A Lesson to Learn

Chapter 15

 Kylo wasn't sure at what point he would stop being overwhelmed by mortals and all their intricacies. Tonight was not that night. Despite being one of the biggest malls in the United States, King of Prussia was absolutely packed and teeming with life. The second they were in the building Kylo searched for Rey's hand and held on to it tightly, bringing her closer to his side. He knew she wasn't in any type of danger, but the way some of these hordes of people were rushing about made him afraid that if one of them barreled into Rey she would be run right over.

Apart from worrying about someone toppling Rey over, Kylo was both overstimulated by all of the action going on and the same time excited. The whole place was chaos. People were running about, he could sense the tension in some of the families and groups that hurried past, and he could see the way some customers and retail workers bickered over merchandise. Hux was a genius. This was a beautifully chaotic holiday that was more than serving its purpose.

As they walked by several store fronts, Kylo couldn't help himself as he concealed some items from view, changed the position of other things, and even switched a couple of carts and bags around. Some of the mortals noticed instantly, becoming enraged over an item that had seemingly disappeared right before their eyes (which it had), while others would notice later, once the demon had already passed by. Kylo was a little sad he couldn't witness all of the fun he was causing, but he did rather enjoy being with Rey so it wasn't all too bad.

Rey seemed oblivious to some of the mounting anger around her, a full fight breaking out in one of the stores where Kylo had meddled. She was focused and on a mission, hurrying them along to a specific store at the end of one of the wings of the mall. Rey had told the rest of the group that they should split up and then get back together at one of the food court areas, so it was just Rey and Kylo now.

Kylo let himself be guided, enjoying the view of his girl taking charge and bringing them on a journey wherever she was going. When they finally got to the store and area in question he laughed. It was a furniture store.

Rey squeezed his big hand in her small one and looked up at him while she teased, "You said you wanted a bigger chair for when you come visit and now you can pick your very own throne. Wouldn't want you all uncomfortable and folded up into any normal sized furniture, now would we?"

Kylo mocked being offended, bringing his free hand to his heart and sending a scowl her way. "Again, not my fault that all your furniture is too small. I'm just surprised I'm the first gigantic clientele to complain about it. Or maybe you're just too soft on me and so I'm the only person you've taken pity on who's said anything."

He winked at her and earned a playful elbow to his side. "Come on, Ky-lo. Let's get you a proper chair so you can shut up."

Rey was very thorough in her furniture picking process, making Kylo sit in several chairs and test them out in different positions. She insisted that he needed to be completely satisfied and that if there was any doubt that she wouldn't buy it. He insisted that, really, he wanted to buy it for her because he was the one being silly about such a small thing anyway, but she outright denied him every time. Kylo huffed at her stubbornness, but he respected her boundary even if he didn't like it.

When they finally picked one, Kylo couldn't stop the smile that spread to his face. Rey was beaming with pride, and he could feel her enthusiasm through the bond. He knew that she felt happy about providing him with something, even if it was as seemingly dumb and insignificant as a comfortable seat for his large frame. That feeling was almost worth Kylo deciding against secretly paying for the furniture himself. He would spoil her with other things later.

What Rey didn't know yet is that she had provided Kylo with so much more through all of her gestures and kindness and love towards him (or at least he hoped it was love - they hadn't quite admitted it to each other yet but Kylo could feel that emotion rising within her, too). Rey had provided him with a home, and if something as small as her buying him a chair made her happy then he would allow it. Heck, he would allow anything that Rey wanted ever for the rest of her life.