No Time to Die

“I promise I’m not taking you to some dark alley or anything.” Rey assured him with a roll of her eyes, shaking her head. “But if you really want to know, it’s an ice cream shop just down the street. Well, yogurt, custard and ice cream. It’s the one Maz owns, that her son manages.” She stated, walking with him through the courtyard and following the sidewalk around and towards the front of the school that would lead them to the street.

“You /do/ like ice cream, right?” She questioned with a quirked brow, walking down the steps and onto the sidewalk along the street that would lead them to Kanata’s Frozen Castle.

Kylo kept by Rey’s side, though he was still weary. While he didn’t mind too much not staying on campus, he wasn’t used to just going elsewhere with those he didn’t know, or even those he did know. Then again, he also wasn’t used to texting someone on a daily basis, though that didn’t stop him, did it? Plus, the promises of something sweet was intriguing. It honestly might have helped calm the sudden itch he had in his fingertips. 

“As much as I enjoy school, I don’t want to spend every minute here so maybe we can go somewhere else?” Rey suggested with a shrug, hoping he wouldn’t mind. “Maybe we can get some ice cream. Kind of feeling something sweet.” And come. Especially since it was a warm today. Not hot, thankfully. Certainly not Jakku hot. She didn’t miss that sweltering hear.

“Actually, I think I know where we can go.” She smiled, hanging her bag over her shoulder before starting to walk forward. “Come on, it isn’t too far.”

That was quite the assumption, that he would have answered with ‘the gym’. He wouldn’t have answered that, only because he probably wouldn’t have answered with anything at all. Kylo wasn’t one to go out and loiter. There were one or two cafes he enjoyed going to, but they were quick stops; he would leave after getting his coffee. 

But she wouldn’t force him to say anymore. He didn’t seem… too keen or comfortable talking about himself and it made her wonder even make about him. Did he have skeletons in his closet he wanted to keep there? Was he trying to run from something or someone? There were so many things Rey wanted to know about him… even just small things like what food he liked, where he’s traveled to, where he’s wanted to travel to, things that annoyed him… at least she knew some about him. Like he didn’t sleep much, he’s been to Jakku, and he has a workout routine. That image wouldn’t leave her mind… and now she also knew about his little self defense course. Something Rose told her about.

She’d definitely look more into it, maybe ask him about it depending on how today went. But for now, she focused on her doodling - starting with a figure, but not one she had drawn before. No, this was… new for her, and she felt herself becoming lost in her drawing… so much so that when Kylo called her name, she jumped in her seat.

With a blush in her cheeks, she closed her notebook and looked up to find Kylo standing there, the sunlight cast over him as though illuminating his entrance. Putting the spotlight on him and she couldn’t help but smile. “Hey, Kylo..” She finally greeted in return after having stated for a few moments. “Sorry about that. I got a little distracted..” She chuckled, gesturing at her notebook before she slipped it into her bag. “So, did we agree to find somewhere off campus or would you prefer to stay here?”

While the sun was right behind him, the beams that passed struck Rey in an interesting way, that was the most polite way to put it. She wasn’t washed out, in fact he noticed more of the freckles probably gained from her time in Jakku. They added character, added more to the differences about her he found, well, striking... though he’d never admit that. 

Kylo had no qualms about getting her attention, in fact he thought her reaction was silly. What did she have to be sorry for? He wasn’t left waiting for ages or stood up. His brows knitted together before he spoke, head twitched to the side. “You’re apologizing for nothing,” Kylo grumbled. He stepped forward, closing more of the distance between them and disrupting the added glow the sun had offered Rey. “We didn’t agree to anything, just that we would meet here.” 

Rey has been the first one to arrive at the school close to an hour after they had stopped texting. Well, she sent him one last text letting him know that she was there and that she’d be waiting in the courtyard, at the same bench they had sat at during their first art class together. She smiled to herself, feeling excited that the two of them were talking a bit more - especially considering how their first meeting went. And how… closed off and reserved Kylo was. But there was just something about him that Rey really liked… something that pulled her towards him, that made her want to know more about him and just… be his friend.

Perhaps it was that he was a complete mystery. Perhaps it because because he actually DID like her art, or because he seemed to care about her what with lending her his hoodie that one night and even texting her back. Engaging in a conversation with her that went on hours into the night and continued in the morning, something that really surprised her given the type of person he was… and how others saw him to be. But he seemed to like talking with her and that… made her happy. Excited.

But also nervous. Mostly because they were going to be hanging out in person and talking through text was sometimes a bit easier than talking in person. But still, she was looking forward to it - looking forward to seeing him again. Looking forward to being around him again. And he seemed to want to be around her, otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed to this right? Of course, it was also for the purpose of work, but… still. Rey felt giddy about it and so she waited patiently, her notebook open in her lap, doodling like usual.

Kylo drove swiftly to the campus, music softly playing, cigarette lit and dangling from his mouth. They didn’t say where exactly to meet on campus, but he didn’t fret, as something seemed to pull him to the right direction. The drive was the usual fifteen minutes, and thankfully there was no need to fight for parking due to it being the weekend. Few cars sat in the visitor’s lot, making it easier for him to just whip into an empty space. He turned off his roaring engine and stepped out, satchel heavy on his shoulder. 

His heart hammered as he inched closer towards the courtyard, and it only worsened when Rey came into view. A shaken breath caught in his throat, his stomach tightened-- it was absurd really. Kylo inhaled the last bit of the pathetic remains of his cigarette before tossing it on the first trash with a tray he found-- though he might have needed another considering...

In about an hour? Kylo felt the adrenaline surge through him-- it was unexpected, but he didn’t bother question it.  He fled out of his room and jumped in the shower to wash away all the sweat that lingered from the workout. It didn’t take long, he found himself in his clothes, hair still damp as he messaged Rey back that he would be leaving his apartment soon. When he no longer appeared like a wet dog, he left the apartment and made his way down the lift. 

The forced pause made him reflect on just how his heart hammered in his chest, and the deep breaths he had been taking. Why was he so drawn to Rey? If she had been any other person on campus, he would have been ignoring the unnecessary texts, even telling them in person to not bother him with small talk. It was like he was in some off-putting teen rom-com he found himself avoiding constantly when searching for something mind-numbing to watch on his downtime. 

Rey: Let’s meet are the campus and decide from there?

Rey: Hmm, how about in a couple of hours? We could either meet at the campus or somewhere else. There’s a pretty cool ice cream shop b too far from there!

Rey: See what I did there? COOL ice cream shop.

You’re going to make him change his mind, Rey…

Kylo went back inside his apartment, ready to shower and get changed. He rummaged through his closet before texting Rey back. 

But he didn’t ask and even though he gave her a one word response, it still made her smile, too.

Rey: Good. Hey, maybe if you’re not busy later, we could meet up and work on the project? Unless you are busy, then that’s fine. Really!

It was early, he didn’t have to go anywhere until sundown, so he was safe. Why Kylo even wanted to agree, he didn’t know. He just found himself finishing off what was left of the cigarette and replying back.

Rey: I may not have laughed all that much yet, talking with you, but I have smiled. Does that count?

That wasn't expected. Kylo paused, his half finished cigarette almost abandoned as he stood there motionless, eyes scanning the words on his screen over and over again. She didn't really mean that, right? Sure, Rey did say she enjoyed talking to him but...

There was no one around for him to try to hide the curl of his lips, the faint smile, though that did mean be didn't try.

Lame, Rey. Yet, she still laughed at herself.

Rey: Yeah, I’m bad about that that sometimes because I type so fast. And do you mean workout routine? I just do a variety of different things. Walking, jogging, normal exercises. Sometimes I’ll climb a tree as crazy as that sounds.

Rey groaned to herself.

Rey: That sounds pretty fun. I bet you look good after it, huh?

Rey: Feel* I SWEAR I meant to say feel good. Because I know how great working out can feel. Really let’s out a lot of stress, doesn’t it? Especially when you can beat something!

Now she’s just rambling thanks to how embarrassed she was with herself right now.

Kylo arrived to his apartment, only to step out onto his balcony for his first smoke break of the day. When he lit his cigarette, eyes on his phone, his brows knitted in utter confusion at the message. Honestly, he didn't even know what to type back, which was good, because Rey corrected herself before he had a chance. Good...

At least, that was what he told himself.

Kylo: A reminder to proofread

It might not have come off that way, but he was actually teasing.