Title: A simple conversation
Fandom: Star Wars
Pairing: PoeDamereon/Rey
Characters: Rey, Poe Dameron, BB-8
Rating: T
Chapters: One Shot
Setting: Post TROS
Summery: A simple conversation between Poe and Rey after TROS from Poe's POV.
Tags: Talking, Lots of talking, a little flirting, honestly nothing really happens here
Note:
This story has been the bane of my existence since TROS. I've started to write this story after seeing the movie but somehow it dragged on and on until writer's block made me just toss it into a corner. Every once in a while I revisited and tried to finish it but only got more and more frustrated because it just didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. But well, after even more months of cursing this thing on my computer I've finally managed to finish it (sort of) and decided to post to be finally free.
It's really sad that this was supposed to be my first Damerey story and ended up making me not wanting to write more for them. It was actually supposed to be the introduction to a longer story idea but that will most likely never happen now.
If there's anyone out there reading this story I hope you enjoy it, though my apologies beforehand for potential boringness (honestly I couldn't even come up with a good title). But if some of do end enjoying it then all the suffering was worth it :)
English is not my primary language, so I apologize for any mistakes in advance.
Thank you for reading. Feedback is always appreciated.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or the characters, only my poor imagination.
The night was warm and filled with the joyful sounds from the opulent celebration taking place at the former resistance base on Ajan Kloss as Poe stepped out of the hangar in need of fresh air, feeling slightly tipsy from too many toats. He inhaled deeply. A gentle breeze swept across his face tasting of ashes. Not from burning wrecks or charred bodies, but bonfires that have been lit for days all around the base in celebration of the end of the war and to mourn their fallen comrades.
So many lives lost. Too many to count.
Barely two weeks had passed since they defeated Palpatine and the First Order on Exegol in a huge battle the galaxy had never seen before. The dead were buried, the medals awarded, rebuilding has already begun.
Everyone seemed ready to move on, but Poe was not one of them.
The war is over.
The words echoed through his mind without him being able to fully understand the meaning behind this fateful message. How was he supposed to just move on? Despite he's hoped for so long this day would come it felt so surreal. And the fighting was embed deep into his bones and his mind so that it wasn't easy to leave it behind. Maybe he's spent too much time in the cockpit of X-wings, but Poe still went to sleep every night ready to jump into action at any given moment. His flight suit and helmet placed beside his bed, his blaster close to his fingertips.
Despite the victory and celebrations on every planet nothing changed the fact that the galaxy lay in ruins. Worse than after the defeat of the Empire. Half wrecked Star Destroyers just waiting to fall into the hands of ruthless syndicates and lots of unemployed and pliable Stormtroopers looking for a new warlord to do their bidding.
It would take a long time for all those wounds to heal that had been inflicted on the galaxy by Palpatine and Kylo Ren. Which part he would play in this shiny new world order people were praising already, Poe could only guess. At least he was no politician. He had no desire to argue about how to deal with the remnants of the First Order - destroy everything or use it for a "better" cause. As if that wasn't the same mindset that has birthed the Empire...
History repeats itself.
With a full mug in his hand Poe found a quiet place at the far end of the hanger, away from the hustle and bustle, and settled down on a bulky supply container. Exhausted he wiped his face, sucked the night air deep into his lungs and let his gaze wander over the buildings and the treeline. The forest, dense and lush covering large parts of the Moon, reminded him so much of his old home on Yavin 4, even though the plants didn't share the bioluminescent abilities* most species on his homeworld possessed. At home, the night would be illuminated in a ghostly glow where the forest was thickest and most untouched by civilization beneath the outline of the red gas giant circling on the horizon. Breathtaking and enticing and at the same time far more deadly than expected.
Poe's attention was drawn to the Millennium Falcon, parked between the remains of the battered rebel fleet, marked with dents, deep scratches, broken plates and charred laser holes, but still airworthy. The resistance had suffered heavy losses over the last years, yet this old freighter has brought them home safely over and over again.
A grin flitted across his lips at the thought that he had been allowed to fly the most famous scrap mill of the galaxy. His father would not believe it.
Maybe it was time to pay his old man a visit. They hadn't seen each other for a long time. Poe had sent a message over the commlink to let him know that he was okay, but had not yet received any feedback. The communication channels were helplessly overloaded. Nevertheless he had no doubt that his father was alive and well. He had to be.
Unlike Leia...
The memory of his mentor weighed heavy on his heart and like so often during the last couple of days he wished she was still alive to see their victory for which she had sacrificed so much. Maybe she did know...
Poe did not presume to understand the ways of the Force, even though he grew up with a Force tree in his backyard and knew all the legends of Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, but he hoped whereever Leia was, that she was at peace and proud of them.
Quietly he toasted to his fallen friends and took a sip of his drink, which he quickly regretted as the awful sweet yet oddly alluring taste filled his mouth. Some sort of dodgy alcohol mixture Lando obtained somewhere in the Outer Rim. A great victory must be celebrated accordingly, the old man insisted before shoved the mug in Poe's hand. He had no desire to learn more about the liquid's origin or iffy ingredients.
The hangar door opened. Music, laughter and scraps of conversation hit his ear. In the glow of the fire and lanterns a familiar silhouette appeared in the doorway, dark against the illuminated backdrop.
Rey.
The young Jedi paused for a moment by the entrance and let her gaze wander through the empty hangar as if she was looking for something. Or someone.
The soft glow of the lanterns framed her head like a golden halo, bathing her in a soft aura of light... or his tired eyes were just playing tricks on him. The celestial sight evoked a warm sensation inside him, spreading inside his chest like flower in bloom and Poe had to remind himself to keep breathing.
Not the first time Rey's view took his breath away. Usually he was able to hide the effect she had on him pretty well, so that nobody would notice how much she impressed him. Otherwise, he was sure he would never hear the end of, his flight comrades and Finn teasing him mercilessly. Once in a while though, when the ex-Stormtrooper gave him that oddly knowing sidelong glance whenever him and Rey were fighting again, it did seem like Finn knew more about Poe's feelings than the pilot was willing to admit to himself.
Accompaning Rey, BB-8 rolled at her feet and scanned the area with his optical sensor until he spotted Poe. His binary beeps drew Rey's attention in his direction as well. She headed towards him while the little spheroid droid rolled ahead. Poe straightened his spine and smoothed down his shirt to make himself look less disheveled and a little more presentable – not that Rey would care about his appearence...
"There you are," she greeted him. "Finn and I were wondering where you left to. What are you doing out here all by yourself?" She took a look around, squinting her eyes against the dim light but there was no one else around. They were alone... except for BB-8 keeping them company like a good old chaperon. "Are you waiting for Zorii?"
Poe ran his fingers through his dark curls which he inherited from his mother along with his piloting skills and taste for danger. "Zorii is gone," he replied shortly with no real desire to elaborate on the subject. If he was being honest, he was relieved that Zorii had rejected him and left as fast as she did. He wasn't the same stupid young hot shot he used to be back in the days on Kijimi when they had met. To rekindle their old flame in the frenzy of victory would have been a mistake that wouldn't end well. He didn't know where she was going, but she promised to stay in touch this time.
"Is everything alright?" Rey asked, concern flickering over her features.
"Just needed some fresh air," Poe explained and lifted his shoulder in half a shrug. "If I have to listen to one more of Chewie's sonnets, I'll stuff my ears with Porg feathers." He paused, re-examined his words carefully and flinched. "Don't tell him I said that. I prefer my arms attached to my body."
BB-8 whistled in agreement. The brisky droid was slightly rocking back and forward to match his agitation. The fiery Wookie accepted constructive criticism of his singing skills about as much as losing a game of Dejarik. Not that he or Finn had managed to beat him so far...
Rey's face lit up in a sympathetic smile. With a nod of her head she asked for permission to join him. Poe slid aside to make room for her to sit down on the narrow supply box. Their knees almost bumped against each other. Thanks to their time shared in the Falcon's narrow cockpit he was used to her physical proximity... At least that's what he thought before he noticed his treacherous body's reaction. His pulse quickened and his neck started to prickle with heat.
Expectant silence spread between them as they listened to the ongoing celebration and the nocturnal sounds of the forest in unfamiliar togetherness, making Poe recall how little time he had actually spend alone with Rey - just the two of them with no one else nearby. No Finn or Leia. He has spend most of his time the last year on verious missions while Rey had been training in solitude almost nonstop. They had passed each other by like ships in the night, most times having not seen each other for days or weeks... not that he had kept tabs on their encounters...
Nevertheless, he regretted that the war has kept him from becoming as acquainted with her as he had longed for since they day they met and it made him wonder what he has missed out on so far. What else there was to discover about the former scavenger turned Jedi from Jakku...
He cleared his throat in attempt to swallow the unforeseen lump hanging in his throat before speaking. "So what brings you out here looking for me? Is there something you want to talk about?" He asked. A harmless and casual question to start an equally harmless conversation between friends. Because that's what they were now, weren't they?
Friends.
"Yes, actually there is," Rey replied. "There is something you should know. Finn told me what he had wanted to tell me when we were stuck in the sinking fields on Pasaana."
His ears picked up the strange hesitation in her voice. His neck muscles tensed as he pressed his lips together, repressing a shudder. That was an experience that he would really like to forget. He could still feel the rough sand graining on his skin, suffocating him, swallowing him whole.
"Finn wanted to keep you guessing a little bit longer but after all we've been through together, there should not be secrets between us anymore. You deserve to know."
Poe snorted and rolled his eyes. "Hold on and let me guess. Facing certain death on Passana made Finn realize his true feelings for you and he finally confessed his eternal love?" he blurted out before he could bit his tongue with an mocking undertone coating his voice he did not quite understand. The whole thing just sounded too much like a scene from one of Rose's corny holonovels she kept lying around the base which he certainly never read during lonely hours of the night shift.
He glanced down at hi mug and contemplated to take another sip from to wash down the sour taste of his words hanging in his mouth, but then changed his mind. He had no desire to get drunk in front of Rey and make a fool out of himself – well, more than he just did.
She tilted her head in his direction. Her hazel eyes blinked in confusion. "No… Finn told me he's Force-sensitive. Jannah and the rest of the renegade Stormtroopers as well, he assumes. Probably the reason they all rebelled in the first place despite their indoctrination." She squinted her eyes and examined him sharply. "You have given this a lot of thought, haven't you?"
Poe felt his neck flush with heat but kept his mouth shut as he avoided her gaze and kept staring down at his drink. He could feel her eyes lingering on him, making his skin crawl like a flock of piranha beetles buzzing undeneath.
Rey sighed. "Why is this bothering you? Our friendship? You were so grumpy in the cave and I know it wasn't just the mission stressing you out. You've been in a bad mood for a long time. Sometimes I felt like I can't do anything right in your eyes." Her voice grew small and out of the corner of his eye he noticed her shoulders slumping.
He ducked his head, hating the thought of him causing her unnecessary pain and making her feel inadequat when she was the most amazing being he's ever met. "No, that's not..." He trailed off even though there was more sitting at the tip of his tongue. He racked his brain, searching for a good explanation for his reaction. It wasn't his place to be jealous. They were both important to him, so he should support them. Nevertheless he couldn't deny his aversion against the thought of Rey and Finn growing closer and maybe even becoming something more than friends... sharing a connection he'd never be able to understand... it didn't feel good.
And he couldn't deny the irony of being the one person growing up with a Force tree in his backyard and ending up having no connection to the Force...
Unable to keep sitting so close to Rey for much longer, he jolted upride and jumped to his feet, spilling half his drink on the floor and almost tripping over BB-8 hadn't the droid rolled out of the way with a startled squeak. Cursing to himself Poe took a few steps and then hesitated, not sure where he was trying to run too... or from what...
A chuckle escaped his lips. He had no problem facing an armada of TIE fighters and star destroyers in an X-wing, but being alone with the young Jedi like this made him flee in panic like a pubescent schoolboy fresh from the academy.
Maybe it was Lando's horrible brew getting to his head!
Taking a deep breath he tried to clear his thoughts before turning back to Rey, still watching him in curious patience. "I don't know," Poe confessed. "I know I have been difficult and I'm sorry if my behavior hurt you. But the thing with you and Finn..." He paused, letting the sentence hang unfinished in the air between them, not sure how to put his tricky feelings into words. It was neither the right time nor place to address them. Not when he was half-drunk and his big mouth most likely would get him into trouble. "I guess I'm just not used to being the odd one out, that's all."
Rey's face twisted into a worried frown. Her eyesbrows drew together as if she didn't fully believe his explanation. Her eyes were unreadable. Was she angry with him? Confused? Was there a way for him to not make a fool out of himself whenever he was in her presense? It still baffled him how she managed to get under his skin so easily just with the twitch of her eyebrow. Or was that one of her Jedi mind tricks tearing down his bravado?
"Sorry. I'm talking nonsense." He coughed awkwardly while he felt his cheeks turning hot. He hoped it was too dark for Rey to notice his blushing. "I have been drinking too much. Just forget everything I said, okay? So Finn is Force-sensitive. Does that make him a Jedi too?"
"It's not that easy. He has potential, but there is a difference. Being Force-sensitive means you have a primordial connection to the Force and can let it guide you, but you cannot use the Force or manipulate it the way a Jedi can."
"Like shooting lightning from your fingers?" He blurted out, recalling another very vivid memory from Pasaana - Rey standing in the desert, facing Kylo Ren, destroying the transporter ship...
A shadow crossed her face as she looked away, clearly remembering as well. "Don't remind me," she grumbled. "Using the Force requires intensive training and meditation. I've trained with Luke, I've trained with Leia, but there's still so much I don't know. So much I have to learn."
He held up a hand. His head was spinning from all those technical terms. "Okay, I don't really have to understand all of that, do I?"
Rey gave him an indulgent smile and shook her head.
As if reading his mind, she noted, "Han Solo was not Force-sensitive. It didn't make him any less important to the rebellion and the people he loved. Luke and Leia wouldn't have made it far without him. You're not being left out, Poe." Her fingers twitched as she reached out to him, almost touching his hand but stopped midair. She pulled her hand back.
"And he was a smuggler, too," she pointed out, eyes sparking with glee, making Poe groan over being reminded of his shady past once again.
There was a little pause as they just enjoyed each others' company in mutual quiescence.
"I still can't believe the war is over," Rey mused. Her gaze wandered off, to the edge of the dark forest, reflecting the same longing that Poe had noticed before whenever she looked at the lush green vegetation of the moon. No one seemed to love the green and the rain more than the young woman in front of him. Which was no surprise with her growing up on a barren desert planet like Jakku.
"Me neither. All thanks to you."
"Not just me," she injected, almost looking embarrassed to receive such praise while looking down at her hands folded in her lap, shaped by the harsh life on Jakku. "We all helped. Even Ben."
Poe tensed and grimaced in disgust at the thought of Leia's murderous son having any part in their victory. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and huffed. "As if!"
Some nights he could still feel the Force choke around his neck when Ren interrogated him last year. How he violently invaded his mind to extract information on the resistance and seemed to enjoy every minute of it, to make him writhe in pain, chained up like a helpless animal.
Sweat was building up his neck. He tried to shake off the growing feel of unease caused by the unwanted memory creeping up his spine. Kylo Ren was no longer a threat. Got what he deserved, even if Leia had deserved a better son.
And Ben Solo? He died a long before the war...
Rey titled her head as if she tried to read him again. "Poe." Her gentle voice spreaking his name smoothed his discomfort like a warm blanket and he felt himself relax again. "I know it's not what you want to hear. And you have every right to loath Ben for what he did to you, to the resistance and the rest of the galaxy, but you don't know everything that happened on Exegol."
That was true. Rey kept silent about what exactly had happend on the planet and had revealed only essential information. He knew she defeated Palapatine with the help of the past Jedis before he could complete his malicious plan and wipe them all out. Did he need to know more? Finn probably knew all the details, but he respected his friend's wish of discretion and kept his mouth shut as well.
He scratched his cheek, covered in rough stubbles in need of shaving, while struggling with himself whether he wanted to know the truth or stay blissful ignorant. Curiosity and the desire to learn every aspect of Rey, to get to know her as well as Finn already did, prevailed and with great effort he swallowed his disgust.
"Then tell me what did happen?" he asked softly and took a step forward, closer to the seated Jedi.
There was a heavy pause. For a long time Rey only looked up at him, unsure as if she was arguing with herself whether she should confide in him or if it was better to leaving some things unsaid. The silence seemed to last half an eternity, testing his patience. He was almost sure she changed her mind and wouldn't answer at all when she finally continued..
"In the end," she stated slowly, "there was still a part of Leia's and Han's son inside of Ben and he did the right thing. Palpatine was so strong with the dark side of the Force. I couldn't ... it took all my strength to stop him but it was too much. Ben gave his life for mine. Otherwise I wouldn't be here now."
Poe's chest tightened. Her words were like jabs to the heart, yet her story made him pause for a moment in astonishment. BB-8 emitted a long whistle that matched his own disbelief. Something clicked inside his head. The serpent on Pasaana. The way Rey had healed the injury of the creature by transfering her life force to the animal...
Is that what happened on Exegol between Rey and Ren?
Did it make any difference considering everything he did before? All the pain and suffering he'd cause in the galaxy…
As much as he detested Ren, the fact that Rey was sitting in front of him now - warm and alive - only because a slim decent part of him decided to do the right thing in the end was more important. He could no longer imagine a life without Rey in it in some capacity and he couldn't deny the immense relief that flooded his system when he'd spotted her in the cheering crowd after the battle.
Strangely enough, it felt cathartic to no longer be castigated by his hatred for Ren and the First Order, and he shuddered with relief.
"At least he got one thing right. Can't fault him for that. But forgive me for not toasting to him."
Rey nodded, a faint smile curved her lips that didn't meet her eyes. Her gaze wandered off again, not settling on anything in particular, just staring into the distance beyond the edge of the black forest, left him wondering if she could perceive more because of her connection to the Force.
If she could feel more…
Absently Poe scratched his chest and touched the necklace with his mother's ring that he wore under his shirt. The thought of his mother still hurt even after all these years. And now the grief over Leia was added to this pain.
Would he ever leave the war behind him completely? Would he ever give the ring to somebody who meant as much to him as his parents had loved each other?
His attention shifted to Rey again and he caught himself staring at the young Jedi a little too long once more, mesmarized by the sight of the dim light casting a warm glow on her face, illuminating her skin. The sight was starting to mess with his head in a way he wasn't ready to deal with.
He raked his brain for a new topic to talk about, to bridge the renewed silence, but Rey got ahead of him.
"What are you going to do now that the war is over?" she asked, genuine curiosity sparkling in her eyes as they settled back on his face. Maybe she didn't want this conversation to end either.
Poe let out his breath he hadn't been aware he'd been holding. He shrugged. "Honestly I haven't really given much thought about it. Probably because a part of me didn't believe I'd actually survive the war." The daring self-proclaimed best pilot of the fleet and poster boy of the resistance. Just thinking about the posters made him cringe.
"There is still so much to think about. The First Order rose from the remains of the Empire and the Empire was build on the Republic. We can't let that happen again or this damned cycle of oppression will never end."
"Finn und Jannah are thinking about to go look for surviving stormtroopers and help them to start a new life. They never tasted freedom before. Maybe it's time."
"Sounds like a plan. Maybe I'll just go on vacation. Visit my dad," Poe mused.
"You could go back to smuggling spice with Zorii," Rey teased him again and Poe ducked his head.
"I'm not getting rid of that any time soon, am I?" He groaned inwardly though he didn't mind the teasing that much anymore. As long as it kept Rey smiling.
"No." The Jedi shook her head, clearly amused by his embarrassment regarding his shady past. If only she knew the whole story... Maybe he'll tell someday how he ended up with the crew and why he left to join the Resistance. But that was a story for another day.
He sighed. "Fine. We can be smugglers together."
"We?"
He ignored her objection. Now it was his turn to do the teasing. "After all, we already have the most famous smuggling ship in the galaxy right here." He pointed over his shoulder at the Falcon. The ship just seemed to wait for a daring joyride through the Outer Rim. To go on more legendary adventures people will talk about for ages. Maybe to give the Kessel Run another try.
"We?" Rey repeated.
"Sure thing, sunshine." A crooked grin spread across his face, the petname just slipping from his lips without notice. "We're a team now, remember? You and Finn can't abandon me. I wouldn't survive two parsecs without you. And BB-8 would miss you terribly, isn't that right buddy?"
He nodded towards the spherical droid. BB-8 shifted his sensor to look at Poe and let out an energetic gush of binary. Poe frowned, confused by the droids irked attitude. "What's that supposed to mean, I shouldn't drag you into this?" Another surge of high pitched beeps Poe was barely able to follow. The little droid rotated on his axis. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm not using you as an excuse! Did you switch circuit with R2 again? Do I need to have a talk with that droid about having a bad influence on you, buddy?" He grinned and gave the young Jedi a wink. The corners of her mouth twitched. She snickered, infected by his shenanigans, which turned into an open smile that lit up her face. Like sunshine breaking through dark clouds. Putting a smile on her face, he liked this better than the constant arguments over nullities.
Feeling pleased, he leaned back on the balls of his feet and put his hands on his hips. "What are your plans?" He turned to Rey and tried to sound all casual but couldn't help but notice how much he expected her answer. As if her answer would be the ignition on the scale which would steer his own fate in one direction or another.
Stay or leave.
"I'm not sure either. First I want to go to Tatooine to bury Luke's and Leia's lightsabers at Luke's old home. It feels... like the right thing to do. Chewie's coming along too. I was wondering if you would like to join us. We can stop at Yavin 4 on the flight back and you could see your father. I mean... it's on the way."
Not really on the way, but he appreciated the offer.
"I've already paid my respect to Leia. That sounds more like a Jedi thing I don't want to intrude. But you can take BB-8." He nodded towards the droid which seemed more than eager to accompany Rey on her flight.
„He's still your doid," Rey reminded him.
"Is he? Come on, we both know BB-8's as much yours as he's mine now. I'm not even sure he would choose me after the divorce."
BB-8 bleeped sharply and rolled backwards as if he couldn't believe Poe's words. At times it really felt like that the little droid was made of flesh and blood. Poe winked at Rey again to let her know he was joking.
Shaking her head in amusement, something twinkled in her eyes he couldn't really put his finger on it but it made his pulse quickening. Almost looked like a gleam of mischief he hadn't seen in them before. "Maybe you should ask me to marry you first before speaking of our divorce," she replied in a low voice, looking up at him with those beautiful eyes that seemed to be looking right into his soul and strip him off all his swagger.
His mouth went dry. "Well I'll... I'll drink to that!" His voice sounded more hoarsely than intended, frail. Suddenly overwhelmed with the longing for a gulp of the unnamed liquid in his cup despite it's grusome taste he started to raise the cup to his lips, but Rey had other plans.
In a swift, yet graceful movement she rose to her feet and used the Force to snatch the cup from his grip, splilling some of the unnamed liquid on the floor between them. She emptied the damn thing in one swig without batting an eyelash. Entranced, Poe watched her, her slender neck, the pulsating play of her muscles while swallowing. He licked his lips. His skin was prickled all over and his blood was rushing in his ears. He doubted she had any clue what she was doing to him...
She pressed the empty mug back into his hand. Her fingers brushed his and Poe felt a tingling sensation on his skin running all the way up hi spine and making him shiver, pooling heat inside his stomach. The touch felt far too intimate and familiar for such an innocent gesture. His heart started to beat faster as Rey looked deep into his eyes. She stood so close that he could count the freckles on her nose, could see the stars reflected in the deep orbs of her eyes, the slight part of her lips as she inhaled.
For one fleeting moment he felt immense peace, felt like he could feel the rotation of the moon slow down and come to a standstill...
And then the moment passed...
As Rey whizzed past him, eyes cast down, a small conspicuous smile playing on her lips, she grazed his shoulder – which Poe could have sworn she's been doing on purpose - leaving him speechless as she returned to the party.
Maybe she did know what she was doing to him...
BB8 let out a long melodic beep that sounded almost like a whistle before the small droid rolled after the Jedi.
Poe tipped his head back, his gaze drifting towards the twinkling starry sky, and he laughed with a newfound lightness, intoxicated by the mix of victory frenzy, alcohol and the bubbling sensation in his chest left by his interaction with Rey.
Tomorrow, he realized, a whole new galaxy would be waiting for him...
The End
*my headcanon is that the jungle of Yavin-4 looks similar to Pandora from Avatar
