(No you don't, we're still on autopilot for at least five more hours.) But, not wanting to press its luck, BB-8 rolls off. (I know, I know, someone has to empty the garbage compactor.)
Leaving poor Finn all alone to think about what exactly just happened.
He should have apologized to Poe for letting that slip. For seeing that in the first place. Well, he'll apologize when Poe comes back. It's a small ship.
That's enough manual reading for now, though, so he peeks at the mystery Poe was reading, and before long he's totally engrossed.
Poe resolutely ignores BB-8, because he is not going to get in a nitpicking fight with a droid. That's a sure way to lose. He doesn't need to check the course. But he wants to and is going to.
He stays up in the cockpit a lot longer than necessary while he tries to figure out just what to do. Nothing seems to be the winning option. Just pretend that there was no awkward conversation and he didn't just run off to hide in the cockpit. Fresh start. Move on. Two friends going on leave together, it should not be this complicated.
Okay, so that's settled. Everything is fine.
He heads back to the galley to find Finn reading his book. And apparently enjoying it. And since he's pretending the last twenty minutes didn't happen, he's just going to enjoy that for what it is. "If you like those, I've got the whole rest of the series."
"Yeah, I like it. Her droid is the one that does all the legwork, though." But he puts the reader down, because no matter what Poe said about sharing reading material it's still looking at this stuff, and that's part of the problem, isn't it?
"Look, Poe, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you angry. I wasn't thinking straight. I won't bring it up again, okay?"
"Yeah, that's kind of the ongoing joke of the series. They make a good team, though."
Maybe he should have told Finn that they were pretending that never happened. Oh well, at least it's just an apology and not something incalculably worse. "It's okay, I'm not mad." Mostly. Much. And more at BB-8 than Finn. He almost says, thanks, it's not really appropriate conversation, but stops himself. Because he has to remind himself that Finn is new at a lot of this. He doesn't know what's appropriate or not, and he needs to have someone it's safe to talk to. And come on, he'd taken the guy to a porn shop. The door had kind of already been opened.
Even if this particular topic is going to be tough on Poe since... yeah. That stupid Dameron heart. Okay.
He slides into the seat across from Finn, elbows leaned on the table, hands folded in front of him. "No, it's fine. I shouldn't have gotten my hair in a twist. I get a lot of stuff is really different here. And you shouldn't be afraid to ask me questions or feel bad if you do. I promise I'll be less of a jerk about it."
Being kind to someone who needs it is way more important than momentary awkwardness or a tiny crack at his pride.
Finn grins just a tiny bit, quickly squashed. Maybe Poe's not mad now, but he sure had been after Finn had explained the consequences of breaking Rule #523.
"It's really different," he admits. "But that's why I'm trying to learn." When Poe sits, Finn reaches out a hand to cover up one of his. "I'm not afraid of you, Poe. Not like that." And the grin comes back. "Now, if I was flying on the other side from you, different story. But you've been a good friend to me."
He can't really help it, the way his heart kind of squeezes a little at that gesture, or the way he covers Finn's hand with his other hand.
Doesn't mean anything specific. Just means you're good friends, he reminds himself firmly.
"Okay, that's good. You ask whatever you need to, whenever you need to, okay?" He huffs a little sigh. "And maybe tell me if BB-8's trying to get you to dig through my stuff. It knows better."
As always, Finn finds physical contact with Poe reassuring. Maybe it's because his friend radiates goodwill, that something feels right about Poe, the way it feels right about Rey and the General and a couple others in the Resistance, a feeling he'd not once ever had about anyone in the First Order.
"I will, Poe." And his eyes flash with amusement. "Never met a droid with a sense of humor before. BB-8 means well. I think."
Finn nods, not changing his grip at all. "Even if it means they poke into things they wouldn't otherwise. I bet BB-8 would jump to save you when a wiped droid wouldn't see the need."
Because BB is a loyal little droid. So what if that means exposing Finn to Poe's underwear drawer? It had also led to recognizing Finn's jacket and helped him meet Rey.
Finn raises an eyebrow, grinning again. "You really think it's luck that a droid who spends most of its time around you ends up being smart and loyal and good-hearted? You think that's not directly because of you?"
Eyebrows go up at that one. "I try not to take credit for other people's successes," he says wryly. "Being an officer means I have to try to be a good example for everybody, I guess."
"You do if it's an act. If you're not sincere about it. Poe, I know I can ask you anything and you won't get mad. Or if you do, it's not--you're not mad at me."
And that's what means the most to him, but it's hard to put into words. He purses his lips. "I never had anyone mad for me before."
"Of course it's not an act..." Complimented, but confused. Not a bad place to be, considering the options. But... ah, that makes more sense. "That's what friends are supposed to do Finn." He squeezes the man's hand lightly.
"Doesn't mean I don't appreciate it." More people should have friends like Poe (or Rey or BB-8 for that matter).
He squeezes Poe's hand back and then finally lets go. "Well. I got some more reading to catch up on." Not to mention thinking; this discussion has been one hell of a food for thought moment.
Poe nods. He can't blame Finn if he wants some time alone; this was a little heavier than he intended, and he could just kick himself for it. But he gives Finn that same warm smile anyway. "I'll go read in my bunk, but I'll leave my door open."
Finn spends the next couple hours in his own bunk, door closed, though when BB-8 eventually makes a worried inquiry he pokes a dishevelled head out. "Hey, BB-8. I'll be out in six minutes."
Which is apparently exactly how long it takes him to shower and dress in clean clothes, and he pokes around for Poe once he's out. "Sorry about that. I fell asleep."
Poe reads a bit more, but then takes the opportunity to go to the empty cargo bay and do calisthenics. He doesn't want to get too out of shape over leave.
By the time Finn's up and about, though, he's back at the galley, cooling off while he reads. His hair's damp with sweat and he's stripped down to his undershirt, feet up on the bench across from him. When Finn comes out, he looks up. "No problem. You're on leave. Sleep however much you want."
For once, Finn doesn't instantly quash his observation that Poe looks good like that. The undershirt is tight and Poe's hair looks even curlier when it's damp.
Funny, that was exactly the base doctor's recommendation for him, too. Still, he looks a little sheepish - he didn't want Poe to think he was mad at him or anything. "Better to get some sleep now than when we get there. Is it much longer? Not that I mind," he adds quickly.
Poe grins, setting his reader down. "It's going to be a few more days, buddy. Sorry, I know you're eager to get out on the beach." Well, he doesn't know that, but he can tease him about it.
Now that he's not engrossed in his mystery any more, he stretches his arms. "You hungry or something?" Finn's always hungry.
"I'm always hungry," he admits. Good thing there are plenty of supplies; he doesn't mind plain food at all. "You want me to make you anything? Some of that blue drink?" Make in this case meaning add water and heat until done, because that's the extent of his cooking skills, but ship rations don't require much more than that anyway. And the drink machine reminds him of the one on base with several brightly-colored electrolyte mixes.
For himself, he chooses one of the basic meals, sweet-and-sour sauce over protein cubes served with fluffed grain and a tall glass of orange drink.
"Makes it an easy question to ask." Kind of that conversational fluff that just makes things easier for everyone, since the answers are already know.
He can get his own drink, but he knows that making something for someone else is part of a good give and take. "Sure," he says. "My electrolytes could probably use some replacing."
He keeps an eye on Finn as he does the simple meal prep rather than looking back at his reader. "I'll clear out to go take a shower pretty soon."
Finn brings the chilled drinks over as his meal is heating then makes a second trip for his plate. "As long as you don't smell worse than swamp water there's no rush." Sweat? Sweat is downright pleasant next to some environments he's been in. Still, it feels good to shower off after exertion, so he can appreciate that.
He settles himself next to Poe, stretching out similarly. "So you got any more of those Miss Marplee books? They're not bad." He hasn't finished all his reading material yet, but Finn is getting pretty close and he doesn't want to run out before they even get there.
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Leaving poor Finn all alone to think about what exactly just happened.
He should have apologized to Poe for letting that slip. For seeing that in the first place. Well, he'll apologize when Poe comes back. It's a small ship.
That's enough manual reading for now, though, so he peeks at the mystery Poe was reading, and before long he's totally engrossed.
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He stays up in the cockpit a lot longer than necessary while he tries to figure out just what to do. Nothing seems to be the winning option. Just pretend that there was no awkward conversation and he didn't just run off to hide in the cockpit. Fresh start. Move on. Two friends going on leave together, it should not be this complicated.
Okay, so that's settled. Everything is fine.
He heads back to the galley to find Finn reading his book. And apparently enjoying it. And since he's pretending the last twenty minutes didn't happen, he's just going to enjoy that for what it is. "If you like those, I've got the whole rest of the series."
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"Look, Poe, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you angry. I wasn't thinking straight. I won't bring it up again, okay?"
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Maybe he should have told Finn that they were pretending that never happened. Oh well, at least it's just an apology and not something incalculably worse. "It's okay, I'm not mad." Mostly. Much. And more at BB-8 than Finn. He almost says, thanks, it's not really appropriate conversation, but stops himself. Because he has to remind himself that Finn is new at a lot of this. He doesn't know what's appropriate or not, and he needs to have someone it's safe to talk to. And come on, he'd taken the guy to a porn shop. The door had kind of already been opened.
Even if this particular topic is going to be tough on Poe since... yeah. That stupid Dameron heart. Okay.
He slides into the seat across from Finn, elbows leaned on the table, hands folded in front of him. "No, it's fine. I shouldn't have gotten my hair in a twist. I get a lot of stuff is really different here. And you shouldn't be afraid to ask me questions or feel bad if you do. I promise I'll be less of a jerk about it."
Being kind to someone who needs it is way more important than momentary awkwardness or a tiny crack at his pride.
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"It's really different," he admits. "But that's why I'm trying to learn." When Poe sits, Finn reaches out a hand to cover up one of his. "I'm not afraid of you, Poe. Not like that." And the grin comes back. "Now, if I was flying on the other side from you, different story. But you've been a good friend to me."
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Doesn't mean anything specific. Just means you're good friends, he reminds himself firmly.
"Okay, that's good. You ask whatever you need to, whenever you need to, okay?" He huffs a little sigh. "And maybe tell me if BB-8's trying to get you to dig through my stuff. It knows better."
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"I will, Poe." And his eyes flash with amusement. "Never met a droid with a sense of humor before. BB-8 means well. I think."
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Because BB is a loyal little droid. So what if that means exposing Finn to Poe's underwear drawer? It had also led to recognizing Finn's jacket and helped him meet Rey.
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Yep, just to friends, holding hands, platonically. Life is strange, but this isn't bad.
"I'm lucky to have BB-8." Be honest, Poe. "Most of the time." But he's smiling when he says it.
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"Even when you're one-on-one in an astromech ship?"
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"You don't stop being good just cause no one's watching. Or just because it's only a droid watching."
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And that's what means the most to him, but it's hard to put into words. He purses his lips. "I never had anyone mad for me before."
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He squeezes Poe's hand back and then finally lets go. "Well. I got some more reading to catch up on." Not to mention thinking; this discussion has been one hell of a food for thought moment.
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If you need me for anything.
You know. Other than being grouchy at you.
He slides out of his seat and heads for his room.
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Finn spends the next couple hours in his own bunk, door closed, though when BB-8 eventually makes a worried inquiry he pokes a dishevelled head out. "Hey, BB-8. I'll be out in six minutes."
Which is apparently exactly how long it takes him to shower and dress in clean clothes, and he pokes around for Poe once he's out. "Sorry about that. I fell asleep."
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By the time Finn's up and about, though, he's back at the galley, cooling off while he reads. His hair's damp with sweat and he's stripped down to his undershirt, feet up on the bench across from him. When Finn comes out, he looks up. "No problem. You're on leave. Sleep however much you want."
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Funny, that was exactly the base doctor's recommendation for him, too. Still, he looks a little sheepish - he didn't want Poe to think he was mad at him or anything. "Better to get some sleep now than when we get there. Is it much longer? Not that I mind," he adds quickly.
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Now that he's not engrossed in his mystery any more, he stretches his arms. "You hungry or something?" Finn's always hungry.
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For himself, he chooses one of the basic meals, sweet-and-sour sauce over protein cubes served with fluffed grain and a tall glass of orange drink.
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He can get his own drink, but he knows that making something for someone else is part of a good give and take. "Sure," he says. "My electrolytes could probably use some replacing."
He keeps an eye on Finn as he does the simple meal prep rather than looking back at his reader. "I'll clear out to go take a shower pretty soon."
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He settles himself next to Poe, stretching out similarly. "So you got any more of those Miss Marplee books? They're not bad." He hasn't finished all his reading material yet, but Finn is getting pretty close and he doesn't want to run out before they even get there.
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