Blaze Of Glory | Kylo Ren

Turned For The Better

Poe's P.O.V.

"How are you still going?"

"Don't tell me you're already tired, Dameron."

Ani chuckles while turning around and running backwards. Shaking my head, smiling, I think that's the first laugh I've heard from her since we've been stuck here. Picking up my pace, I run to her side and jog at her pace.

"You know, we're almost at the half mark... We might as well run around the entire lake."

"That's the plan, hotshot."

Ani breathes out with a smirk, dancing on her lips. Ani and I are running side by side at the edge of the lake. For that past few weeks, we've been jogging together in the mornings. Today, however, Ani suggested the lake.

Since the day we saw Luke on top of the lake, I could tell something sparked inside Ani. Like a light being switched on. Her mood has been optimistic, and she asks how the ship's looking less.

I've noticed her meditating with Ahsoka before lunch and sparring with Grogu in the afternoon lately. We've been here almost a month with little luck on our ship but a lot of improvement with Anakia. She still has nightmares at night, but it hasn't affected her mood when waking up.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're challenging me to a race."

I tease beside her while shoving her shoulder. Laughing, Anakia shoves me harder in the shoulder. Glancing out at the water, Ani's eyes dart back to me while speaking up.

"I'm not back to my prime strength yet... We'll have to make a rain check."

"Too scared, huh?" I joke while keeping our steady pace. "I see how it is."

"Hey, I'll have you know I used to run around the lake at home every day." She defends with a smile before it drops slightly at the thought. The sight of her thin lips makes my lips slack slightly before she adds in light fun. "So in a week or two, be prepared."

We fall into silence again, and I watch her glance at the forest on our side. Watching her, I wonder if she's actually looking at the forest or imagine something else. Glancing to the lake, I find the spot across the lake we started running.

It's about forty-five minutes away with our jogging pace. With us running daily, I bet we can cut the time in half in a week and a half. My thoughts flutter to what the Resistance is doing at the idea of being here for another two weeks.

I don't want to think about it, but somehow I've gotten used to the idea of staying here for a while. No one here speaks much about the days passing. It's just easier to not mention it. Yet, it weighs down more with just the thought of it.

"We're going to get off this system, Poe." Anakia speaks up and I instantly realize she's tapping into my thoughts with her Jedi Voodoo. Smiling at me lightly, Ani assures me. "You, me, Grogu and Ahsoka... We're going to get out of here."

"Yeah, I know."

I sigh while scanning around with ease and peace. Honestly, the thought of Anakia getting better is enough to keep me content on this planet. If she wasn't, I would lose faith. For a few days, I was getting worried.

"Maybe... One day..." Anakia blurts out, slightly unsure if she should say it. "I'll take you to my home and show you the lake I used to run."

"Yeah?" I grin at the idea. "What's it like?"

"Like this place, but less forest and more fields." She explains with eyes that make it seem like her planet is right in front of her. "Han and my father's grave is by my old hut... And there's a spot on the lake I want to build a house-"