Chapter Text
Moodboard created by beybex
-Meet Ben-
Ben Solo was a man who was constantly at the feet of victory but seemed to always miss his chance by that much. He was always second best. He was rewarded a consolation prize. He was given participation ribbons. Ben was an afterthought. He was patient though. Waiting for his chance to cross that finish line, be the winner, hoist that trophy in the air and revel in glory. That day would come, he knew. He just didn't know if he would spend the rest of his life trying to find it. He didn't want to miss his chance, but he was wondering if he would ever get his shot at victory.
He finally got that moment when he was older. But he almost missed his chance.
Almost.
-Coffee Shop-
He almost missed his bus, which almost didn't give him time to go to that coffee shop on 6th street one morning.
Ben wasn't a morning person. No matter how much sleep he got, no matter how much caffeine he put in his system, he always had a case of the Monday's every day of the week. Why did he hate the morning's so much? It was simple: life mocks him for never being the best. Why would he want to be reminded of this every time he woke up to start his 'second best', 'mediocre' life? He was a shadow of his parent's accomplishments. He worked for a firm that relied on butt kissing instead of hard work. He was always the 'friend' and not the 'lover'. Just once Ben wanted to know how it felt like to not be second best, the consolation prize, the participation ribbon.
Just once.
That morning was just like the rest, although he had to rush a bit since he got up later than he wanted. Sure, he had a car and it made sense to drive himself to work, but he lived in a busy metropolis and parking downtown was both expensive and a challenge. So, public transportation for work it was. Today though because of how horrible it started out, Ben felt for once to just not worry so much. He was already going to be late to his morning meeting, would've been scolded by his ass of a boss, would've been shown up by his colleagues, and would've been given the grunt work anyway. So, what was the point? He should've been worried that suddenly that morning he wasn't even 'trying' his best, but he just felt lost. Maybe he was starting to give up.
Screw it, let's grab some coffee.
He arrived at the coffee shop on 6th street. He liked this one because it was a mom and pop and preferred the taste of their beans over the chain stores with faster service and cheaper prices. Ben was a man who preferred quality over quantity. Too bad he worked for someone who preferred the opposite. One of these days just watch, he'll quit. Just… one of these days.
He took his order and decided fuck it, I'll sit here for a while. They can wait. This casual 'I don't give a damn' side of him this morning was taking over and he didn't mind one bit. He found an open table and sat down, tossing his messenger bag on the seat beside him.
As if the stars had aligned, his assistant sent him a text message moments later.
Snoke is having an important meeting with a new client this morning. Team meeting rescheduled to 10 AM. Wherever you are, boss, you got lucky. -G. Phasma
Just running a few errands. Will be in before 10. Thanks, Gwen. -B. Solo
The barista dropped off his mug to his table and for once Ben enjoyed sipping his tasty cup of joe. There was something different about sipping a hot beverage from a cold ceramic mug that didn't feel as rewarding from sipping it from a thin paper cup. It did help that his assistant actually texted him some good news instead of the usual crap she had to relay to him all the time. He was certainly relieved that he wasn't going to get in trouble for being late and was even happier that he had an extra hour or two to relax.
"Ben Solo! It's so great to see you!" a short elder woman walked up to him.
"Hey Maz," he greeted the owner of the coffee the shop.
"This is a first. You're actually sitting and enjoying your coffee instead of ordering a to-go cup!" She wiped down his table and sat at the other empty seat beside him.
"How do you know that I'm always grabbing a to-go cup?" he joked with the older lady.
"Oh please. My barista, Finn, says you're here every morning like clockwork ordering the exact same thing. He and Rose automatically make your drink even before you reach the front of the line! Why do you think your order gets called so fast? It's thanks to me so you're welcome!" she babbled.
"Thanks, Maz," he chuckled.
"How are your parents my boy?" she asked.
"You know mom, she's busy governing the city. And dad's flying somewhere over the Atlantic."
"Busy, busy, busy," she laughed. "And how are you? Are you still working for the devil?"
"Maz," he whined. "First Order isn't that bad."
"They're a money hungry organization. That's bad in anyone's eyes."
"It is a pretty cutthroat company, I tell you that," Ben confessed. "It's all about kissing butt. Since I don't play that way, I've been there five years, but they still treat me like it's my first day."
"You see that's why you belong somewhere else where your work is being noticed!" the woman cried. "Just say the word. I know someone who works at the Resistance Group downtown. They'll be thrilled to have the son of Leia and Han Solo working for them."
"If I don't want to flaunt my nepotism at my current job, what makes you think I'll use it to get another one?"
"Fair point. But I can still get you in," she nudged him. Maz knew a lot of people and they all loved her. She certainly had a ton of connections.
"I'll think about it."
Ben started to sip his Americano when Maz attacked him with more probing.
"So, do you have a girlfriend?"
"Come on, Maz. Can't I enjoy my coffee without the 20 questions?" he tried to avoid answering.
"You're not getting any younger, Solo. You need to find a girl, get married and have a bunch of pretty babies," she chuckled.
"Yeah well if you find me a girl who is interested, then I'll promise to come here every morning and stay for coffee," he told her.
"Girls are interested in you, Ben. You just have to open your eyes," Maz said.
She got up and prepared herself to get back to the bar.
"Don't let your greatest opportunity pass you by, young Solo. Whether it's love or your career. You deserve nothing but the best."
"Thanks," He smiled.
Maz Kanata was a long-time friend of his mother and was his babysitter growing up. Even to this day, she watched out for him more than his parents ever did. Of all the reasons to come to Maz's Coffee Shop, it was because of that stubborn old lady.
She always gave him sound advice. They were simple, to the point, but meant a lot.
Don't let your greatest opportunity pass you by.
Well, life always passed him by. He was always a second thought. How in the world would he ever get his greatest opportunity?
You just have to open your eyes.
Easier said than done, Maz. Easier said than-
And there she was.
With big beautiful hazel eyes, soft chestnut hair that fell to her shoulders, and that dimply smile… It could make a man forget his name. He almost forgot his name in fact. He almost forgot where he was. This woman was mesmerizing.
She stepped into the coffee shop just moments earlier and took a drink order, sitting at the table across from his. Who was this woman? He had to know.
Maz had gone up to her and handed her the latte she ordered, asking if she needed anything else. The woman smiled and thanked his old babysitter, saying she was fine for now. Maz curtly nodded then turned around. Ben had been staring at them, not realizing he was still doing it. Maz walked up to him, refocused his mind and cocked her head to the side.
"Are you ok, boy? You look like you saw a ghost."
Immediately, Ben shook his head out of this haze.
"Erm, sorry Maz. I just got out of it for a second."
"My goodness, boy. How much caffeine do I need to put in your system for you to wake up?!" she cried.
"I'm awake, Maz. I am. I just daydreamed for a second," he told her.
"About what?"
"Nothing, it's not important," he tried to dismiss. He made himself busy and sipped his coffee, stealing one last glance at the woman across the room.
Maz noticed this time and followed his gaze to her.
"Ahh," she smirked and turned to him. "I get it."
"Get what?" he turned his attention to the old lady.
Maz simply laughed to herself and started to walk off.
"You're just like your father sometimes, you know that?" she said over her shoulder.
He shook his head and rolled his eyes at that crazy old lady's thoughts.
Oh Maz, always trying to look out for me. She means well, he thought to himself.
He took another sip of his coffee and naturally directed his gaze back to the woman across from him. But this time, she was staring back…
She had a feeling someone was watching her. What else was new? Yes, she knew she was beautiful, but that was more of a curse than a blessing. Slime balls would come up to her assuming she was easy and will talk to any man who gave her attention. She grew accustomed to the eyes watching her every move, and she hated it so much.
But this feeling… it was different.
Call it a connection.
She decided to find the person who was staring at her, giving her this odd sensation and looked up. She didn't have to search for too long because she immediately met eyes with him.
She didn't need to second guess if he was the one. She knew. He was the one. With his lush raven locks that covered his unmistakably large ears and half of his neck, his cherry brown eyes, the scruffy beginnings of a goatee on his soft yet rigid face. She was swooning over this man sitting across from her, staring back.
She smiled at him, a faint blush on her cheeks. He stared for another moment, unsure if she was in fact throwing that smile in his direction. A second later, he returned the sentiment with a half grin, looking down at his mug and growing red in the face for being caught staring. She thought it was the cutest thing.
Oh wow, she must think I'm a creep. Maybe I should stop staring.
He took to reading some contracts on his tablet to pass the time. Although he wasn't getting much done because he couldn't focus on anything he was reading. Not when she was a mere couple feet from him.
Okay, just one more look and it's back to business.
He closed his tablet, took a deep breath and looked up.
This time, he caught her staring.
She sheepishly smiled and her cheeks flushed again. He grinned wider this time. He couldn't believe she was stealing a glance at him! Okay. He needed to man up right now and go up and talk to her.
Come on Ben. You got this. He said to himself. When has any girl ever shown even the slightest interest in you? She was looking at you. That's got to mean something, right?
Too soon, his insecurities took over and his mind told him this was a long shot, that she was way out of his league. What girl would settle for second best? Regrettably, he listened to that haunting voice and packed up his bags. He got up from his seat to return his mug, waved at the baristas goodbye and walked towards the door.
Don't let your greatest opportunity pass you by.
Maz's words lingered in his mind as he walked to the entrance. If his parents weren't around to give him advice, his old babysitter sure was. She always knew what to say to him. Even as a little boy, Ben had a fear of the dark and Maz was there to give him courage. To be brave.
You got to be brave, Ben. He heard his babysitter's voice. Just be brave and talk to her.
He stopped in his tracks, turned around and glanced over. He walked straight to her, meeting a surprised look on her face.
"Hi there," she smiled at him.
It was as if she was expecting him to come back. Or at least hoped.
He nervously grinned and held out his hand.
"Hi," he said. "My name's Ben."
This morning, Ben woke up late and almost changed his morning routine. If he missed his bus and decided to skip breakfast this morning, he would've never gone to the coffee shop to catch up with Maz. If he took his order to go, then he wouldn't have ever met her. If he didn't decide to turn around and walk up to her, he would have never met Rey Johnson.
He almost wouldn't have met the girl he would marry.
Almost.
-Asking Her Out-
You know the saying, slow and steady wins the race? Well Ben took that meaning and applied it with Rey.
He was taking it real slow. Not that it was his game. He didn't have any game. He was just a shy guy. Even to this day, a couple weeks later Ben was still amazed that he had the guts to walk up to this woman and introduce himself.
He stayed back for a bit longer and chatted with her at her table. She was new to the city and was studying for her master's degree in kinesiology and sports medicine. That explained why he's never seen her around town. Seven years his junior, this woman was beyond her years in wisdom, maturity and confidence. Ben was smitten.
What was more surprising was how fast she opened up to him. She told him about her childhood and growing up in the foster system. She always wished she could have a real family, but these days, she just wanted a better future for herself. He in turn shared a bit about his life, something he rarely shared with others. His rough childhood consisted of being cast in a shadow by his successful parents, with his insecurities attributing to growing up in the public eye. She didn't think any different of him when she learned who his parents were. In fact, she felt like she was living under a rock because she didn't even recognize their names. This made him fall for her even harder.
After that morning they agreed to meet for coffee again the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that. It had been nearly three weeks of seeing each other almost every morning for coffee and Ben was still taking things slow.
"So, where do you live?" she asked one morning.
"I have a loft near the university. It's like a block from the Tricity park. You?"
"Wow we live near each other," she mentioned. "I share a dorm room with three other girls on campus."
"Ouch, sorry about that. No privacy then, huh?"
"I'm used to it," she shrugged. "I've shared rooms with much more kids when I was in the foster system."
"It must've been really tough for you growing up," he said. "But you turned out alright," he flashed a sweet grin.
"Thanks," she blushed.
He got her to smile. Usually it was him that would be flushed in the cheeks but this time, she blushed! Score one for Ben!
"Sharing rooms wasn't really an issue for me growing up. It was more of the fact that I never lived somewhere where the host family had a backyard or anything," Rey said.
"You wanted a backyard of all things?" he smiled amusingly.
"Sure did," she giggled. "Just a yard to play outside, have a picnic, watch the stars light up the sky at night, you know?"
He nodded.
"But in truth, I've always wanted a treehouse."
"A tree house, really?" he would've never guessed.
"Yep," she said. "There was a show that I watched when I was a child where all the neighborhood kids would meet at the treehouse of one of the kids and they'd spend the whole day there playing, using their imagination, escaping from their parents. Just being kids and being happy. I always wanted that."
Ben simply smiled at her. She looked over at him shyly.
"I'm sorry, I can't believe I was rambling," she tried covering her embarrassed face.
"No, it's cute when you ramble."
Where did this confidence come from?
"Did you ever have a treehouse growing up?" she tried to move the spotlight away from herself to him.
"I wouldn't call it a treehouse more than a plank of wood at the top of the apple tree in my backyard. My dad promised to build one with me, but he never got around to building anything else but the floor. It was really a deck. I had so many ideas for one too."
"Oh yeah? Show me?"
She handed him a napkin and pulled out a pen from her purse. He chuckled and grabbed the pen, drew a rudimentary looking 'treehouse' and handed it back to her.
She looked at it and cackled.
"Come on, Ben. That's just like every other treehouse."
"Oh, and yours was one of a kind?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," she smirked.
She grabbed the napkin and pen from him and made a few tweaks to his drawing.
"Wait, hold on. You want a sky roof for your treehouse? Might as well not put a roof. Might as well just have a deck like I did!" he teased.
"No, I still wanted a roof, but I also wanted one that can open up on starry nights. Hey if cars can have sunroofs, then tree houses can have star roofs!" she giggled.
"Well, you can't argue with that logic," he laughed along.
After a bit, she glanced at her watch and drank the last bit of her latte.
"I better get going soon. My class starts in less than an hour."
They both got up and she offered to bring their mugs back to the counter. Ben cherished the doodle they drew together so much that he stuffed the napkin in his jacket pocket. She came back and they picked up their bags and headed towards the door.
He wanted to ask her out on an official date, he really did. But he wasn't sure if she was interested. Now, a normal person would get the hint, but this was Ben. He did not.
They stepped outside and faced each other. They usually went opposite ways, with her school on the west end and his firm on the east end of town.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" he said.
"Same place, same time," she replied.
She lingered for a moment. Usually he let her walk away first. Something his dad taught him about letting a lady make the move to leave so you can make sure she left safely. But this time she stayed in place.
They glanced at each other with nervous smiles.
"Um…" Ben muttered.
She looked hopeful, her eyes widening a bit. But her smile faltered when he suddenly looked away. She lightly sighed.
"Ben?" she said boldly.
He turned back to her.
"Are you ever going to ask me out?" she asked almost desperately.
His jaw dropped.
"Unless… crap. Did I read this wrong? Are you not interested in me that way?"
He was still dumbstruck.
Shit, shit, shit. Rey thought to herself.
"Okay, well I probably made things awkward for us… I'll see you later, Ben."
She sheepishly chuckled and turned around, shaking her head and feeling stupid for even trying. She began to walk away just a few steps when finally, he found his voice again, his feet were connected to his brain and his mind turned back on.
"Wait! Rey!" he shouted and ran to catch up with her.
Despite feeling utterly humiliated, she stopped and waited for him.
"I'm sorry, I was just trying to register literally everything that you said."
"It's fine," she said embarrassed. "I'm sorry I read it wrong."
"No!" he cried. "No, no, no! I do want to ask you out. I like you, Rey. I really like you," he confessed.
It was her turn to be speechless.
"Seriously, that first day we met. I couldn't stop staring at you. But in the most non stalker, non-creepy way, please believe me," he begged.
She couldn't help but let out a small giggle.
"I mean like the 'I don't even know your name, but I feel a connection with you' kind of way, you know? I can't explain it. But that's why I needed to introduce myself. I wanted to know your name. I wanted to talk to you."
She smiled at him as he continued to talk. More like ramble.
"Augh, I probably messed this up, and I may have missed my chance because I'm slower than molasses at picking up these things and I don't usually get to score with a beautiful smart girl like you. I never do. But for some reason you talked to me and continued to talk to me. And I don't know what to do. I've never felt this way, I've never talked so much about my feelings and… crap, I'm talking too much aren't I?" he realized.
She smirked at him and they both chuckled.
"I mean, all I wanted was for you to ask me out. But sure, let's talk about feelings," she teased.
"I'm sorry," he said getting red in the face.
"I like you too, Ben," she shared. "And yeah, I get what you mean. I felt that connection too when we first met."
"You did?"
"I did."
"Great."
"Mhm."
A beat had passed.
"So…"
"Ben…" Rey giggled at him expectantly.
"Oh crap, right!" he shook his head clumsily. He took in a deep breath and looked straight at her. "Rey, would you like to go on a date with me?"
"I thought you'd never ask," she smirked.
If she didn't nudge him to make the first move, Ben would've probably still taken things slower than molasses. Good thing she gave him a push.
He almost missed his chance to ask her out.
Almost.
-First Date-
He was late for their first date.
It wasn't his fault entirely. Ben wanted to take her to this fancy Italian restaurant on the west end of town and he had made reservations for it and everything. On the night of their first date, Rey arrived first, waiting for him in the front of the room as they didn't seat people until their entire party arrived.
She waited for almost two hours.
Now Ben, he had the courage to talk to her the first day, then had that nudge to ask her out a couple days ago. But he didn't even have the common sense to ask for her number in case of an emergency like this. Not that Rey shouldn't be to blame either. She was so excited for their date even she didn't think to give him her number beforehand.
She liked him. A lot. He was sweet without trying, cute without knowing, and interested without being too pushy. He was one of a kind. Which was why Rey waited so long for him that night. She had been stood up before, but she really didn't want to think Ben was the kind of guy to do that. But here she was, dolled up in a beautiful dress that she bought when she really shouldn't be spending petty cash on things because she had student loans to pay off. She put her hair up in a neat bun different from her usual loose and messy style. And she wore minimal makeup, enough to accentuate her femininity. She was all dressed up for a boy, but he was nowhere to be found.
Was he actually standing her up? She could have sworn he liked her too. He even said it. But then again, she pretty much forced him to ask her out. Maybe she was too forward? Ugh, she always was. She grew up in foster care with many kids that if she didn't voice her mind, she'd get shoved around. Why did she have to be so forward?
She checked her phone; it was almost 8 PM. Their 6 PM dinner reservations were most likely long gone. Dejected, she got up from the bench in the lobby and walked out of the restaurant.
She glanced at the direction towards the coffee house, then turned the other way towards her dormitory. She shook her head and chuckled sadly to herself.
Who was I kidding thinking this was going to be a fairytale romance? She thought to herself. I may have dressed up like one tonight, but I'm no princess. And he's better off as someone else's prince.
She decided the best thing to do was leave and forget about the guy that was taking over her heart.
"Rey!" she heard her name and spun her head back to the other direction.
There he was, dressed in a fitted navy blue suit, his hair a bit messy from sprinting and when he reached her, he was desperately trying to catch his breath.
"Shit, I'm so sorry I'm late!"
With any other guy, she wouldn't even give him a chance to explain. But with Ben, she wanted to. She wanted him.
"It's alright," she dismissed. She just couldn't believe he showed up.
"No wait, please let me explain…"
He put a finger in the air, asking her to let him catch his breath a bit more.
"I wasn't trying to blow you off, okay? Just, first things first. I was looking forward to this date all week."
"Me too," she barely said above a whisper.
"And- wow," he said when he took a look at what she was wearing. "You look… like an angel."
She blushed at his remark. It was true. Her beautiful cream dress with silver accents made her look heavenly.
"Thanks," she said. "So, what took so long?"
"Right," he shook his head from that trance and continued. "I was getting ready to leave when my boss threw a deposition at me at the last minute because this other guy Hux decided to leave early without telling anyone. He was chewing my ass already all day so I accepted the work and sat back down to read it, seeing if I could finish before I really had to leave so I wouldn't miss our date. But then I got to thinking I don't care, I want to see you, so I packed up and left. I'll have a scolding tomorrow, but I just wanted to see you."
"That's really sweet, Ben."
"But then there was this old lady and her granddaughter, and her cat was stuck in a tree, so I helped her out. It took a while because that furball did not want to get rescued from a stranger. I checked my watch by the time I was done helping her and realized how late I was. God, we really need to exchange numbers."
"That would've helped," she said.
Ben took another breath and rubbed his eyes.
"Did I mess this up?" he asked timidly.
"Well, it was a little embarrassing sitting in the lobby for two hours waiting on you. By the first hour the maître d was giving me pity glances," she tried to joke. But he didn't think it was funny. He felt horrible.
"Aw dammit. I'm sorry, Rey."
"No, it's fine. I don't care what they think."
He shoved his hands in his pockets and slouched his shoulders like a puppy with his tail between his legs.
"Look, if I fucked this up, just tell me. You can leave. I don't deserve a chance with you."
"Well, too bad. Because I'm giving you one," she smiled at him.
"Really?" he was in disbelief.
"Really," she assured him. "Besides, how can I be mad at someone who was trying to help a little girl with her cat? I'm not a monster."
"I feel like I am, making you wait and all. You told me that you hate when people flake."
"You're here now. That's all that matters."
"Well we probably lost our reservation. I wanted to take you to this place so bad," he kicked imaginary dirt from his feet.
"It's alright. It's a bit too fancy for me anyways," she said to him. "Why don't we go somewhere else? There's a pizza joint down the road that I like."
"Pizza sounds amazing," he smiled in relief. He was so glad she was giving him a chance. "Shall we?"
He gestured his arm towards the direction of the pizza parlor and the pair began their walk downtown.
"I'm really sorry again," he said to her. "I swear my job ruins my life sometimes."
"Do you even like your job?"
"I love what I do, but I hate where I work."
"You know what I think? You should quit your firm and start your own," she said as they continued walking.
"You think so?" he furrowed his brows. He had thought about that before but wasn't sure if it was too farfetched of a dream.
"Mhm," she nodded. "You're a smart guy, Ben. You have so much potential. Don't be afraid to show it off sometimes. Confidence is sexy."
She smirked at him and he blushed. She wants confident, huh? Message received.
Boldly, he reached out and took a hold of her hand, and she responded by squeezing it.
"Smooth," she winked.
If she wasn't so forgiving and he wasn't worth waiting for, tonight would have never happened.
He almost missed their first date - the date that started their fairy tale romance.
Almost.