a light in the dark of the world {art}

[altocello]

"Well is this love?
Formed in the heart of the sun
Raised from the dust of our days
Learned from the error of our ways
Oh is this love?
A light in the dark of the world"
--"The World's Smiling Now" by Jim James

This tiny, gentle moment just before their kiss holds a special place in my heart. This is the first time that we ever see Ben smile, and I'm always drawn in by the complexity and intensity of the emotions warring on his face-- worry, relief, and love are all chasing their way across his features-- as he gazes at Rey. He may not say a word, but he really doesn't need to, it's all right there in the rumple of his brow, the tiny upward quirk of his brows, the way he purses his lower eyelids, the slightly frantic way he searches her face before meeting her gaze, the slow hesitant bloom of his wry smile, and in the tender grasp of his hand at the nape of her neck. 

The reverence in their touches, the magnetism of their shared gaze; you can tell the world has fallen away, and they don't see their surroundings. Just each other.

About 12 hours of drawing time.