Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction using characters and elements from the Star Wars universe, created and trademarked by George Lucas and currently owned by Disney. I do not claim ownership over any Star Wars characters or elements from the Star Wars Universe. This story is for entertainment purposes only, and is not claiming to be any part of the Star Wars canon. Thank you to Disney for letting me play with the characters and not suing me for writing them into a new situation.

NOCTURNE IN THE KEY OF B SOLO

by MALOREIY

~ Epilogue ~

The music wasn't flowing right. He was hitting a block that was making everything stilted and choppy. The mechanics were good, the themes made sense, but there was something missing.

Ben had been struggling with it all night. Loathe to give it up, he continued on because he could tell he was only missing something very simple.

The night was getting late, though, and his brain was getting tired. He was making more mistakes and no breakthroughs.

Something soft hit the back of his head, and his hands fell heavily on the keys.

A screeching chord echoed in the air as the thing also bounced off the piano.

The moon was behind the clouds tonight, making the room quite dark. Turning quickly toward the door, he could just make out the barest of fabric fluttering in the doorway.

Without moving another muscle, his hands still poised above the keys, he put on his best menacing voice and said, "How. Dare. You. Interrupt my practice session."

The low rumble of his angry tone woke up the ball of fur that was sleeping halfway on his foot and halfway on the pedals of the piano.

BB8 darted out from under the bench, yapping protectively. He let out one courageous bay and leaped into the shadows.

A soft, feminine voice giggled and soothed the pup.

Ben could hear the slurping that accompanied enthusiastic face-licking and felt a moment of irritation at the betrayal.

"I'm working," he emphasized needlessly, reminding the two of his presence, still offended.

When the voice came again, it was closer. "Your practice session was already dead. You were getting nowhere. The pillow was just the death knell."

He felt arms come around his neck from behind. The light scent of vanilla soap that always reminded him of vanilla ice cream, wafted towards him. He turned slightly to take a deep breath, and reached his hand up to cover hers.

The hard, sharp lump that was the engagement ring he'd given her just a few weeks ago pressed against his palm. Even though he knew she couldn't see it in the darkness, he smiled at the fact that she still had it on even past bedtime.

It was a yellow diamond, bright like the dress that had caught his eye at Coruscant Hall, and shaped like a delicate crescent moon.

Rey thought it was because of Moonlight Sonata, her favorite request that he played for her whenever she asked him to.

He hadn't told her yet that it was because of that night when her notes had made him realize he wanted more out of life than he had. The night some force had driven him to write the final movement of his first creative masterpiece, Kismet Sonata.

The night that had changed his life.

He placed a kiss on the back of her hand, and felt her smile against the side of his neck.

"Come on, Ben," she wheedled him. "Let's go to bed. Close it up, and you can start again in the morning."

He sighed, unwilling to concede defeat. He knew he was on the verge of another breakthrough. He could feel it bubbling up inside him, simmering just under the surface.

Rey exhaled loudly, her arms slipping from his shoulders. "You're really going to let me sleep in your giant bed all alone, then? All alone and naked?"

Ben's heart gave one loud thump in his chest as a trickle of electricity shot down his fingertips.

Rey tsk-tsked as she walked back towards his bedroom—their bedroom, really, since she'd moved in 6 months ago, much to Maz's delight. She hadn't even charged Rey the contract-breaking fee.

"You're not naked," Ben called out suspiciously to her retreating backside. He could still see the flutter of fabric as she disappeared through the open doorway.

There came a giggle floating through the air, and what might have been the sound of an overly large nightshirt—one of his, because she loved wearing them—hitting the floor.

"Are you sure?" she called back.

After only the briefest hesitation, he closed the piano lid. There were other ways to receive inspiration than clanging the keys in frustration. And much more effective, more pleasurable ways to ply his skills with his fingers.

He raced into the bedroom, following his heart with the ease of much practice, and shut the door behind him.

Poor BB8 had to wait quite a while before that door finally opened again to let him back into the room.

A/N: Ta-da! We're finished! I hope you enjoyed this little tale. I know I enjoyed the Reylo world, and will definitely be writing it again. I've already got the beginning of my next story written. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and encouraged me. And again, a big thanks to GemOfAmara for the inspiration, and to Crysania and Anirak for their alpha-reading, and brandinm05 for her beta-reading.

S&R: CONSTRUCTIVE REVIEWS WELCOME (CRW), which means that all reviews are appreciated but don't be afraid to leave concrit