Ben - Age 7

The second time Ben displayed his awestriking temper, he'd somehow laid ahold of his uncle's lightsaber. Poe was on his way to the dining hall, his stomach clamoring that it had been neglected too long and who needed extended practice rounds on the flight deck, anyways, when the hall erupted in a clamor of voices and groaning steel. Sighing, Poe predicted his dinner would be held off a while longer.

"What's happening?" Poe asked a communications officer, steadying him as he stumbled out of the room.

"You tell me!" the officer shouted back. "Someone find General Solo – tell him his brat's out of control."

Ben's inarticulate screams echoed behind the swish of an energy blade. Poe closed his eyes and blew out softly. The communications officer cursed. "There's invaluable equipment in that room! Someone pacify that kid before – "

Poe could hear his mother's voice in his head, lecturing him about sauntering where even fools feared to tread and how he'd loose his front row of teeth due to sheer arrogance one of these days. Clenching his hands apprehensively, he shouldered past the adults and slipped into the communications hangar. Green energy illuminated Ben's bared teeth as he attacked the control hub. Bracing his hands before him, Poe slid past smoldering debris and said quietly,

"You done?"

Black hair flicked as Ben whirled to face him. He clutched the lightsaber double-handed, sucking in each breath. Poe waited.

"Watch out!" one of the officers called. "Cadet, get out of there!"

Shoulders heaving, Ben continued to stare. Poe let his hands fall to his sides. His fingers brushed the blaster on his right hip and he flinched when Ben did, yanking his hand away. This would have been a good time to forget my weapon.

"So…." Poe spread his hands again, wary of the twitching in Ben's shoulders. "Who talks first? You talk first? I talk first? Take your time; I've got all day."

The kid whooshed a sigh and relaxed. The lightsaber tip dragged on the floor before he shakily turned it off. "You're the one who…." His eyes narrowed and he straightened. "You never told me your name."

"Uh, Poe. Poe Dameron." Lightly Poe saluted, earning a 'you're-a-freak-you-know-that-right?' look from the tiny Jedi. "So…. You seem upset."

Ben's hand clenched and Poe feared for the unhampered computer console. "You can tell me anything you want," Poe said hastily. Glancing back at the onlookers, he drew closer to Ben and crouched beside him, whispering in assurance, "No one else needs to know."

The antagonism fled Ben's stance. He rolled Skywalker's lightsaber between his hands and said in a low voice, "Mother can't come home tomorrow."

"Oh." Poe blinked uncertainly and tried to appear understanding. "That's unfortunate."

"She promised she would be here," Ben choked. "She promised!" He bowed his head. There were no tears to fall, but his voice carried them.

"To...morrow was a special day, then," Poe guessed.

"She said she would be here for my birthday," Ben whispered.

"Oh. Oh." Tiny-Tantrums had a reason for his behavior, then. Not that damaging property was excusable for any age, especially when their only communications hub was involved, but there was an interior motive. Poe stepped closer. "Did she say why?"

Ben's hair slid to hide his face. "She said she had to prepare an unexpected scout patrol." Fierce dark eyes shot up. "But she promised!"

"I… I understand that," Poe said soothingly. He rubbed a hand over his jaw and wished he had listened to his stomach instead of his instinct. He hadn't signed up to be a counselor for miniature, lightsaber wielding, hostile warriors. "I'm sure she didn't expect to be late. She's leading a rebellion; problems happen all the time."

"She could have chosen!" Ben lashed out. "She said she would spend time with me on my birthday! It's her fault!"

A wave of unseen light told Poe that Luke Skywalker was now present. He tracked Ben's frightened glance towards the door, where his uncle leaned against the entrance. Coolly Luke raised his hand.

"Ben."

Shamefacedly Ben slogged past Poe and offered the lightsaber. Luke retrieved it solemnly.

"We'll speak about this later. Apologize to the commander."

Ben scuffed his feet, murmuring an apology that Poe couldn't hear. Feeling awkward, Poe stood and brushed himself off. The computer sparked unexpectedly, as though lecturing where his mother could not.

"I know, I know," Poe muttered by habit. Rushing in where even fools fear to tread.

"Cadet," Luke called. Poe turned and the Jedi scanned him briefly before stating, "Thank you for spending time with my apprentice." He nodded over his shoulder. "The dining hall should still be open. You have time."

Poe's stomach spoke for him as he shakily grinned. Ben was intently studying his charred sleeves when Poe passed through the crowd. On afterthought he swiveled on his heel and announced, "I'll teach you how to play holochess tomorrow – if you're not otherwise occupied."

The astonishment in Ben's eyes told him the kid's birthday wouldn't be wholly despondent after all.

And with any luck… Poe's thoughts turned to the dining hall as he scampered, They'll still have nerf steak when I get there.

Thank you to Sayichi, NotSoJollywood, and Space Opera Singer for reviewing last chapter!