Who: Xander and Rey What: After the Ren Plot When: Monday Late Morning Where: Xander’s place Rating: low
Rey had a better time this time around considering she hadn’t been paired with someone she loathed and she was in a comfortable sexual relationship so it wasn’t like she felt entirely violated this time - though the memories of Anakin naked she could do without, thank you. They had been simple folk which might have been good for both of them, though the fact the Dome had decided to make them farmers was a bit on the nose.
After taking about an hour to reorient herself, take a very long shower, and then make sure Luke and Leia’s lightsabers were still hidden should they ever return, Rey headed for Xander’s place. She was worried he’d be upset or he would fall victim to being sent home or perhaps have fallen in love with someone else. She knew she could have sent a message to him, but having been without the network for a week meant she thought this was faster. Plus, she needed to see him.
She walked up to his door and knocked. It was only then did she realize he might not be home.
Xander had found the whole previous week entertaining now that things returned to normal. Of course, he’d found himself a bachelor fisherman which didn’t add up to much drama for him. Something he preferred, honestly. But, he realized some people adjusted to these things better than others.
Rey, though, he worried about a bit. He hadn’t been sure how everyone ended up and given he spent most of his time by himself, Xan hadn’t really been around for town gossip.
After he showered, he heard a knock and hurried to throw on jeans and a t-shirt. When he saw Rey he smiled. “Hey.” Xan pulled his girlfriend into a hug.
Rey was happy to see him and she hugged him back tightly. She took a moment not just to hug him, but to drink him in - how he felt, how he smelled, how warm he was. It was like her body suddenly remembered it had gone without it for a week and now it was protesting to her like it had been her choice to be away from him.
“I’m sorry.” It seemed like a good place to start. “Are you okay?” That was the next thing.
“No apologies necessary.” Xander didn’t think anything done during Dome influence counted. But he breathed in Rey. “I am okay. I lived the bachelor fisherman life for a week.”
This time he pulled back to look at Rey. “Are you okay?” Xander obviously looked concerned over what his girlfriend experienced.
“I… was married to Anakin. It didn’t seem strange at the time, but now it’s… awkward.” That she’d seen him naked and been intimate with a man who could be seen as an extension of family in a convoluted way was definitely strange. She wondered what Master Luke would say. Or Ben. At least Xander seemed to be understanding.
“So the Dome gave you an ocean only to take it away again.” It seemed as if it liked to do that a lot to Xan.
Xander could only imagine how awkward things might feel between the two of them. “I’m sorry.” He did understand, because the damn Dome liked to pull shit.
“I’m used to it at this point.” Xander meant the ocean. “But it did remind me I don’t miss fishing for a living, even if the ocean will always be home to me.” Of course he missed the ocean, but Xan didn’t think he’d ever miss being a fisherman.
She was obviously going to have to talk to Anakin at some point, but right now she was happy to be with Xander and, yes, she’d like to avoid it for a while if she could.
“I’m sure fishing back then was much harder than it is today.” Though she could recognize that fishing might be hard even today. “Overall… it was a better experience than the 1980s had been, but I’ll admit it’s very disconcerting that we can forget everything about ourselves so easily.”
Xander had to admit not being married in the latest Dome shenanigans made him rather happy. Yes, he’d had an understanding with a woman, but they hadn’t actually slept together during the week.
“Yes and no. Fish were less plentiful in some ways, but it was quieter and they seemed to be easier to catch when found?” Xander knew how it sounded, but he couldn’t explain it better right now.
“I’m glad I missed the 1980’s. Going so far back in time was fun in some ways. Although, again, I wasn’t married to anyone.” Xan pulled Rey back into a hug. “But we remember each other now.”
And there was no literal demon to taunt her this time after the fact, which she liked. She hugged him back happily. This definitely felt right and felt a lot better and made her feel at ease.
“Do you work tonight?” She usually knew this sort of thing, but waking up from 1599 had her a little discombobulated.
“I do. I’m off tomorrow and Thursday this week.” Xan pulled her in for another hug. “But, it’s a shorter shift tonight, so if you want to wait here until I’m done, you definitely can.” He felt badly for how this obviously affected Rey.
“Why don’t I order us some food and we can relax until I start?”
She nodded. “I’d like that, both the food and waiting.” She wasn’t normally so ‘clingy’ and she wouldn’t be when she had some time to truly process, but for now some time with Xander and reality was needed. “Thank you.”