Spoilers for Rise of Skywalker!
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Title: Too Much
author: Cindy Ryan
Spoilers: Rise of Skywalker
Notes: I'm bringing Rise of Skywalker into my Rey/Poe verse. Of course ignoring the kiss and the Finn storyline
Poe Dameron watched the woman next to him sleep. Tears were still evident on Rey's cheeks even in slumber. Even a full day after the victory celebration it'd taken Poe awhile to tell him what happened with Kylo and Palpetine. He'd taken one of the cots and some supplies and together they'd went a few hundred yards away from the camp wanting some privacy. They'd set up camp, had dinner, made love. It was only when they were curled in each other's arms that the dams broke. What she had gone through in Palpetine's cavern still took Poe's breath away. The one person he needed to thank he couldn't. Leia's son was gone.
With a shaky breath Poe placed a light kiss on Rey's forehead and brushed a stray brown hair from her face. She'd kept telling him she was fine. That Ben had come through in the end. That the act of saving Rey and fighting Papletine had redeemed Ben Solo.
Poe sat up and ran a hand over his face. The fire had died and Poe quietly got off the cott and went to it. He put fresh wood on the fire and watched it catch and light. The images that Rey's telling had conjured in his mind still haunted Poe and always would.
"My grandfather killed me, Poe."Rey had said softly. "Ben brought me back."
Ben, no longer Kylo. Han and Leia's son. The one that had caused so much pain and ended so many lives had saved the one that Poe held most dear. The thought that he could've gone looking for Rey once the battle in the stars was over and found her body chilled him. Poe knew he'd have nightmares for awhile of what she'd told him. What she'd endured. Not for the first time Poe wondered if being the last of the Jedi was too much for Rey to bear. Not that she couldn't handle it; she'd proven she could. Poe just wondered if it was too much for one person. Even someone like Rey.
Going back to the cot Poe carefully got back under the blanket and pulled Rey close. She stirred, but didn't wake. Poe rested his head on the pillow and sent off a silent prayer of thanks. Not just for the Alliance victory, but that Rey was safe and sound.
"I love you."Poe whispered.
It wasn't long before he too was asleep.
In her dream Rey saw the spaceships fall. She somehow heard the screams of the pilots, her friends, the ones who counted on her. The ships fell, her grandfather laughed and the world tilted. The dark side called to her it's anger and pain and power. So close. Then the ground opened beneath her and she fell screaming.
"Rey!"
A familiar voice, strong hands gently gripping her pulling her back to awareness.
"Rey! Just a dream; you're safe. I've got you."Poe stated huskily.
Rey blinked as the forest came into focus around her. Sounds, sights and beautifal fresh air. Part of Rey that had been alone for so long didn't want to admit that she needed help. That she needed someone. Gentle hands flew up her arms and lightly touched her face, caressing her. Rey looked into the dark eyes of a brave man. A man who loved her.
"I've got you."Poe repeated softly as he kissed her.
After the kiss broke Rey buried herself in Poe's embrace. He tucked her into his arms and moved into a more comfortable position on the small cot. Even in this cocoon of love and support Rey couldn't quite shake the dream. She could still hear Palpetine. A shiver went through her body. Poe ran his hands down her back and up in soothing motions.
"I was close to losing; before Ben showed up."Rey confided quietly. "Even with him we couldn't match my grandfather's power. I saw the ships fall; Poe...I saw them fall...I couldn't..."
"Sssshhhhh."Poe soothed.
Rey felt tears start again as she voiced a fear that she hadn't allowed herself to think. Not since she'd escaped the cavern. She met Poe's gaze.
"I was afraid one of them was you; that I'd lost you."Rey said quietly. "The darkside energy of that place was messing with everything. I tried to sense you..."
"You saved a lot of lives; including mine."Poe responded as he cupped her face with his hands. "I love you, Rey. I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me."
Rey kissed him still amazed some days that he was hers. When the kiss ended Rey snuggled once again back into Poe's embrace as he tucked her against his chest.
"I love you too."Rey replied in a voice tight with emotion.
They were still learning each other; still adjusting to having someone have a part of the other's heart. To being part of their lives each and every day. There would be hard days ahead; that was what life was. Rey knew they'd overcome it and grow stronger together.
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