If there's one thing Poe has learnt over the years, it's to never leave anyone behind. As long as blood beats through their veins and breath fills their lungs, they can be saved.

In together, out together, until the very end.

So when Rey starts succumbing to sickness of the mind, chased by memories and demons that no one else can see, he refuses to let her go. Most of their friends drift away from her, discomfited by her long silences and afraid that her pain may push her to the Dark Side. Everybody knows how devastating her power and tenacity would be on the other side – and how readily the Sith betray their closest friends, like it's a rite of passage to first destroy the things they once loved the most.

Finn disagrees with them but doesn't cast blame. Having lived under a Sith's reign longer and more intensely than anyone else in the Resistance, he sometimes admits to Poe under the cover of darkness that he's terrified for her.

While Poe understands where they're coming from, however, he can't stomach the claims that they're just being cautious. Rey fought for the entire galaxy's freedom and safety. She even died for it. And now she's haunted by that sacrifice, and the fact she was brought back to life doesn't change the fact she regularly wakes up screaming loudly enough to rouse everyone nearby.

They may have left the field, but she hasn't yet. And it's on them to keep going back for her until she does.

In together, out together, until the very end.


A/N: Prompt: 'Dying is easy, young man. Living is harder.' from Right Hand Man from Hamilton