Ben – Age 10

Ben never explained why he was cantankerous about "the naming incident". Either he considered himself to be uncannily forgiving, or he chose to ignore "past trespasses". (Poe wondered if a smidgen of retaliation was also involved, as he noticed his training X-wing was liberally coated with soot every morning for a week after Ben discussed changing his name.) Either way, Poe never heard the conclusion. He did notice Han looked miffed for weeks afterwards.

It seemed that when Ben needed someone, it was important to him that Poe was merely there. The cadet was rudely awoken one night, three hours before he was due for the early maintenance shift, by the incessant pinging of his door chime. Wondering if he'd set the chrono wrong, Poe dragged himself out of his bunk, slung his jacket over the rumpled uniform he'd fallen asleep in, and clapped the wall until he found the door release. Instantly a ragged bundle of blanket and black hair tucked itself against him.

"Ben?" Poe mumbled, rubbing a hand over his eyes. "Wha' time is it? What're you doing here?"

"I – I dreamed something," Ben said haggardly.

Even half-asleep, Poe recognized a fear that shouldn't be ignored. Groaning softly as he glanced at the chrono, he guided Ben to the bunk and sat them both down. "Kay…. Tell me about it."

Chestnut eyes were unhinged doors of fright. "I was on a planet – a planet full of sand. There was a red sword in my hands – and you were there. You were scared of me."

"Scared?" Poe paused with one hand still clapped over his cheek. "Of you?" Not the brat whose lower lip still trembled when he dropped his frosty treat. Not the kid who hacked at his hair every morning because he couldn't drag a brush through it. "Not possible."

Ben slowly exhaled. "It was just a silly dream, wasn't it?" He tethered onto Poe's confidence.

"Yup," Poe agreed, too exhausted to say otherwise. "There are no sand-filled planets around here – unless you want to hijack a freighter to Tatooine."

Ben shuddered. "Just a dream," he repeated to himself.

"Yup." Poe had the impression he was parroting himself. Yawning, he stretched and waved Ben off his bunk. "Sorry, Ben, but I have early shift tomorrow. We'll talk later, kay?"

Ben pulled the blanket tighter around his shoulders. "Can I stay here with you? Just tonight?"

Terror ringed the boy's eyes in shadow. In the folds of his blanket, he melded with the shadows. Poe stared incomprehensibly, almost catching a wisp of … something… and yet nothing at all.

"Fine," he acquiesced, scooting to the far side of the bunk. Promptly Ben scrambled in beside him, tucking every inch of blanket aside to avoid "unnecessary contact". He didn't complain when Poe spread a blanket over them both.

"Poe," Ben said as the pilot-in-training closed his eyes. "You won't ever be afraid of me… promise?"

"Go to sleep, Ben," Poe grumbled.

"You have to promise!" Ben urged.

"Yeah. Yeah, I promise," Poe assured. "Won't ever be scared of you, kid."

He failed that promise, like so many others, the moment his blaster bolt froze before Ben's outstretched hand.

He tried to smile anyways. Even on his knees, he pretended he wasn't terrified.

So many reviews since the last chapter. 0_o

In response to guest reviews:

Gunny: I love plot bunnies and prompts! I'll keep your idea in mind for later chapters.

J.B: Great insight on the last chapter! Your description is probably the best explanation I can offer for SilverclawRose's question.

(SilverclawRose - I would have personally responded to your review, but I couldn't send you a private message.)

Thank you to Pinky-chan2, Nadreth, Elleth of Mossflower, CatWingsAthena, Begoogled, CrazedFangirl13, Booksnake3, Real1Swear, Sayichi, Rasasvada98, Space Opera Singer, SilverclawRose, Fangirl4life2001, and guests J.B and Gunny for reviewing!