Chapter Text
“Mr. Solo, look here,” Ben turned and gave a well-practiced smile. He’d just launched his newest line under Skywalker Jewelries and his mother had deemed it necessary to throw the biggest, most glamorous party she could, inviting only those in the upper echelons of society because, of course, who else would be able to afford one-of-a-kind jewellery made by none other than Ben Solo himself?
He’d been dubbed the God of Goldsmiths for almost four years now, having launched his first line of the delicate filigreed works right after he’d done his apprenticeships and graduated college; and though he’d branched out a little since, working in gems and experimenting with other materials, the name had stuck.
And in a way it was apt. It started with his fascination with weapons and blacksmiths and since he’s come from a family of jewellers, it was only natural that his interests would coincide with his family’s. He’d fallen in love with the history and labour and the process that goes into each piece, the clean-cut facade he shows the public hiding what was essentially a grimy forge-worker because, well, what else would a goldsmith be?
Still, he rather enjoyed the way the public perceived him.
Sleek, despite his noticeable bulk, clean, and beautiful, like his works. The glamour and sparkles hid hours and hours of hard labour and he liked to think that the public thought he made it seem so easy.
Sure, he made moulds as well for the company but for his personal line, it was all handmade and special.
The epitome of luxe.
Bazine’s hand snaked across his arm. His girlfriend smiled at the camera. She’d been one of the models First Order had sent them for that one year he’d been obsessed with rubies and garnets and worked with nothing but red gems.
And red did suit her, very well. Her blood-red lipstick matched the choker necklace she wore. The rubies dripped down her collarbone, almost like blood, and that’s what he had intended.
She wasn’t happy she had to return it after. It was one of the more expensive pieces they had on display, after all and his mother had made her sign a contract. She did, but afterwards she’d gone to him crying and accidentally broke one of the vases in the penthouse. He understood where his mother was coming from though, it was priceless, using only the clearest, most vibrant of rubies, so he placated her with something a bit more subdued, one she could wear on a daily basis instead of just during events.
She’d moped and pouted but accepted it anyway. She just didn’t understand the amount of work that goes into the show pieces.
And they are for show, they’re made to sit in a glass case with just the right amount of light pointing at it so people could fully, truly appreciate its beauty.
He never let her in his workshop and she never asked.
Just like how he never asked about her modelling.
It was a comfortable relationship, one they were both content with.
“Ben, smile,” She said as they walked, “The photographers are still taking pictures,”
He gave a little smile and winced at the flashes.
Baz had started going around talking to people the moment they stepped in the hotel ballroom leaving him to his devices. He made his way to the bar to get a drink.
He’s going to have to talk to some of the bigwigs soon, especially the suppliers. There’s a monopoly on gemstones no matter how you look at it so it’s always good to keep good relations with the owners.
The most important of which, was Sheev Palpatine. The Palpatines had owned mines for centuries. They’ve been trying to get into contact with him for years but not once had he, or even his mother, met the man. They’ve been partners, of course, ever since Ben’s grandfather established Skywalker Jewelries but only Anakin has met Sheev himself.
Hopefully this time around he attends.
Palpatine did not attend.
Leia was disappointed.
He’d sent his secretary, a tattooed man named Maul, with an apology gift and a message that his granddaughter had taken ill and so he would stay in the hospital with her.
“Well, it can’t be helped,” Leia said, accepting the gift gracefully, before handing it off to her secretary, Kaydel, “Kindly tell him that we hope his granddaughter recovers soon.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Mrs. Organa-Solo,” Maul said gruffly, “I will my take leave now.”
He watched his mother instruct Kaydel to find out where the Palpatine granddaughter was confined and send some fruits over along with a get well soon card.
Bazine’s hand slid around his elbow again and she downed the champagne, “Who was that?”
“Palpatine’s staff.” He said, grimacing at how strongly she smelled of alcohol, “You should sober up a little,” It wouldn’t be good if she was caught dead-drunk on camera. Plus he worried she’d do something rash.
Like misplace the necklace she was wearing.
She pouted, “Come on, Benny, it was just a little bit of champagne,” She trailed her nails, red, of course, over his sleeve, “Why don’t we go somewhere more private, now, hm? You’re done here, right?”
“I still have to meet a few more people,” He said and she pouted some more. The one thing he didn’t love about Baz, was how much of a brat she turned whenever she had alcohol in her. Sure, he could spank it out of her but play is different from when she’s drunk and uncontrollable.
He wouldn’t want to hurt her by accident or be accused of being violent.
He sighed and motioned for Mitaka, one of his mother’s drivers, and instructed him to bring her back home.
He walked her, of course, and she leaned against his arm heavily.
Thankfully she didn’t trip or cause a scene.
The used the back entrance of the hotel to get to the VIP parking lot where their cars sat waiting for them.
She frowned when he took the necklace off of her.
“Sorry, Baz, them’s the rules,” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, “Don’t worry, I’m making you something nice,” He winked and she grinned before blowing him a kiss and sliding into the car.
He pocketed the necklace and went to look for Poe, the man assigned to manage and keep track of all the jewellery they had on show.
It started to sleet by the time the event ended.
Leia wanted him to check in the hotel. She and his father Han had left a little earlier. He didn’t mind; things were dying down anyway and most of the most important guests had already been leaving.
All that were left were the celebrities his age.
He wondered briefly if he should check in like what his mother suggested but the rain was starting to slow. He didn’t really want to stay somewhere not his house. Besides, the little grey kitten he’d taken in was still not used to the penthouse and he didn’t want to leave him alone for longer than necessary.
Baz didn’t like animals but he couldn’t help it seeing as some asshole just left him out and the temperatures were dropping. Besides, he was cute. With a little fattening up and maybe training, he can use him for pictures. Everyone loved seeing cute animals draped in jewels and sparkly things, right?
He said goodbye to the people he met in the lobby, promising to meet up for drinks sometime even though everyone knew that would never happen.
He nodded and tipped the valet before sliding into his car.
The sleek black Jaguar was probably the only luxury item he willingly spent for himself. It was beautiful, fast and fit the image he was trying to cultivate. Sure, his reasoning was shallow but he had a weakness for beautiful things.
Didn’t everyone?
He drove slowly; it wasn’t raining all that hard anymore and it seemed like the sludgy snow had started to melt.
It wasn’t that the truck came out of nowhere.
He saw it, almost in slow motion, as it careened towards him. He even saw the panicking face of the driver. He turned the wheel to avoid it.
And then it was like everything was fast forwarded. He felt the impact but not the pain. The airbags pressed against his torso and he could feel the dripping of the blood on his forehead and hear the ringing in his ears.
His eyes blurred and everything was stained red.
It was strange. He could hear people, but it was distant and garbled, like he was underwater. There was a flashing light and a weight he didn’t know was weighing his leg down was lifted.
Then it was black again and the next thing he felt was the hard bed under him. It was moving, rushing really, and he had some sort of mask on.
It was so bright.
His vision was blurry.
He needed to get home.
He still had to finish a bracelet and feed his cat.
He closed his eyes again.