Ben – Age 10

"I'm going to change my last name."

Ben thinking was dangerous. Ben making unannounced decisions was calamitous. Ben determining his life's course meant that Poe usually wound up doing something hazardous to his career.

"You want to change your last name?" Poe repeated, hoping he had misheard. Checking the exhaust vents in twelve rumbling X-wings tended to hamper the ear canal.

"I'm going to change my last name," Ben repeated. "Can't you listen to anything I say anymore?"

"I'm listening," Poe assured. And hoping I misinterpreted.

"I don't want to be a Solo," Ben stated. "Everyone knows Han Solo – smuggler and General, depending on who you ask. Whenever I say I'm Ben Solo, they want to hear about my father. I want to create my own path."

"That seems logical," Poe said agreeably. He was still asked about his mother on occasion. People naturally associated "Dameron" with "dang good piloting skills".

"I'm going to change it to Dameron," Ben announced.

The ring in Poe's ears wasn't entirely associated with the thwack to his head as he straightened beneath the X-wing hull. "I'm sorry – grease in my ears again. Did you just say –?"

"Ben Dameron. Pay attention, Poe! It's perfectly reasonable. Mother's former name is Organa, but everyone links that name to Alderaan. I don't want to be associated with my uncle, so the last sensible name left is yours. You don't have to tell me it's a good idea; the new recruits already assume you're adopted."

"I'm… adopted." This time Poe listened to his sensible instincts and leaned his head back against the landing gear. He's kriffing lost his mind - or I have. It probably wouldn't make a difference either way.

"You should be flattered," Ben offered. "It means that out of all the clumsy fools on this base, I actually like you."

"I'm being patronized by a ten-year-old," Poe stated. "Somehow I'm not surprised, which is all the more unnerving."

Ben laughed. "That's why I like you, Poe. You're always saying funny things."

"And this gives me the honor of passing on my name to the son of two war generals?" Poe surmized. "My flight commander is going to demote me to first year academy."

"Ah, hero worship!" Han's boisterous intrusion instigated a scowl from Ben, and another headache for Poe as he scrambled upright and clipped his head on the wing.

"General Solo, Sir!" Poe saluted.

Han half-heartedly returned the gesture. "At ease, kid. Ben, what's this about hating your name?"

"I don't hate it," Ben said moodily. "I'm tired of everyone assuming I'll be just like you or Uncle Skywalker."

If Ben glimpsed the flash of pain in Han's face, he didn't apologize. Poe awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Engine room. Report. I'll be … just down the hall." He scooped up his cleaning rag and toolkit, only to freeze as Ben rounded on him with stricken eyes.

"You think it's a stupid idea, too," Ben said. "You won't let me do it."

"Now hold on, Ben," Han began to reason.

"No!" Pushing his father's hand away, Ben fretfully approached Poe. "It's your choice, isn't it? You're turning me away."

"What – Ben, it's not like that," Han interceded. "You can't change your last name just because – "

"Fine! Keep it, then!" Ben spat, wrenching aside. Furious dark eyes rounded on Poe. "I always hated your name, anyways!" He snagged the cadet's toolbox with the Force and flung it across the hangar, tools scattering as he ran.

"What in the blazes was that all about?" Han railed, flinging his hands into the air. "Poe? Did you tell him something?"

"Nothing." Poe shook his head, staring at the hangar door. "We were just talking, and he…." Perturbed, he scratched his head and replayed the conversation in his mind, trying to find the trigger for Ben's outburst.

What just happened?

Yay, some of my reviewers are back! I don't suppose any of you were so lucky as to be personally rescued the Black Squadron, were you? Or are there possibly First Order sympathizers among the readers? 0_o

(Thank you to Elleth of Mossflower, CrazedFangirl13, The-Splatoon-Rock 64, Nadreth, AKLNxStories, Real1Swear, Space Opera Singer, and ZeDancingHobbit for reviewing!)