Guys I saw Leia’s death again and I still can’t wrap my brain about how she died…… I thought she was connected to her son by connecting to his life force or something and died when Rey stabbed him……. but when I saw the seen again she already looked like she was about to die before Rey stabbed him, can someone PLEASE explain how she died ??????
GUYS I WONDER WHAT STEVEN COLBERT WOULD HAVE TO SAY ABOUT BEN SOLO DYING BECAUSE THAT MAN WAS DESPERATE FOR THAT GOOD REYLO SHIT AS MUCH AS ANY OF US …….. I REALLY HOPE HE COMMENTS ABOUT THAT STEAMY KISS AND THE TRAGIC ENDING IN THE NEXT EPISODE OF HIS SHOW !!!!!!!!!
I am just going to put it out there reylos but we all know what we wanted out of this trillogy……….
OUR BABY BOI BEN SOLO COULD HAVE LIVED WITH REY TO CREATE A NEW ORDER OF DARK AND LIGHT SIDE FORCE USERS AND HAD TIME FOR CHILDREN OF THEIR OWN…….
AND IN THE LAST SHOT OF THE MOVIE WE COULD HAVE OPENED THE SCENE WITH REY SMILING AS SHE LOOKED DOWN…….
AND THEN HAVE THE CAMERA PAN UP TO REVEAL A HAPPY BEN SOLO WITH HIS SON AND THEN BACK TO A WIDE SHOT OF HER AND HER DAUGHTER IN REY’S ARMS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUT I GUESS A PERFECT ENDING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH J.J !!!!!!!!!
I SWEAR GUYS DISNEY BETTER REVIVE BEN SOLO BACK IF THEY DECIDE TO MAKE ANOTHER STAR WARS MOVIE RELATED TO THE SEQUEL TRILLOGY YOU KNOW THEY ARE HUNGRY FOR THE CASH GRAB BUT IF THEY CAN REVIVE PALPATINE WHY NOT REVIVE ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING CHARACTERS IN THE TRILLOGY !?!?!!?
I just really hope Adam Driver is willing to do a cameo oof ………..
I just released a huge rant on The Rise of Skywalker but I am going to enter the light side and state what I enjoyed about the movie ………..
1) The REYLO KISS, THE REYLO, THE REYLO KISS obviously, I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE IT HAPPENED IN FRONT OF MY EYES AND I WILL FOREVER TREASURE EACH MOMENT ……..I LOVE the passionate hugging and longing faces from both Rey and Kylo Ren …….. The smile Ben Solo shares with Rey as she senses him, how Ben came to save her and God he was gorgeous and glorious …….. yes I have stated the whole change of personality felt oddly out of place with Kylo Ren as a character but I do have to admit yes those smiles and KISS were the most amazing moments of my life …….. I am grateful reylo is cannon and I will always stand by that ………….
2) Ben Solo was adorable ……….
3) I loved how we finally get to see Rey struggle as she fought with Kylo Ren, that was the first time we saw her weak side during a fight ……….
4) I thought it was interesting how we can hear all the jedi voices in Rey’s head while she had that intense moment while she liked down all sweaty and bloody……….
5) I LOVED THE INTERACTION BETWEEN KYLO REN AND HAN SOLO and it was SO BEAUTIFUL HOW HE SAID, “DAD” OK I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT MOMENT TOUCHED MY SOUL …………
6) I enjoyed how Luke made the comment about treating a lightsaber with respect ……… It was hillarious how J.J made fun of that idiotic Last Jedi scene …………
7) I enjoyed how we got an unexpected plot with Hux and he turned out to be the spy and assisted the resistance again it was odd since it seemed way disconnected from his character but it was still a shocking scene for me and the audience and it did make sense he would do it to get rid of Kylo Ren……….. AND YESUS I LOVED HOW J.J RECREATED THE SCENE FROM THE FIRST MOVIE AND YOU CAN REALLY SEE BEN’S STRUGGLE TO GET HAN SOLO OUT OF HIS HEAD …… IT WAS SO CLEAR HOW BEN SOLO WAS STARTING TO COME TO LIFE ………
8) I enjoyed watching Rey fight her dark side self and shit that bitch was terrifying with those teeth I mean damn …………….
9) I appreciated the force ghost Luke and Leia scene but damn I wish Ben was there along with Anakin’s force ghost ………
10) I did enjoy Rey’s training but I did wish to see her stumble along the process not just at the very second when she sliced the tree ……….
11) I did love how Leia was Rey’s master and not to mention that awesome flashback scene with Young Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa……. I just wish there was just more training scenes with Rey and Leia but I just realized the limited Leia scenes would have made it difficult to come to life ………..
12) Yes that gay kiss was awesome enough said ……. just beautiful ………..
OK it was great to cool down and enjoy the greatness that came out of the movie ……….
Now I will just get back to screaming my head off over the reylo kiss thank you very much ………..
An exploration of Rey’s unseen grief over Ben’s death at the end of TROS.
(feat. Force Ghost Ben and a happy ending.)
preview:
The moment he is gone she forgets how to grieve.
The first and only thing she feels is pain, sharp and unyielding, like she has been run through by a lightsaber right in the soft spot at the base of her neck.
The pain fades quickly and is replaced instead by a hollowness that spreads from the centre of her chest outwards; an implacable coldness that consumes her quickly. She feels her face ease from its tormented grimace into something that might have almost been considered serene if it didn’t feel so much like a brumal death from within. She exhales softly, a light breath released from lips that have gone numb.
Her hands dazedly pat the soft material of his tunic, still warm from his body, as though she has somehow just missed him. As though she’ll still make contact with a solid form underneath and within.
Instead, all she encounters is the scrabbled ground beneath the fabric. There is no warm, breathing, living man within. It is now just an overlay for the hard unyielding rock below.
Had it truly been just moments before that she had held him in her arms, legs spread across his, their chests touching?
Was it really only seconds prior where their lips had met, held and captured, his mouth moving against her own? The feel of his fevered breath expelling from his nose and hitting her cheek as they desperately, awkwardly tasted each other for the first time? His arms hefting her, holding her, crushing her to him?
Had it even really happened?
For a moment she wonders if maybe she is dead again.
Maybe she is still dead.
Maybe she was always dead?
The feeling is the same, after all. The feeling of being trapped in that horrid liminal space where she had screamed and screamed in isolated terror, her voice singular amongst the endless stars; that inky blackness symbolizing a blank eternity.
Her throat feels raw, raw like she is still screaming although her face does not move aside from the slow descent of her eyelids, blink after painful blink.
Her breath comes out in short bursts as she scrambles up on shaky legs. At the last second she reaches down and grasps the shirt still on the ground, crumpling it up and sticking it under her arm. Her feet feel like leaden weights, knees wobbling, the coldness in her chest beginning to feel like an icy burn.
Originally I was planning to share this one later as a part of my upcoming epIX “serie ”…something to bright up these difficult days…Stay strong everyone!
It’s quiet, finally.
Not just in the Falcon, not just in their bed, not just in the warmth and security of her arms.
But quiet…everywhere.
No longer does he have insidious whispers in his mind. The voices once so difficult to differentiate from his own.
Those voices of evil. Of hate. The ones that pushed and prodded him for his entire life into a reluctant existence of howling rage.
He’d always begged for silence. To be free of the burden of those voices, those pernicious and malevolent things.
He’d always known how good it would feel, the quiet.
Had always imagined how sweet and how right it would be.
What he hadn’t anticipated, couldn’t have possibly known, was the sheer perfection, this painfully poignant tenderness, of experiencing it in the arms of someone he loved.
Originally I was planning to share this one later as a part of my upcoming epIX “serie ”…something to bright up these difficult days…Stay strong everyone!
It’s quiet, finally.
Not just in the Falcon, not just in their bed, not just in the warmth and security of her arms.
But quiet…everywhere.
No longer does he have insidious whispers in his mind. The voices once so difficult to differentiate from his own.
Those voices of evil. Of hate. The ones that pushed and prodded him for his entire life into a reluctant existence of howling rage.
He’d always begged for silence. To be free of the burden of those voices, those pernicious and malevolent things.
He’d always known how good it would feel, the quiet.
Had always imagined how sweet and how right it would be.
What he hadn’t anticipated, couldn’t have possibly known, was the sheer perfection, this painfully poignant tenderness, of experiencing it in the arms of someone he loved.
Reblogging again because 1) the artwork is breathtaking by itself and 2) the words by @delia-pavorum are beautifully paired with it and together they feed my soul.
Originally I was planning to share this one later as a part of my upcoming epIX “serie ”…something to bright up these difficult days…Stay strong everyone!
It’s quiet, finally.
Not just in the Falcon, not just in their bed, not just in the warmth and security of her arms.
But quiet…everywhere.
No longer does he have insidious whispers in his mind. The voices once so difficult to differentiate from his own.
Those voices of evil. Of hate. The ones that pushed and prodded him for his entire life into a reluctant existence of howling rage.
He’d always begged for silence. To be free of the burden of those voices, those pernicious and malevolent things.
He’d always known how good it would feel, the quiet.
Had always imagined how sweet and how right it would be.
What he hadn’t anticipated, couldn’t have possibly known, was the sheer perfection, this painfully poignant tenderness, of experiencing it in the arms of someone he loved.
Hello, I feel ashamed to make this post, but I’m in a very bad situation, I have a small son, and I’m going through a lot of difficulty, if you can buy a commission from me I’m doing for 8$ just any art, or if you can just share this post I appreciate it.
I like to imagine them getting married on Naboo. This is the ending they both deserved. Both happy, together, and very much alive, on a beautiful planet with a beautiful future ahead of them.
Not Ben dying and the movie ending with Rey alone on another desert planet barely better off than when the trilogy started.
This was how this scene went, right? None of this dying-and-becoming-one-with-the-force business, but with everybody’s two favorite star-crossed lovers staring into each other’s eyes, and very much alive?? Yeah sounds about right.
On a side note, Ben’s smile after they kissed killed me. What a way to go, though.
Happy Star Wars day 2020! Hope you guys are all being safe and well out there like these 2 and sporting you Star Wars masks. May the 4th be with you all!
Reylo! Ugh this couple just gets me right in the feels. Really wished they hadn’t killed Ben in the end. Will I do another drawing of these 2 soon? Most likely.
I was thinking about the scenes that could have happened between dark Rey and Kylo. Those scenes could have been vital to his conclusion to turn to the light side. From Kylo’s POV he had been wanting Rey to turn to the dark side so they can rule together. But he had also been truly connecting with Rey as she was and her approach to the light and dark conflict. He had been charging at he with questions the same way she did and you can see him introspect the answers. It might have been a new experience for him to have someone who is not Snoke or Palpatine be in his head.
So having that history, if he had met dark Rey. I personally believe that his expectations would have fallen short. He would not have felt her concern and genuine care for him like Rey does and from the brief screen time we got with dark Rey, she looks like a replica of Palpatine. So if he had ever witnessed her, he would have turned to the light side without hesitation or a question in his mind, cause the Rey he was talking to in the Hut was the real one. This is what Rey understands early on, when she sees him and wants him to be Ben.
This is an alternate ending I wrote for TROS, this starts right after Rey kills palpatine.
Palpatine was gone. Rey searched the room with wandering eyes for any sign of her grandfather, the sith, but it was nowhere to be found. Rey felt her breath begin to fade, nothing prepared her for this fate. She heaved loudly for air that couldn’t be found, it was the end. Her hands went limp and she watched as her lightsabers fell to the ground with a thump. That noise echoed through the chamber, then, everything went dark. Rey’s body collapsed onto the floor of Exegol, the body that once held life so pure and innocent a moment before, had been drained dry.
A few moments after Rey collapsed, a hand reached over the edge of a chasm so deep and deprived of life, that one could mistake it for a bottomless pit. Ben Solo, with every ounce of power he had left, pulled himself out of it and was now kneeling on the ground, both hands in front of him. “Rey.” He thought to himself. He pushed his body forward. He walked a few steps before collapsing to the ground. He could see Rey now, lying on the ground a few feet away. He put one hand on the floor and hoisted himself up onto his feet, grasping his side in pain. He hobbled over to the motionless woman until his feet finally gave up again, he fell onto his knees, his arms supporting him. He crawled the rest of the way, Rey was right in front of him, but he couldn’t feel her force anymore. She had had such a massive presence in it, strong, smart, brave, and beautiful, but the person in front of him was an empty husk. He couldn’t feel anything coming from her, just the natural force around himself and the throne room. Ben grabbed an arm as gently as he could. He ran his fingers over her own and looked at her with fear and confusion. He didn’t want to believe it. He struggled with her body a second, his feet slid across the smooth floor of Exegol with little traction, but he grabbed the other side of her and managed to pull her off of the ground. Her hands hit the ground, stiff and lifeless. Ben held one hand behind her head, and one supporting her waist, while her torso and bottom half draped across his lap.
He thought he felt his heart stop, she met his gaze with a blank stare, unblinking and with no emotion. His breathing slowed a little and he was able to finally calm down, if you could call it that. Everything he felt at that moment was not normal, some of the emotions were one’s he had never felt before. Ben looked around the room for a moment searching for something, anything that could save her life. His chest heaved with every breath, as if he had to manually work in order to keep his body functional. Finding nothing, Ben turned his gaze back down to Rey as if to see something different, but it was the same. Ben lifted her slowly into his arms, nestling his head into her shoulder, he sat in silence for a few moments, all emotions rushing across his face at once before he decided on what he needed to do.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ben slowly lowered Rey out of his arms, he kept one arm behind her head, holding her up slightly above the ground and put the other on her belly. He breathed in deep, the oxygen was rich and fresh, something he hadn’t noticed before. Each time he exhaled,he could feel his body lose a little bit of life as it was being poured into Rey. This continued, each breath giving more and more, and yet he still couldn’t feel her in the force, it almost seemed pointless to continue, but it had to be done, he wouldn’t let her die. He would rather die then live in a world without her. The process continued, Ben felt himself become weaker and weaker, and just when he thought he couldn’t take it anymore, he felt her chest move up and then down. Before he had time to process it, her hand suddenly shot up from the ground and grasped his on her.
Ben opened his eyes, the weakness and fatigue just hitting him, to see Rey adjusting to her surroundings, she blinked a few times, the light of life hitting her for the first time. She raised her head up a bit to see Ben staring at her, his mouth open a bit, his eyes tired and droopy. Rey picked herself up, scooting herself on the floor towards Ben. He grabbed her head once more, running his hand through her hair, knowing that he would never see or feel her again. He didn’t know how much time he had left, so he needed to take in everything. Rey searched his eyes for a moment, shocked and confused before finally understanding, “Ben.” She said softly, a smile forming on her face. Ben looked back in shock, his name. He heard it from her mouth and was immediately stricken with happiness. A smile began to form on his mouth, he looked across her face, memorizing it. Her hand touched the side of his face, her skin was so smooth. He could have died there and been happy, but she wasn’t done.
He watched her eyes wander down for a moment, and before he could think, her lips were pressed against his. In shock, he moved his hand from her belly to her back, holding her and taking in the moment. The kiss was passionate, love between two people who were able to see the other and their true feelings for the first time. Rey breathed in and let go, she looked at her dyad with love, something so strong that it shifted the balance of the force itself. Ben looked back with shock at first, unable to react, but regained himself after a moment, seeing her smile at him so genuinely made him happy. His eyes drifted shut and his simple smile grew into a grin, his teeth showing. For the first time in a very long while, he genuinely laughed; just a simple chuckle, but a laugh none the less.
Rey noticed something was wrong right away. His smile faded after a moment, turning into a blank canvas. She searched his face with concern, and watched his body go limp. He fell backward, she moved her hand to his back, keeping him somewhat off of the ground. Just before his head hit the floor, something happened. Rey felt it a moment before, but thought nothing of it. A pair of hands reached toward them and caught Ben’s head. Rey stared in shock for a moment before raising her gaze to infront of her, General Leia. She was kneeling on the ground, her body glowing in blue light as Luke’s had on Ach-to. She had white garments on, they reminded Rey of the clothes she had seen in the general’s closet many times. Leia looked up at her for a moment with a smile, but then focused her attention on Ben who was still lifeless.
“Leia.” Rey said, her mouth open in awe, Rey hadn’t been there to see her last moments, she merely felt it through the force. “You’ve come a long way.” Leia said, her gaze still focused on her son. “My boy may have done some horrible things but one thing has always been true about him.” Rey looked at her curiously. “He loves you more than his own life, Rey. You two are the future, the next generation will come from you both.” Rey watched as Leia’s hands began to glow, almost lighting the entire room in blue light, but after just a moment it began to fade. Rey watched in shock as Ben’s chest moved up and down for the first time after the ordeal.
Rey moved her hand back to his head as Leia pulled backwards, she grasped the floor with her feet, gaining traction, and lifted him up slowly. Ben’s eyes blinked open for a few moments, still confused and disoriented before fixing them on Rey. He met her gaze with one of open mouthed shock. “Is this heaven? Are you an angel?” He jokingly asked, a smile plastered across his face once more. Rey laughed, her eyes filled with tears and she let all of her emotions out at once. Both of her hands reached around his head, grasping either side of it. She kissed him again, more forcibly then before. He took it in again, able to fully comprehend. She pulled back after a few moments, realizing that Leia was still staring at them, a big smile on her face. Ben seeing her gaze shift, turned himself around to find his mother. No words were spoken between the mother and son, Ben found it hard to keep his composure seeing his mother for the first time since he left many years ago to train with Luke. Ben wrapped his arms around his mother, practically crushing her with the force of his embrace. He let all of his emotions out into her as she cradled him, stroking his hair and rubbing his back. Ben didn’t want to let go, but she had to pull away. Ben held his mother’s hand in his for the first time and felt a sense of joy.
Leia smiled back at her son with sad eyes knowing that she would have to go soon. “You two take care.” Leia said, her voice starting to fade. Ben’s hand fell, the vision becoming a simple transparent one. Rey put one hand on Ben’s back and took his free hand into hers. Leia faded into nothingness, her image replaced with the walls of Exegol as if she had never been there in the first place. Rey looked toward her soulmate, eyes gleaming with hope and love. Ben looked back at her, his face hiding what part of him still hurt; but for once, they were happy together. They could almost see their future, they would live a peaceful life on a distant planet, free of the sith and the jedi, they would live their lives free from those horrible fates.
*A few years later*
The planet of Naboo was known throughout the galaxy for its beauty, and the connections to the pair. Rey and Ben had created a home for themselves and a school for force sensitive children, with plans to start an adult program. The two had spent the last few years searching the galaxy, in the darkest alleys, the shadiest factories, and especially those sold into horrible situations. Although not all of them had potential to use the force, it became their mission to help all of those in need of it.
The final touches to the school were being finished by a band of workers and engineers, Rose leading them. Today was the day that Finn and Poe would visit them for the first time in a while.
Their ship landed on a small patch of landing strips specifically designed to only allow a few ships at a time. The bay doors opened and the two stepped out, standing close like always to each other. Rey greeted them with many pleasantries and hugs. Ben stood near the back, still unsure of the relationship he held with the two. Poe was oddly calm about seeing him, but he could feel the force around Finn tense whenever Ben looked at him; it seemed as though ill feelings were still present, but that could be resolved in time.
“Wow! You don’t see someone for a while and they turn into a completely different person.” Poe said, looking Rey up and down. Rey had changed her physique somewhat after Exegol; her hair was longer, now only held up in one bun while the rest lay limp on her back and shoulders. She was wearing simple clothing, a tan tunic in a familiar style to the ones she had worn during her resistance time. Ben could see Finn eyeing him out of the corner of his vision, clearly unnerved by his presence. Poe turned to face him and then met his gaze at Ben who was standing with his arms crossed, in a relaxed position. Ben hadn’t changed much, his hair was wavyer and more flowing than previously and his clothes consisted of a dark gray shirt covered by a similarly shaded vest with black pants.
Poe noticed the uncomfortableness of the situation fast and decided to change the subject. “How’s the school going? I hear it’s almost done-” Just then Rose came from around a pillar and greeted the four with open arms. “Rose!” Finn said excitedly, shifting from uncomfortable to happy. Finn and Poe immediately went over to her and exchanged in more pleasantries. Rey walked back towards Ben who was now staring toward the three friends.
“He still doesn’t approve of me.” Ben said, his face turning into a sour expression.
“It just takes time.” Rey said, staring at her friends. “He’ll come around eventually.”
Later that day, Finn finally got alone time to talk to Rey. Ben was off dealing with other business so they were free to talk one on one without tension. The two stood on a balcony overlooking a large courtyard, the day would not be ending for another hour or so but it was still a sight to behold. Finally, after a long and uncomfortable silence, Finn was able to speak.
“Rey.” He said, his face told her that he was trying to find the right words. “This is a wonderful place, i’m happy that you are happy here, and I support you this way, I just wanted to ask if you-“
Rey stopped him before he could finish, “Finn, Ben and I are happy together. It’s like we complete each other, he makes me feel happier than I have ever in my life. I know you two have had your differences, but I want you to know that I love him.”
Finn stared in a sort of puzzled expression before he could finally say something again, “Rey, that’s not what I was getting at at all. I support your decision to be with him, I just wanted to tell you that I think I might be force sensitive.”
Rey met his puzzled look with one of her own, then laughed. “That’s it?” She giggled, practically beside herself with this revelation. “I’ve always known! It’s something that we can sense. I knew since the moment I met you, even if I didn’t understand it at first.”
Finn’s face turned into a smile and he laughed as well, thinking about how silly it was, but there was something still bothering him. He turned towards Rey again and started, “There’s just something that I felt as soon as I saw you again, I felt something, i’m wasn’t sure what it was, but-”. Rey stopped him again, putting her fingers to his lips, shushing him. Finn’s expression changed to shock as reality finally hit him, “Rey are you-?” Rey shushed him again, as if that would help her situation, Ben wasn’t around anywhere. She simply smiled and after a few moments, put her hand down. The topic was not brought up again that evening.
Watching the sunset had become custom to the dyad, it was so peaceful, so perfect, the right amount of light and dark. Rey stood as close as she could to Ben. She leaned against him, arm around his back and the other rested comfortably at her side. Ben held her similarly, but took a moment to turn her towards himself. He looked down at her with love and passion in his eyes, something that filled Rey’s heart with so much happiness and joy that she felt comfort just being looked at by him. She met his gaze with one of her own, her face was one that she only showed him; in the hut on Ach-to, the elevator ride to Snoke’s throne Room, on the floors of Exegol, she was the one he wanted to be with for the rest of his life. He placed one hand on her belly and she put hers on top of it. He smiled even brighter than before, knowing that he had made the right choice.
“I love you.” Rey said to him, her smile pierced his soul, it filled his heart with so much emotion that he could have broken down and cried.
He met her smile with a big toothy grin and a deep yet soft voice, “I know.” He returned.
The two leaned in for a kiss, Ben moved his hand to her neck, and hers to his. She practically stood on her toes to reach him, but it was just the right amount of difference to not make it awkward. The sun set behind them, finally fulfilling its role in the day to make way for the night.
This is still my proudest fiction I’ve written. I thought I’d reblog it again if anyone cared. I don’t even know if the fandom is still alive, but I remembered that this existed today and thought I’d share it with the world again
This is an alternate ending I wrote for TROS, this starts right after Rey kills palpatine.
Palpatine was gone. Rey searched the room with wandering eyes for any sign of her grandfather, the sith, but it was nowhere to be found. Rey felt her breath begin to fade, nothing prepared her for this fate. She heaved loudly for air that couldn’t be found, it was the end. Her hands went limp and she watched as her lightsabers fell to the ground with a thump. That noise echoed through the chamber, then, everything went dark. Rey’s body collapsed onto the floor of Exegol, the body that once held life so pure and innocent a moment before, had been drained dry.
A few moments after Rey collapsed, a hand reached over the edge of a chasm so deep and deprived of life, that one could mistake it for a bottomless pit. Ben Solo, with every ounce of power he had left, pulled himself out of it and was now kneeling on the ground, both hands in front of him. “Rey.” He thought to himself. He pushed his body forward. He walked a few steps before collapsing to the ground. He could see Rey now, lying on the ground a few feet away. He put one hand on the floor and hoisted himself up onto his feet, grasping his side in pain. He hobbled over to the motionless woman until his feet finally gave up again, he fell onto his knees, his arms supporting him. He crawled the rest of the way, Rey was right in front of him, but he couldn’t feel her force anymore. She had had such a massive presence in it, strong, smart, brave, and beautiful, but the person in front of him was an empty husk. He couldn’t feel anything coming from her, just the natural force around himself and the throne room. Ben grabbed an arm as gently as he could. He ran his fingers over her own and looked at her with fear and confusion. He didn’t want to believe it. He struggled with her body a second, his feet slid across the smooth floor of Exegol with little traction, but he grabbed the other side of her and managed to pull her off of the ground. Her hands hit the ground, stiff and lifeless. Ben held one hand behind her head, and one supporting her waist, while her torso and bottom half draped across his lap.
He thought he felt his heart stop, she met his gaze with a blank stare, unblinking and with no emotion. His breathing slowed a little and he was able to finally calm down, if you could call it that. Everything he felt at that moment was not normal, some of the emotions were one’s he had never felt before. Ben looked around the room for a moment searching for something, anything that could save her life. His chest heaved with every breath, as if he had to manually work in order to keep his body functional. Finding nothing, Ben turned his gaze back down to Rey as if to see something different, but it was the same. Ben lifted her slowly into his arms, nestling his head into her shoulder, he sat in silence for a few moments, all emotions rushing across his face at once before he decided on what he needed to do.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ben slowly lowered Rey out of his arms, he kept one arm behind her head, holding her up slightly above the ground and put the other on her belly. He breathed in deep, the oxygen was rich and fresh, something he hadn’t noticed before. Each time he exhaled,he could feel his body lose a little bit of life as it was being poured into Rey. This continued, each breath giving more and more, and yet he still couldn’t feel her in the force, it almost seemed pointless to continue, but it had to be done, he wouldn’t let her die. He would rather die then live in a world without her. The process continued, Ben felt himself become weaker and weaker, and just when he thought he couldn’t take it anymore, he felt her chest move up and then down. Before he had time to process it, her hand suddenly shot up from the ground and grasped his on her.
Ben opened his eyes, the weakness and fatigue just hitting him, to see Rey adjusting to her surroundings, she blinked a few times, the light of life hitting her for the first time. She raised her head up a bit to see Ben staring at her, his mouth open a bit, his eyes tired and droopy. Rey picked herself up, scooting herself on the floor towards Ben. He grabbed her head once more, running his hand through her hair, knowing that he would never see or feel her again. He didn’t know how much time he had left, so he needed to take in everything. Rey searched his eyes for a moment, shocked and confused before finally understanding, “Ben.” She said softly, a smile forming on her face. Ben looked back in shock, his name. He heard it from her mouth and was immediately stricken with happiness. A smile began to form on his mouth, he looked across her face, memorizing it. Her hand touched the side of his face, her skin was so smooth. He could have died there and been happy, but she wasn’t done.
He watched her eyes wander down for a moment, and before he could think, her lips were pressed against his. In shock, he moved his hand from her belly to her back, holding her and taking in the moment. The kiss was passionate, love between two people who were able to see the other and their true feelings for the first time. Rey breathed in and let go, she looked at her dyad with love, something so strong that it shifted the balance of the force itself. Ben looked back with shock at first, unable to react, but regained himself after a moment, seeing her smile at him so genuinely made him happy. His eyes drifted shut and his simple smile grew into a grin, his teeth showing. For the first time in a very long while, he genuinely laughed; just a simple chuckle, but a laugh none the less.
Rey noticed something was wrong right away. His smile faded after a moment, turning into a blank canvas. She searched his face with concern, and watched his body go limp. He fell backward, she moved her hand to his back, keeping him somewhat off of the ground. Just before his head hit the floor, something happened. Rey felt it a moment before, but thought nothing of it. A pair of hands reached toward them and caught Ben’s head. Rey stared in shock for a moment before raising her gaze to infront of her, General Leia. She was kneeling on the ground, her body glowing in blue light as Luke’s had on Ach-to. She had white garments on, they reminded Rey of the clothes she had seen in the general’s closet many times. Leia looked up at her for a moment with a smile, but then focused her attention on Ben who was still lifeless.
“Leia.” Rey said, her mouth open in awe, Rey hadn’t been there to see her last moments, she merely felt it through the force. “You’ve come a long way.” Leia said, her gaze still focused on her son. “My boy may have done some horrible things but one thing has always been true about him.” Rey looked at her curiously. “He loves you more than his own life, Rey. You two are the future, the next generation will come from you both.” Rey watched as Leia’s hands began to glow, almost lighting the entire room in blue light, but after just a moment it began to fade. Rey watched in shock as Ben’s chest moved up and down for the first time after the ordeal.
Rey moved her hand back to his head as Leia pulled backwards, she grasped the floor with her feet, gaining traction, and lifted him up slowly. Ben’s eyes blinked open for a few moments, still confused and disoriented before fixing them on Rey. He met her gaze with one of open mouthed shock. “Is this heaven? Are you an angel?” He jokingly asked, a smile plastered across his face once more. Rey laughed, her eyes filled with tears and she let all of her emotions out at once. Both of her hands reached around his head, grasping either side of it. She kissed him again, more forcibly then before. He took it in again, able to fully comprehend. She pulled back after a few moments, realizing that Leia was still staring at them, a big smile on her face. Ben seeing her gaze shift, turned himself around to find his mother. No words were spoken between the mother and son, Ben found it hard to keep his composure seeing his mother for the first time since he left many years ago to train with Luke. Ben wrapped his arms around his mother, practically crushing her with the force of his embrace. He let all of his emotions out into her as she cradled him, stroking his hair and rubbing his back. Ben didn’t want to let go, but she had to pull away. Ben held his mother’s hand in his for the first time and felt a sense of joy.
Leia smiled back at her son with sad eyes knowing that she would have to go soon. “You two take care.” Leia said, her voice starting to fade. Ben’s hand fell, the vision becoming a simple transparent one. Rey put one hand on Ben’s back and took his free hand into hers. Leia faded into nothingness, her image replaced with the walls of Exegol as if she had never been there in the first place. Rey looked toward her soulmate, eyes gleaming with hope and love. Ben looked back at her, his face hiding what part of him still hurt; but for once, they were happy together. They could almost see their future, they would live a peaceful life on a distant planet, free of the sith and the jedi, they would live their lives free from those horrible fates.
*A few years later*
The planet of Naboo was known throughout the galaxy for its beauty, and the connections to the pair. Rey and Ben had created a home for themselves and a school for force sensitive children, with plans to start an adult program. The two had spent the last few years searching the galaxy, in the darkest alleys, the shadiest factories, and especially those sold into horrible situations. Although not all of them had potential to use the force, it became their mission to help all of those in need of it.
The final touches to the school were being finished by a band of workers and engineers, Rose leading them. Today was the day that Finn and Poe would visit them for the first time in a while.
Their ship landed on a small patch of landing strips specifically designed to only allow a few ships at a time. The bay doors opened and the two stepped out, standing close like always to each other. Rey greeted them with many pleasantries and hugs. Ben stood near the back, still unsure of the relationship he held with the two. Poe was oddly calm about seeing him, but he could feel the force around Finn tense whenever Ben looked at him; it seemed as though ill feelings were still present, but that could be resolved in time.
“Wow! You don’t see someone for a while and they turn into a completely different person.” Poe said, looking Rey up and down. Rey had changed her physique somewhat after Exegol; her hair was longer, now only held up in one bun while the rest lay limp on her back and shoulders. She was wearing simple clothing, a tan tunic in a familiar style to the ones she had worn during her resistance time. Ben could see Finn eyeing him out of the corner of his vision, clearly unnerved by his presence. Poe turned to face him and then met his gaze at Ben who was standing with his arms crossed, in a relaxed position. Ben hadn’t changed much, his hair was wavyer and more flowing than previously and his clothes consisted of a dark gray shirt covered by a similarly shaded vest with black pants.
Poe noticed the uncomfortableness of the situation fast and decided to change the subject. “How’s the school going? I hear it’s almost done-” Just then Rose came from around a pillar and greeted the four with open arms. “Rose!” Finn said excitedly, shifting from uncomfortable to happy. Finn and Poe immediately went over to her and exchanged in more pleasantries. Rey walked back towards Ben who was now staring toward the three friends.
“He still doesn’t approve of me.” Ben said, his face turning into a sour expression.
“It just takes time.” Rey said, staring at her friends. “He’ll come around eventually.”
Later that day, Finn finally got alone time to talk to Rey. Ben was off dealing with other business so they were free to talk one on one without tension. The two stood on a balcony overlooking a large courtyard, the day would not be ending for another hour or so but it was still a sight to behold. Finally, after a long and uncomfortable silence, Finn was able to speak.
“Rey.” He said, his face told her that he was trying to find the right words. “This is a wonderful place, i’m happy that you are happy here, and I support you this way, I just wanted to ask if you-“
Rey stopped him before he could finish, "Finn, Ben and I are happy together. It’s like we complete each other, he makes me feel happier than I have ever in my life. I know you two have had your differences, but I want you to know that I love him.”
Finn stared in a sort of puzzled expression before he could finally say something again, “Rey, that’s not what I was getting at at all. I support your decision to be with him, I just wanted to tell you that I think I might be force sensitive.”
Rey met his puzzled look with one of her own, then laughed. “That’s it?” She giggled, practically beside herself with this revelation. “I’ve always known! It’s something that we can sense. I knew since the moment I met you, even if I didn’t understand it at first.”
Finn’s face turned into a smile and he laughed as well, thinking about how silly it was, but there was something still bothering him. He turned towards Rey again and started, “There’s just something that I felt as soon as I saw you again, I felt something, i’m wasn’t sure what it was, but-”. Rey stopped him again, putting her fingers to his lips, shushing him. Finn’s expression changed to shock as reality finally hit him, “Rey are you-?” Rey shushed him again, as if that would help her situation, Ben wasn’t around anywhere. She simply smiled and after a few moments, put her hand down. The topic was not brought up again that evening.
Watching the sunset had become custom to the dyad, it was so peaceful, so perfect, the right amount of light and dark. Rey stood as close as she could to Ben. She leaned against him, arm around his back and the other rested comfortably at her side. Ben held her similarly, but took a moment to turn her towards himself. He looked down at her with love and passion in his eyes, something that filled Rey’s heart with so much happiness and joy that she felt comfort just being looked at by him. She met his gaze with one of her own, her face was one that she only showed him; in the hut on Ach-to, the elevator ride to Snoke’s throne Room, on the floors of Exegol, she was the one he wanted to be with for the rest of his life. He placed one hand on her belly and she put hers on top of it. He smiled even brighter than before, knowing that he had made the right choice.
“I love you.” Rey said to him, her smile pierced his soul, it filled his heart with so much emotion that he could have broken down and cried.
He met her smile with a big toothy grin and a deep yet soft voice, “I know.” He returned.
The two leaned in for a kiss, Ben moved his hand to her neck, and hers to his. She practically stood on her toes to reach him, but it was just the right amount of difference to not make it awkward. The sun set behind them, finally fulfilling its role in the day to make way for the night.
Ben has the biggest sneezes in the galaxy and Rey makes fun of him for it.
Ben: *sneezes very loudly*
Rey, from another room: Did someone let a Rancor into the house? I think we may need to get the falcon checked if it’s making that kind of noise. Did you check if you left the engine on? It sounds like something just blew a fuse.
For the past two years since the last Jedi I have been hoping for some kind of reylo content in this movie.
When I saw the movie this evening I went in knowing nothing, no spoilers, no leaks, nothing but the rotten tomatoes score and the no spoiler tweets about the movie.
All I can say is WOW was this movie great. The cinematography, the characters, the acting, the camels everything was perfect.
In the back of my mind was that hope, for reylo, I wanted it more than anything else in the world for that movie. Everything leading up to the scene let me know my hopes would come true, everything was leading to it, the emotional speech on the water planet, the talk Ben had with Han, everything was coming together as I’d hoped it would.
And then came the scene. Ben came out of the hole in the ground and something inside me knew what was coming. I don’t know how I could come to that conclusion, but I knew it wasn’t going to end the way I hoped it would.
My fears were quarreled for a second as Ben looked fine after giving his life force to Rey, but I knew what was coming. I prepared myself for the end and it came.
The culmination of 40 years led to that point and I was, as many people were, left with shock and sadness. But looking back on it, I feel almost content, not quite, but more than I did when I watched it.
Rey and Ben belonged together, but they couldn’t stay together, and he knew that. No one could possibly take him back into the resistance, no one would be thrilled to see him.
On the contrary, I was a person who made comments about starting a life without the Sith or Jedi. More of a gray area, and I stand by that.and that could have happened, but it didn’t, and it makes me angry. Angry to think they could have lived together, started a Jedi school, and continue the legacy (or not), and I wanted that more than anything, but overall I can’t say that I absolutely hated the ending, even though I really want to, I can’t lie to myself.
