Although you couldn't completely forgive Kylo Ren just yet, you had to admit that your relationship had improved a little bit over the past week. Training together and your Force bond seemed to help out with that process. It was connecting you more and more, especially during times you two would rather not be connected. You would turn around and Kylo would be standing behind you even though he was all the way across the ship. It never failed to scare the life out of you. That wasn't the only downside to your growth in power, however. The other downside came with Supreme Leader Snoke.

Kylo had told you that the Supreme Leader was growing intrigued with your progress. In fact, he had been asking about you. It was only a matter of time before you would have to face him again. Seeing that horrible man was something you didn't want to do more than once. His twisted features still haunted your mind and sent shivers down your spine every time you thought about him. Although being the Supreme Leader's apprentice would most definitely get you to a higher place of respect, you knew how horribly he treated Kylo. You didn't know if you could deal with the pressures of a physically and emotionally abusive master. Sure, Kylo was hard on you most of the time, but he never beat you the way Snoke beat him. Especially tonight.

Your master had flown out to the Supremacy around two hours ago and he was yet to return. He didn't tell you much, but you had seen the look on his face right before he left. Something was horribly wrong, that much you did know. Kylo was hardly ever nervous, but when he got the hologram call, you could tell he was. Something also told you that this wasn't going to end well for him or for you. The news must have been about the scavenger or the Resistance, otherwise Snoke wouldn't have called in so urgently. One thing was for sure; ever since Kylo had left, the small fleet of Finalizers had changed course. They were definitely targeting something.

You rise out of the bathtub, carefully stepping onto the mat before it to avoid slipping. The day of training had left your muscles sore and your body exhausted, but the bath had helped at least a little. Wrapping your body in a white towel, you lean over the edge of the tub and tug the drain up, allowing the water to begin swirling down. You dry your body and change into your nightgown, glancing at the clock in your room as your wet hair drips.

Kylo should have been back by now, right? Unless he was already back and hadn't bothered to visit you. You sigh. He was so unpredictable that it was ridiculous at this point. Still, you didn't think he would change. Old habits die hard. There was something else bothering you as well. You couldn't comprehend how you had grown to forgive him so easily. Although there was still a part of you that despised him, the other half still cared. You knew why. Deep down, you knew there were still pieces of Ben Solo within him. You thought you would be the one to retrieve those pieces and help him out of the hole he lived in. He was lost. You were convinced you could rescue him.

As if on cue, your door slides open with a familiar hiss and a black-garbed man enters the room. You look up at once, rising from the edge of your bed hopefully. Kylo doesn't make eye contact with you. In fact, he doesn't even show you his face. Instead he storms straight into your tiny kitchen (that really just consisted of a small fridge and a sink) and dumps ice lazily into a clean rag. Kylo raises the rag filled with ice and presses it to his right eye, leaning against the counter. You couldn't see the eye now, but you could very much see the rest of his features. His thick black hair was messy and small pieces were glued to his forehead. His pink lips looked swollen, as though someone had struck him in the mouth hard enough. There was normally no natural rogue on his face, but now his peach skin was splotchy and tinted.

You approach him cautiously, the water dripping from the ends of your hair leaving a trail on the floor. "Kylo?"

His eyes don't leave yours as you draw closer and closer. He doesn't flinch away or protest as your hand shakily lifts towards his. You gently lift the cold rag from his eye and gasp softly, taking a step back. He was now sporting a black eye. The eye itself didn't seem to be too damaged other than a little redness. But the area beneath it was shiny and turning purple.

Your hand gently grazes his face. "Did Snoke do this to you?"

Kylo nods stiffly. "It's nothing. He wants to see us tomorrow. See you tomorrow."

"O-Okay." That was all you could really say, but your heart was pounding. If Snoke didn't like what he saw, would he do the same to you?

"Don't worry," Kylo says quietly. "I won't let him touch you."

It was now that you noticed your faces had been slowly getting closer and closer. Kylo suddenly drops the rag, the ice clattering to the ground. His glove-less hand cups your face as his lips crash against your own. His body presses against you as he backs you toward the bed without breaking the kiss. His lips move violently against yours, practically devouring them with passion. You fall back onto the bed and he climbs on top of you, pinning your wrists on either side of your head. Kylo breaks the kiss momentarily, his lips hovering over yours.

"There's something I need to say to you." He says in a hushed voice.

"What is it?" Your brow furrows.

"I'm sorry. For everything I did to you."

Your eyes search his face for sincerity. Unfortunately you had grown so used to his lying, it was hard to tell when he was telling the truth. It was difficult to trust him. The look in his eyes put an end to your search. He meant it. You pull free and grab him by the front of his robes, pulling him down to re-connect the intimate kiss and hopefully grow it into something more.

The next morning when you woke up, Kylo was still laying beside you. He shifts and groggily sits up when he feels you moving beside him. A single glance at the clock sends him out of bed to pull on his boxers and change back into his robes. You drag yourself out of bed as the nerves and jitters set in. You were going to see Snoke today. Anything could happen and you felt extremely unprepared for it. As you change into the usual black robes you wore, Kylo looks up at you.

"Remember what I said. I won't let him touch you." Kylo says flatly.

It was meant to be comforting, but it came off as unnerving. Was Snoke going to touch you? You swallow and clip your lightsaber to its place on your hip. The cold metal hilt bumps rhythmically against your upper thigh as you and Kylo walk through the Finalizer side by side. A transport was already waiting down in one of the hangars, flanked by a handful of Stormtroopers awaiting your arrival. The both of you stay silent as you enter the small ship and sit down, strapping yourselves in. The shuttle rumbles and shudders as it lifts off, causing your nails to dig into your palms. You had adjusted to flying a little bit, but sometimes it was still nerve-wracking. Especially when it was taking you to see the Supreme Leader.

The flight couldn't have dragged by any slower. By the time the shuttle landed in one of the Supremacy's docking zones, your leg was bumping against the ground and your heart was beating out of your chest. You look to Kylo for reassurance as the ramp slides open, but he was giving you none. He was just as silent as you were and you could sense his unease. Something definitely wasn't right here. You had a bad feeling about today. The nerves were bundling in your stomach, making you shift and squirm. As the two of you step into the elevator that would take you to the throne room, Kylo stares blankly ahead at the black and white wall.

"Kylo..." you start hesitantly.

"Stay quiet," he grumbles. "Just... stay quiet for now."

You nod stiffly. Your mouth felt drier than before and you were sure Kylo could hear your heart pounding against your rib cage. The elevator doors slide open, giving way into the horrifying throne room. The blood-orange color swarms your senses as you walk down the long black catwalk towards the main room. You tear your eyes from the red-clad Praetorian Guard and set your sights on the horrifying man on the throne. Once again, he was wearing his horrible golden robes and his bony fingers were drumming steadily against the armrest of his dark throne.

Snoke chuckles coldly as you and Kylo sink to your knees. "Finally. I sense that you have developed your powers, child. I see it in you... yes... I see the birth of something far greater than what your master first saw. I take it, you've constructed a weapon."

You shift and force your voice to stop shaking. "Yes, Supreme Leader."

He leans back in his throne, his piercing gaze not lifting from you. "Perhaps I will finally get to see what Kylo Ren so desperately wanted. You. His thirst for power was stifled when his search for you began. It was wise of me to bridge your minds."

You and Kylo both look up in shock at this. This was all Snoke's doing. How could you have been so blind to it? It was all starting to fall into place before your eyes. What you weren't expecting was the look of anger on Snoke's hideous face.

"You've gone against my word, Ren." Snoke hisses. "I can see into your minds. Feel your emotions running through you. I told you that you could oblige your desires once and only once. Your connection is strong but now I fear you have moved past the simplicity of lust. You crave this girl. You crave and desire your own apprentice! You're no longer using her for your sick pleasure."

Kylo's lips twitch. "I can assure you, Supreme Leader, I haven't lost sight of it. She means nothing to me in that way."

You wanted to get up and slap him. Your heart sinks and you swallow down the lump forming in your throat. All you wanted to do was tell yourself he was just saying that for your sake. And then you hear it. Kylo's voice echoing through your mind. 'I won't let him.' Your lips part and you force yourself to keep your eyes on the ground.

"Lies," Snoke hisses, causing you to look up. "Nothing but petty lies. She is the reason you're holding back! Love does not belong to the Dark Side of the Force! It holds you back and breaks your focus! Tearing it away from your anger."

You gasp as Snoke extends his hand towards you. Your lightsaber shoots from your side and flies to the throne, landing on the armrest. But he wasn't finished with you yet. Snoke's hand forms a claw and you are dragged across the room on your knees, landing right in front of Kylo. He looks down at you as he rises to his feet, sadness building in his brown eyes.

"Because of that... you must die." Snoke directs his attention to Kylo. "A great loss for the First Order, but it needs to be done. My worthy apprentice, Son of Darkness, heir apparent to Darth Vader. Where there was conflict I now sense resolve. Where there was weakness, strength. Complete your training and fulfill your destiny. Strike now and you will leave these foolish emotions behind. You will take your rightful place in a lineage of greatness!"

Kylo looks into your eyes as he pulls his lightsaber free. "I know what I have to do."

Your lower lip trembles as you look up pleadingly. You wanted to say his name. His real name. But something told you not to. Something told you the power behind not saying it. "Kylo."

Snoke laughs. "You foolish child! I cannot be betrayed! I cannot be beaten. I see his mind, his every intent! Yes... I see him turning the lightsaber to strike true-" Kylo lifts the saber, pointing the hilt at your heaving chest "-and now, foolish child, he ignites it and kills his true enemy!"

You flinch when you hear the roar of the lightsaber activating. Your eyes scrunch shut as you wait for the painful release, followed by the sinking darkness. It never comes. Your eyes fly open when you hear a pained gasp and your knees hit the ground. Rolling onto your stomach, you stare at the throne in horror. Snoke's face was plastered with shock, the red glowing blade of your saber now slicing directly through his torso. Kylo closes his hand and the saber flies forward, cutting Snoke in half and shooting into your hand. You scramble to your feet, looking at Kylo for confirmation. Had he really just slaughtered his master for you? He nods at you and you both whirl around, sabers poised towards the guards stalking forward.

You twirl the weapon through your fingertips, the red light reflecting on your sweat-laced skin. You push away as they attack you, sliding away from Kylo as he goes to take care of his own bunch. You duck as the one with the crackling spear starts forward, his weapon coming crashing down across your arm. You catch the handle with your elbow and force it down, taking the chance to grip your saber and drag it across his torso. It cuts through his armor and he crumples to the ground.

Another starts forward, this time wielding two ropes that were burning with bright electricity. It snares your leg and you cry out, feeling it scorch your skin and burn through your robes. You grab his wrist as he comes down with the other rope, gritting your teeth through the pain. Your saber hand comes down and slices his hand clean off. You kick him once in the chest with your free leg, sending him sprawling onto the ground.

The third grips a staff tightly. He and another man with a similar staff circle you closely, their gazes locked on you. They both charge at the same time. You duck and slide across the ground, the red blade of your lightsaber cutting into one's ankle. He falls to one knee and you grip his shoulder, yanking him up to his feet when his friend lunges forward. The man accidentally strikes him instead and he grunts from beneath the helmet, slumping to the ground. The other starts forward once more, even angrier this time. You deflect his first attack and feel him graze your arm the second time, drawing blood with the edge of his staff. You pull a risky move, grabbing the handle of his staff and wrenching it out of his hands. Your lightsaber tears through his neck and he falls dead. You notice the hand-less guard desperately trying to crawl away, before stabbing the saber through his back to finish him.

You are given a moment to rest, but you quickly whirl around when you hear the metallic sound of Kylo's saber clattering to the floor. He was getting pulled to a guard's chest, the man's blade sliding closer and closer to his neck. Kylo grunts, his eyes looking to you for help. Unsure of what else to do, you thrust your free hand out.

The guard howls in pain as his arm snaps, emitting a horrible cracking sound. The staff falls to the ground and he tumbles to his knees. You charge forward, leaping towards him with a newfound burst of power. Your blade sinks into his chest and he falls limp, his body crumbling down as you deactivate the weapon.

Kylo stares at you incredulously, his chest heaving and sweat shining on his forehead. You limp towards him, gritting your teeth as the wound on your leg stings and burns. That was going to leave a nice big scar. The two of you look at the throne, by which Snoke's severed body was lying. When you look back to Kylo, he holds his gloved hand out to you.

"Join me," he says boldly. "Together we can bring a new order to the galaxy. You and me, Butterfly. Things can go back to the way they used to be."

"Kylo..." you bite your lip wearily. "Your people aren't exactly thrilled with the idea of me being a part of the Order."

He looks pleadingly at you. "You're nothing to them. But not to me. I'll take my place as Supreme Leader and you as Commander and my Right Hand. Join me, Butterfly. I... I need you... I can't do this without you." A pause as Kylo's lower lip quivers. "Please."

Your lips part in disbelief as a tear drips down Kylo's face. It was in that moment that you realized he really did need you. He couldn't bear to lose one of the only people he had left in his life. He was just as frightened and hesitant as you were. You were two halves of one piece and it wasn't just because of the dyad. What you had thought to be the ending was only just the beginning. Taking a deep breath, you reach out and take his hand.