Chapter Text
The moment Ben entered the house blasters started going off. There was yelling, Chewie roared something unintelligible, everyone was moving. Rey counted five shots. She didn’t have a specific plan, but reached for the force and held her hands in front of her. Her eyes were clenched shut. Her heart’s pounding was drowning out some of the sound, but after a moment the room fell quiet. Rey opened her eyes to look around.
There were four blaster bolts caught in the air, frozen in place by Rey. She immediately looked for the fifth, her eyes catching on Ben. He was holding his side where the shot had grazed him, watching the two bolts hovering dangerously close to his chest. He was breathing heavily and Rey could tell he was in a lot of pain, but he still had his blaster pointed toward Finn and Poe. Ben glanced at Rey, and she saw his posture relax slightly once he was satisfied that she was alright. Rey turned to see the two shots Ben fired hovering near Finn and Poe. One was near Poe’s foot, the other almost touching Finn’s leg. Ben had excellent aim. They weren’t meant to be kill shots, unlike those aimed at him.
Finn and Poe both had their blasters aimed at Ben, and even though he hadn’t fired a shot, Chewbacca’s bowcaster was aimed at Ben as well. The tensions between everyone in the room was sky high, and they all looked ready to shoot again. Ben took a cautious step away from the glowing shots, Finn and Poe both flinching as he did. Rey stepped between them and Ben while still holding the four blaster bolts in place. Finn and Poe both looked confused. As they tried to aim around her she blocked them off. “No, you need to slow down and listen. I can explain.” She said in a deceptively calm voice. “Everybody needs to settle down, then we can discuss this like civilized beings.” She added, turning to look between her husband and her friends.
Ben nodded, lifting his blaster to show he was not going to fire it before setting the weapon on a nearby table. Finn and Poe glanced at each other before holstering their blasters, Chewie lowering his so that it was pointed at the ground. Rey decided this was as close as she’d get to a truce for the moment. She tilted the floating shots and released them so they all just went into the floor. Then she turned to Ben “How bad is it?” She asked quietly, stepping closer. Finn reached out to stop her.
“What are you doing?! Do you realize who that is?” He asked, glaring at Ben. Rey spun around.
“Yes I am perfectly aware who this is. I know him better than you do. I also know that he is injured, and I intend to help him.” She retorted. Finn pulled his hand back in shock.
“Have you lost your mind?” He queried, looking hurt and concerned. Rey shot him a glare.
“No I have not lost my mind, and if you would stop long enough for me to get him taken care of then I could explain all this to you!” She said in exasperation, gesturing vaguely around herself. “So just calm down and wait.” She said a little more calmly, realizing she must’ve sounded quite harsh. She returned to Ben, who was now sitting down. Rey looked over his injury before pulling a med pack out of a nearby cabinet and getting a few items out. After moving to Sorgan they had agreed not to use the force unless absolutely necessary, and Ben always refused healing. So they both used standard methods of recovery to avoid suspicion from their neighbors. Ben pulled his shirt out of the way, and Rey winced. She could feel his pain through the bond. She bandaged the wound quickly, hearing those behind her moving around. She started to stand once she was finished, but Ben held her wrist.
“Where are the kids?” He asked quietly, leaning forward.
“They’re at Isra’s. I asked her to watch them for a while.” She replied in a whisper. Ben nodded and leaned back into the chair, letting her go. Rey turned back towards her unexpected guests. Poe was sitting on the edge of a bench, but his posture suggested he was anything but relaxed. Finn was pacing, and Chewie looked like he hadn’t moved at all, but now he was watching Ben. Rey sighed, then Finn whirled around.
“Are you going to explain this now?” He said as he pointed an accusing finger at Ben. Poe stood up. Rey decided to begin with something a bit easier to explain than Ben.
“I didn’t want to leave you after Exogol.” She started to pace. “But I needed time, and I wasn’t sure the resistance would listen. Even if they did, I didn’t think they would understand. I wasn’t sure you would understand.” She looked at Finn, but he interrupted before she could continue.
“I would’ve listened if you’d given me the chance! But you’re right, I don’t understand. I don’t understand why you didn’t come home, and I definitely don’t know why you would ever help him!” He said in an accusing tone.
“And after al this time I’m still not sure of the best way to get you to understand!” Rey said, her voice raising out of agitation and uncertainty. Ben stood, taking a step towards her. Finn raised his blaster, Chewie growled. Rey shook her head. “Don’t shoot.” She said firmly, stepping in front of Ben again. Finn looked confused, but slowly lowered his blaster. “I needed more than time when I left.” Rey said quietly. “I needed to find somewhere-“ before she could finish Adrian dashed through the door.
“Daddy!” He squealed, jumping into Ben’s arms. Ben grunted as his son ran full force into his injured side, but picked him up anyways.
“Hey buddy,” he said quietly, looking at Rey with concern. “Why aren’t you with Mrs. Isra?” He asked, stepping further away from the group.
“I wanted to see you!” The child exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Ben’s neck. Ben grimaced in pain.
“Uh huh.” He muttered, glancing at Rey again. She frowned and looked at Finn, who now looked even more confused. Poe looked like he was trying to figure out what to think about the new development in the situation, and Chewie was setting his weapon on the table. “Where’s Hannah? Ben asked quietly, pulling Adrian back a little to look at his face.
“Stiw with Mrs. Isa.” Adrian said, obviously proud of himself for getting away undetected. Rey could see the moment realization hit Finn.
“Wait, he is the father?” Finn looked crushed. “You left to start a family with Kylo Ren?” Ben looked from Adrian to Finn.
“That’s not my name.” He said evenly, walking to stand beside Rey. “My name is Ben Solo.”