It's been awhile, sorry! Yes, I just saw ROS, had to do something for POE! I have classes so idk when the next update will be lol

Inspired by two post by polkanote and andhumanslovedstories on tumblr.

I never know what to expect from him. I mean, what can you expect from a man like Poe Dameron?

Consistency? Never.

Wit? Always at the worst times.

Patience? Who am I kidding.

Another explosion goes off behind us and I stumble for a moment on my injured leg. Almost instantly, an arm is around my shoulders, guiding me. I flash Poe a look but all he does is grin.

"What? You thought I was gonna leave my favourite girl?"

I shake my head at him but just keeping run as the earth continues to shake.

So maybe there is one thing that you can always count on with Poe; the one thing beneath all the layers of ego and hotheadedness and never-ending flirting that keeps me working with him.

Poe will never, ever leave a friend behind.

"Next time you do that, Dameron, I would appreciate a warning. Even better, next time don't use an entire canister of blaster gel and bring down the mountain while we're still under it!"

Poe stops his work for just a moment to flaunt his signature smile, but I roll my eyes and try to ignore the way my heart skips a beat.

"Look Kess, one day you will finally admit that I just have a natural talent for these things, and you'll thank me for the unique honour that is working by my side. Now, stop moving while I try to patch up your le-Ow! What was that for?!"

I wind up for another punch and his hands raise in self-defence.

"It's really funny how you can talk about my leg that was injured in an explosion and how good you are making things explode in the same sentence. I have no idea why I didn't laugh."

"I'm sorry, Kess."

I lean my head back against the ship hull. "I'm sure I'll pay you back for it."

I don't really hold it against him, accidents happen (this is a war, after all). Anyway, this is our thing, this repartee and back-and-forth, it's who we are. This is what we're famous for; well, this and blowing up a Star Destroyer with a rigged pleasure cruiser (Don't ask, it's a long story.)

"No Kess, I really am sorry," Poe's tone is serious.

I really don't want him to feel guilty, so I shrug and try to play it off. "Don't worry about it, what's one new scar to a hundred old ones."

A moment passes, then a warm hand touches my chin and gently guides it downwards. My eyes come to rest on Poe, his face uncharacteristically sober and tinged by guilt. The warmth of his fingers remain on my face and they coil tendrils of tenderness beneath my skin.

"I would never intentionally put you in harm's way."

"Poe, I kno-"

"Never. I was reckless today-"

"It's fine! Wh-"

"I should've been more careful, you could have been seriously hurt-"

"What's got into you?" I finally cut him off as I take his hand into mine. "Poe, stuff like this is an occupational hazard. Don't go beating yourself up because you can't do the precise calculations for blaster gel quantities while running from troopers. I really am sorry if you thought I was actually blaming you…I was kidding, I'm sorry."

I grasp his hand tightly, hoping he understands. Poe shifts his hand so that our fingers become intertwined.

He takes a second before speaking, "I know, Kess. It's just…you were right…You're always right, you know."

Poe smiles a little, but his mouth is still tight with tension. Without thinking, I place my free hand against his smooth and surprisingly warm cheek. Ever-so-slightly, Poe leans into it without taking his eyes from my face.

I smile as best I can despite the growing tension I feel in the air, "Of course I'm right, I'm always right: you know that. So when I say you're not allowed to beat yourself up over this, you're not."

The grin finally reaches Poe's eyes, just a little. "I know, it's just that…"

He trails off only to take both my hands into his. Poe stares at our interwoven fingers and gently clasps them together so my palms are pressed together between his in silent prayer. We're so close now that I can see the flashes of deep amber that hide in the depths of his brown eyes. There is something Poe wants to say, something that is weighing him down; I can see it in the nervous biting of his lip that I can't tear my eyes away from. The tension is oppressive now and I'm about to ask to say something, anything, when he finally draws breath to speak.

"Kessandra," he says my full name delicately, like it might break if he speaks too loudly, "I- there's something…I- I-"

He cuts off by the loud beep signifying the end of our lightspeed journey. We both jump. The fertile green atmosphere of Ajan Kloss crystallises before us. The comms have started up again, rambling on about landing codes and permissions.

"I should," Poe takes a deep breath, "I should bring us down."

The moment is well and truly over. He doesn't move for a moment, he just resumes staring down at our enfolded hands. I find that I don't want Poe to let go; he does anyway.

As he guides us into orbit, the ghost of his touch continues to linger on my hands and a heavy feeling settles in my heart.

If there's one thing that Resistance fighters know how to do (besides kick fascist ass), it's how to throw a damn good party. Add in the fact that one of the engineers figured out how to make moonshine out of local tree sap (it took a lot of ugly trial and error), and a good time is basically guaranteed. Also, (not that any of us would say it), knowing that any night might be your last makes letting go and having fun just that little bit easier.

The sound of a Kitonak guitar drifts on the wind and my head is warm with the buzz of liquor. Everyone is dancing and laughing, and it is a glorious sight to see. These last couple months have been tough, even tougher than usual, and it's so good to see people just enjoying a second of peace.

"What are you doing all the way over here?" Poe's voice is barely audible over the noise of the party.

I don't look at him but just smile to myself, "I was taking a second to enjoy the evening."

"May I join you?"

I laugh. "Since when have you needed my permission to do something?"

"You're right but it never hurts to ask, you know."

Before I can respond, Poe is right by my side. He too leans up against the wall, and then bumps his arm against mine. Instead of returning the gesture, I gently rest my head against his shoulder and continue to look out upon the people dancing. A moment passes before the weight of his arm curls around my waist. I allow myself to enjoy this moment, and don't even stop myself when my imagination begins to stir as to what this moment could be if things were different…Just an ordinary party on a ordinary night in the arms of a more than extraordinary man…

"What you thinkin' about Kess?"

I push all the what if's back to the pit of my stomach as I struggle to think of a lie, "Oh you know, the usual."

Poe chuckles softly and it resonates into my side. The sound is deep and low, and causes my heart to skip a beat.

"I know you, and you are anything but 'usual'. What's on your mind?"

It's probably the alcohol but I just want to tell him. I want to tell him everything. I just want to shout it all to the summer sky, that I'm thinking about you, Poe, and it seems like all I do is think about you these days! I'm falling for you, but you won't ever look at me that way. The thought of never seeing you again is enough to make me cry. The knowledge that one day I will lose you to someone else breaks my heart. I don't say any of this, however.

"The future. What I'll do when this is all over." It's not exactly a lie but it still feels wrong.

"Have you got big plans? Intergalactic pod-racer? Smuggler? Chancellor of the New Republic?"

This time, I laugh with him and gently shake my head against Poe's shoulder.

"Nothing as exciting as that. I think if I survive this, that will be enough for me. I'll go find a quiet, green planet in a remote part of the system and fix up old ships. Anyway, it's not like the Resistance is going to need a ton of pilots when there's no more fighter jets send out. Nah, peace'll be enough for me, I reckon."

It's the truth. After years with my neck on line and waiting for countless friends who never come back home, being alive will be enough. Waking up every morning knowing that the people I care about are safe? That'll do for me.

"That sounds like a damn good plan, Kess," there is a touch of longing to his voice.

I hum in agreement and close my eyes. For a while, I just enjoy the music and the feeling of Poe's arm around my waist.

"There's no 'if' though, Kess. You've gotta survive this one."

I laugh but don't open my eyes. "I'm trying my absolute hardest, promise."

His response is softly spoken, "No, you have to, Kess. I don't know what I'd do without you."

I freeze up for a second out of surprise, but Poe speaks again before I can respond.

"I mean, uh- How am I meant to figure out what to do after all this without your voice of reason to guide me?" His joking tone has returned, but it sounds forced.

Before I can think, I'm speaking, "You could just come with me."

My eyes fly open. The words hang in the air without a response and I feel like a fool. Oh, you absolute idiot, that's not what he meant. Motherfu-

"Yeah?"

Poe's voice is heavy with emotion and cracks slightly under it. Confused, I turn to look Poe in the eye to find him already gazing back at me. In the name of the Maker, our faces are so close. There is something in his expression that I can't read but it still tells in every line of his face. What…

"I could come with you?"

I want to yell out yes, of course, I'm begging you but all I do is silently nod.

I don't understand why Poe is acting like this? Is he drunk? Has there been bad news? What-

"Because I would follow you anywhere, if you'd let me."

Oh?

Oh.

Oh.