space. Perhaps it was nothing more than a power struggle between the two of them, but. Who knew, really.
Phasma meanwhile stood close behind Rey and Finn, both of whom were silent in the bustle of the spaceport as they waited for the Resistance to arrive.
And arrive they did, a small shuttle arriving in the desert sun and landing nearby, only to have Poe and three other Resistance pilots- as well as the droid BB-8, casually step outside, noticing the First Order party and walking over, before Poe stopped dead in his tracks- his eyes not trained on Finn, but instead on Kylo. “Ben…” He choked out, staring at the Sith incredulously, and Kylo in turn paid him no mind.
“Take the traitor and leave.” His voice was cold, a deep rumble in his throat as Kylo glanced from the pilot to Finn, who stepped forward and, for the first time in weeks, smiled as he moved to wrap Poe in a tight hug.
“Did they hurt you, Finn? Just tell me if they did and these First Order scum will pay-”
No, no man, I’m fine-” Finn whispered into the embrace, before looking at Rey, his eyes full of sadness. “Rey-” He started, as he and Poe both stared at her, still locked in the hug. “Come with us. They can’t make you stay.”
She stared at both of them, before slowly shaking her head, taking a step back. “I can’t. Your safety is at stake.” And though nobody was paying attention, Kylo Ren’s lips curved upwards into a light smile. She was learning well. Good.
Poe and Finn’s disappointment was obvious as they separated, the pair of them surging forwards to wrap Rey into a tight hug. “Take care, then.” Poe spoke first, his grip tightening around the Scavenger.
“If you… ever change your mind.” Finn started, obviously trying very hard not to cry at the finality of this moment. “...You could always come back. The Resistance would still welcome you-” Finn took a harsh, shaky breath inwards as all Rey could do was stand there, stock still at the feelings of comfort, of warmth. Of caring.
“I couldn’t.” She finally whispered, wrapping her arms tightly around the pair of them. “Not with what’s at stake. I couldn’t put you at risk like that. If I betrayed them, you’d be the first targets.” In the background, Kylo sharply turned away from the affectionate display, motioning for Phasma and Hux to follow. The Sith decided to give them time to say their goodbyes.
Finn sighed, his grip tightening even more. “...Then… Don’t forget what you’re fighting for. Don’t forget yourself.” He closed his eyes, adjusting his hands against the small of her back. “The FIrst Order is too good at making people do that.”
Soon enough, Poe had detached from the hug, watching the two friends continue to tightly embrace, looking at the sky. “...We should get going, Finn. We want to get back before General Organa starts to worry.” And sadly, with a dull feeling of emptiness, the two separated, looking at each other with eyes that swam with loss.
“...Take care, Rey.” Finn took a deep breath, before slowly stripping off Poe’s jacket, and draping it around Rey’s shoulders, before moving to stand by Poe. “Remember. There’s still light in you.” And with that, the pair of them, along with the droid, and the three pilots, left for their shuttle, Finn and Poe both sighing at the knowledge that they would likely never see Rey as she is right now ever again.
~~~
Rey watched them leave, before carefully shoving her arms into the sleeves of the jacket- the last reminder of their friendship. Closing her eyes for a moment, she simply breathed. Before starting off to find Hux, Phasma, and Kylo Ren. She wouldn’t forget what she was fighting for.
~~~
And that was when she found Phasma, standing just outside a small dingy building, expression well hidden underneath her Stormtrooper helmet. Deciding she’d rather spare herself the shame of attempting to initiate any sort of conversation between the Captain, Rey made the assumption that Hux and Kylo would be inside…. for whatever reason. So she very calmly walked inside- only to find her cousin draped over the General, two pairs of gloved hands freely roaming one another’s bodies as Kylo looked truly desperate for the physical contact being offered. In between rough kisses between Hux and Kylo, Hux was whispering insults and obscenities into the Sith’s ear, clearly driving on Kylo’s passionate desire even more.
Goodness. She didn’t linger long in there, before she quickly stepped outside, red in the face as she pressed her body to the outside wall, next to Phasma. Oh. The Stormtrooper looked down at her and let out a light chuckle of amusement, rapping one metal fist hard against the side of the building. “General! Finish up with your boy-toy. The apprentice is back.” That… was right. Rey looked at the ground. She was a Sith apprentice now, wasn’t she. Soon enough, Kylo and Hux emerged- surprisingly, neither of them looked too terribly flustered. Perhaps this was a common occurrence. If Rey worked up the courage, maybe she’d ask Phasma later. But for now, she was simply silent, glancing up at Kylo and Hux.
“Right.” Hux finally said,adjusting the front of his uniform slightly. “So glad to get that traitor out of our hair.” He frowned, glancing from Kylo, to Phasma, to Rey. “Now. Ren. Where were you having us drop you and your apprentice off?”
Kylo too glanced at Rey, his dark eyes staring at her while all she could notice were the bruises on his neck that his cowl didn’t quite cover up. “Ilum.” He replied.
“Ilum? Why?” Rey found herself speaking before she could stop herself, tearing her eyes away from his well marked neck and instead gazing at his face, studying it carefully.
“Because. It’s time to build your lightsaber. You can’t continue to use a weapon built for good.” And with that, Kylo started off to their own ship, Phasma, Rey, and Hux following close behind.