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Finn nods. "No reason not to start at the beginning, if you have it." And besides, he likes the mental image of Poe's dad (who looks just like an older Poe with Solo's jacket in his mind) reading novels with his kid.
Besides, it'll be nice to read a narrative that doesn't end with and then all their problems were solved when they joined the First Order. Finn's read an awful lot of propaganda in his time, and he's smart enough to recognize it now that he's been exposed to some other media.
He finishes up his snack and takes a drink. "Do you have a lot of stuff like that? Things you grew up with, I mean."
Besides, it'll be nice to read a narrative that doesn't end with and then all their problems were solved when they joined the First Order. Finn's read an awful lot of propaganda in his time, and he's smart enough to recognize it now that he's been exposed to some other media.
He finishes up his snack and takes a drink. "Do you have a lot of stuff like that? Things you grew up with, I mean."
"Sort of," Poe says. "I mean... I'm the guy my parents made me in to, you could say. My mom taught me to fly. My dad taught me... Everything else. It's all memories. Mostly really good memories. I can't carry around a lot of stuff. You know how that goes."
He grins, nudging Finn's foot with his. "Your jacket used to belong to my dad. He gave it to me the day I left home to join the New Republic Navy."
He grins, nudging Finn's foot with his. "Your jacket used to belong to my dad. He gave it to me the day I left home to join the New Republic Navy."
"It did?" Is that a silly grin Finn's getting on his face? He touches the jacket again with his free hand, as if to remind himself of its solidity. Poe had been perfectly clear that he wanted Finn to keep it, but it's--the first real object he's ever owned with any kind of history, really, and knowing it had been a gift before makes it even more special to him. "Then I'm extra glad you got Kare to fix it!"
In the absence of any remembered parents, Finn had tried to become the person the First Order had wanted him to be - it was the only thing he knew - but that had failed pretty miserably. He knows that, in so many ways, he's still learning, and he's glad to have Poe helping him out.
In the absence of any remembered parents, Finn had tried to become the person the First Order had wanted him to be - it was the only thing he knew - but that had failed pretty miserably. He knows that, in so many ways, he's still learning, and he's glad to have Poe helping him out.
"It took really good care of him, and it took good care of me, so I think that jacket ought to take good care of you too." Really, Finn gets to wear it more often than him these days anyway, so it's got a good home.
"Memories are an important thing. Hopefully you get to make some good ones now, right?" Another little nudge. "But they're not the only thing. You must've been born with a good heart or you wouldn't have saved my ass back at Jakku."
"Memories are an important thing. Hopefully you get to make some good ones now, right?" Another little nudge. "But they're not the only thing. You must've been born with a good heart or you wouldn't have saved my ass back at Jakku."
"Thanks, Poe. I mean it." Yes, he's already thanked Poe numerous times for the jacket, but that was before he knew it was a gift from his father. Maybe--maybe he can find Poe something to wear when he has a chance to shop. Until then, Finn knows the best thing he can do is take care of Poe should he need it.
Finn looks down, still smiling. He'd told Poe the truth at the time - that it was the right thing to do - and even if it was a little bit selfish, he knows now that it really had been the right thing to do. "It felt right, you know? Like I was supposed to."
Finn looks down, still smiling. He'd told Poe the truth at the time - that it was the right thing to do - and even if it was a little bit selfish, he knows now that it really had been the right thing to do. "It felt right, you know? Like I was supposed to."
"I know." It's easy to tell when Finn's being honest; he's a genuine kind of guy, one of those things Poe likes about him so much.
He smiles crookedly. "That's what the right thing to do is supposed to feel like, right? Except sometimes the right thing is the hard thing, so.... Who knows. That's for people above my pay grade to argue." He does what he thinks is right, what feels right, so it makes sense to him. That's how he ended up here.
He smiles crookedly. "That's what the right thing to do is supposed to feel like, right? Except sometimes the right thing is the hard thing, so.... Who knows. That's for people above my pay grade to argue." He does what he thinks is right, what feels right, so it makes sense to him. That's how he ended up here.
Finn is quiet for a moment, clearly pondering what Poe says. Sometimes the right thing is the hard thing. Like leaving the only life he'd ever known? Walking across the desert instead of giving up? Going back to Starkiller Base? Staying to fight Kylo Ren? None of those were the easy choice, and every one of them was right.
"If everyone did what was easy," he says finally, "the First Order would have already won."
"If everyone did what was easy," he says finally, "the First Order would have already won."
"That's what I figure." Poe takes another swig of his drink. "And my dad always told me, whatever you commit to, you do it with everything you've got. That's how he lives, too. So you commit to doing the right thing, you never stop. And that sure seems like what you've been doing."
"I think I'd like your dad." He sure likes Poe, and if he really did learn everything he knows (except flying) from his dad, it's the kind of morals that make Poe the hero he is. The kind of loyalty Poe has from his friends--his squadmates, even his droid--isn't the kind of thing that develops half-heartedly.
So Finn nods. "I want to. I want to do the right thing, Poe. Even when it means standing up to what scares me, because if I don't I'm no better than the Stormtrooper I used to be."
So Finn nods. "I want to. I want to do the right thing, Poe. Even when it means standing up to what scares me, because if I don't I'm no better than the Stormtrooper I used to be."
"I think you would, too," Poe says. His smiles fondly. "And I know he'd like you. He served with General Solo, you know? In his special forces unit. At the Battle of Endor and the six months after til he and my mom mustered out. Doesn't talk about it much, though."
He slips an arm around Finn's shoulders for a moment, a sort of side hug. "I know you will. You're your own man, Finn." Hopefully Finn doesn't mind the slightly sweaty nature of the hug. Whoops.
He slips an arm around Finn's shoulders for a moment, a sort of side hug. "I know you will. You're your own man, Finn." Hopefully Finn doesn't mind the slightly sweaty nature of the hug. Whoops.
Edited 2016-01-26 04:22 (UTC)
Not only does he not mind the hug, he visibly relaxes into it and even leans a little of his weight against Poe's. Being your own man isn't so bad when you have friends like Poe to help you out, he decides.
"Too bad he doesn't talk about it. I bet that's a damn good story." He can understand, though. Some things he doesn't mind talking about, like the rathtars and dumping Phasma in the trash compactor. Others, like--well, like basically anything involving Kylo Ren, he doesn't bring up; he'd only given a full debriefing to General Organa, and she'd already heard Rey and Chewbacca's part of the story. And because, of everyone, she deserved to know.
"Too bad he doesn't talk about it. I bet that's a damn good story." He can understand, though. Some things he doesn't mind talking about, like the rathtars and dumping Phasma in the trash compactor. Others, like--well, like basically anything involving Kylo Ren, he doesn't bring up; he'd only given a full debriefing to General Organa, and she'd already heard Rey and Chewbacca's part of the story. And because, of everyone, she deserved to know.
Finn leaning against him is... nice. Really nice. Doesn't mean anything by it, he reminds himself. The guy hasn't had nearly enough hugs in his life. So he hangs on to Finn a little longer. Hopefully not long enough to be weird.
"I heard some stories from guys he served with. He'd tell me about General Solo or the people he worked with, but he doesn't like talking about himself."
"I heard some stories from guys he served with. He'd tell me about General Solo or the people he worked with, but he doesn't like talking about himself."
It is most certainly not weird. He trusts Poe, and part of that is feeling comfortable with him. Hell, if he wasn't comfortable with Poe he never would have wanted to come on this trip in the first place, so he exhales contentedly.
"Probably doesn't want to sound like he's bragging." That was one of the many rumors about pilots he'd picked up in the barracks--that they liked to brag--but as far as Finn could tell, Poe earned every damn thing he said. "Maybe he'll visit the base some time and I'll hear for myself."
"Probably doesn't want to sound like he's bragging." That was one of the many rumors about pilots he'd picked up in the barracks--that they liked to brag--but as far as Finn could tell, Poe earned every damn thing he said. "Maybe he'll visit the base some time and I'll hear for myself."
"I think that's some of it," he says. "It's always easier to talk about good things someone else has done. But I think they both... didn't want to make it seem romantic. Or glorious." And he's long since learned better, though being a pilot means he spends a lot of time on an adrenalin high. That just can't be why he does things.
"If we go to Yavin again when he's actually there, I'll take you by the ranch and you can meet him."
Yeah, he can feel content with this and just not try to make it more than it is. It's nice to have someone to lean on. He can't get like this with his squad; problem with being an officer. But this is okay, and Finn's touched his life in a way no one else ever has.
"If we go to Yavin again when he's actually there, I'll take you by the ranch and you can meet him."
Yeah, he can feel content with this and just not try to make it more than it is. It's nice to have someone to lean on. He can't get like this with his squad; problem with being an officer. But this is okay, and Finn's touched his life in a way no one else ever has.
Finn nods, thinking about it. The First Order had done their best to glorify war, of course; it had been difficult for him to think of it any other way until his fateful first battle, and then he'd done everything to get as far away as he could. Poe had had the chance to choose this life long ago - he could easily get a job flying a freighter or an in-systems shuttle or anything, but here they are.
"I'd like to meet him, Poe." Maybe not tell him about the Stormtrooper part, unless it's followed immediately by who switched sides and rescued your son. "Will he back by the time we're on the return trip?" If not, Yavin's demonstrably not far from the base; maybe they can visit again some time.
"I'd like to meet him, Poe." Maybe not tell him about the Stormtrooper part, unless it's followed immediately by who switched sides and rescued your son. "Will he back by the time we're on the return trip?" If not, Yavin's demonstrably not far from the base; maybe they can visit again some time.
Why does the thought of introducing Finn to his dad warm him so much? Well, because he knows dad will like Finn, and probably about adopt him on the spot, and that would be pretty good for Finn too.
It's just the teasing he'll no doubt get from his father that's making him cringe a little. Kes Dameron had an instinct for smelling out trouble and making it worse that almost put general Solo's legend to shame.
"I'll send him a message when we're getting ready to head back. He was vague about his dates." He laughs. "He usually is."
He's just imagining what around the ranch he'd show Finn. Well, everything. Starting with the shed where mom's old A-Wing still lived.
It's just the teasing he'll no doubt get from his father that's making him cringe a little. Kes Dameron had an instinct for smelling out trouble and making it worse that almost put general Solo's legend to shame.
"I'll send him a message when we're getting ready to head back. He was vague about his dates." He laughs. "He usually is."
He's just imagining what around the ranch he'd show Finn. Well, everything. Starting with the shed where mom's old A-Wing still lived.
Given the generalized lack of paternal role models--Solo had been like that, briefly, but more for Rey than for him--it probably would be good for Finn. Not to mention the general curiosity about Poe in general that he's barely scratched the surface of. What could it have been like to grow up in the shadow of the war, with both parents involved? It had certainly turned Poe into the man he is, and Finn can't complain about that.
"Yeah. And if he doesn't get back to you, we'll just have to spend more time on the beach." The medics had said laying around and relaxing in the sun would be great for his back, even if they were smiling about it and exchanging some amused looks. What, like he didn't know they'd be jealous of getting to see Poe Dameron in a swimsuit?
"You gonna help me pick out a swimsuit?"
"Yeah. And if he doesn't get back to you, we'll just have to spend more time on the beach." The medics had said laying around and relaxing in the sun would be great for his back, even if they were smiling about it and exchanging some amused looks. What, like he didn't know they'd be jealous of getting to see Poe Dameron in a swimsuit?
"You gonna help me pick out a swimsuit?"
"What a trial," Poe says, laughing. He gives Finn a gentle shake 27th the arm around his shoulders.
... He should probably let go sometime soon. But... Well.
He'd kind of guessed Finn didn't have a bathing suit. Which is fair, because, "I have to get one too, so no problem. Haven't hit the beach in years, that's why I thought it'd be so much fun. So we can help each other out."
... He should probably let go sometime soon. But... Well.
He'd kind of guessed Finn didn't have a bathing suit. Which is fair, because, "I have to get one too, so no problem. Haven't hit the beach in years, that's why I thought it'd be so much fun. So we can help each other out."
Finn sure doesn't mind. It's comfortable sitting like this, leaning against Poe. And he is supposed to be relaxing on this trip, isn't he?
"Good, because I don't even know where to start. You really are okay with babysitting me the whole time, huh?" Yes, Poe hasn't got sick of him yet and Finn knows he asks a lot of questions, but--except for Rey, there isn't anyone he'd rather spend time with, and he's pretty sure Rey and Poe would get along.
"Good, because I don't even know where to start. You really are okay with babysitting me the whole time, huh?" Yes, Poe hasn't got sick of him yet and Finn knows he asks a lot of questions, but--except for Rey, there isn't anyone he'd rather spend time with, and he's pretty sure Rey and Poe would get along.
"We'll figure it out." Buying stuff is generally easy, and there should be plenty of shops on Spira just for guys in their situation. He tightens his arm around Finn's shoulders a little too pull him in closer, rest their heads against each other for a second. "Not babysitting, Finn. Taking you somewhere and having fun. Nowhere I'd rather be."
The rest of the trip there passes peacefully, and as soon as they exit hyperspace Finn jumps into the copilot's seat so he can be there as Poe takes her in. Not that he can really do anything from there, but the view is better and it's more exciting than just sitting in his room. Spira is gorgeous from space, temperate oceans dotted by tiny islands, nothing you'd really call a continent. Are they going to head to one of the bustling ports or somewhere more out of the way? Until they land, Finn doesn't know for sure and it's pretty exciting.
"Everything looking good for landing?"
"Everything looking good for landing?"
"It looks perfect," Poe says. "No major storms, and weather is completely clear where we're headed." He points their course toward one of the smaller islands. "I got us rooms at a little place a guy my dad ran in the rangers with owns now. It's real quiet there, good surfing and fishing, kind of a hidden spot that doesn't get lot of tourists."
He glances at Finn. "Though if you want exciting stuff, like dancing, it's a twenty minute hop to somewhere a lot bigger. So we're not out in the sticks completely."
His own preference is for relaxation and taking it easy, and if he's feeling like more action, he can go to it. This is supposed to be a chance for him to unwind, and the first thing he needs to do is have a couple days to breathe and shake off the ghost of combat.
He glances at Finn. "Though if you want exciting stuff, like dancing, it's a twenty minute hop to somewhere a lot bigger. So we're not out in the sticks completely."
His own preference is for relaxation and taking it easy, and if he's feeling like more action, he can go to it. This is supposed to be a chance for him to unwind, and the first thing he needs to do is have a couple days to breathe and shake off the ghost of combat.
Not being overrun with tourists does sound perfect; Finn relaxes a little to hear it and grins back. "Maybe one day of excitement. The rest of the time, low-key ought to be just the right thing. Long as there's somewhere we can pick up swimsuits first."
That was one of the activities the medics had given him full freedom on - swimming should be great for his back as long as he pays attention to when he's getting tired. Surfing and fishing? He doesn't know how, but Finn's willing to bet that Poe can teach him.
Poe sets the freighter down expertly and Finn gives him a shoulder-squeeze before getting up to go unload. Not that he has anything besides his travel pack and a happy BB-8 to unload, but he does his job and makes sure everything on the ship is secure.
That was one of the activities the medics had given him full freedom on - swimming should be great for his back as long as he pays attention to when he's getting tired. Surfing and fishing? He doesn't know how, but Finn's willing to bet that Poe can teach him.
Poe sets the freighter down expertly and Finn gives him a shoulder-squeeze before getting up to go unload. Not that he has anything besides his travel pack and a happy BB-8 to unload, but he does his job and makes sure everything on the ship is secure.
"Oh yeah, definitely. There's a grocery shop and a couple restaurants and a beach shop too. The kind of places locals still need. Sop wet can get bathing suits without having to go to the bigger island if we want." He grins. "Unless you want something really fancy."
The manning field is small, run by the local control net and one elderly pilot who probably spends most of his time napping. Poe doesn't get too crazy about security for that reason
He rents a little hopper for them so they don't have to take the freighter everywhere and takes them over to the hotel, which is really more of a bed and breakfast, which has been built into a Cliffside. Check in involves a lot of hand shaking and the promise of a beer and catch up time later, and then they have their rooms, one on top of each other in a stack, a little ladder between them if they don't feel like using the main corridor and stairs.
"What do you think?" He asks. Roomy by either of their standards, homey, and the view out to the ocean is without compare. The first thing Poe does is open the windows to catch the salty breeze.
The manning field is small, run by the local control net and one elderly pilot who probably spends most of his time napping. Poe doesn't get too crazy about security for that reason
He rents a little hopper for them so they don't have to take the freighter everywhere and takes them over to the hotel, which is really more of a bed and breakfast, which has been built into a Cliffside. Check in involves a lot of hand shaking and the promise of a beer and catch up time later, and then they have their rooms, one on top of each other in a stack, a little ladder between them if they don't feel like using the main corridor and stairs.
"What do you think?" He asks. Roomy by either of their standards, homey, and the view out to the ocean is without compare. The first thing Poe does is open the windows to catch the salty breeze.
"I think it looks perfect." Finn almost offers to take the top room out of habit, but he doesn't want his back to complain at him for climbing after a long day of exploring so he tosses his bag on the bed in the lower room and flops down to test it out. Nice and soft, and big enough for him to stretch out and still have plenty of room. The sound of the ocean is a bit different than the hum of an engine or the ever-present noises in a base but it's infinitely better than the silence of the desert.
"Let's hike around the island today, Poe. My legs could use stretching." A treadmill in a ship works, sure enough, but it's not the same as even just walking hallways, and why not get to know the place a little better?
"Let's hike around the island today, Poe. My legs could use stretching." A treadmill in a ship works, sure enough, but it's not the same as even just walking hallways, and why not get to know the place a little better?
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