@stillsalvaging .
Rey was well acquainted with going without contact, and even when she had yearned for it had made it a priority to avoid the other scavengers; she understands the feeling more deeply than she can say. It makes her want to reach out to him, to lay her hand on his and give him something kinder than a slap. Schooling the impulse for now, she settles for a sympathetic look, her eyes softening as she looks at him.
“I would rather not slap you, if it comes to that.”
the intricate bond betwixt them is something he has yet to figure out . between his experience and what he assumes is her lack of , he should feel confident in this thing . yet , his confidence is stunted by experiences that are lacking , teasing touches in the temple after hours , experiments among his comrades . afterwards , touch had been something that WORRIED him . he stayed away from everything and anything that might anger his mentor , that might allow snoke to DOUBT him . ❝ i understand your disgust . ❞ what else could it be but disgust . why would a scavenger , free of jakku’s slums , ever want to touch something ruinous again .