Ben - Age 7

Not all of Ben's tantrums were quite as explosive – or even noticeable. The only indication to Poe that the tiny Jedi was upset was when he saw Ben thrashing on a couch outside the medcenter, failing to achieve a comfortable position. With a frustrated punch at the cushion below his head, Ben flipped onto his side and heaved a sigh.

"I know you're there," Ben said dully.

Poe approached from the side, scuffing his feet intentionally. No need to spook the kid by suddenly appearing beside him. "Waiting for someone?"

Ben huffed. "It's the only place where people will leave me alone."

That sounded familiar. Poe settled down on the armrest above Ben and wrapped his hands around one knee. "Mom and Dad getting to you?"

Ben flopped onto his back and rolled his eyes. "Mother grounded me because I 'misinterpreted my training'. It's her fault for being late. If she'd just kept her promise I'd never have – "

"I don't think she was upset that you were angry," Poe interrupted, remembering the flash of green piercing the communications console a few days ago. "Everyone loses their cool sometimes – even me." And ouch, those paddlings from his pa were memorable. Stealing the family cruiser because the academy refused his first admission? Not a smart move for an eight-year-old. A few years in training had taught Poe better, but his pa had worked a miracle in thirty seconds.

Poe had the idea the Solos didn't condone with the notion of spankings. Still, an obscured lecture never did any harm.

"You know that communications hub was the only way to contact your mom," he said quietly.

Ben became entranced with the details on his model B-wing.

"She arrived late the next day," Poe continued in the same soft tone. "She couldn't tell you because the only sound piece of equipment on base had been destroyed."

"She could have prevented it," Ben muttered. "Uncle Luke said people can always choose another outcome."

Running his tongue against his upper teeth, Poe took a slow breath. This was the crucial moment. He could yank the kid out of his blame tirade, or he could lose contact with him for good. Ben didn't seem to trust many people.

"You… chose to break off communication with her, then," Poe worded carefully.

"I didn't –" Ben's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You wanted to hurt her." Poe cringed as a mental rebuke slugged his conscience. Smooth way to gain his trust, Dameron. "I mean – you were hurting, and you … retaliated. In kind."

"I didn't want to hurt her," Ben defended ardently. The B-wing fell to the floor unnoticed as he straightened. "I was just….." He paused, fighting for words.

"So… what were you trying to do?" Poe asked. "That was a pretty strong way of expressing your disappointment."

"I didn't – I can't explain it," Ben said dismissively. "It wasn't to hurt her. I was just mad." He brushed his hair aside and a mask clinched in his eyes.

Sensing his presence wouldn't be welcome for much longer, Poe stretched and gave an exaggerated yawn. "Well, it couldn't be the worst reaction. I dropped my Mom's wedding rings in the Naboo lake after she stood me in the corner. I was scrubbing radiators for a week after that."

"You defied your mother?" Ben blinked in astonishment. For a moment the sparkle of adoration rose as he recognized a companion in his trials.

"Hey, I never said parents are the nicest people." Poe shrugged, daring to reach out and scruff the boy's hair. "But they are there for you."

Ben ducked away from his touch, and Poe added doesn't like physical attention to the list of things he knew about the Solo kid. Retrieving his B-wing, Ben fixed Poe with a stern glare that was more cute than fierce.

"You should go back to your barracks. The academy has a curfew."

"Orders from a Jedi half my age? Woe is the life of a lowly cadet. Very well, then." Languidly Poe saluted, and for the first time Ben grinned. He had lost four upper teeth in the last month, which rather demoted the aggressive outlook he was trying to make.

Kid's gotta learn to relax, Poe thought with a sad note. Does he ever play? With parents like the Solos, and an uncle who was a Jedi master, Ben was probably afflicted with constant expectations. I thought it was bad enough when people thought my mom was a good pilot – like mother like, son, they always told me.

Small as he was, Ben was facing higher stakes.

Good luck to you, Poe thought as he watched Ben scuffle off, hopefully to his own room. Can't wait to see what you grow into, kid.

Thank you to JohnGilbertVampirehunter, Sayichi, Elleth of Mossflower, and Space Opera Flower for reviewing! I'd like to respond to each of you personally, but the review response option hasn't been activated for this story yet. Thank you for your encouragement.