NOTE: Well, here's yet another story! A few things to note:

I actually have a lot written for this story and my other stories, so expect updates very soon for everything :)

This is of course an Aladdin AU, which I'm sure has been done with Reylo before but hey, the connections are too delicious, so I had to do it too. It's not a true retelling as there are many differences, but much of the story remains the same. The story does take place in kind of an indeterminate moment in the past, so I kind of take it as 'a long time ago in a galaxy far far away', in case anyone is wondering what era this is!

-x-x-x-

"STOP! THIEF!"

The townspeople froze in place, abandoning the fruits, and animals, and other splendors they browsed in the marketplace, watching as one particularly portly vendor threw up his hands. As two palace guards charged forward, he pointed at the small figure darting away.

"Don't just stand there!" The man bellowed, his cheeks turning a nasty shade of red, "Stop that thief!"

Immediately, the palace guards took off after the disappearing form, desperately trying to keep pace with the thief. Clad in dirty white and brown scraps, the thief easily blended in with the drab colors of the Coruscant City center, as well as the plain fabric most vendors used to cover their merchandise.

The thief continued to sprint, the pace unreasonably fast, even for the trained guardsman. When the figure dipped into a dark alleyway, the palace guards knew all was lost. On foot, clad in their heavy armor, they'd never catch the scoundrel.

"These bloody street urchins," One of them hissed, immediately pulling his helmet off to rub at his sweaty face, "We must speak to Lord Snoke. We need horses if we want to combat all this petty thievery."

The other palace guard nodded enthusiastically. "Lord Snoke will agree. You know how he must have the city kept in order."

As the two palace guards scurried off, the thief reappeared in the alleyway, watching to ensure that the guardsman would not return, pressed tightly against a dirty, stone wall. Once the men turned the corner, the thief let out a high-pitched whistle. From two stories above, a dingy ladder dropped against the stone wall, comprised of only scavenged wooden blocks and discarded fishmen's nets.

The thief quickly climbed to the top, evidently a learned skill, and rolled through an open window. Well, perhaps not a window, as the beautiful stained glass the opening once housed had shattered years prior.

Once inside, the thief retrieved the ladder and covered the open stone with a dusty sheet, secured to the stone wall with collected nails and rods. With the opening covered, the space was once again enclosed in darkness.

The thief whistled again. Another ladder dropped. This one was climbed with as much ease, the opening leading to endless light. As soon as the thief reached the top, the constructive head covering they wore dropped to the ground, covered in more soot and sand than any one person should be exposed to.

"Rey!" Finn cried, perched on a rickety wooden chair, a tattered book in his hands, "You were supposed to be back an hour ago!"

With a groan, Rey stepped forward and set her old bag to the ground. She dropped to her knees, exhaustion evident. From the bag crawled a small fox, its fur shining orange and white despite its exposure to soot. It gnawed away eagerly on an apple.

"Sorry! I was on my way back but Bebe started whining. I just turned to watch a street performer and she jumped out!" Rey sighed and began to take her hair down from the three buns on her head, "By the time I found her, she was collecting apples. When I grabbed her and a few, the shopkeeper spotted me."

Finn made a face and watched Bebe approach, a juicy red apple held by her snoot. She dropped it in his hands and let out a pleased yipping noise. "She can be such a troublemaker. I assume you had troopers all over you?"

Rey nodded and also accepted an apple from Bebe. She took a ravenous bite and wiped the juices from her lips with the sleeve of her shirt. "Two of them! Thankfully, their armor held them down." She shook her head and groaned, "If they ever are smart enough to get the lot horses, we'll be in a bind."

Jumping to his feet, Finn shook his head. "Let's not worry about that unless it happens." He glanced around the space, his shared home with Rey, and grinned, "Now, it's nearly sundown, which means it's time to see the footman."

Rey pinched her nose and sighed. "Must we?"

With a grin, Finn held out his hand. "Oh, we must."

-x-x-x-

Rey followed Finn through the familiar streets of Coruscant City, the air light and breezy compared to the heat of the sun she faced while out earlier in the day. Of course, the mild heat in Coruscant was nothing compared to her homeland of Jakku. In Jakku, the sun seemed to never go down. It was hot, sandy, and miserable.

As she followed Finn, watching his eager movements, she wondered if she considered her life in Coruscant any better. Sure, she had met Finn, and sure, the pair had made the ruins of an abandoned cathedral their home, but she wasn't sure she could truly consider it an improvement from life in Jakku.

In Jakku, she starved and scavenged to survive under the awful working conditions of Unkar Plutt. In Corsucant, she starved, stole, and scavenged under the watchful eye of Lord Snoke's guardsman, the feared Storm Troopers.

Was life any different?

Her best friend tugged her up an abandoned stairway, leading them to the rooftop of a building Rey believed to be a brothel. She never asked, despite their frequenting of the rooftop, and dropped beside Finn. They crawled towards the edge, until their tired faces looked down at the street below, particularly the booths of vendors selling everything from produce to weaponry.

Bebe chirped from behind Rey and settled on her back, rolling contently into a ball. Rey couldn't help but giggle. She glanced at Finn. "Who exactly are we looking for?"

Finn blushed and kept his eye on the street below. "I don't know his name. Based on his clothing, I believe he works in the palace. Perhaps as a footman." He cleared his throat, "He always shops on this street close to sundown. It must be his free time."

Rey laughed and glanced at her friend. "So, you just watch him?"

From beside her, Finn shuffled nervously. "What other choice do I have? If I approached him as I am, he'd probably laugh at me. Think I was a beggar."

She wanted to comfort her friend, insist that his sentiments were wrong, but deep down, she knew him to right. Rey and Finn were practically at the bottom of society, considered street urchins and petty thieves by the townspeople. They were frequently covered in soot and dust from collecting and repurposing old, discarded items, and when hungry, were forced to steal food just to survive.

In their rags, they were nothing more than sad peasants, forced to just admire from afar. A few moments passed before Finn tensed. Rey could feel his tension and also see the object of his affection. On the street below, a well-groomed man strolled by, a perfectly woven basket in his hands.

With skin the color of sweet honey and a headful of bushy, brown hair, Rey understood Finn's attraction to the man. Her eyes dropped to the fine embroidery of his top and trousers, as well as the deep black of the fabric. And despite her lack of education or refinement, Rey knew such luxurious fabric was silk.

Silk, which of course, was not found anywhere in Coruscant or in the lands of their closest allies. Such a fabric was imported. She glanced at Finn and sighed. Her best friend was most certainly right. This man was not only wealthy but had to be employed by the palace.

"He's very handsome," She admitted quietly, watching as the man browsed a collection of wooden toys, "I wonder what his job is."

Finn sighed dramatically, his eyes locked on the man. "I hope he isn't nasty like Lord Snoke is reported to be. Perhaps he's kind like Queen Leia." He nibbled on his lip, "Perhaps he works for the Prince."

Rey nodded, considering Finn's words. "It's unlikely he's a guard. I believe your first guess was right. He is likely a footman for the Prince."

"I wonder what the Prince is like," Finn said aloud, watching as the mystery man purchased a bundle of the wooden toys, before handing them out to peasant children, "No one has seen him in years."

At the sight of the excited children, Rey smiled. "I wonder myself. But based on the endless string of Princesses that are being driven into the city, one thing is for certain." As the mystery man disappeared from their sightline, she sat up and turned to Finn, "A royal wedding is most definitely approaching."

Finn pouted and rose to his feet. "Well, a royal wedding means rich guests from all over. Perhaps that will be good for us."

Rey laughed as they descended from the rooftop, the sky darkening by the minute. "One should hope!"

With a grin, Finn held out his arm. "Well, then! We shall hope for an imminent engagement announcement!"

"To Prince Benjamin!" She exclaimed, skipping along the empty streets, no longer filled to the brim with townspeople.

Finn laughed and nodded most eagerly. "To Prince Benjamin!"

As they pranced back to their makeshift home, Bebe followed excitedly, yipping along in agreement.

-x-x-x-

"—We do hope Her Majesty and the people of Coruscant will accept these gifts as another reminder of our affinity for the royal family, as well as our loyalty to your cause. We look forward to another visit to Coruscant and hope to host Prince Benjamin during our next harvest—"

Ben growled and waved his arms. "I get it, mother! Please, stop it this instant!"

His mother, despite being the Queen of Coruscant and their many territories, still rolled her eyes like any irritated mother. "Benjamin," She remarked, before primly rolling up the scroll she had been reading from, "Your negative attitude is really starting to trouble me."

"Yes, well, your insistence on having me married is really troubling me!" Ben responded angrily, before falling into one of the plush chairs in his personal quarters, "Honestly woman, I have no interest in these Princesses!"

Leia sighed and took a sip from the chalice in front of her. "Benjamin, I think your frustration is misplaced. Tell me, what was wrong with Princess Jessika? She was beautiful and an alliance with Dandoran would have been an excellent political move on our part!"

Ben frowned and fidgeted in his chair. "She was passive, dimwitted, and built to serve. That was the problem with her."

His mother snorted. "My, sounds like the dream woman for many future Kings before you!"

"Well it isn't for me!" Ben shook his head and sighed, "I want a woman who is smart, and desires to learn about the world. Not simply a vessel to bear my children."

At the sound of a throat being cleared, both the Queen and Prince turned to the third person joining them for wine. Lord Snoke offered a pleasant smile before gesturing to the scroll.

"If I may," The Lord began, his voice soft despite powerful, "An alliance with Dandoran would have been beneficial, but more so for them than for us. I believe there are far better places we could align Coruscant with," He glanced at the Prince, his lips twisting into a smile, "And far better Princesses for our Prince."

Leia sighed and nodded. "I suppose you are right, Snoke." She rose to her feet and motioned for her maids, the women immediately appearing to help the Queen into her robe, "If you have a moment, Snoke, we must chat about our troops in Chandrila."

The older man nodded and rose. He looked at the Prince, his gaze unwavering. "Now, dearest Benjamin, you need not worry about a Princess who fits your needs. I have a wonderful match in mind. From my home, as well."

Ben waved his hand. "Another time, Snoke."

Snoke narrowed his eyes, clearly considering a response. But, after a moment, he scowled and instead followed the Queen and her maids out of Ben's quarters.

Finally, alone in his own room, Ben collapsed to his bed. He didn't understand the rush for him to wed. But, ever since his father died two years prior, his mother was obsessed with seeing him wed, especially to a well-connected woman, preferably a Princess or a Duchess of a land that would suit them well politically.

As the future King of Coruscant, Ben understood the implications of a political marriage, and wasn't necessarily obsessed to it. He merely wanted such an important decision to follow his terms.

Was it so wrong for him to dream of wedding a beautiful woman because she held his heart, not because her land was rich in crystals or coal?

He knew he soon must accept a princess. There were only so many more respected, eligible women in high places available, especially ones that held both his mother and Lord Snoke's approval.

At the sound of a door closing, Ben sat up and met the gaze of his trusted footman, Poe. Poe had been at his beck and call for years, and given Ben's isolated life in the palace, Poe was probably the closest thing he had to a friend.

"I told you to take the entire night off," Ben remarked, watching as Poe began to prepare his quarters for nighttime, "You didn't need to return."

Poe simply smiled and shook his head. "It was not my intention to return until I saw Her Majesty and Lord Snoke leave your room. Then, I assumed you'd want the company."

Ben sighed and clutched a pillow to his chest. Dressed in the most exotic of silk and filled with only the softest of feathers, it was a poignant reminder of what his position offered him. He glanced at the tiny sack in Poe's hands.

"What did you buy in town?" He asked. He was desperately jealous of the trips into town Poe took. Ben had never been into town alone. In fact, his only times outside of the palace were during parades, and such events had him riding in carriages or on horseback with hundreds of guards surrounding him.

Poe grinned and handed Ben the sack. "Eat one."

Cautiously, Ben brought the bag to his nose and sniffed, immediately smelling sugar. "What are they?"

"Chestnuts. They have been prepared to taste sweet by the street vendors," Poe exclaimed, clearly excited by the procedure, "I watched them do it! It was magical!"

Ben glanced at the bag and hesitated. While they grew chestnuts in Coruscant, the crop was generally considered peasant food. The only nuts eaten in the palace were imported at high cost from faraway lands.

But, the bag smelled wonderful, and Ben longed to explore what Poe did. He quickly ate one, followed by another, and then other. He grinned at Poe. "These are magnificent!"

Poe laughed and nodded excitedly. "Finish them, please." As Ben munched away, Poe sat beside him. "So, what did Her Majesty and Lord Snoke want?"

With a snort, Ben ate another chestnut. "We received more offerings from Dandoran. Emperor Pava seems desperate for me to accept Princess Jessika as my wife."

"And will you?"

Ben sighed and shook his head. "No. She is beautiful, but dim-witted. I believe a marriage to her would be miserable. And Lord Snoke brought up an excellent point. While advantageous for both Coruscant and Dandoran, they are more poised to benefit from a political alliance than we are."

Poe nodded sadly. "I see. Well, perhaps the next Princess will be more fitting?"

With a sigh, Ben collapsed back onto his bed, the bag of chestnuts now empty. "I am starting to doubt that. Every Princess has been the same. Beautiful, refined, and of excellent status. But they are dim-witted and submissive. These are not qualities I desire in a wife."

"Then what do you want?"

Ben considered Poe's question. "Well, of course a beauty. And yes, someone who would provide a political alliance would be a nice addition, but not necessary. I want a woman who is smart and eager to learn about the world! Someone who can help me rule, not simply a woman who will sit by my side and nod at every word that escapes my lips!"

"If I may," Poe began, watching the Prince, "Unfortunately, most princesses are raised to do exactly that. They are expected to become Queen, if only by title. They are merely expected to produce an heir and look pretty, not to add anything of value."

Ben frowned and looked down. "If I ever have a daughter, that shall not be the case." With a sigh, he ran a hand through his dark locks, "I simply do not understand! My mother wed a commoner! Why must I marry a Princess?"

It was a valid question, one that troubled Ben constantly. His father, while a respected general in the military, was nothing more than a commoner, born to a blacksmith. He had not an ounce of royal blood in his veins yet was allowed to marry the Princess with no pushback.

Why had circumstances changed so much in such little time?

"I do believe Lord Snoke and Her Majesty felt the only way to ensure the success and longevity of the kingdom would be by marrying you to an equal, especially one that would provide an excellent political alliance to Coruscant," Poe explained, "Now, whether that is fair is up to you."

Ben scoffed. "It most certainly isn't fair! But nothing in my life is. My, I'm practically trapped in the palace!" He pulled at his hair, until a wonderful, if not stupid thought ran through his head. "Poe?"

"Yes? May I assist you?"

He cleared his throat. "You may. Tomorrow, I shall leave the palace. In disguise. You must vouch for me."

Poe's mouth opened to comical proportions, before closing. He swallowed. "Uh, but, what if—"

"You will lie to my mother and claim I am ill. I must see what Coruscant is like outside of these palace walls!"

With a shaky breath, Poe nodded. "Of course. If this is what you want, I will help you."

Ben grinned and fell back to his bed, every nerve in his body on fire. When the sun rose again, he would finally experience the world outside of the palace walls.

That evening, he dreamt of sweet, roasted chestnuts and the sun on his skin.

-x-x-x-

But while Prince Ben slept peacefully, others lurked deep in the depths of the palace. A sniveling, red-headed man led two prisoners to the dungeon, four palace guards monitoring the activity with swords drawn as they moved down the stairs.

At the base of the stone staircase, Lord Snoke stood, his features twisted into a scowl. He looked at the red-headed man, his eyes furious.

"I see you failed me yet again, Armitage," He began, his voice thick with contempt, "It is as if you do not understand what is at stake."

Armitage swallowed and lowered his head. "My Lord, please. I will find the one who can enter the Crystal Cave. I swear my life on it."

Lord Snoke laughed and waved for the prisoners to be led away. When just he and Armitage remained, he took a step towards the man.

"You listen to me closely, Hux," Snoke growled, his voice furious, "Getting the Prince to wed Princess Bazine and getting Coruscant allied with Naboo is the easy part of this task."

With the flick of his fingers, Hux's throat began to tighten, despite the lack of touching between the men. Hux let out a gasp and reached for his own neck, trying to relieve the invisible pressure.

Lord Snoke smirked at other man's actions. "I have the obsidian crystal, and while it is strong, it is not the strongest," The older man glanced at the glowing black stone enclosed in his gold ring and tsked, "But unless you find someone worthy of retrieving the Kaiburr crystal from the Cave of Wonders, I will not obtain my full power."

Hux continued his struggle, his face turning blue from a lack of oxygen. Lord Snoke watched, still grinning.

"It is humorous that you swear your life on your success. I did not need your declaration to know such." Snoke waved his hand, the pressure stopping. Hux gasped and grabbed his neck, his color returning.

"For if you fail, Armitage," Snoke continued, a smile still gracing his lips, "you will lose your life."

-x-x-x-

The following morning, Poe helped smuggle Ben out of the palace, the Prince hidden among empty crates and boxes that once held a shipment of luxurious fabrics and ornaments from across the globe. Ben jumped out of the back of the carriage once outside of the palace walls, feeling fearless.

As soon as his senses were assaulted with the smell of animal dung, roasting meat, and citizens who had never bathed, he knew he was free. Well, not entirely free, given his disguise, but certainly as free as he ever had been.

His disguise was not anything remarkable—he was rarely seen in public as it was, but knew it was best to play it safe. He wore his least lavish attire—a loose, white silk shirt, imported from the finest merchants in Endor, and a pair of black trousers, embroidered with premium golden thread in Coruscant. Then, over what he considered to be his plain clothes, he wore a hooded cloak, one that covered his head and his hair.

And despite Poe's pleading, he refused to leave the palace without his trusty sword sheathed by his side. Under his cloak, it was entirely hidden, so he felt Poe's concern was grossly exaggerated.

Ben felt as invisible as he ever could be, given his lack of knowledge about his own land, as well as his remarkable height. With a deep breath, simply enjoying the pungent smells of the town, he thought back to the bits of information Poe offered before his departure.

And so, he explored Coruscant City as if it were his first time there. He ate roasted mutton from street vendors, played with wooden toys like a child, had a pint of an awful brew at a local watering hole, and even found more of the wonderful chestnuts, quickly hoarding as many bags as he could fit in his pockets.

It was a splendid afternoon, until he stumbled past a street vendor unlike the others. Clad in what Ben immediately recognized to be some sort of synthetic silk, the man stood behind an array of lavish items. Gold figurines, silk gowns, exquisitely drawn maps, leather bound books, silver dishware, and the list could go on.

To any resident of Coruscant, the riches this man sold secondhand would practically be a steal. But Ben was no ordinary resident of Coruscant. He approached the vendor and glanced at the goods before him.

The vendor grinned, immediately noticing the extravagant embroidery of Ben's trousers, as well as the unmistakable glean of the silk of his shirt. "My good sir, you have remarkable taste! Perhaps I can interest you in some of my new arrivals?"

Ben narrowed his eyes, watching the vendor cautiously. "Perhaps. What are you selling?"

With a vicious smirk, the man presented Ben with a freshly pressed handkerchief. A pale blue in color, with golden embroidery, it was a handsome piece of fabric. "This arrived this morning. It's made of Endorian silk and embroidered with real gold."

Ben picked up the fabric and ran his thumb across it. Just one touch confirmed what his eyes already knew—the fabric was most certainly not silk. Ben was practically born wrapped in the expensive fabric. It was second nature to identify a reproduction.

He tossed the fake to the ground, ignoring the screams of the vendor. "You call that silk?" He spat out, leaning across the table to glare into the man's eyes, "You are a liar and a cheat. How dare you try to trick the good people of this city with fake product!"

The vendor sputtered and lurched back. "Fake? How dare you accuse my products of being fake!" He retrieved the handkerchief from the ground, staring at the mix of dirt, sand, and dung now speckled across the once spotless fabric, "You must pay for this!"

Ben scoffed and took a step back. "Pay for your thievery? You're lucky I do not alert the palace guards."

Angrily, the vendor jabbed a finger into Ben's chest. "This is your last warning. You pay me for ruining my product or you will be sorry."

The threat actually made Ben laugh. His hand dipped under his cloak and grasped his sword, widening his stance to pull his weapon. But as he moved to extract his sword, a soft touch on his arm stopped him. He looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting a pair of wide, hazel eyes.

A girl stood before him, short, but strong and lean. Freckles and streaks of dirt covered her cheeks, and her eyes flickered between his hip, where his sword was hidden, and his own eyes. She cleared her throat and gave him a quick head shake, before turning to the vendor.

Ben was momentarily paralyzed, surprised by her appearance and her knowledge of his weapon. He watched as she approached the vendor, all charming smiles.

"What seems to be the problem here, Greedo?" A sweet voice asked, glancing to look back at Ben and then the vendor, "It's not like you to start yelling!"

Greedo growled and pointed at Ben. "This man accused my product of being a fake and then trashed it. Now he refuses to pay!"

The girl laughed, a beautiful noise that had Ben's cheeks turning pink. She shook her head with a giggle. "Oh, come on Greedo! Everyone knows your stuff is fake. As if a man like you got his hands on Endorian silk."

With a growl, Greedo glanced between the girl and Ben. "He is to pay me for his damage now or I will alert the stormtroopers."

"I will do not such thing!" Ben roared, his hand back on his sword. But again, before he could draw the weapon, the girl's hand grasped his wrist.

She smiled. "Alright. How about an exchange?"

This peaked the vendor's interest. "An exchange of what?"

"Perhaps a golden cuff?" She asked, now holding a thick gold bracelet in the air. Ben glanced at the piece of jewelry and then his own wrist.

How had the girl gotten his bracelet? He rushed forward.

"That is my—"

The vendor grinned and grabbed it. "I accept! Now get away for me before I change my mind!"

The girl laughed and grabbed Ben's wrist. "Of course, Greedo!" Ben watched as the girl let out a soft whistle, and a tiny animal emerged from the battered sack she wore across her hips.

He again opened his mouth to argue but was pushed to walk by the girl. They made it to the end of the street before Ben stopped and glanced at the girl, his eyes furious.

"That was my father's bracelet!" He practically roared, his eyes angry, "How could you give it to that despicable man? I have it in my right mind to go back there and cut his arm off!"

The girl simply laughed and whistled again. Ben watched, mouth agape, as the tiny orange, furry animal climbed onto her shoulder. The girl grabbed a glimmering object from the snoot of the animal and smiled. She held out the bracelet.

"You mean this one?" She asked, her lips twisting into a smile. Ben could only nod. "So, will you apologize now?"

Before Ben could respond, the sound a shriek froze them both. From only feet away, Greedo stood, pointing at the pair of them, two stormtroopers flaked at each of his sides. "There they are! The thieves! They ruined one of my products and stole my payment!"

The girl gulped, tucked the bracelet into her bag, before holding her hand out. "You can apologize to me when we lose them."

And again, before Ben could even let out a squawk of agreement, his body was lurched forward. With her hand in his, he had no choice but to race after her, four stormtroopers following behind.

-x-x-x-

The day had been going well for Rey. She and Finn had successfully repaired an old pair of spectacles and managed to trade them for a sack of potatoes and two portions of dried beef. For the pair of them, it was quite a feast, and would pair perfectly with the bag full of apples Rey had successfully snatched on the way home.

After a quick snack, Finn decided to take a short nap, but Rey, still high on endorphins from the successful day, decided to try her luck again. She had spotted a vendor selling an exotic fruit she didn't recognize earlier in the day, and immediately knew that would be her next target.

But before she even reached the booth, she heard Greedo yelling. She and Finn were familiar with Greedo's business. Everything he sold was either a reproduction, scavenged, or stolen. As a result, she and Finn had sold to the man before, so Rey wasn't keen to see him embattled in any sort of conflict.

He may have been a wicked sort of man, but he usually gave her and Finn food if they snatched something worthwhile. At any rate, when she spotted the conflict, she had nearly convinced herself not to get involved. In fact, it wasn't until she noticed the body language of the cloaked man at the booth that she did.

The man was extraordinarily tall, practically towering over Greedo, and appeared to be exquisitely dressed. And Rey immediately recognized his combat pose, as well as the way his hand moved to his hip.

Such a pose meant the man would soon be drawing his weapon. Weapons meant conflict and violence. Conflict and violence meant additional palace guards on the street.

More guards meant less opportunities for Rey to steal.

Less stealing meant less food.

Rey was not going to let this cloaked man cut into her already minimal food supply. And so, she intervened and had almost congratulated herself for how smoothly things had gone. But then, Greedo, despite normally being quite the idiot, immediately noticed her trickery.

So, she had no choice but to grab the hand of the cloaked man and run.

And ran they did. Despite his large form, he kept up with her, following every curve and break in the roads. He never questioned when she shoved him into an alleyway or forced him to hide behind bales of hay.

They only managed to lose the stormtroopers when Rey had the sense to bring him up to her home. Once in her safe space, she dropped to the ground, gasping for air. He did the same, staring at her with wide eyes.

Bebe popped back out of her bag and trotted to her makeshift bed, content to curl into a ball. It was then that Rey noticed Finn's absence. Perhaps after his nap, he was feeling the same burst of adrenaline she had felt earlier.

Rey hoped for his sake, his venture back into the city didn't turn out the same as hers.

After a few moments of only their breathing, the cloaked man rose to his feet and stared down at her. Logically, Rey knew she should have been scared, given that this man was armed, and she had stolen from him.

Yet, in his presence, she felt safe. He let out a staggered breath.

"Why did you get yourself involved?" He asked, clearly attempting to remain calm, "I was perfectly capable of taking care of that sniveling merchant."

Rey scoffed and stood up, only then realizing just how tall the man was. "Your idea of taking care of Greedo was killing him!"

The man looked affronted. He shrugged. "I would have only killed him if he gave me no choice. I was merely going to scare him."

She frowned and shook her head. "Greedo is awful, but that's no reason to kill him!" She sighed and began to take her hair down, intent to fix her now messy buns, "Besides, murder leads to more palace guards. And more palace guards mean less chances to steal."

The cloaked man stared at her, clearly enamored by the way she combed her hair with her fingers. "Less theft is most certainly not a negative."

"It is when you'll starve otherwise." She retorted, locking her gaze on his, "Because some of us can't afford Endorian silk."

He took a step back and looked around her home. "I see. You're a street rat."

Rey rolled her eyes and grabbed one of her previously stolen apples. She took a bite and yawned. "I prefer scavenger, but whatever floats your boat."

He waved off her words and wandered around the space, admiring what remained of the architecture. He glanced back at her. "Was this a cathedral?"

She nodded and tossed the remainder of her apple to Bebe, who eagerly nibbled on the fruit. "All of the Jedi churches were burned a few years ago. Practicing Jedism is a crime now."

The man touched the walls and frowned. "I didn't know that."

Rey raised her eyebrow and stared at the man. "You didn't know that? What, do you live under a rock?" She tapped her chin and shrugged, "How can you work at the Palace and not know what's gone into law?"

The man froze, clearly surprised by her comment. "You…" He cleared his throat and looked away, "You know I work in the palace? How?"

She snorted. "Come on! Endorian silk? A Corellian sword?"

"And how could you possibly know I have a Corellian sword?"

Rey smirked and held up the weapon. "Because I took it."

The man's mouth fell open. He began to frantically grab at his hip, only stopping when he realized he had indeed been stolen from. "My, you really are a little street rat."

With a laugh, she dropped the weapon, uninterested. She stared at the man, still grinning. "So, what is it that you do there? Do you work for the Queen? Lord Snoke? The Prince?"

He cleared his throat and sheathed his sword. "I…" He bit his lip, "I am a footman for Prince Benjamin."

"I see." She jumped to her feet and held out her hand, still grinning, "You can call me Rey. I much prefer that to street rat."

He swallowed and shook her hand. "You may call me Kylo."

"Well, Kylo, you want an apple?" She held out the juicy red fruit, still smiling.

Kylo stared at the fruit, before accepting it. He took a bite before fiddling in his pockets, quickly removing a sack of what Rey recognized to be chestnuts. "Would you like some chestnuts?"

She nodded eagerly and accepted the bag, alternating between bites of sweet fruit and sweet nut.

And so, they sat there, feasting, eyes locked on each other.

-x-x-x-

Ben was absolutely captivated by the little street rat in front of him.

No, not a street rat. A scavenger, as she had so eloquently corrected him. With big hazel eyes and pouty lips, he wanted nothing more but to bring her back to the palace, perhaps to claim as his first concubine.

He had never in his life been so enchanted with a woman, let alone have had so much fun. Running from his own guards through his own city was an experience he knew he would not soon forget.

With a charming name like Rey, he knew he would also not forget about the little spitfire, especially after she managed to disarm him, and steal two of his three bags of chestnuts. Based on her thin frame, he figured she would do better with them than him, but he was as equally frustrated by her skillset as he was captivated.

In fact, he wanted to stay forever in her makeshift home, but as he watched the sun begin to set, he knew he had to return. Rey guided him back to the palace walls, as he embarrassingly did not know the way back. Based on their earlier plan, Poe was due to meet him there at sundown to sneak him back inside.

Rey offered him a charming grin and bounced on her toes. "Well, Kylo, thanks for the chestnuts."

He couldn't help but return her smile, still entranced by her sparkling hazel eyes. "As I recall, you did not ask. You took."

"Ah, but by not reclaiming them, you've given me permission to keep them," She retorted, her cheeks tinging pink, "So again, thank you."

He chuckled and nodded. "I suppose. Thank you for saving me, Rey." At the sound of a deep throat clearing, he looked over to spot Poe, waiting beside a cart filled with crates. He sighed and looked back to Rey. "I must go now. Do you have my father's bracelet?"

Rey nodded. "Yes! I do," She hummed happily, before digging into the sack around her hips. Ben watched as her hands continued to dig, immediately noticing the way her lips turned in, "Um…"

Ben frowned. "Rey?"

"Um, Bebe must have hidden it. She really loves shiny stuff, and sometimes she takes things without me knowing and hides them, but—"

Ben couldn't help but growl. "Are you telling me you do not have it?"

She frowned and looked down. "Not on me, but if you—"

He held up his hand and shook his head. "There is no need. I should have let the stormtroopers take you earlier." He stepped backwards, "You are a street rat."

With a defeated sigh, he walked towards Poe, ignoring her pleas from behind him. Sure, he would miss his father's bracelet, but if he really wanted it, he could have troopers search every inch of the city until it was found.

The bracelet was just a hunk of gold. If anything, he was saddened by her true nature. Just when he finally thought he had made a connection, he learned her true colors.

Perhaps it wasn't really a surprise. He had always been taught never to trust a thief.

He met Poe with a solemn nod and prepared to return to his prison.

-x-x-x-

"Wait, what happened?" Finn exclaimed, taking breaks to speak and breathe between mouthfuls of chestnuts, "I leave for a few hours and you bring a palace footman, a different palace footman than my palace footman, into our home?!"

Rey sat perched on an old crate, spinning Kylo's bracelet between her finger tips. She shrugged. "I didn't know where else to take him."

Finn gasped, his eyes zeroing in on the bracelet in her hands. "Rey! You hit the motherload!" He exclaimed, tossing the empty chestnut bag to the ground, "We'll eat for months with that thing!"

She frowned and immediately tucked it into her pocket. "No!" She jumped to her feet and placed her hands on her hips, "I'm going to return it to Kylo."

Finn raised an eyebrow, staring at his friend. She returned his gaze, her eyes adorably serious. It made him laugh. "You're kidding, right? And how will you do that?"

Rey swallowed and bounced on her heels. "Easy. I'll sneak into the palace."

"Rey… Have you lost your mind? I know we had a great day, but you're not invincible!" Finn sputtered, staring at his best friend in disbelief, "I can't let you do this."

With a gulp, Rey whistled for Bebe, only relaxing when her trusty fox was settled into her bag. She quickly tied her long hair back into her signature three buns and grabbed a long stretch of fabric from her bed. A few folds later, the fabric transformed into a scarf of sorts, and Rey quickly covered her face.

She took one look at Finn and moved to the ladder. "I love you, but you don't dictate what I do. I'll be back before sunrise."

And before Finn could argue, she disappeared.

-x-x-x-

"Well, you've been a moody shit since you returned," Poe remarked, setting a tray of tea beside Ben, "I was hoping your trip to the city would be invigorating. Was it not?"

Ben sighed and stared at the open doors of his balcony, the glimmer of the ocean a taunting reminder of his isolation. A sprawling city and a massive ocean sat at his fingertips, yet his exposure to either required trickery and deceit.

He glanced at Poe and shrugged. "I keep thinking about that little thief I met."

Poe frowned and added sugar to Ben's tea. "Shall I alert the guards? Have the bracelet retrieved?"

Ben waved his hand. "No. She will sell it and it will make its way back to me. I am more disappointed in her character. She was such a feisty little thing. For a moment I even…"

His footman looked at him curiously. "You what?"

"Well, I considered taking her," Ben began, before sipping his tea, "As maybe a concubine." He shook his head and sighed, "Perhaps it was a silly thought."

Poe shrugged and sat beside the Prince. "I think not. You are entitled to one. And her role as a mistress would have kept her fed and off the streets."

Ben pushed the tray away and threw his head back. "It is of no consequence any longer. She's a thief and that door has closed."

With a sad smile, Poe retrieved the tray. "I'm sorry, Ben." He sighed and moved to the door, "If you need me, I will be in my quarters."

As soon as the door closed, Ben rose to his feet and trudged to the balcony, an overwhelming sense of loneliness settling over him. He couldn't help but stare at the city below, imaging what life would be like living outside of the palace walls.

How did it feel to run around with brothers and sisters, teasing siblings through laughter and smiles?

What would it be like to sail the world, to captain his own ship and to explore the mysteries of the deep sea?

Could he meet his soul mate, a woman who would captivate his mind, his body, and his heart?

He frowned and grasped the railing, knowing it was silly to obsess about what he considered to be the injustices in his life. Was it just for him to whine about his circumstances?

When he compared himself to Rey, a scavenger who lived on goods she sold or stole, he felt ashamed.

One day, not too far into the future, he would be King of Coruscant. He had a duty to fulfill, one that allowed him little time to consider life if he weren't a Prince.

But as he turned to venture back into his bedroom, to climb into his bed and fall into a dreamless sleep, a hooded figure dropped from above. He didn't even have a chance to scream before the hood dropped, exposing him to the street rat, her golden skin shining in the moonlight.

"Rey—" He sputtered out, staring at her with wide eyes, "What are you doing here? How did you get into the palace?"

The spitfire grinned and perched herself on the railing, swinging her legs back and forth gleefully. She shrugged. "It's easier than you'd think. Your guards aren't all that smart."

Ben cleared his throat. "Right. Erm," He looked around the open areas of the palace, concerned about their visibility on the balcony. He grabbed her arm, "Follow me. It's best we aren't caught out here."

He pulled her inside and quickly shut the balcony door. After securing the lock, he turned around to find Rey sprawled across the bench in front of his bed, eating from a bowl of grapes that Poe had delivered to him after dinner. He cleared his throat.

"These are amazing," She gasped and ate another, staring at Ben with wide eyes, "Say, what are these called?"

Ben blushed. "Uh. Grapes. They come in different varieties. Some very sweet. Some sour. Purple, green, red—"

She tossed the empty bowl to the side and stood back up, looking around the room in awe. "This is marvelous, Kylo. I didn't realize a footman would have such grand quarters!"

He coughed and scratched as his neck. "Um, Rey, is there a reason—" His words died in his throat as her tiny furry friend appeared on the table to his right, his father's bracelet hanging from its snoot. With wide eyes, he retrieved the bracelet and looked at Rey. "You returned it?"

She scoffed and fell to one of his plush chairs. "Why so surprised? I said I would. Bebe is just a little thief, that's all."

Her words made him smile. "Well, surely your friend learns it from someone." He watched the little animal scurry to Rey's lap, "What exactly is she?"

Rey grinned and pet the animal's head. "I believe her to be a fox. She's very small though. I found her eating our scraps a few years ago. She was too clever not to keep. Now she's one of my best friends."

Ben swallowed and nodded, watching the delicate way Rey treated the animal. He couldn't help but blush. "I'm sorry for calling you a street rat."

She shrugged. "I've been called much worse. It's alright." She grinned and approached Ben, staring at him curiously, "So, Kylo, where is the Prince? Can I catch a glimpse of him? Rumor is he's disfigured or something. Must be why they keep him cooped up."

He coughed and bit his lip. "Oh. The Prince is um. Asleep. It's late. He has an early bedtime."

Rey pouted and dropped to the edge of his bed, wiggling her butt into the lush surface. She gasped and looked at Ben, mouth agape. "You sleep on this every night? Is this what clouds are made of?"

He stared at her, unable to hide his smile. "You're very skilled at stealing. But can your talents sneak a bed out of the palace?"

She smirked and laid backwards, letting her head hit the mattress. "No. But I did steal that weird little statue by your chair."

Ben blinked and looked to the chair she mentioned, along with the table next to it. And just as Rey had promised, the silver statue of a mermaid that used to sit on the wooden surface was now gone. He glanced back at Rey. "Why would you tell me?"

"It's fun to watch your face when you find out," Rey retorted, before sitting back up with a grin, "Say, you have any food, Kylo? I'm starving."

-x-x-x-

After ignoring some very knowing looks from Poe, Ben accepted a tray full of the finest foods found in the kitchens. Exotic fruits, sweet pastries, dried meats, and the richest stout found in the northern hemisphere surrounded them, an offering promising full stomachs and large smiles.

However, Ben had already eaten his supper, and instead settled into his chair, watching Rey and the fox dig into the food. Her actions were ravenous and lacked even the most basic of couth. Yet, Ben couldn't help but be charmed as he watched her alternate between taking bites of dried elk and chocolate cake.

Perched on her lap, the little fox happily accepted pieces of food from Rey, making delighted yipping noises when she ate something she particularly liked. Only when Rey was fully sated, with streaks of chocolate and god knows what else across her mouth, she slumped into the chair, a content grin across her lips.

"Oh, wow," She purred, before rubbing a hand across her flat stomach, "I've never eaten so well in my life." She sat up and began to fill her bag up with what remained, "Are you sure the Prince is okay with you taking such fine food after hours?"

Ben merely smiled and nodded. "Believe me, he is quite alright with it. Especially since you seemed to enjoy it far more than he ever does."

She nodded and buckled her bag, before taking her sleeve to wipe at her dirty face. "Well, if your daily meals are ever comprised of whatever you can steal or scavenge from the trash, you'll understand."

He frowned, watching as she expertly brushed the fur of the fox with her fingers, humming contently. The fox looked just as happy and curled into Rey's lap, immediately falling into a deep sleep.

Suddenly, Ben was overcome with a desire to see her return. He wanted Rey back in his quarters. He wanted to show her what palace life was like.

What would she think about their endless quantities of food? Would she enjoy sleeping in his comfortable bed, covered in the finest silk and feathers from across the globe? Would she let him ravish her, let him kiss and lick and rub every delightful inch of her body?

He bolted to his feet, a decision made. "Rey," He began, his voice shaking despite the confidence he liked to believe he held, "I would like you to return to me tomorrow at sundown."

While her attention had been directed to his impressive collection of books, Rey stopped at the sound of his voice. She turned and stared at him, eyebrow raised. "You want me to return to the palace? Why?"

Well, that was an excellent question. Why did he want her to return? What drew him to this girl? Sure, the thought of inviting her into his bed was tempting, but he knew their connection was deeper than carnal desire. He wanted to give her everything she lacked—food, clothes, and most importantly, a purpose.

Or, that was the easy explanation at least. But if he were honest with himself, he knew the truth.

He was lonely.

"I enjoy your company," He explained, watching as she stepped away from the bookshelf, "And since you claim it is so easy to break into the palace, it should be no difficult task for you."

She cleared her throat. "Really? You want me to return?"

He nodded. "I do. And I will feed you."

If only he could describe the way her eyes sparkled at the mention of food. "You will provide food? Really?"

"As much as you'd like."

She swallowed and nodded eagerly. "I'll return at sundown, Kylo."

He smiled and led her to the balcony, unable to hold back his laugh as she jumped onto the railing, her flexibility reminding him of a monkey. "Be safe, Rey."

With a grin, she jumped away, her form hidden by the shadows of the palace, never to be caught by the roaming guards.

Ben smiled and returned to his room, a massive grin across his face.

For once in his life, he felt happy.

-x-x-x-

It was a coincidence, really, that Prince Ben was in such happy spirits as he drifted off to sleep. Because as it was, so too was Armitage Hux, watching the interior of the palace from his own sleeping quarters.

The girl was crafty, flexible, and seemed to share some sort of connection with the Prince.

She was perfect.

Lord Snoke would be thrilled with his discovery.