Chapter Text
The inn was bustling with life. Rey work as the inn's maid who attended the guests. Her master was the inn keeper, an obnoxious old man with loose morals.
On the weekends, Rey would put on her periwinkle blue gown and stand in front of the soldiers of Australia and sing for them. It filled her empty pockets. They'd hand her a few pence. She could use it to afford her meals.
Back in Ireland, she used to sing all the time. Her mother would parade her around at house parties and have her perform for her friends. Rey loved performing. For a little bit, she gets to pretend to be someone else. She isn't a convict or a maid or shackled to Australia, waiting for her papers of freedom.
Her best friend, Rose was a scullery maid at the inn. She helped lace the back of Rey's gown. It was her mother's, she gave it to her when she turned fifteen, before their estrangement.
"You look so pretty, Rey." Rose complimented.
"Thank you," Rey smiled warmly. She felt more anxious than normal. Her friend could read her anxiety well.
"It'll be fine. You've done this loads of times." She reminded her companion, rubbing her arm.
"Commander Solo is out there!" Rey exclaimed. She had heard stories of his heroism. He was a noble and strong man. He was knighted by the bloody Queen! Rey had to clean his room, having to empty his chamberpot. He made her skin prickle. He'd watch her as if she was an intruder each time she entered to fix his bed. He never took his eyes off her.
"Aye, but that doesn't matter. As long as you do as you normally do, all is well. I hear his pockets are heavy with coins, perhaps he'd give you a note instead of a pence."
"Don't be daft! I'm not that good!" Rey scoffed. "A note? No, not I."
"He may find you enchanting like the others." Rose smirked.
"There are no others." Rey tried to say firmly, but she knew there were pigs out there who were eager to rip her apart. Her mother taught her that men will take and take from you until there's nothing left except the core and no man wanted the core. They didn't care for it. As Rey got older, she experienced strange men tugging at her skirts as a tween. She didn't want to be pretty at all if it meant being constantly pawed at.
On the ship over, the seamen would practically starve the women. She had to feel inside one seaman's trousers for a loaf of bread. She was half-crazed by starvation that she'd do anything to eat. The bread she got was moldy and stale, but she ate every part of it anyways.
Rose shook her head at her friend. "And Mr Solo is quite handsome. Maybe he'd give you more than a note."
Rey crinkled her nose, making her friend laugh. "Aye, he's handsome, but I am not a bedwarmer."
"But a mistress?"
"Never,"
Rose giggled, smoothing down the back of the gown. "You are ready to put on a show."
Rey took a shaky breath. "Perhaps you can go instead? Do you think Plutt will believe me if I say I'm ill?"
"Nay, he gets many guests because men want to see you sing. Old Johnson's stayed a week over his departure. He keeps requesting you sing every night."
Rey pulled a disgusted face. She couldn't stand that creep. He slapped her ass once. He'd make an effort to be in his undergarments when she entered his room.
Rose gave Rey a shot of whiskey for her nerves and sent her out the door. Rey stood in the entrance to the dining room. The space was filled with soldiers in red. It was like an overflowing red sea, except if the sea was rowdy and disruptive. In a corner was where Commander Solo sat in his khaki uniform to differentiate himself. He was loaded with pins to show his rank.
He was a handsome man in a terrifying way. His dark eyes were so severe and he never smiled. She had heard from the other women that he was disinterested in buying them for a night, while his men were quite excited to.
The moment she entered, she felt his cold stare. It followed her up to the small platform where the band was playing. As she stepped up on it, whistles filled the air. She hated the whistling.
She folded her hands before her as she waited for the crowd to settle down. She turned around to the fiddler, Finn.
"First song is Siúil a Rún, mate."
"Yes, Miss Rey."
She pat his arm. "Ta," she stood as stoic as she could muster. She closed her eyes to ignore the men and just let the music flow through her and wait for her cue.
"I wish I was on yonder hill
Tis there I’d sit and cry my fill
Till every tear would turn a mill
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan."
She sang beautifully. Her father used to say that if the angels sang, it'd sound just like her.
Commander Solo rubbed his bottom lip absentmindedly as he watched her. He found her enchanting like a siren. She dominated the space with her voice. This was her inn in this very moment. She claimed everyone's attention with complete rapture.
He longed for her beautiful hazel eyes to grace him. She swayed her hips, making his hunger grow. As she sang, her confidence and smile grew.
He felt anger that anyone else could enjoy this other than him. He glanced over at one of his soldiers, Poe, who was appearing entranced by her.
When Solider Mitaka started to whoop and take away from her performance, Commander Solo grabbed a bread roll and chucked it accurately at the boy's head, shutting him up. No one dares to challenge Solo, which is why his unit was successful. He demanded complete submission and he got it without fail.
"Gorgeous girl," General Hux stated softly as he sipped his drink.
"Quite," Solo replied stiffly.
"I’ll sell my rock, I’ll sell my reel
I’ll sell my only spinning wheel
to buy my love a sword of steel
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
Siuil, siuil, siuil a ruin
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh liom
I’ll dye my petticoats, I’ll dye them red
and it’s round the World I will beg for bread
until my parents would wish me dead.
Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan
Siuil, siuil, siuil a ruin
Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin
Siuil go doras agus ealaigh liom..."
Solo glanced at the inn owner who stood in the corner sucking on his pipe until his face was red. He collected coins in a hat that Solo doubted went to the singer.
He had wished to know her name. He imagined it was as beautiful as she.
When the song finished, men erupted into applause. Men jumped to their feet readily. Ben stood up too, he stood almost a head taller than the other men. Only General Hux meeting his height.
Rey looked around the room with a blush on her cheeks. Her eyes traveled across the room until they landed on him. He soaked in her glance before she looked away.
"Thank you," she shouted over the crowd. She had a beautiful Irish accent, sounding like she grew up in Cork. "I shall sing one more if that's alright. The next song will be Whiskey in a Jar!"
"As I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I first produced me pistol and I then produced me rapier
Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar"
She sang with a smile and did a quick jig that she learned as a girl from her father. This song was much more uplifting, causing people to clap and sing along.
Ben didn't enjoy watching her turn to the man playing the fiddle. They'd sing along and she'd do a quick dance with him. A fire raged through his chest and his eyes slitted. He longed to grab his pistol from its holster and shoot the man dead for looking at her with delight.
Rey spun around, making her gown flare out. Men started whistling at that, which made her appear embarrassed. He wished to order them all to shut the fuck up and just watch her.
When she was finished, everyone clapped and she bowed. She pat Finn's arm, making Ben grow with jealousy.
Rey then had men hand her pennies and farthings. She thanked them all. She straightened her back and felt fear prickle her spine again as Commander Solo approached her.
She bowed awkwardly. "Commander,"
"What's your name?" He asked in a deep English accent as he fished into his coat pocket.
"Rey," she answered. He was very handsome now that she got a look at him. He looked possibly Roman. He looked like he could play Caesar on the stage.
He gave her the tiniest smirk. "Rey what?"
"Rey O'Dunne," she said politely.
"Where are you from Rey O'Dunne?"
Rey briefly knitted her eyebrows together with confusion with all his questioning. She felt like she was being interrogated. "Cork,"
He hummed sagely. "Beautiful city."
"Quite," she replied with a nod.
He handed her two pound notes. She was stunned. She looked at the money and was about to tell him he made a mistake but he took a step back. "See you soon, Rey O'Dunne of Cork." He then walked away before she could say another word.
She couldn't believe such kindness. She wished to thank him profusely. She shall take care in cleaning his room until he departs. She tried to recover and smile with gratefulness as she's handed more coins for her performance. Some men tried to chat her up and offer to buy her a drink, but she declined each time.
When the night whined down. Rey helped serve with Rose. Occasionally men tried to flirt, but she carried on. Half of the time she couldn't hear their lewd comments over the noise.
She was delivering a solider his beer when Rose tapped her shoulder. She seemed a bit fearful. "Commander Solo wants to speak to you. He's in his chambers waiting. H-He had a scowl upon his face."
Rey paled in this news. She nodded her head and smoothed her dress as she exited the dining room and went down the corridors to to his suite.
Her palms were beginning to sweat with each moment. When she arrived at his door, she gave a gentle knock. She heard his baritone voice and entered.
He was sitting at his desk mulling over paperwork. He stood up to greet her. She let the heavy door shut behind her. "You wished to speak to me, sir?" She walked up to his desk with his money in hand. "You may have it all back-"
"I did not call you to take my money. That is yours to keep." He replied formally. His lack of expression was unnerving.
"Oh," she was very surprised.
"Are you a convict, Rey?" He asked her bluntly.
She blinked a few times before answering. "Er, yes."
"Larceny? Like the rest?" He asked again as he took a step closer.
It took all her might not to take a step away from him. He had a dominating presence. "Quite," her heart was beginning to race, she didn't know what to expect from this man.
"What did you steal?"
"I didn't steal," she snipped at him at the burning memory. "My ma framed me."
He quirked his eyebrows. "Oh? Why would she do such a thing?"
"I come from a performing family. My dad was or is- I know not of what had came of him these last five years- an actor. My mam was an Opera singer and actress. I got to do some acting growing up, small roles in my mother's productions. Anyways, when I was fifteen, we auditioned for the same part and I got it. Apparently, the director said she was getting old and they wanted a new fresh face for the stage. I was marked her enemy and said I stole her silver necklace and planted it on me. I had everything taken from me from that moment." She answered earnestly. She licked her bottom lip and shook her head. "I shall never forgive her."
"She was jealous of you." Ben Solo stated.
Rey shrugged her shoulders. "I think she was stung from the director and took it out on me. But it cost me of my life."
"I'd say I was sorry for you, but selfishly, I am glad you are here in Australia. I am grateful I get to see you perform."
She smiled warmly at him. She preened with that compliment from such a high rank official. Her stomach flipped a little as well. Her cheeks grew into a rosy tint. He wasn't so bad after all.
"Thank you, sir." She scrambled for something else to say. "You're English, where from?"
"London,"
"Did you always want to be a commander?"
He nodded his head. "My father was one and his before him. It is in my blood."
"I hear only great things of your bravery. So, I suppose so that it's in your blood. You're a born leader."
He managed to smile at her. "Yes, I believe I am."
She swallowed hard and tried to change the conversation. "Why have you called for me, Commander?"
He paused as he searched her face, or maybe commit it to memory. "Are you married?"
This took her by surprise and she let out a nervous laugh as she bravely stepped back. "No,"
"A paramour?" He continued to press.
"I am rather busy with my work." Rey responded. Feeling like this whole thing was not kindness but to take another thing from her. She felt silly to think he was different. "I must go-"
"Plutt knows you'll be here for the night." He responded casually.
Nausea started to sweep over her. "Excuse me?"
He took a step forward with his hands in his pockets. How could he be so nonchalant about this? He was such an entitled prick. "I gave him ten pounds,"
"I'm not a prostitute!" She hissed vehemently at him. "You fucking pervert!"
She took a step to walk away, when she felt his hands pinning her arms down and he swang her around to press her butt against his desk. He was snarling down at her now. "Don't speak to me such a way again, Rey."
She turned up her mouth at him with disgust. "I am not a whore, I cannot be bought."
He used one hand to stroke her cheek, she flinched away. "You're not a whore. But you're mine."
"You're mad," she tried to flee again but his grip was bone crushing.
"I may be mad, but that doesn't change the fact that the world bends to my will." He growled.
"No, it doesn't! I will not submit to you. Let go of me!"
He flipped her onto her stomach and pinned her arms behind her back. She started to panic as she shook wildly as she tried to get loose.
"I like a fight," he purred.
Tears started to spring from her eyes. "Stop! Please! Unhand me!" She felt his one hand lift her layers and untie her crinoline. He made her kick it away. Without the cage, he had better access to her body. Nothing to keep him away. She thrashed some more but it was helpless. He pulled her drawers down, causing the air to nip at her skin. Hot tears streamed down her face. "Help! Help me!"
"No, no, none of that." He grabbed his knife from his desk and held it to her throat. "I don't wish to harm you, but I will if I have to." She felt his lips against her ear. "I don't want to harm you, little songbird." He pressed a kiss to the side of her head.
"P-please," she whimpered. "Why me?"
He stroked her cheek with the blade. "Because you are perfect. I could love you, Rey. You just have to do as I ask. I can have you on a stage every night and I can give you the world. I can make you my little wife and fuck you full of babies."
She shook her head. "No!"
"You'll want it. Because the alternative is suffering. I will tell Plutt you stole my money and you'll be sent back to that woman's factory where you eat half a loaf of bread a day and be subjected to beatings. I'll make sure you get sent to the railroads and not another home." She started sobbing uncontrollably, her shoulders shook. He cradled his body against hers, shushing her gently. "Now, now, it's okay. All you have to do is be a good little songbird. Can you do that for me?" She shook her head as she hyperventilated. "Deep breaths, songbird. I'll take care of you. It won't be a bad life. You'll grow to love it. To love me as I love you."
"Y-you don't know me."
"I will, I'll know everything about you. You'll keep nothing from me." She tried to pull away fruitlessly. She felt his two fingers stroke her slit, making her gasp. "Let's get you wet first." He pet her lips before dipping his fingers inside her.
He slowly pumped his digits inside her, curving to stroke her walls. He felt them ripple, knowing her body was enjoying it. He knew her eyes were wide with terror, but it'd soon change.
"Commander, no. Stop!" She begged desperately.
"The quicker you submit, the quicker it will be over." He reminded her.
"I can't,"
"Then, I'll have to draw this out." He removed his fingers and went farther to find her clit. Her hips jerked when he found it. He kissed her head as he twirled his fingers over the flesh. He heard her began to pant as her tears started to dry. "Does it feel good, pet?"
"Fuck you," she bit out.
"You will soon enough,"
"I hate you."
He pressed his fingers hard against her clit, making her moan breathlessly. He started to rub the spot over and over, making her hips roll against his hand. Her lips were parted as he continued. She'd occasionally mumble for him to stop.
"Nothing can make me stop." He told her earnestly. "I've wanted this since the moment I've met you."
She swallowed hard and pressed her body against the desk, letting her head hit it. She let out a groan as his twirled his fingers faster. He spelled his name, watching her eyes roll back in her head. Her body was tensing up like she was being possessed.
He slipped his fingers back inside her, finding her soaking wet. Her arousal dripped down his wrist, soaking his uniform. He stroked her inner walls, feeling how velvety smooth she was. Her muscles squeezed around his fingers, making him grow hard.
He couldn't help himself as he dropped to his knees and while still awkwardly holding her hands down, he licked between her thighs, lapping at her wetness. He darted his tongue inside her and licking at her folds. She tasted perfect. He rubbed her clit as he swiped his to tongue against her folds from behind her. He watched her thighs tremble. His beard was drenched with her.
"Commander-"
"Ben," he hummed against her. "Call me Ben as I fuck you."
"Ah!" She cried out. She felt pathetic like this. She hated him and this.
He stood back up and undid his trousers. She felt a blunt object touch her thighs. It was hot to the touch. She started to whimper with fear once again as he slowly eased inside her. It felt strange to stretch to accommodate for him. She could feel how big he was. It felt neverending as he pushed deeper into her heat.
She heard him moan as he seated inside her. "F-fuck!" He stuttered. "You're never leaving me, Rey." He pulled out before sliding slowly back inside her. In slow rhythms, he pumped his hips.
Rey's muscles squeezed around his cock, making him let out a string of swear words. He loved how she squeezed him from all around. He closed his eyes and got lost in the feeling of gliding against her.
Lewd claps of meeting skin filled the room. She let out a cry as he thrusted inside her. He continued to melt against her. He used his free hand to once again pet her clit, rubbing gently as he fucked her. He could feel her pulse thumping against his hand.
She started to squirm for a whole new reason as they fucked. Rey couldn't hold back her moans now. She started to cry out with need. He couldn't stop smiling down at her. This is all he wanted.
She can sing for any crowd she liked, but at night, she fucks only him. She loves only him. He smacked her ass, making her flinch. He loved it every time she gasped.
Her mind was starting cloud over and the only thing that mattered was the sensation and the want to cum. She tightened her fists as the feeling only grew.
She just wanted it all to end. That way she can hate him again and not crave for his cock inside her. She wanted it to end.
She whined with sorrow once more. He cooed at her softly. "I know, baby. You can cum, I'll let you cum."
"S-stop,"
"You can cum, Rey. That's the only way I'll stop."
She burst into tears. Her whole body was growing sensitive and it was growing overwhelming. One part of her never wanted the feelings to go away, while another one wanted it to end in that instant.
She looked into the fireplace. It was only glowing ambers now and she knows she'll have to smoke the fire after he's finished with her.
Her hips bucked against his, meeting each other like two lapping seas. She bit her lip as the tension inside her grew.
Almost in an instance, it broke loose and she cried out as she came undone. Her legs shook as her muscles around him spasmed. It milked his cock until he came as well. He moaned as he pumped her full of his spent. He wanted her cunt to soak up all of it.
His body twitched as did her's as they rode out their high. His body was heavy against hers. He pulled both of their bodies up from the desk.
She had a dazed look in her eyes that was slowly fading away. She started smacking him and punching his chest as her hands were freed.
He let her, it didn't hurt at all. He then gripped her face and slammed his lips against hers, drinking her in. He tried to deepen the kiss but she turned her head away, making him kiss her cheek instead.
"You're mine, songbird. From now on, you take orders from me." He told her sternly.
She looked up at him with her tear stained face. "I take orders from no one."
He smirked before sneaking a kiss against her lips once more. "We'll see about that." He turned her around and untied her dress. She felt defeated as he untied her corset as well, leaving her in her chamise.
He stripped from his clothes as well and grabbed her arm and directed her to his bed. She was weak and tired from all her crying. He pulled the blanket back and had her lay underneath them. He tucked her in before joining her.
He could see the exhaustion on her face. He cupped her jaw, soaking in her appearance. "I love you, little songbird. From now on, you lack nothing. Get some rest, we have planning to do tomorrow."
Rey was forced to lay against his chest as she felt him leak between her thighs. She was too tired to fight it, maybe tomorrow the fight will be back. As he stroked her arm soothingly, a part of her thought it was better to be a commander's whore than a soldier's.