Stormpilot Book 2- I Need A Pilot

𝐈𝐗- 𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞?

"Is it dead?" Poe asked as he peered over the body of the Rancor.

"No just unconscious," Ben said as he limped over, he then misplaced his footing causing him to lean on his broken leg. "Ah," he gasped in pain.

"Hang on," Poe said as he swooped down to grab Ben. "I've got you," he said Poe then properly place Ben's arm around his shoulder so that he could help him walk back to the Falcon.

"Thanks," Ben said with a small grin. "Thanks for everything."

"Don't worry about it," Poe said trying to play it off cool. "Listen- about before, about punching you and tell you all that stuff... I'm sorry," Poe said honestly.

Ben's eyes widened, "I'm sorry too," he said sincerely. "I really am." Their conversation turned extremely quiet for a little while as Poe continued to assist Ben to the Falcon.

"I don't know about you but I think we made a pretty good team back there," Poe snickered at Ben.

Ben chuckled, "you're not so bad, Poe Dameron," Ben laughed to himself.

Poe smiled at Ben graciously. "Ya, you're not so bad yourself... Ben Solo."

That was the first time Poe had ever called him Ben, Ben with that Ben felt as though Poe had finally accepted. He looked at the guy who detested him for what felt like forever and now he was helping him get back home... their home.

The jungle's deep night sky was now unravelling into a soft pink morning sky. "Y' know Rey's... gonna be excited that your staying," Poe said slyly.

"You mean I can stay?" Ben asked looking at Poe stunned.

"Ya," Poe said quietly. "We always need another member of the Resistance." A comforting feeling filled Ben's once broken heart. "Plus I see the way you look at her," he said with a smirk as he looked at Ben. 

Ben shyly dropped his face, "ah- you noticed that," he said embarrassingly. 

"Everyone has noticed," Poe laughed, which didn't make Ben feel any better about his situation. "But ah y' know I've been seeing how she looks at you too."

Ben's eyes lit up. "Really?" 

"Ya but you don't know how to play the game- if you want I can put in a good word for you," Poe asked amiably.

"You'd do that?" Ben asked in an innocent voice.

"Ya," Poe nodded in agreement Ben smiled at Poe. "There's the ship," Poe directed with his chin as he still continued helping Ben walk. Finn opened the door of the Falcon to see his fiancé beat red and dirt all over his body and Ben with dry blood on his lips and an injured leg.

"POE!" Finn shouted in fear. "What happened to you guys?" He asked as he jogged to them.

"Help," Poe grunted and he tried his best to keep holding Ben up Finn ran to grab Ben's other arm. 

Rey soon followed. "Poe?! What happened-"

"It was Ben," Poe said. "There was a Rancor- if it wasn't for Ben I would have died," he said dramatically. Rey looked at Poe then Back at Ben, Ben looked up at him confused until Poe let a sly wink. 

"Oh," Ben said playing along. "Y-ya."

"Quick we need to get him inside," Poe groaned. 

They sat Ben down at the booth that sat in the middle of the Falcon. "Easy- easy!" Ben cried in pain as Poe and Finn accidentally dropped him down abruptly, Poe gave out a slight chuckle as he looked at Ben. Rey smiled at the sight at Ben and Poe getting along. 

"Poe is it okay if we talk?" Finn asked singling to Rey and Ben, obviously wanting to give them some privacy.

"Ah sure," Poe said as a late response.

§₱

Poe then followed Finn into the storage compartment that was down the hall Finn stood at the door as he held himself in his arms. It was quite for a while, Poe then remembered how the last time he saw Finn was when he was in a fit of rage at told him that his love for him was bullshit.

 "Are you okay?" Finn asked in a low voice. "You're not hurt or anything?"

Poe patted himself down, "ya- ya I'm fine." He paused for a moment as he looked at a heartbroken Finn. "Finn listen, I'm so sorry-"

"You really hurt me," Finn said as he held himself within Poe jacket, Poe knew he really screwed up. "Believing that I don't 'care for you', that I 'choose sides'... that I 'don't love you' that's what really hurt me."

Poe dropped his head. He really had said all thought words, those nasty thoughts that were only born from hatred. Words that he would never say. "Finn, I'm sorry," he whispered. "I am so sorry that I hurt you... I would want to say it was because I was grieving for... for Leia, but that's no excuse."

"I know but-" Finn looked down at his feet. "It still hurt for you to say those things."

Poe began to walk up to him, "Finn I am deeply sorry I really do mean it- I never meant a word of it." Finn looked up at Poe. "A year ago I made the best decision of my life when I asked Leia if I could join you and Rey's mission, cuz that's when I finally had the guts to tell you how I actually felt, remember?" Poe asked looking at Finn.

Finn raised his eyebrows. "Ya... I remember."

"We went through everything during that mission... you saw me die." Poe stopped as he touched the scar that was on his stomach. "You saved my life and that almost cost you your own." He said as a lump grew in his throat. "I was so afraid I was going to lose you." Poe began to tear up. "I was ready to die... but I could have lost you, Finn, I love you."

Poe looked up to see tears streaming down Finn's cheeks. Poe's eyes widen as he wrapped his arms around him. Finn buried his face in Poe's chest. "I love you too Poe," Finn sobbed. 

Poe chuckled. "Hey come on, there's no need for that, there's no need for tears," he joked hoping to make Finn laugh, Finn let out a little giggle while sniffling. Finn looked up at Poe with a small smile, Poe kissed the top of Finn's head. "You are the about best thing to come out of my crazy life Finn, and I would be more than happy for you to take my last name that is... if you'll still have me?"

Finn chuckled as he kissed Poe's lips. "I will."

Finn and Poe walked back to Rey taking care of Ben. She had grabbed their first aid kit and made a sprint for Ben's injured leg. "Is everything alright?" She asked as he looked up at the boys.

"Everything is perfect," Finn said warmly. "Come on we should be heading home."

"Well this has been a long day and I am completely burnt," Poe said rubbing his tired eyes. "So if Ben wants to fly that would be a load off my back," Poe said looking at him. "There's no pedals or anything so you can fly."

Ben's face beamed at the suggestion, "absolutely."

"Rey, do you think you could co-pilot?" Poe also asked Ben's face went pink at his second suggestion. 

"I suppose," Rey said squinting curiously at Poe.

"Thank you- it's muchly appreciated," Poe said with a mischievous smirk. "Now if you'll excuse me, I think I will turn in for the day," Poe said tiredly.

"Night Poe," Ben said with a smile. 

"Good night you guys," he said as he took Finn's hand.