Rey leaned back against the makeshift bar with a beer in hand, watching the festivities build around her. After what felt like eons of conflict and battles strewn across the galaxy, they’d won. As much as it could be called winning, with all the turmoil and bittersweet heartbreak that came with it. She was content, a little buzzed and hidden against the wall, but overall satisfied with herself.
“Are they always this loud?”
She turned her head to the sound of still-sort-of-Kylo’s question. He’d deflected six months ago and hearing the bareness of his voice sent sparks of electric run down her back. It took a second to gather her thoughts. “Worse, usually. I think everyone’s too tired to be overwhelmingly unruly.”
“I don’t blame them, I’m ready for bed myself.” He eased himself into the space beside her.
“Then why stick around? You don’t have to.”
“I feel like I should be here. Everyone makes such an attempt to avoid me, I might as well try to blend in to prove I’m not evil.” He took a large drink from his glass, the golden liquid drained down to the ice.
“Have you spoken to anyone else tonight?”
“Just you. Not many of the others would listen, and I don’t want to hang off Poe all night; he seems busy as is.”
She followed his gaze to the pilot, busy chatting with his current object of affection. “I’m sure there are more people willing to get to know you, Kylo. You’re just afraid of making the first move.”
“Usually.” He shrugged and she found herself drawn to the lines of his shoulders. Rey inched just a fraction closer.
A buzzed thought made her pluck his glass with her free hand, swallowing the rest of the alcohol. It was honey-sweet but sour with a kick of ethanol to follow. He lacked the slightest hint of anger when he mirrored her actions, draining the end of her bottle. The tension eased smoothly, like hands across silk sheets.
“You don’t always have to act so stern,” she said softly, knocking into his hip. “That’s why people are nervous; you always wear this scrunched-up face like you’re going to kill someone.”
He pressed back. “You’re not nervous around me.”
“I’ve known you longer.” She glanced up, sucked into the deepness of his caf-brown eyes. “I know you’re not who you were.”
She saw it coming, but time still froze when he pressed his lips quickly to hers. It could have been a ‘thank you’ in a culture she wasn’t familiar with, or a gesture between friends, but…
“You taste like smoked cinnamon. Nothing you were drinking had cinnamon in it.” Her tongue ran along her bottom lip, chasing the flavor. “What do I taste like?”
“Like a sweet my mother used to make to surprise me.” His eyebrows knit together. “I don’t want to say it, but…what does cinnamon mean to you?”
“It was a gift, something I was thankful for.”
“Because I’m grateful you’re willing to listen to me.”
That clicked. “Oh.” She felt the goosebumps prickle down her skin before her mind followed. Tastes associated with feelings, cinnamon lingering on her tongue, the fact that she’d been surprised…“We’re soulmates, aren’t we?”
“We could kiss again, just to be sure.”
This time, he tasted like honey spread on sweet summer bread.