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Rey’s just hit her sixteenth birthday, and she’s started to dream.
She sees an island, surrounded by an ocean. When she steps on it, the land feels old in a way she cannot describe. There is a man there, but she never sees he looks like.
“Daddy,” she says, voice much younger. “Daddy, please look at me.”
“I can’t,” he answers softly. “I can’t see your face.”
The man runs away, and she tries to chase after him, but it’s like her feet are made of lead, and she can’t catch up, and then she wakes up, the taste of ocean air she’s never experienced on her tongue.
“Do you dream?” Rey asks Grogu.
The two of them are lying on their backs, looking up at the ceiling as Rey’s little galaxy box projects overhead. Din had gotten her a tiny circular box for their fourteenth birthday that plays a little tune, so they’ve got that running, too. He looks at her at the question.
“They’re the oddest sort of dreams, you know? It’s like… I’ve been there before, but not really, and I know the people in them, except I don’t. Is it a meditating thing?”
Grogu shuffles a little closer and rests his head on her shoulder. He makes a humming noise.
“Din’ll be home soon. He’s just gone to the Outpost to get portions.” Rey leans her head against his. “Would you like to hear about one of my dreams?” He chirrups inquisitively. “Well, sometimes I dream of a woman. She’s a sad woman, a warrior all her life. She’s older now. She lost her family once, found it, and lost it again. She’s fighting because that’s what she knows how to do, and maybe if she keeps fighting, it’ll all be worth it. I’ll wake up crying and I’ll think… that can’t possibly have been fake. It must have been real.” She sighs softly. “I don’t know. It’s all so strange.”
“Rey.”
Rey sits bolt upright, whipping around and turning to see Grogu, still lying on his back, watching a supernova.
“What?” she whispers. “What did you say?“
He looks at her, tilting his head.
“Rey,” he says, in a voice somehow both high and gravelly.
“Oh. Oh, sands. Oh-“ she kneels down and gently lifts Grogu. “Did you say my name?”
“Reyyyyy.”
She laughs wetly. “Hi. Hi, Grogu. Hi.”
“I’ve got the portions.” She hears Din enter but doesn’t look up. “There’s supposed to be a sandstorm coming, so we should batten down the hatches.” She hears him stop dead. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
Rey looks up, eyes glimmering, and opens her mouth, unsure of what to say.
“Din!” Grogu chirps, and Din freezes.
“What?” he croaks.
“Din!” He starts squirming. “Din, Din, Din.”
Rey puts him down as Din takes off his helmet and sinks to his knees. He catches him, lifts him up in his arms.
“Oh,” he whispers. “Oh.” He brings their foreheads together, closing his eyes. “Oh, I see.”
“Din,” Grogu says happily as Rey comes to sit next to them. “Rey. Din.”
Rey leans her head into Din’s shoulder and the two of them sit in silence as Grogu happily burbles their names.
Neither of them had wanted to be without Grogu, so considering the sandstorm Din’s stayed in with her tonight. Currently he’s asleep out of his armor, Grogu lying on his chest. Rey’s curled up on her side, watching Grogu as the sands batter the house.
Grogu opens his eyes sleepily and she smiles.
“Hi,” she whispers.
His ears perk up. “Rey.“
“I just wanted to say thank you. That your first word was my name. I don’t know how much you’re in control of that. But I’m glad it was my name. And I love you very much.”
She feels something odd buffeting her, like a gentle wind over a still sand. It’s a wave of… love. Earnest, warm, layered affection. Her brow furrows until she realizes, sitting up. “Is that you?”
She feels the wind again as his ears perk further. “Rey.”
She swallows before she leans down and gently presses a kiss on top of his head.
“You’re loved,” she says softly. “Never forget that. You’re beloved.”
Din stirs. “Kid?” he asks groggily. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” Rey grabs her blanket and lies down next to Din, curling up. “Everything’s fine.”
Grogu wriggles his way off of Din’s chest and burrows into Rey. She wraps an arm around him and pulls him in close.
“Rey,” he mumbles.
“Sleep well, Grogu. Good night, Din.”
“Sleep well, kids.”
“Din.”
Din’s voice softens. “Yeah. Love you, too.”
Rey drifts to sleep, breathing the moment in.