lifebuoy, a reylo fic | ch 16 is up!
Summer was by far Ben’s least favorite season. The sun was always bare and bright and stinging, and the tourists crowded the streets, adding on to the already insane amount of Los Angeles traffic. A sheen of sweat kept his dress shirt stuck to his back as he made his way around his office, searching for anything that might be of use in his time away.
His laptop and charger were already tucked away safely in his bag. But he eyed the shelf of memoirs and personal development books, a handful of them still left unfinished. His luggage was already nearing the 50-pound weight limit for the flight, so there was no hope in adding a few reads.
His backpack, though. That could take one book, he supposed.
Ben paused, pushing away the wave of unease that always came with his director’s presence. He glanced over at the wrinkled man, who was leaning against the doorframe and eyeing Ben with that old, beady gaze.
They’d already had this conversation months ago, when Ben mentioned an offer from the east coast university. But Alfred Snoke was nothing if not relentless, always prodding and observing, waiting for a lie to surface in Ben’s responses.
“It will only be two years,” Ben reminded him, turning back to grab a random book from the shelf, too focused on steeling his composure to notice which one he picked. “My absence will not be a permanent one.”
“It is an absence, nonetheless.” Snoke smiled but his eyes were flat. “Mitaka can only do so much without your guidance. The company was doing so well when you were… staying put.”
His voice hadn’t risen, but there was a threat in his words. A message in the words he didn’t say.
“I assume I’ll be under surveillance. You’ll see that this is only me pursuing further education.” Ben’s lips thinned as he packed the book in his bag, his back facing Snoke. “We also haven’t created any political connections in DC. It could help us in the long-term, when we’re planning our next relocation.” He was grasping for anything at this point. “My only priority is the First Order.”
“Hm.” Snoke’s voice croaked closer from the doorframe. “Do your best to remember what happened to Enric Pryde, my young apprentice. Perhaps it will help you focus on what’s best for our company.”
Flashes of the older man’s scent came to Ben then.
Decayed and rotten and punished beyond saving.
Pryde was the only one who managed to get away from Snoke’s hold, though he didn’t make it very far. That was a particularly difficult cover-up for Ben, as the news and media caught word of the father’s disappearance.
“All my priorities lie with the First Order,” was all Ben said.
Snoke stood in the office, silently observing Ben as he packed what more he could into his backpack. His stare was heavy on Ben’s nape, a threat in and of itself. It wasn’t until a low ringtone broke the silence when Ben finally took a breath. He gave his director a curt nod and briskly left the office.
Snoke’s voice followed him down the hall from his office, though. His words were low and rushed. He was taking a call.
“Prepare my room, boy. I’ve been gone long enough…”
One of his house servants, Ben assumed as he waited for the elevator to reach his floor. His phone buzzed in his hand and he looked down to find an Instagram notification. His breath caught at her username – she posted again.
Only two more months now, until they might cross paths again.
He won’t pursue her, he’s promised himself that. But he’s in need of that distraction again, in need of some rush to his monotonous days. Maybe he’ll find her in the campus yards snapping another photo, or maybe they’ll bump into each other at a coffee shop.
Two more months, it was a vow that repeated in his head as he entered the elevator, two more months until I can see you again.
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